Coolant Distribution System For A Rack Having A Rear-Door Heat Exchanger

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention provides a rack assembly for cooling a computer system. A rack provides support for one or more columns of heat-generating electronic devices. Device fans move air from an air inlet side of the rack through the devices and through an air outlet side of the rack. A unitary door has a support frame spanning the air outlet side of the rack and hingedly coupling the door to a rear vertical edge of the rack. The unitary door includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger panel spanning an air outlet passage inside the support frame so that substantially all of the air passing through the air outlet side of the rack must pass through the heat exchanger panel. The air outlet passage has a cross-sectional area that is substantially equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the one or more columns of heat-generating devices. A coolant circulation system includes a coolant distribution unit for chilling liquid coolant, a supply hose placing the coolant distribution unit in fluid communication with an inlet manifold of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a return hose placing an outlet manifold of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger in fluid communication with the coolant distribution unit. The supply hose and return hose are routed outside the cross-sectional area of the air outlet passage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.