Air-based cooling for data center rack

Abstract

A high-velocity low-pressure cooling system (100), especially suited for data center applications, includes an air coolant loop (102), a non-air coolant loop (104) and a cooler unit (126) for heat transfer between the loops (102 and 104). The air loop (102) is used to chill ambient air that is blown across heat transfer surfaces of equipment mounted in data center racks (110). In this manner, effective cooling is provided using a coolant that is benign in data center environments.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A conduit apparatus for use in a closed-loop, air-based coolant circuit including a delivery passageway for delivery of coolant air to a heat exchange site separate from said conduit apparatus and a return flow passageway for said coolant air, said conduit apparatus comprising, comprising:
 an inner conduit defining said delivery passageway for the coolant air;   an outer conduit encompassing the inner conduit; and   at least one rib for maintaining a spacing between an outer surface of said inner conduit and an inner surface of said outer conduit, said spacing accommodating said return flow passageway for the coolant air.   
     
     
         2 . The conduit apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said outer conduit defines a return passageway for warmed coolant air. 
     
     
         3 . The conduit apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a conductive trace embedded in said outer conduit