US 2009/0268404 A1 · ENERGY EFFICIENT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COOLING AN ELECTRONICS RACK

Abstract

Apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronics rack in an energy efficient, dynamic manner. The apparatus includes one or more extraction mechanisms for facilitating cooling of the electronics rack, an enclosure, a heat removal unit, and a control unit. The enclosure has an outer wall, a cover coupled to the outer wall and a central opening sized to surround the electronics rack and the heat extraction mechanism. A liquid coolant loop couples the heat removal unit in fluid communication with the heat extraction mechanism, which removes heat from liquid coolant passing therethrough. The control unit is coupled to the heat removal unit for dynamically adjusting energy consumption of the heat removal unit to limit its energy consumption, while providing a required cooling to the electronics rack employing the liquid coolant passing through the heat extraction mechanism.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for cooling of an electronics rack, the apparatus comprising:

at least one heat extraction mechanism for facilitating cooling of the electronics rack;
an enclosure comprising at least one wall, a cover coupled to the at least one wall, and a central opening sized to accommodate the electronics rack and the at least one heat extraction mechanism therein, wherein when operatively employed, the enclosure surrounds the electronics rack;
a heat removal unit in fluid communication with the at least one heat extraction mechanism for removing heat from liquid coolant passing therethrough, the at least one heat extraction mechanism and the heat removal unit being coupled via a liquid coolant loop;
and
a control unit coupled to the heat removal unit for dynamically adjusting energy consumption of the heat removal unit to limit energy consumption thereof while providing a required cooling to the electronics rack employing the liquid coolant passing through the at least one heat extraction mechanism.

2 more elements

A method of facilitating cooling of an electronics rack, the method comprising:

providing at least one heat extraction mechanism for facilitating cooling of an electronics rack disposed within an enclosure, wherein the enclosure facilitates establishing a closed loop airflow path passing through the electronics rack;
providing a heat removal unit in fluid communication with the at least one heat extraction mechanism for removing heat from liquid coolant passing therethrough, the at least one heat extraction mechanism and the heat removal unit being coupled via a liquid coolant loop;
and
providing a control unit to automatically adjust liquid coolant flow rate through the at least one heat extraction mechanism, the control unit automatically dynamically adjusting energy consumption of the heat removal unit to limit energy consumption thereof, while providing a required cooling to the electronics rack employing the liquid coolant passing through the at least one heat extraction mechanism.

1 more element

A method for cooling an electronics rack, the method comprising:

passing liquid coolant through at least one heat extraction mechanism disposed within an enclosure containing an electronics rack for facilitating cooling of the electronics rack, wherein the enclosure surrounds the electronics rack;
and
dynamically adjusting energy consumption of a heat removal unit coupled in fluid communication with the at least one heat extraction mechanism via a liquid coolant loop, the heat removal unit removing heat from liquid coolant passing therethrough, wherein the dynamically adjusting comprises dynamically adjusting at least one of liquid coolant flow rate through the at least one heat extraction mechanism or air flow rate across at least one liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the heat removal unit, the at least one liquid-to-air heat exchanger facilitating removal of heat from the liquid coolant, and wherein the heat removal unit is disposed external to the enclosure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Energy efficient apparatus and method for cooling an electronics rack

Life of this patent

Energy efficient apparatus and method for cooling an electronics rack

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20