Abstract The present invention relates to an improved system and method for cooling electronic devices. The present system is particularly adapted for cooling computer equipment. The system comprises a sealed enclosure which houses one or more heat generating electronic devices; a blower; and a heat exchanger. The sealed enclosure may be pressurized with a gas medium such as dry nitrogen up to a pressure of approximately two atmospheres. The elevated pressure increases the gas density, effectively increasing the mass flow rate and heat carrying capacity of the gas. The blower is also a constant volume device such that it can move the same volume of gas regardless of density. Accordingly, for a given heat load, the size of the blower may be reduced. Or, alternatively, a given blower can cool a device having a higher heat load. Finally, by pressurizing the enclosure, the present invention eliminates the need to size a forced air cooling system based on high elevation requirements.
A computer system comprising: an upper cylindrical portion; a lower cylindrical portion, wherein the lower cylindrical portion mates with the upper cylindrical portion to define an interior volume which retains a gas at a first pressure, the first pressure being greater than an ambient pressure outside the enclosure; one or more heat generating electronic components located within the interior volume; a centrifugal blower located within the interior volume; and one or more heat exchangers located within the interior volume, wherein the heat exchangers remove a quantity of heat energy from the system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A computer system comprising: an upper cylindrical portion; a lower cylindrical portion, wherein the lower cylindrical portion mates with the upper cylindrical portion to define an interior volume which retains a gas at a first pressure, the first pressure being greater than an ambient pressure outside the enclosure; one or more heat generating electronic components located within the interior volume; a centrifugal blower located within the interior volume; and one or more heat exchangers located within the interior volume, wherein the heat exchangers remove a quantity of heat energy from the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1 further comprising a lift mechanism to separate the upper cylindrical portion from the lower cylindrical portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system of claim 1 further comprising a source of pressurized gas operatively coupled to the system and adapted to provide the gas at the first pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the centrifugal blower is adapted to recirculate the gas between the heat generating components and the heat exchangers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchangers comprise a series of tubes having a liquid coolant therein, wherein the quantity of heat energy is conducted through the tubes to the liquid coolant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 5 further comprising a pressure system controller to monitor and control the first pressure and the liquid coolant.