Flexible sensor for leak detection in liquid-cooled information handling systems

A method of monitoring a liquid cooing assembly of an information handling system, the method comprising:

• driving, with an alternating-current (AC) signal, a first signal trace and a second signal trace formed on a flexible dielectric substrate, wherein the first and second signal traces are each substantially parallel with a reference trace formed on the flexible substrate, and wherein the first and second signal traces are insulated in separate regions of the flexible dielectric substrate;
• processing, by a signal processor, signals generated on the first and second signal traces in response to the AC signal;
• and
• detecting, by the signal processor, a potential coolant leak in one of the separate regions in response to a change in magnitude of one of the signals generated on the first or second signal traces.

An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

• a chassis enclosing at least one processor;
• a memory;
• and
• a bus communicatively coupling the memory with the at least one processor;
• a liquid cooling assembly positioned within the chassis;
• a control unit positioned with the chassis;
• and
• a leak sensor operatively coupled to the control unit, the leak sensor having
• a flexible dielectric substrate;
• a reference trace formed on the flexible dielectric substrate;
• a first signal trace formed on the flexible substrate substantially in parallel with a first portion of the reference trace;
• and
• a second signal trace formed on the flexible substrate substantially in parallel with a second portion of the reference trace;
• wherein the first and second signal traces are separated by insulation into separate regions on the flexible dielectric substrate;
• and
• wherein electrically driving the first and second signal traces induces voltages on the first and second signal traces, the voltages correlated with an amount of liquid within the separate regions.