COOLING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM FOR SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

• US 20170280594A1
• Filed: 08/20/2015
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: SATO, Masanori, INABA, Kenichi, YOSHIKAWA, Minoru, SHOUJIGUCHI, Akira, CHIBA, Masaki, MATSUNAGA, Arihiro
• Application Number:
  US15/504,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20170280594A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20745 within rooms for removing heat from cabinets, e.g. by air conditioning device
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20827 within rooms for removing heat from cabinets, e.g. air conditioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20836 Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A rack louver 120 controls an air flow of outside air external to an enclosure 10 taken into the enclosure 10, flowing from an inlet 20 to an outlet 30 in a rack 60. An outlet louver 130 controls an air flow of inside air internal to the enclosure 10 flowing out from the outlet 30 to outside the enclosure 10. A system control unit 150 adjusts motive power of a blowing unit 40, a degree of opening of the rack louver 120, and a degree of opening of the outlet louver 130 in accordance with an outside-air temperature measured by an outside-air temperature sensor 50 and electronic equipment power consumption measured by a power sensor 100. Consequently, electronic equipment in the rack can be cooled with higher energy efficiency while suppressing temperature rise in the electronic equipment.

Claims

1. A cooling device comprising:

an enclosure including an inlet and an outlet;

a blowing unit being provided in the enclosure, taking outside air external to the enclosure into the enclosure through the inlet, and discharging inside air internal to the enclosure to outside the enclosure through the outlet;

an outside-air temperature sensor measuring a temperature of outside air external to the enclosure as an outside-air temperature;

an electronic equipment housing enclosure being provided between the inlet and the outlet in the enclosure and housing electronic equipment;

an electronic equipment fan being provided in the electronic equipment, taking outside air external to the electronic equipment housing enclosure into the electronic equipment housing enclosure, and discharging inside air internal to the electronic equipment housing enclosure to outside the electronic equipment housing enclosure;

a power sensor measuring power consumption of the electronic equipment in the electronic equipment housing enclosure as electronic equipment power consumption;

a first opening-closing mechanism unit being provided between the inlet and the outlet in the enclosure and on an upper side of the electronic equipment housing enclosure in the enclosure so as to separate air taken into the electronic equipment housing enclosure and air discharged from the electronic equipment housing enclosure, and controlling an air flow of outside air external to the enclosure taken into the electronic equipment housing enclosure, flowing from the inlet to the outlet;

a second opening-closing mechanism unit being provided on the outlet and controlling an air flow of inside air internal to the enclosure, flowing out from the outlet to outside the enclosure; and

a system control unit adjusting motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit in accordance with the outside-air temperature measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising

a data table storing motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are calculated, in relation to the outside-air temperature measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor, so as to minimize power usage effectiveness below, wherein

the power usage effectiveness is expressed by

power usage effectiveness=[(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)+(power consumption of the blowing unit+power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)]/(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan), and

the system control unit adjusts motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit to motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are stored in the data table, in accordance with the outside-air temperature measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

3. The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising

a regression line storage unit storing a regression line defining a relation between motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are calculated, in relation to the outside-air temperature measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor, so as to minimize power usage effectiveness below, wherein

the power usage effectiveness is expressed by

power usage effectiveness=[(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)+(power consumption of the blowing unit+power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)]/(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan), and

the system control unit adjusts motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit by use of the regression line stored in the regression line storage unit, in accordance with the outside-air temperature measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

4. The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an outside-air humidity sensor measuring humidity of outside air external to the enclosure as outside-air humidity;

an inside-air temperature sensor measuring a temperature of inside air internal to the enclosure as an inside-air temperature;

an inside-air humidity sensor measuring humidity of inside air internal to the enclosure as inside-air humidity; and

a vaporizing-type cooling unit, by use of vapor, raising humidity in the enclosure and lowering a temperature in the enclosure, when the outside-air humidity measured by the outside-air humidity sensor is less than or equal to predetermined humidity, wherein

a system control unit adjusts motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit in accordance with the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

5. The cooling device according to claim 4, further comprising

a data table storing motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are calculated, in relation to the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor, so as to minimize power usage effectiveness below, wherein

the power usage effectiveness is expressed by

power usage effectiveness=[(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)+(power consumption of the blowing unit+power consumption of the vaporizing-type cooling unit+power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)]/(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan), and

the system control unit adjusts motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit to motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are stored in the data table, in accordance with the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

6. The cooling device according to claim 4, further comprising

a regression line storage unit storing a regression line defining a relation between motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are calculated, in relation to the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor, so as to minimize power usage effectiveness below, wherein

the power usage effectiveness is expressed by

power usage effectiveness=[(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)+(power consumption of the blowing unit+power consumption of the vaporizing-type cooling unit+power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)]/(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan), and

the system control unit adjusts motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit by use of the regression line stored in the regression line storage unit, in accordance with the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

