Method for a closed loop liquid cooling system for a hot-swappable advanced TCA blade computer with a uniform airflow-directing heat exchanger

Method for a closed loop liquid cooling system for a hot-swappable advanced TCA blade computer with a uniform airflow-directing heat exchanger

Disclosed is a method for a closed loop liquid cooling system for a hot-swappable Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) blade computer with a uniform airflow-directing heat exchanger. Benefits include improved functionality due to enabling higher heat dissipating devices in smaller form factors while maintaining hot swappable features, and improved system level thermal performance via the even distribution of airflow across the blade PCB.

Background

        � � � � � AdvancedTCA is a trademarked name for the Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture specification version 3.0 dated January 14, 2003 from the PICMG organization.

        � � � � � A blade is a circuit board on which server devices are mounted and stored in a high-density rack-mount enclosure. Supported devices include some or all of the following:

•        � � � � Processors

•        � � � � Memory

•        � � � � Chipsets

•        � � � � Hard drives

•        � � � � Network devices

        � � � � � The enclosure provides power and management and enables an entire server to be a hot-swappable field-replaceable unit.

General description

        � � � � � The disclosed method is a closed loop liquid cooling system for a hot-swappable AdvancedTCA blade computer with a uniform airflow-directing heat exchanger. All the components of the closed loop system are self-contained on the blade to maintain the hot-swappable requirements. The components include the following:

•        � � � � Pump

•        � � � � Tubing

•        � � � � Cold plates

•        � � � � Heat exchanger

        � � � � � � The fins of the heat exchanger are arranged so that the airflow distribution requirements outlined in the AdvancedTCA 3.0 specification are met.

        � � � � � The key elements of the method include:

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