초록 ▼

A computer cooling system has a mixing valve which supplies coolant to the computer and receives hot return coolant from the computer and also chilled return coolant from a chiller intermediate the computer and the mixing valve. The mixing valve mixes the hot return coolant with the chilled return c

A computer cooling system has a mixing valve which supplies coolant to the computer and receives hot return coolant from the computer and also chilled return coolant from a chiller intermediate the computer and the mixing valve. The mixing valve mixes the hot return coolant with the chilled return coolant to adjust the cooling system temperature. Control circuitry senses, or estimates, the dew point temperature of the computer room environment, compares it with the cooling system temperature, and adjusts the mixing valve to maintain the cooling system temperature a few degrees above the dew point temperature. A condensation sensor comprises of a light emitting diode (LED), reflective tape applied about a cooling system supply conduit, and a phototransistor is disclosed. Light from the LED is fully reflected by the reflective tape to the phototransistor in dry conditions, but only partially reflected when condensation forms on the tape. The phototransistor output drops when condensation impedes the reflectability of the tape resulting in only partial reflection of the light and this drop in the phototransistor output is sensed by circuitry associated therewith to shut down the coolant pump and the computer system.

대표청구항 ▼

In a cooling system for a computer installed in an environment, said cooling system including cooling conduits and coolant flowing through said cooling conduits to cool said computer, said cooling system further including a means for controlling the temperature of said coolant, an improvement, compr

In a cooling system for a computer installed in an environment, said cooling system including cooling conduits and coolant flowing through said cooling conduits to cool said computer, said cooling system further including a means for controlling the temperature of said coolant, an improvement, comprising: a means for estimating the dew point of said environment; a means for sensing the temperature of said cooling system; a means for comparing said estimated dew point temperature with said cooling system temperature to determine a temperature differential; and circuit means responsive to said temperature differential for controlling said temperature control means to maintain said cooling system temperature above said dew point temperature.