TWI695973B - Server - Google Patents

Abstract

A server includes a chassis, a processor, a liquid cooling tube and a liquid leak detection system. The processor is disposed in the chassis. The liquid cooling tube is disposed on the processor. The liquid leak detection system includes a circuit board and a first detecting wire. The circuit board is disposed in the chassis. The first detecting wire is disposed on a side of the liquid cooling tube and electrically connected to the circuit board.

Description

server

The invention relates to a server, especially a server with a liquid leakage detection system.

As the performance of electronic components such as processors in the server gradually improves, it is accompanied by the generation of more heat and higher temperatures. Therefore, the use of air-cooled heat dissipation methods has gradually been insufficient for conventional use. In order to solve the heat dissipation problem of the server, the industry is gradually changing to the liquid cooling method. Through the heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the electronic components, the heat dissipation capacity of the server can be effectively improved.

Generally speaking, most of the cooling liquid is transported through the liquid cooling tube. However, the liquid cooling tube used to transport the cooling liquid is easily shaken during the process of transporting the server, so that the probability of the liquid cooling tube being damaged increases, and even a liquid leakage occurs. Since the common cooling liquid is a mixed solution of pure water and propylene glycol, which is a conductive solution, once the liquid leakage situation is too serious, it is easy to short circuit the electronic components in the server and cause damage to the electronic components. Therefore, how to detect the leakage of the liquid cooling tube is one of the problems that the R&D personnel in the field urgently need to solve.

The present invention is to provide a server, so as to solve the problem that it is difficult to know the liquid leakage of the liquid cooling tube in the prior art.

The server disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention includes a chassis, a processor, a liquid cooling tube, and a liquid leakage detection system. The processor is installed in the chassis. The liquid cooling tube is installed in the processor. The liquid leakage detection system includes a circuit board and a first detection line. The circuit board is installed in the chassis. The first detection line is disposed on the liquid cooling tube and electrically connected to the circuit board.

According to the server disclosed in the above embodiment, the liquid leakage detection system provided in the chassis can detect whether the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling pipe leaks through the first detection line, and the first detection line can transmit the detection result to the electric Road board.

The above description of the content of the present invention and the description of the following embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of the present invention, and provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 first. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a server 10a according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the server 10a of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the server 10a of FIG. 2.

The server 10a of this embodiment includes a rack 100a, at least one chassis 200a, at least one processor 300a, at least one liquid cooling tube 400a, and at least one liquid leakage detection system 500a. The chassis 200a is installed in the rack 100a. The processor 300a is, for example, an arithmetic element that generates a large amount of heat, and the processor 300a is installed in the chassis 200a. The liquid cooling tube 400a is disposed in the processor 300a, and uses the heat exchange method to take away the heat generated by the processor 300a by the cooling liquid (not shown) flowing inside the liquid cooling tube 400a. The liquid leakage detection system 500a is installed in the chassis 200a.

In this embodiment, the number of the chassis 200a is plural and the chassis 200a is arranged in a row in the rack 100a, the number of the processors 300a disposed in each chassis 200a is plural, and the number of liquids disposed in each chassis 200a is The number of cold pipes 400a is one, and the number of leakage detection systems 500a provided in each cabinet 200a is one, but the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the number of chassis may be only one, the number of processors disposed in each chassis may be only one, and the number of liquid cooling tubes disposed in each chassis may be multiple, or each The number of leak detection systems installed in one cabinet can be multiple.

In this embodiment, the liquid leakage detection system 500a provided in the chassis 200a can detect whether the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube 400a has leaked out. Specifically, the liquid leakage detection system 500a includes a circuit board 510a and a first detection line 520a. The circuit board 510a is disposed in the chassis 200a. The first detection line 520a is disposed in the liquid cooling tube 400a and electrically connected to the circuit board 510a. The liquid leakage detection system 500a can detect the external leakage of the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube 400a through the first detection line 520a, and the first detection line 520a can transmit the detection result to the circuit board 510a.

Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 to describe in more detail how the first detection line 520a detects liquid leakage. 4 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the first detection line 520a of the server 10a of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the first detection line 520a of the server 10a of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, the first detection line 520a may further include a core 521a, an insulating layer 522a, and a coating layer 523a. The core 521a is located in the insulating layer 522a, and the insulating layer 522a is located in the coating layer 523a. That is, the first detection line 520a is the core 521a, the insulating layer 522a, and the coating layer 523a in this order from the inside to the outside.

The insulating layer 522a has at least one first opening 5221a, and the coating layer 523a has at least one second opening 5231a. In this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, the number of the first opening 5221a is plural, and the number of the second opening 5231a is plural, but the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the insulating layer may have only one first opening, and the coating layer may have only one second opening. In this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, the first opening 5221a communicates with the second opening 5231a, and the core portion 521a communicates with the second opening 5231a through the first opening 5221a to the outside. That is, the first opening 5221a and the second opening 5231a expose the core portion 521a to the outside.

The material of the core 521a is, for example, stainless steel, and the core 521a has conductivity. The insulating layer 522a has electrical insulation. The material of the coating layer 523a is nylon, for example, and the coating layer 523a has electrical insulation and capillary action capabilities. When the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube 400a leaks, the coating layer 523a will use its capillary action to absorb and diffuse the cooling liquid. Once the cooling liquid diffused into the second opening 5231a reaches a certain amount, the cooling liquid passes through the first opening 5221a and contacts the core portion 521a, so that the conductivity of the core portion 521a changes. The change in the conductivity of the core 521 is, for example, a change in the resistance of the core 521a, and the result of the change in the resistance of the core 521a is transmitted to the circuit board 510a. Based on the resistance change result of the core 521a, the circuit board 510a can determine whether the liquid cooling tube 400a is leaking.

In addition, the electrical insulation of the insulating layer 522a can ensure that the cooling liquid absorbed by the coating layer 523a needs to pass through the first opening 5221a and the second opening 5231a to change the conductivity of the core 521a to avoid a little moisture The electrical conductivity of the core 521a changes, so that the possibility of misjudged coolant leakage can be reduced. In some embodiments, the first detection line may also be provided without an insulating layer and a coating layer, and only detect leakage through the core of stainless steel.

In this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, the first openings 5221a are separated by a distance of, for example, 25 mm, and the second openings 5231a are separated by a distance of, for example, 25 mm. In this way, it can be ensured that the detection point of the liquid leakage is sufficient, and the first opening 5221a and the second opening 5231a can be brought close to the place where there is a greater chance of liquid leakage depending on the actual configuration of the liquid cooling tube 400a inside the chassis 200a.

Please refer to Figure 2, Figure 4 and Figure 5 together. In this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, the chassis 200a may further have a bottom surface 201a. When the server 10a is placed on a platform such as the ground, the chassis 200a is disposed on the rack 100a with the bottom surface 201a facing the platform, and the first detection line 520a is closer to the bottom surface 201a of the chassis 200a than the liquid cooling tube 400a. In this way, when the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube 400a leaks out, the cooling liquid will flow toward the bottom surface 201a under the influence of gravity, so it is easier to be absorbed by the coating layer 523a, and thus it is easier to detect in the aforementioned manner In case of leakage.

Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the liquid leakage detection system 500a of the server 10a of FIG. 2. In this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, the liquid leakage detection system 500a may further include at least one connector 530a. The connector 530a is, for example, a wire quick connector and includes a female connector 531a and a male connector 532a. The female connector 531a is provided on the circuit board 510a. The first detection line 520a is provided on the male connector 532a by screwing, for example. The male connector 532a is detachably disposed on the female connector 531a so that the first detection line 520a is electrically connected to the circuit board 510a through the connector 530a. In this way, the first detection line 520a can be quickly and simply disposed on the circuit board 510a, and the first detection line 520a can transmit the leakage detection result to the circuit board 510a through the connector 530a.

The liquid leakage detection system 500a may further include a signal line 540a. The signal line 540a is electrically connected to the circuit board 510a and the processor 300a. As described above, when the liquid leakage detection system 500a detects the external leakage of the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube 400a through the first detection line 520a, the first detection line 520a can transmit the detection result to the circuit board 510a. Then, the circuit board 510a may transmit the detection result to the processor 300a through the signal line 540a. After receiving the detection result of the coolant leakage, the processor 300a can stop the circulation of the coolant by, for example, sending a control signal to prevent the leakage from becoming more serious; or by sending a visual or audible warning prompt, for example To inform users and allow users to take appropriate follow-up measures.

See Figure 7. 7 is a schematic plan view of a server 10b according to another embodiment of the invention. The following only describes the differences between another embodiment of the present invention and some of the foregoing embodiments, and the remaining similarities will be omitted. In this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, due to the flow rate of the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube 400b, the diameter of the entire liquid cooling tube 400b may be different. Specifically, the liquid cooling tube 400b may further include a first tube portion 410b and a second tube portion 420b. The first tube portion 410b is disposed on the processor 300b, and the second tube portion 420b is disposed on the chassis 200b. The first tube portion 410b communicates with the second tube portion 420b, and the tube diameter of the first tube portion 410b is smaller than the tube diameter of the second tube portion 420b. The first detection line 520b is provided at the first tube portion 410b and the second tube portion 420b and is wound at the boundary between the first tube portion 410b and the second tube portion 420b. Since the junction of the first tube portion 410b and the second tube portion 420b may be more likely to leak than the liquid cooling tube 400b of other parts, by winding around the junction of the first tube portion 410b and the second tube portion 420b The first detection line 520b can forcibly detect the liquid leakage at the winding.

See Figure 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a server 10c according to another embodiment of the invention. The following only describes the differences between another embodiment of the present invention and some of the foregoing embodiments, and the remaining similarities will be omitted. In this embodiment and some embodiments of the present invention, due to the consideration of the flow rate of the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube 400c, the diameter of the entire liquid cooling tube 400c may be different. Specifically, the liquid cooling tube 400c may further include a first tube portion 410c, a second tube portion 420c, and a third tube portion 430c. The leakage detection system 500c may further include a second detection line 550c. The server 10c may further include a bracket manifold 600c. The first tube portion 410c is disposed in the processor 300c, the second tube portion 420c is disposed in the chassis 200c, and the third tube portion 430c is disposed in the bracket manifold 600c. The first tube portion 410c, the second tube portion 420c, and the third tube portion 430c communicate with each other, the first tube portion 410c has a smaller tube diameter than the second tube portion 420c, and the second tube portion 420c has a smaller tube diameter The diameter of the three-tube portion 430c. The first detection line 520c is disposed at the first tube portion 410c and the second tube portion 420c and is wound at the boundary between the first tube portion 410c and the second tube portion 420c, and the second detection line 550c is wound at the second tube portion 420c and The junction of the third tube portion 430c. Since the junction between the first tube portion 410c and the second tube portion 420c and the boundary between the second tube portion 420c and the third tube portion 430c may be more likely to leak than other parts of the liquid cooling tube 400c, by winding The first detection line 520c at the junction of the first tube portion 410c and the second tube portion 420c and the second detection line 550c wound at the boundary of the second tube portion 420c and the third tube portion 430c can force the detection of the winding location Of liquid leakage.

According to the server of the above embodiment, the liquid leakage detection system provided in the chassis can detect whether the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling pipe leaks through the first detection line, and the first detection line can transmit the detection result to the circuit board .

In some embodiments, the first detection line may further include a core, an insulating layer, and a coating layer. When the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube leaks, the coating layer will use its capillary action to absorb and diffuse the cooling liquid. Once the cooling liquid that has diffused into the second opening reaches a certain amount, the cooling liquid will pass through the first opening and contact the core to change the conductivity of the core, and the circuit board can determine whether the liquid cooling tube is leaking. Situation.

