# US 2021/0243918 A1 · Multi-function adapting modules for electronics cooling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0243918 A1 - Document ID: US20210243918A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/782,353 - Filed: 2020-02-05 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-05 - Assignees: Baidu USA LLC - Applicants: Baidu USA LLC - Inventors: Tianyi Gao - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210243918A1 ## CPC - H05K 7/20781: {within cabinets for removing heat from server blades} - H05K 7/1488: {Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures} - H05K 7/20181: {Filters; Louvers} - H05K 7/20254: {Cold plates transferring heat from heat source to coolant} - H05K 7/20263: {Heat dissipaters releasing heat from coolant} - H05K 7/20272: {Accessories for moving fluid, for expanding fluid, for connecting fluid conduits, for distributing fluid, for removing gas or for preventing leakage, e.g. pumps, tanks or manifolds} - H05K 7/20281: {Thermal management, e.g. liquid flow control} - H05K 7/20754: {Air circulating in closed loop within cabinets} - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract A modular cooling system includes a fluid pump in fluid communication with one or more cooling elements to cool electronics components; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fluid pump; a heat exchanger valve upstream of the heat exchanger; and a fluid supply valve positioned between a cooling fluid supply and the one or more cooling elements. When the heat exchanger valve and the fluid supply valve are in a first position, fluid is directed from the cooling fluid supply to the one or more cooling elements, bypassing the heat exchanger and the fluid pump. When the heat exchanger valve and the fluid supply valve are in a second position, fluid is cut off from the cooling fluid supply and a cooling fluid return and circulated through the heat exchanger and the fluid pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular cooling system, comprising: an adapting module disposed within the server unit, the adapting module comprising: a fluid pump in fluid communication with one or more cooling elements to cool electronics components within a server unit; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fluid pump; a heat exchanger valve upstream of the heat exchanger; and a fluid supply valve positioned between a cooling fluid supply and the one or more cooling elements, wherein when the heat exchanger valve and the fluid supply valve are in a first position, a fluid is directed from the cooling fluid supply to the one or more cooling elements, bypassing the heat exchanger and the fluid pump, and when the heat exchanger valve and the fluid supply valve are in a second position, the fluid is cut off from the cooling fluid supply and a cooling fluid return and circulated through the heat exchanger and the fluid pump. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular cooling system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one louver and a fan configured to direct air through the heat exchanger when the heat exchanger valve and the fluid supply valve are in the second position, the at least one louver and the fan also being integrated within the adapting module. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular cooling system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger valve and the fluid supply valve switch from the first position to the second position in response to detecting a long term or short term loss of the cooling fluid supply. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular cooling system of claim 1, wherein the adapting module is removably attached to the cooling fluid supply and the one or more cooling elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The modular cooling system of claim 4, wherein the adapting module includes a plurality of fluid connectors to fluidly connect to the cooling fluid supply and the one or more cooling elements. ### Claim 6 An adapting cooling module comprising: a first fluid loop to direct cooling fluid from a cooling fluid supply through a first heat exchanger; a second fluid loop in fluid communication with one or more cooling elements to cool electronics components; a first fluid pump within the second fluid loop to pump fluid through the one or more cooing elements; and a plurality of fluid connectors to fluidly connect the first fluid loop to the cooling fluid supply and the second fluid loop to the one or more cooling elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The adapting cooling module of claim 6, further comprising: a first valve configured to selectively direct fluid between the cooling fluid supply, the first heat exchanger, and the one or more cooling elements; and a second valve configured to selectively direct fluid between the one or more cooling elements, the first heat exchanger and the first fluid pump, and a cooling fluid return. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The adapting cooling module of claim 7, wherein the first valve and the second valve are three-way fluid valves. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The adapting cooling module of claim 6, further comprising: a first valve located within the second fluid loop to selectively direct fluid through the first fluid pump and the first heat exchanger; and a second valve which, in a first position directs fluid through the second fluid loop including the first heat exchanger and the first fluid pump, and in a second position directs fluid through a third fluid loop including a second heat exchanger and a second fluid pump. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The adapting cooling module of claim 9, wherein the first heat exchanger is a liquid to liquid heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger is an air-cooled heat exchanger. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The adapting cooling module of claim 10, further comprising: at least two louvers and a fan configured to direct air through the second heat exchanger. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The adapting cooling module of claim 6, further comprising: a third valve configured to selectively direct fluid from the second fluid loop to a secondary cooling module including an independent heat exchanger. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The adapting cooling module of claim 12, wherein the secondary cooling module further comprises an independent fluid pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The adapting cooling module of claim 13, wherein the secondary cooling module is an air-cooled cooling module and further comprises at least one fan to direct air through the independent heat exchanger. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The adapting cooling module of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of secondary cooling module connecting ports to detachably connect the secondary cooling module with the second fluid loop. ### Claim 16 A method of cooling a server comprising: providing cooling fluid from a cooling fluid supply to one or more cooling elements to cool electronics components within a server unit; activating one or more valves located within an adapting module to isolate the cooling fluid within an internal fluid loop, the adapting module being disposed within the server unit and comprising a fluid pump and at least one heat exchanger; pumping the cooling fluid within the internal fluid loop to the one or more cooling elements; and pumping the cooling fluid through the at least one heat exchanger and the fluid pump within the internal fluid loop. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: switching the one or more valves between a first position and a second position, wherein when the one or more valves are in the first position, the cooling fluid is directed from the cooling fluid supply to the one or more cooling elements, bypassing the heat exchanger and the fluid pump, and when the one or more valves are in a second position, the cooling fluid is cut off from the cooling fluid supply and a cooling fluid return and circulated through the heat exchanger and the fluid pump. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein, when the one or more valves are in the second position, fluid from the cooling fluid supply is directed through the heat exchanger to the cooling fluid return. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the switching the one or more valves from the first position to the second position transforms a server cooling system from a liquid cooling system to an air-cooled system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: switching the one or more valves between the second position to the first position to transform the server cooling system back to the liquid cooling system.