Data center cooling device and method

Abstract

A cooling system and method for cooling devices housed in a data center. A cabinet housing a set of condenser coils is located within the data center positioned on its floor and including fans for drawing air passed the condenser coils and exiting the device angularly to the floor of the data center. The present invention also contemplates the use of redundant compressors and condensers, a system that includes a secondary evaporator coil and configuration which enables the device, under certain conditions, to bypass its compressor.

1 . In a cooling system for cooling devices housed in a data center, said device comprising a cabinet, a set of evaporator coils, an inlet and outlet and at least one fan for drawing air from within said data center through said inlet and outlet and for movement of said air over said evaporator coils to a pleumum providing cooler air to said data center, the improvement comprising angling the air flow emanating from said cabinet proximate to the plane of said flooring. 
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one fan comprises a prop or axial fan. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 2  wherein said at least one fan comprises a fan having a blade diameter of approximately 24″ to 28″. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 2  wherein sufficient fans are employed for maintaining static pressure and air flow within said space and being capable of changing their output to maintain the required static pressure via multiple static pressure sensors. 
     
     
         5 . A cooling system for cooling a data center to a predetermined temperature and humidity level, said cooling system comprising a set of evaporator coils and at lease one fan for moving air within said data center passed said set of evaporator coils, at least two sets of compressors and two sets of condensers located external to said data center, positioned in parallel to provide coolant to said set of evaporator coils. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 5  wherein each of said compressors and condensers operate at a load that is less than the load imposed upon said cooling system if only a single compressor and single condenser was used to operate said cooling system to maintain said evaporator coils at a selected temperature difference between the temperature of coolant passing within said evaporator coils and air passing over said evaporator coils within said data center. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 6  wherein a single set comprising a compressor and condenser, acting alone, is sized to enable them to operate said evaporator coils at said predetermined temperature difference. 
     
     
         8 . In a cooling system comprising a compressor, a condenser, coolant, pump and primary evaporator coil for cooling, the improvement comprising a secondary evaporator coil in series with said primary evaporator coil, said secondary evaporator coil being a flooded coil directly piped to a flash vessel to ensure said condenser only receives coolant in the appropriate state. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 8  further comprising a valve wherein when said coolant temperature is lower than ambient room temperature, said valve selectively allowing for introduction of coolant into flooded secondary evaporator coil. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 9  wherein said coolant is returned to said condenser, via the flash vessel from said flooded secondary evaporator coil while bypassing said compressor. 
     
     
         11 . In a cooling system comprising a compressor, condenser, coolant, pump and evaporator coils, the improvement comprising a measurement device and actuator wherein when said measurement device measures a wet bulb temperature and when less than or equal to a preselected value, said coolant is circulated by said pump between said condenser and evaporator coils wherein thermo-siphon automatically transfers coolant from said evaporator coils to said condenser, via a flash vessel while bypassing said compressor. 
     
     
         12 . The cooling system of  claim 11  further comprising two sensors, one for wet bulb temperature and one for return air temperature, the wet bulb temperature sensor being the primary trigger to activate and deactivate the transferring of coolant from evaporator to condenser, via said flash vessel through a bypass valve bypassing said compressor, said compressor being deactivated thereby. 
     
     
         13 . The cooling system of  claim 12  further comprising a return air sensor such that if the return air temperature rises to a preset level, said bypass valve is closed and said compressor is reactivated. 
     
     
         14 . A method for cooling devices housed in a data center comprising positioning a set of evaporator coils on the floor of the data center, drawing ambient air from within said data center passed said set of evaporator coils and directing said air at an angle proximate to the plane of said floor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said air is directed passed said evaporator coils through the use of at least one prop or axial fan. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said at least one fan comprises a fan having a blade diameter of approximately 24″ to 28″. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said air emanating from said evaporator coils is directed towards said devices in a space where required static pressure is maintained via said at least one prop or axial fan. 
     
     
         18 . A method for cooling devices in a data center to a predetermined temperature and humidity, said method comprising providing a set of evaporator coils, a fan, two sets of compressors and two sets of condensers located external to said data center positioned in parallel, moving air within said data center passed said set of evaporator coils and using said at least two sets of compressors and two sets of condensers to provide coolant to said set of evaporator coils. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each of said compressors and condensers are operated at a load that is less than the load imposed upon said cooling system if only a single compressor and single condenser was used to operate said cooling system to maintain evaporator coils at a selected temperature difference between the temperature of the coolant passing within said evaporator coils and air passing over said evaporator coils for said data center. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein a single set comprising a compressor and condenser, acting alone, is sized to enable it to operate said evaporator coils at said predetermined temperature difference. 
     
     
         21 . A method for cooling devices housed in a data center comprising a cooling system of a compressor, condenser, coolant, pump and primary evaporator coil for cooling, and further comprising a secondary evaporator coil in series with said primary evaporator coil wherein said secondary evaporator coil is flooded by being directly piped to said condenser, via a flash vessel. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein when said coolant temperature is lower than room air temperature, coolant is introduced into said secondary evaporator coil. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said coolant is returned to said condenser from said secondary evaporative coil, via said flash vessel while bypassing said compressor. 
     
     
         24 . A method for cooling devices housed in a data center including a device comprising a compressor, condenser, coolant, pump and evaporator coils, wherein when the wet bulb temperature of outdoor air is below a preset value, said coolant is circulated by said pump between said condenser and evaporator coils, via a flash vessel, while bypassing said compressor. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein when said coolant ceases to travel from said condenser to said evaporator coils and back to said condenser, said compressor is activated for compressing said coolant. 
     
     
         26 . In a cooling system comprising a compressor, condenser, coolant, pump and evaporator coils, the improvement comprising operating said compressor at compression ratios below approximately 1.5 and above 1.01 to 1. 
     
     
         27 . The cooling system of  claim 26  wherein condenser set points are variable and float 7° to 15° F. above outdoor wet bulb temperature. 
     
     
         28 . The cooling system of  claim 26  further comprising metering devices whereby coolant pumps, through speed control, maintain the selected pressure differentials and flow rates though said metering devices. 
     
     
         29 . The cooling system of  claim 26  further comprising sensors for controlling the speed of said compressor such that as the compression ratios are reduced, mass flow rates of said compressor is not exceeded beyond a preselected value.