Climate Control in a Radio Network Node

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement ( 100 ) and a method in a radio network node ( 400 ) for cooling electronic equipment ( 102 ) within the arrangement ( 100 ). The arrangement ( 100 ) comprises a closed space ( 104 ) for housing the electronic equipment ( 102 ) and a heat exchanger ( 106 ) for transporting heat from the closed space. A first flow regulating device ( 202 ) is arranged for circulating a cooling fluid ( 204 ) within the closed space ( 104 ) and a second flow regulating device ( 206 ) is arranged for circulating an outer cooling fluid ( 208 ) outside ( 112 ) the closed space. The arrangement ( 100 ) further comprises at least one sensor ( 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 ) for measuring temperature in the arrangement and a controller ( 210 ) for controlling at least one of the first and second flow regulating devices ( 202, 206 ) based on at least one temperature measurement from a fixed member ( 102, 104, 106, 112, 308 ) within the arrangement ( 100 ).

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An arrangement in a radio network node for cooling electronic equipment within the arrangement, the arrangement comprising:
 wall members defining a closed space within which the electronic equipment is housed,   a first flow regulating device configured to circulate an inner cooling fluid within the closed space,   a second flow regulating device configured to circulate an outer cooling fluid outside the closed space,   a heat exchanger configured to transport heat from the inner cooling fluid within the closed space to the outer cooling fluid outside the closed space,   at least one sensor located on a fixed member within the arrangement and configured to measure the temperature of that fixed member, and   a controller configured to control at least one of the first and second flow regulating devices based on at least one temperature measurement of said at least one sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the fixed member comprises either:
 a measuring piece located within the arrangement,   any part of the electronic equipment,   any part of the heat exchanger,   any of said wall members, or   a combination thereof.   
     
     
         16 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the measuring piece protrudes from the electronic equipment into the inner cooling fluid in the closed space. 
     
     
         17 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the measuring piece protrudes from an outside wall member into the outer cooling fluid outside the closed space. 
     
     
         18 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the fixed member comprises a heat sensitive part or by a heat sink on the electronic equipment. 
     
     
         19 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the fixed member comprises a first portion of the heat exchanger located in the closed space. 
     
     
         20 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the fixed member comprises a second portion of the heat exchanger located outside the closed space. 
     
     
         21 . The arrangement according to  claim 20 , wherein the second portion of the heat exchanger and the second flow regulating device are in contact with the ambient air. 
     
     
         22 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the fixed member comprises a refrigerant fluid circulating in the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         23 . The arrangement according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor configured to indirectly measure the temperature of the fixed member. 
     
     
         24 . The arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         25 . The arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the radio network node is a radio base station. 
     
     
         26 . A method in a radio network node arrangement for cooling electronic equipment within the arrangement, the arrangement comprising wall members defining a closed space within which the electronic equipment is housed, a first flow regulating device configured to circulate an inner cooling fluid within the closed space, a second flow regulating device configured to circulate an outer cooling fluid outside the closed space, and a heat exchanger configured to transport heat from the inner cooling fluid within the closed space to the outer cooling fluid outside the closed space, and wherein the method comprises:
 measuring the temperature of a fixed member within the arrangement with at least one sensor, and   controlling at least one of the first and second flow regulating devices based on at least one temperature measurement of the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the fixed member comprises either:
 a measuring piece located within the arrangement,   any part of the electronic equipment,   any part of the heat exchanger,   any of said wall members, or   a combination thereof.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the measuring piece protrudes from the electronic equipment into the inner cooling fluid in the closed space. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the measuring piece protrudes from an outside wall member into the outer cooling fluid outside the closed space. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the fixed member comprises a heat sensitive part or by a heat sink on the electronic equipment. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the fixed member comprises a first portion of the heat exchanger located in the closed space. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the fixed member comprises a second portion of the heat exchanger located outside the closed space. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor.