Variable volume pressure-temperature control unit and method to improve cooling and energy efficiency in two-phase cooling systems

Abstract

An apparatus for facilitating cooling of one or more electronic devices in a cooling system includes a first reservoir configured for containing a cooling medium of a cooling system, a variable volume mechanism coupled to the first reservoir, a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure value of a vapor side of the first reservoir, and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and the variable volume mechanism. The controller is configured to control the variable volume mechanism to adjust a total volume of the first reservoir in response to the pressure value to change an overall specific volume of the cooling system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for facilitating cooling of one or more electronic devices in a cooling system, the apparatus comprising: 
 a first reservoir configured for containing a cooling medium of a cooling system;   a variable volume mechanism coupled to the first reservoir;   a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure value of a vapor side of the first reservoir; and   a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and the variable volume mechanism, the controller configured to control the variable volume mechanism to adjust a total volume of the first reservoir in response to the pressure value to change an overall specific volume of the cooling system.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the change in the overall specific volume of the cooling medium of the cooling system adjusts a thermodynamic state of the cooling system. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to maintain, in response to the pressure value, the thermodynamic state of the cooling system. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume mechanism comprises a piston within the first reservoir, the piston configured to adjust the total volume of the first reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising an actuator mechanically coupled to the piston, the actuator configured to move the piston within the first reservoir in response to a signal from the controller.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume mechanism comprises an expansion structure within the first reservoir, the expansion structure configured to expand and retract within the first reservoir to vary the total volume of the first reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the expansion structure comprises a bellow structure. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a second reservoir configured to contain a fluid;   a pump coupled to the second reservoir; and    a control valve coupled between the second reservoir and the expansion structure.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to control the pump and the control valve to move the fluid from the second reservoir to the expansion structure to expand the expansion structure within the first reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to control the pump and the control valve to move the fluid from the expansion structure to the second reservoir to retract the expansion structure within the first reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a pressure value of a vapor side of a first reservoir from a pressure sensor, the first reservoir configured for containing a cooling medium of a cooling system; and   controlling a variable volume mechanism coupled to the first reservoir to adjust a total volume of the first reservoir in response to the pressure value to change an overall specific volume of the cooling system.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the change in the overall specific volume of the cooling medium of the cooling system adjusts a thermodynamic state of the cooling system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising maintaining, in response to the pressure value, the thermodynamic state of the cooling system. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the variable volume mechanism comprises a piston within the first reservoir, and wherein adjusting the total volume of the first reservoir comprises moving the piston within the first reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the variable volume mechanism comprises an expansion structure within the first reservoir, and wherein adjusting the total volume of the first reservoir comprises expanding or retracting the expansion structure within the first reservoir.  
     
     
         16 . A system comprising: 
 a condenser;   an evaporator coupled to the condenser;   a first reservoir having an inlet coupled to the condenser and an outlet coupled to the evaporator through a pump, the first reservoir configured for containing a cooling medium of a cooling system;   a variable volume mechanism coupled to the first reservoir;   a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure value of a vapor side of the first reservoir; and   a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and the variable volume mechanism, the controller configured to control the variable volume mechanism to adjust a total volume of the first reservoir in response to the pressure value to change an overall specific volume of the cooling system.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the evaporator is configured to be thermally coupled to an electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the variable volume mechanism comprises a piston within the first reservoir, the piston configured to adjust the total volume of the first reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the variable volume mechanism comprises an expansion structure within the first reservoir, the expansion structure configured to expand and retract within the first reservoir to vary the total volume of the first reservoir. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the expansion structure comprises a bellow structure.