In some embodiments, the first detection line is closer to the bottom surface of the chassis than the liquid cooling tube. In this way, when the cooling liquid inside the liquid cooling tube leaks, the cooling liquid will flow toward the bottom surface under the influence of gravity, so it is easier to be absorbed by the coating layer, and thus it is easier to detect the liquid leakage.

In some embodiments, the leakage detection system may further include a signal line. The circuit board can transmit the detection result to the processor through the signal line. After the processor receives the detection result of the coolant leakage, it can stop the circulation of the coolant by, for example, sending a control signal to prevent the leakage from becoming more serious; or by sending a visual or audible warning Ways to inform users and allow users to take appropriate follow-up measures.

Although the present invention is disclosed as above with the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person familiar with similar arts can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of patent protection for inventions shall be subject to the scope defined in the patent application scope attached to this specification.

10a, 10b, 10c: server 100a: rack 200a, 200b, 200c: chassis 201a: underside 300a, 300b, 300c: processor 400a, 400b, 400c: liquid cooling tube 410b, 410c: the first pipe 420b, 420c: Second tube 430c: The third pipe 500a, 500c: leak detection system 510a: circuit board 520a, 520b, 520c: the first detection line 521a: core 522a: insulating layer 5221a: First opening 523a: coating 5231a: Second opening 530a: connector 531a: Female connector 532a: Male connector 540a: Signal cable 550c: second detection line 600c: bracket manifold

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a server according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the server of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the server of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the first detection line of the server of FIG. 2. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the first detection line of the server of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view of the leak detection system of the server of FIG. 2. 7 is a schematic plan view of a server according to another embodiment of the invention. 8 is a schematic plan view of a server according to another embodiment of the invention.

10a: server

100a: rack

200a: chassis

201a: underside

300a: processor

400a: Liquid cooling tube

500a: leak detection system

510a: circuit board

520a: the first detection line

Claims (9)

A server includes a case; a processor is disposed in the case; a liquid cooling tube includes a first tube portion and a second tube portion, the first tube portion is disposed in the processor, the second tube The first tube portion communicates with the second tube portion, the first tube portion has a smaller diameter than the second tube portion; and a liquid leakage detection system includes a circuit board and a first A detection line, the circuit board is disposed in the case, the first detection line is disposed in the first tube portion and the second tube portion and is wound at the junction of the first tube portion and the second tube portion, the first A detection line is electrically connected to the circuit board. The server as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the first detection line further includes a core, an insulating layer, and a coating layer, the core is located in the insulating layer and has conductivity, and the insulating layer is located In the coating layer, the insulating layer and the coating layer are electrically insulating, the insulating layer has a first opening, the coating layer has a second opening, the first opening communicates with the second opening, and the core portion passes through the The first opening communicates with the second opening to the outside. The server as described in item 2 of the patent application scope, wherein the number of the first openings is plural, the first openings are separated from each other by a certain distance, the number of the second openings is plural, and the second openings A certain distance from each other. The server as described in item 2 of the patent application scope, wherein the coating layer has the ability to capillary. The server as described in item 2 of the patent application, wherein the material of the core is stainless steel and the material of the coating layer is nylon. The server as described in item 1 of the patent application scope further includes a bracket manifold, wherein the liquid cooling tube further includes a third tube portion, and the liquid leakage detection system further includes a second detection line, the third tube The first pipe portion, the second pipe portion, and the third pipe portion communicate with each other. The second pipe portion has a smaller pipe diameter than the third pipe portion. The detection wire is wound at the junction of the second tube portion and the third tube portion. The server as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the leakage detection system further includes a connector, the connector is provided on the circuit board, the first detection line is provided on the connector and the power is transmitted through the connector Connect the circuit board. The server as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the liquid leakage detection system further includes a signal line that is electrically connected to the circuit board and the processor. The server as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the chassis further has a bottom surface, and the first detection line is closer to the bottom surface of the chassis than the liquid cooling tube.

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