Thermal control system for rack mounting

Abstract

A thermal control system of a 3U height includes various modules for providing temperature control in a rack environment. The modules may be, for example, a power module, user interface module, various different pump assemblies, various different models of fan assemblies, HTAs, and/or a serial communication interfaces. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

1 . A precision thermal control system utilizing a heat transfer fluid for heating and cooling select equipment, the system comprising: 
 a chassis;    a plurality of heat transfer assembly modules of the type formed with a plurality of low profile extrusions having micro channels formed therein and secured within said chassis for the flow of heat transfer fluid therethrough to provide in excess of 700 Watts of thermal performance for thermal control;    a power supply secured within said chassis for powering said heat transfer assembly modules; and    said chassis having a height of no more than 3U and adapted to be disposed within a 3U mounting space of a conventional equipment rack having mounting spaces with internal widths on the order of 17.5 inches for the placement of equipment therein.    
   
   
       2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said heat transfer fluid is circulated in a closed loop to cool or heat equipment adjacent to said precision thermal control system.  
   
   
       3 . The precision thermal control system of  claim 2  wherein both the precision thermal control system and equipment cooled or heated therewith are disposed in the same conventional equipment rack.  
   
   
       4 . The system as set forth in  claim 3  including a means for securing said chassis to mounting spaces of said conventional equipment rack.  
   
   
       5 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said micro channels further include external heat sinks and fins extending therefrom for cooling therewith.  
   
   
       6 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said heat transfer fluid includes a water/glycol mixture.  
   
   
       7 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said heat transfer fluid includes a water/alcohol mixture.  
   
   
       8 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said heat transfer fluid includes distilled water.  
   
   
       9 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said transfer fluid includes deionized water.  
   
   
       10 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  and further including three heat transfer assemblies utilized to effect cooling and/or heating in said precision thermal control system.  
   
   
       11 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein a plurality of internal fan assemblies are further utilized in conjunction with said heat transfer fluid for the effective transfer of heat therefrom.  
   
   
       12 . The system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said fans are oriented within said heat transfer assembly in a push/pull fan arrangement for maximum efficiency of heat transfer therein.  
   
   
       13 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said precision thermal control system is portable.  
   
   
       14 . The system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said precision thermal control system further comprises a plurality of support feet adapted to be secured along at least one surface of said chassis for facilitating the placement of said precision thermal control system outside of a conventional equipment rack.  
   
   
       15 . The system as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said support feet are adapted to stabilize said chassis in one of a vertical and horizontal position.  
   
   
       16 . The system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said precision thermal control system further comprises a modified chassis such that said chassis is not in contact with any surface other than the surface of said support feet.  
   
   
       17 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said precision thermal control system is programmable.  
   
   
       18 . The system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein a user sets a range of satisfactory temperatures of said heat transfer fluid and said precision thermal control system automatically adjusts fan speed and flow rate of said heat transfer fluid in at least partial dependence on said range of satisfactory temperatures.  
   
   
       19 . The system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said precision thermal control system records the temperature of said heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       20 . The system as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the information recorded by said precision thermal control system can be displayed or printed.  
   
   
       21 . The system as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said precision thermal control system contains an alarm that is activated when the temperature of said heat transfer fluid is outside the range of temperature set by the user.  
   
   
       22 . A precision thermal control method of heating and cooling select equipment by utilizing a heat transfer fluid, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a precision thermal control system chassis having a height of no more than 3U and adapted to be disposed within a 3U mounting space of a conventional equipment rack having mounting spaces with internal widths on the order of 17.5 inches for the placement of equipment therein;    securing within said chassis a plurality of heat transfer assembly modules of the type formed with a plurality of low profile extrusions having micro channels formed therein for the flow of heat transfer fluid therethrough and capable of providing in excess of 700 Watts of thermal performance for thermal control; and    securing a power supply within said chassis for powering said heat transfer assembly modules.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  and further comprising the steps of circulating said heat transfer fluid in a closed loop to cool or heat adjacent equipment.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  and further comprising the steps of circulating said heat transfer fluid in a closed loop to cool or heat components disposed within a conventional equipment rack wherein both said components and said precision thermal control system chassis are disposed.  
   
   
       25 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of extending external heat sinks and fins from said micro channels for cooling therewith.  
   
   
       26 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of using a water/glycol mixture for said heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       27 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of using a water/alcohol mixture for said heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       28 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of using distilled water for said heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       29 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of using deionized water for said heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       30 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of utilizing three or more heat transfer assemblies to effect cooling and/or heating in said precision thermal control method.  
   
   
       31 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of utilizing a plurality of internal fan assemblies in conjunction with said heat transfer fluid for the effective transfer of heat therefrom.  
   
   
       32 . The method as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of orienting said fan assemblies within said heat transfer assembly in a push/pull fan arrangement for maximum efficiency in the heat transfer therein.  
   
   
       33 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of being portable.  
   
   
       34 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said precision thermal control method further comprises the steps of being programmable.  
   
   
       35 . The method as set forth in  claim 34  and further comprising the steps of allowing a user to set a range of satisfactory temperature of said heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       36 . The method as set forth in  claim 35  and further comprising the steps of adjusting fan speed and flow rate of said heat transfer fluid automatically in at least partial dependence on said range of satisfactory temperature.  
   
   
       37 . The method as set forth in  claim 34  and further comprising the steps of recording the temperature of said heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       38 . The method as set forth in  claim 37  and further comprising the steps of displaying or printing recorded information.  
   
   
       39 . The method as set forth in  claim 35  and further comprising the steps of activating an alarm when the temperature of said heat transfer fluid is outside the range of temperature set by the user.  
   
   
       40 . The method as set forth in  claim 37  and further comprising the steps of monitoring the airflow across said micro channels, the fluid flow of said heat transfer fluid, and the performance of said micro channels.  
   
   
       41 . The method as set forth in  claim 40  and further comprising the steps of maintaining the temperature of said heat transfer fluid to within one-tenth of one degree Celsius of a temperature set by the user.  
   
   
       42 . The method as set forth in  claim 33  and further comprising the steps of adapting said precision thermal control system chassis to stand in one of a vertical and horizontal position by adding a plurality of support feet to at least one side of said precision thermal control system chassis.  
   
   
       43 . A precision thermal control method of heating and cooling select equipment utilizing a heat transfer fluid in conjunction with an external heat exchanger, the method comprising the steps of 
 providing a chassis having a height of no more than 3U;    securing within said chassis a plurality of heat transfer assembly modules of the type formed with a plurality of low profile extrusions having micro channels formed therein for the flow of heat transfer fluid therethrough and capable of providing in excess of 700 Watts of thermal performance for thermal control;    securing a power supply within said chassis for powering said heat transfer assembly modules;    securing at least one fan within said chassis for the flow of heat transfer air for the cooling of equipment in the vicinity thereof; and    pumping said heat transfer fluid in a closed loop to said external heat exchanger for the cooling of said heat transfer fluid.    
   
   
       44 . The method as set forth in  claim 43 , wherein said precision thermal control method is implemented inside an isolated environment.