COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20080298019A1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vertiv Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Liebert Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Inventors: SPEARING, Ian, SCHARDER, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,602,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/701
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/2079 within rooms for removing heat from cabinets

Abstract

A system of cooling and method of use that includes a connector having a data reader capable of reading a wireless identifier and/or a breaker box capable of routing liquid cooling to at least one server. In a preferred embodiment, both the quick connector and the breaker box are used in conjunction with a liquid coolant such as refrigerant or water.

Claims

1. A system for cooling at least one electronic device with a liquid coolant, wherein each electronic device has a wireless identifier, the system comprising:

a pumper module;

a breaker box;

a supply line connected to the pumper module and the breaker box system;

a return line connected to the pumper module and the breaker box system;

a quick connector;

a data reader capable of reading the wireless identifier;

a connector line connected to the breaker box system and the quick connector; and

a software monitoring and control system.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a filtration/purification system in connection with the pumper module and the breaker box.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the quick connector further comprises:

a connection interlock; and

an interlock engager/disengager.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the quick connector further comprises status lights.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the quick connector further comprises an interlock.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the connector line comprises metallic layers and polymer layers.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless identifier is a radio frequency identification identifier.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the liquid coolant is a refrigerant.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the breaker box further comprises a pump and a reservoir.

10. A quick connector for use in a system for cooling at least one electronic device having a wireless identifier with a liquid coolant, the quick connector comprising:

a data reader capable of reading the wireless identifier of the server;

a connection interlock; and

an interlock engager/disengager.

11. The quick connector of claim 10 further comprising status lights.

12. The quick connector of claim 10 further comprising:

a connector supply line;

a connector return line;

wherein the pneumatic interlock is capable of restricting connection or disconnection.

13. The quick connector of claim 10 further comprising an interlock confirm.

14. The quick connector of claim 10 wherein the liquid coolant is a refrigerant.

18. The breaker box of claim 15 further comprising at least one quick connector of claim 10.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein Step (b) uses the connector of claim 10.

15. A breaker box for use in cooling at least one electronic device with a liquid coolant, the breaker box comprising:

at least one pump;

at least one reservoir;

a supply line connected to the breaker box system;

a return line connected to the breaker box system;

a water line; and

a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the water line, the supply line, and the return line.

16. The breaker box of claim 15 wherein each pump, each reservoir, and the heat exchanger are located within the breaker box.

17. The breaker box of claim 15 wherein the liquid coolant is water.

19. A method of cooling at least one electronic device, wherein the electronic device has a receptacle, an electronic device supply line receiver, and an electronic device return line receiver, and wherein the receptacle has a wireless identifier, which comprises the steps of:

(a) placing a quick connector in proximity to the receptacle, wherein the quick connector comprises a supply line, a return line, and a data reader capable of reading the wireless identifier;

(b) reading data from the wireless identifier; and

(c) connecting the quick connector to the receptacle, which comprises;

(i) connecting the supply line to the electronic device supply line receiver; and

(ii) connecting the return line to the electronic device return line receiver.

20. The method of claim 19, which further comprises the steps of:

(d) feeding refrigerant through at least one line.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the quick connector further comprises:

a connection interlock; and

an interlock engager/disengager.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the wireless identifier is a radio frequency identification identifier.

23. A method of cooling at least one electronic device using a liquid coolant, which comprises the steps of:

(a) routing a supply line, a return line, and a water coolant line into a breaker box;

(b) connecting the liquid coolant line to the electronic device;

(c) pumping water to and from the electronic device in the water coolant line with a pump; and

(d) exchanging heat from the liquid coolant line to the return line using a heat exchanger.

24. The method of claim 23, which further comprises the step of maintaining a supply of liquid in a reservoir.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the pump, the reservoir, and the heat exchanger are located within the breaker box.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the liquid coolant is water.

28. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of balancing thermal loads for optimal equipment use.