Heatsink debris detection and dislodging

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for removing debris from a heatsink. A debris detection and dislodging module receives one or more sensor readings that exceed a configurable threshold at a heatsink of a component to be cooled. In response to the received sensor readings, enabling, by the debris detection and dislodging module, a controller to activate a dislodging apparatus to remove debris in fins of the heatsink in the component to be cooled. The dislodging apparatus sweeps the debris in the fins of the component to be cooled until the one or more sensor readings returns to an expected level below the threshold. Coolant flowing through a coldplate assembly in the heatsink carries the debris out of the fins of the heatsink.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for removing debris from a heatsink comprising:
 receiving, by a debris detection and dislodging module, one or more sensor readings that exceed a configurable threshold at a heatsink of a component to be cooled;   in response to the received sensor readings, enabling, by the debris detection and dislodging module, a controller to activate a dislodging apparatus to remove debris in fins of the heatsink in the component to be cooled; and   sweeping, by the dislodging apparatus, the debris in the fins of the component to be cooled until the one or more sensor readings returns to an expected level below the threshold, and wherein coolant flowing through a goldplate assembly in the heatsink carries the debris out of the fins of the heatsink.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the debris detection and dislodging module generates a notification when a filter requires cleaning. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a duration of the sweeping is a configurable count of jobs completed within a configurable window amount of time, wherein a first event triggers starting a timer and accumulating a counter of jobs, and wherein the counter and timer are reset to zero when the time ends without the configurable count of jobs completing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a sweeping is triggered based on extracted sensor data and utilization data of the component to be cooled exceeding a threshold percentage. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a utilization threshold is defined as a percent deviation from configured preset sensor readings. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dislodging apparatus performs at least one sweep of the component to be cooled, each of the sweepings beginning at a position with an action of rotating downward to position parallel members between the fins of the heatsink and drawing the dislodging apparatus through the component to be cooled before returning to the beginning position. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dislodging apparatus performs more at least one sweep of the component to be cooled, each of the sweepings being an action of moving through the component to be cooled from an initial position until the full area between each of the fins of the component to be cooled is swept before returning to the initial position. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the debris detection and dislodging module detects a difference between a baseline value and a configurable threshold to determine debris is present and a dislodge event is required. 
     
     
         9 . A computer program product for removing debris from a heatsink, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory tangible storage device having program code embodied therewith, the program code executable by a processor of a computer to perform a method, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a debris detection and dislodging module, one or more sensor readings that exceed a configurable threshold at a heatsink of a component to be cooled;   in response to the received sensor readings, enabling, by the debris detection and dislodging module, a controller to activate a dislodging apparatus to remove debris in fins of the heatsink in the component to be cooled; and   sweeping, by the dislodging apparatus, the debris in the fins of the component to be cooled until the one or more sensor readings returns to an expected level below the threshold, and wherein coolant flowing through a coldplate assembly in the heatsink carries the debris out of the fins of the heatsink.   
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the debris detection and dislodging module generates a notification when the filter requires cleaning. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more sensors, wherein the sensors include different sensors that measure temperature, power, pressure, or flow. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein a duration of the sweeping is a preset amount of time. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the dislodging apparatus performs more than one sweep of the component to be cooled. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein each of the sweepings is an action of moving through the component to be cooled from an initial position until the full area between each of the fins of the component to be cooled is swept before returning to the initial position. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the debris detection and dislodging module detects a difference between a baseline value and the threshold to determine debris is present and a dislodge event is required. 
     
     
         16 . A computer system removing debris from a heatsink, comprising:
 one or more processors;   a memory coupled to at least one of the processors;   a set of computer program instructions stored in the memory and executed by at least one of the processors in order to perform actions of:
 receiving, by a debris detection and dislodging module, one or more sensor readings that exceed a configurable threshold at a heatsink of a component to be cooled; 
 in response to the received sensor readings, enabling, by the debris detection and dislodging module, a controller to activate a dislodging apparatus to remove debris in fins of the heatsink in the component to be cooled; and 
 sweeping, by the dislodging apparatus, the debris in the fins of the component to be cooled until the one or more sensor readings returns to an expected level below the threshold, and wherein coolant flowing through a coldplate assembly in the heatsink carries the debris out of the fins of the heatsink. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the debris detection and dislodging module generates a notification when the filter requires cleaning. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 16 , further comprising one or more sensors, wherein the sensors include different sensors that measure temperature, power, pressure, or flow. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the sweepings is an action of moving through the component to be cooled from an initial position until the full area between each of the fins of the component to be cooled is swept before returning to the initial position. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the debris detection and dislodging module detects a difference between a baseline value and the threshold to determine debris is present and a dislodge event is required.