7. The cooling device according to claim 1, comprising, in place of the blowing unit:

an outside-air humidity sensor measuring humidity of outside air external to the enclosure as outside-air humidity;

an inside-air temperature sensor measuring a temperature of inside air internal to the enclosure as an inside-air temperature;

an inside-air humidity sensor measuring humidity of inside air internal to the enclosure as inside-air humidity; and

a vaporizing-type cooling unit, by use of vapor, raising humidity in the enclosure and lowering a temperature in the enclosure, when the outside-air humidity measured by the outside-air humidity sensor is less than or equal to predetermined humidity, wherein

a system control unit adjusts a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit in accordance with the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

9. A control method of a cooling device including:

an enclosure including an inlet and an outlet;

a blowing unit being provided in the enclosure, taking outside air external to the enclosure into the enclosure through the inlet, and discharging inside air internal to the enclosure to outside the enclosure through the outlet;

an outside-air temperature sensor measuring a temperature of outside air external to the enclosure as an outside-air temperature;

an electronic equipment housing enclosure being provided between the inlet and the outlet in the enclosure and housing electronic equipment;

an electronic equipment housing enclosure fan being provided in the electronic equipment, taking outside air external to the electronic equipment housing enclosure into the electronic equipment housing enclosure, and discharging inside air internal to the electronic equipment housing enclosure to outside the electronic equipment housing enclosure;

a power sensor measuring power consumption of the electronic equipment in the electronic equipment housing enclosure as electronic equipment power consumption;

a first opening-closing mechanism unit being provided between the inlet and the outlet in the enclosure and on an upper side of the electronic equipment housing enclosure in the enclosure so as to separate air taken into the electronic equipment housing enclosure and air discharged from the rack, and controlling an air flow of outside air external to the enclosure taken into the electronic equipment housing enclosure, flowing from the inlet to the outlet; and

a second opening-closing mechanism unit being provided on the outlet and controlling an air flow of inside air internal to the enclosure, flowing out from the outlet to outside the enclosure,

the control method comprising adjusting motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit in accordance with the outside-air temperature measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

8. The cooling device according to claim 9, further comprising

a data table storing motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are calculated, in relation to the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor, so as to minimize power usage effectiveness below, wherein

the power usage effectiveness is expressed by

power usage effectiveness=[(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)+(power consumption of the vaporizing-type cooling unit+power consumption of the electronic equipment fan)]/(power consumption of the electronic equipment−

power consumption of the electronic equipment fan), and

the system control unit adjusts a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit to a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit that are stored in the data table, in accordance with the outside-air temperature and the outside-air humidity that are measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the outside-air humidity sensor, or the inside-air temperature and the inside-air humidity that are measured by the inside-air temperature sensor and the inside-air humidity sensor, and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.

10. A storage medium storing a control program of a cooling device including:

an enclosure including an inlet and an outlet;

a blowing unit being provided in the enclosure, taking outside air external to the enclosure into the enclosure through the inlet, and discharging inside air internal to the enclosure to outside the enclosure through the outlet;

an outside-air temperature sensor measuring a temperature of outside air external to the enclosure as an outside-air temperature;

an electronic equipment housing enclosure being provided between the inlet and the outlet in the enclosure and housing electronic equipment;

an electronic equipment fan being provided in the electronic equipment, taking outside air external to the electronic equipment housing enclosure into the electronic equipment housing enclosure, and discharging inside air internal to the electronic equipment housing enclosure to outside the electronic equipment housing enclosure;

a power sensor measuring power consumption of the electronic equipment in the electronic equipment housing enclosure as electronic equipment power consumption;

a first opening-closing mechanism unit being provided between the inlet and the outlet in the enclosure and on an upper side of the electronic equipment housing enclosure in the enclosure so as to separate air taken into the electronic equipment housing enclosure and air discharged from the electronic equipment housing enclosure, and controlling an air flow of outside air external to the enclosure taken into the electronic equipment housing enclosure, flowing from the inlet to the outlet; and

a second opening-closing mechanism unit being provided on the outlet and controlling an air flow of inside air internal to the enclosure, flowing out from the outlet to outside the enclosure,

the control program causing a computer to perform control of adjusting motive power of the blowing unit, a degree of opening of the first opening-closing mechanism unit, and a degree of opening of the second opening-closing mechanism unit in accordance with the outside-air temperature measured by the outside-air temperature sensor and the electronic equipment power consumption measured by the power sensor.