Methods for cooling computer and electronics

Abstract

An exemplary method may comprise thermally coupling a network of cooling lines to each of a plurality of heat exchangers in a cooling system. The method may also comprise providing a first connection from a network of cooling lines to a first fluid source and a second connection from the network of cooling lines to a second fluid source for configuring the network of cooling lines in different states. The method may also comprise delivering cooling fluid through the network of cooling lines to each of the plurality of heat exchangers both when the network of cooling lines is connected only to the first fluid source and when the network of cooling lines is connected to both the first and second fluid sources.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for cooling computer systems and other electronics comprising:
 providing a first and a second source for cooling fluids;   positioning a plurality of heat exchangers to absorb heat during operation;   making a first connection for the first fluid source and making a second connection for the second fluid source; and   thermally connecting a network of cooling lines to each of the plurality of heat exchangers, the network of cooling lines fluidly connectable in three states, wherein in a first state the network being coupled to the first connection, in a second state the network being coupled to the second connection, and in a third state the network being coupled to both the first connection and the second connection.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing the network of cooling lines for redundant cooling if connected to both the first fluid source and the second fluid source. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising configuring the network of cooling lines to continue delivering cooling fluid to each of the plurality of heat exchangers even if one of the first fluid source or the second fluid source is unavailable. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing a plurality of junction boxes and a plurality of jumper lines for configuring the network of cooling lines for connection to at least one of the first fluid source and the second fluid source. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing at least one control valve for configuring the network of cooling lines for switching between the first fluid source and the second fluid source. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising thermally coupling the network of cooling lines in series to the plurality of heat exchangers. 
     
     
         15 . The cooling system of  claim 9  further comprising thermally coupling the network of cooling lines in parallel to the plurality of heat exchangers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing jumper lines for connecting/disconnecting at least two of the plurality of heat exchangers to one another based on the number of fluid sources. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising configuring the network of cooling lines for use in a rack-mount environment for server computers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising automatically sensing that one of the first and second sources of cooling fluid is unavailable. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising automatically reconfiguring the network of cooling lines based on sensing that one of the first and second sources of cooling fluid is unavailable. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising automatically adjusting power to at least one heat-generating component based on heat-removal capacity of the cooling system as a result of a dynamic change in the heat-removal capacity. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising automatically sensing that one of the first and second sources of cooling fluid is available. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising automatically reconfiguring the network of cooling lines based on sensing that one of the first and second sources of cooling fluid is available. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising connecting or disconnecting at least two heat exchangers in the network of cooling lines to one another based on an availability of the first and second sources of cooling fluid.