Fluid connectors for modular cooling systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10327358-B2
Application number	US-201715595779-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 15, 2017
Priority date	Jun 26, 2015
Publication date	Jun 18, 2019
Grant date	Jun 18, 2019

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for fluid connections in modular cooling systems for cooling electronic components installed in equipment racks. A cold plate is positioned adjacent to a support manifold in a mated position, where the cold plate comprises a plate connector. The plate connector comprises a plate outer sleeve and defines a central passageway. The support manifold comprises a manifold connector, which comprises a manifold outer sleeve and defines a central passageway. An outer surface of the manifold outer sleeve is positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the plate outer sleeve. A cam is rotated about a pivot pin and engages with a plate retainer to secure the cold plate against the support manifold, and the central passageway of the plate connector is connected in fluid communication with the central passageway of the manifold connector.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a manifold connector comprising:
a manifold outer sleeve, the manifold outer sleeve defining an outer surface;
a manifold inner sleeve, the manifold inner sleeve positioned within the manifold outer sleeve, the manifold inner sleeve defining an outer surface, the manifold inner sleeve defining a central passageway extending through the manifold inner sleeve and comprising a manifold outlet of the central passageway extending through the outer surface of the manifold inner sleeve; and
a manifold sealer disposed within the central passageway, the manifold sealer biased to seal the manifold outlet; and
a plate connector, the plate connector selectively positionable between a mated position and an unmated position, the plate connector comprising:
a plate outer sleeve, the plate outer sleeve defining an outer surface, the outer surface of the plate outer sleeve positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the manifold outer sleeve in the mated position, the plate outer sleeve defining a first sliding slot extending through the plate outer sleeve;
a plate inner sleeve, the plate inner sleeve movably positioned within the plate outer sleeve between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the plate inner sleeve defining an outer surface, the plate inner sleeve defining a central passageway extending through the plate inner sleeve and comprising a plate outlet of the central passageway extending through the outer surface of the plate inner sleeve;
a plate sealer disposed within the central passageway, the plate sealer biased to seal the plate outlet; and
a sliding pin attached to the plate inner sleeve, the sliding pin extending outwards from the plate inner sleeve through the first sliding slot of the plate outer sleeve, the sliding pin configured to selectively position the plate inner sleeve between the disengaged position and the engaged position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the outer surface of the plate inner sleeve is recessed within the plate outer sleeve when the plate inner sleeve is in the disengaged position;
the manifold sealer seals the manifold outlet when the plate inner sleeve is in the disengaged position; and
the plate sealer seals the plate outlet when the plate inner sleeve is in the disengage position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the outer surface of the plate inner sleeve contacts the outer surface of the manifold inner sleeve when the plate inner sleeve is in the engaged position and the plate connector is in the mated position; and
the central passageway of the manifold inner sleeve is connected in fluid communication with the central passageway of the plate inner sleeve when the plate inner sleeve is in the engaged position and the plate connector is in the mated position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
the manifold sealer contacts the plate sealer when the plate inner sleeve is in the engaged position and the plate connector is in the mated position;
the manifold sealer presses the plate sealer away from the plate outlet when the plate inner sleeve is in the engaged position and the plate connector is in the mated position; and
the plate sealer presses the manifold sealer away from the manifold outlet when the plate inner sleeve is in the engaged position and the plate connector is in the mated position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a spring positioned within the central passageway of the plate inner sleeve, the spring biasing the plate sealer to seal the plate outlet.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the spring is a disc spring and wherein the disc spring is attached to a support disposed within the central passageway.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a one of the manifold outer sleeve, the manifold inner sleeve, the plate outer sleeve, and the plate inner sleeve defines a tubular shape.

8. A system comprising:
a manifold body defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite from the first end, the manifold body further defining a top side, a bottom side, a first side, and a second side extending between the first end and the second end, the top side disposed opposite from the bottom side, the first side disposed opposite from the second side, the manifold body further defining a channel extending through the manifold body from the first end to the second end; and
a manifold supply connector extending through the second side of the manifold body, the manifold supply connector in fluid communication with the channel and comprising:
a manifold supply outer sleeve;
a manifold supply inner sleeve positioned within the manifold supply outer sleeve, the manifold supply inner sleeve defining a central passageway extending through the manifold supply inner sleeve and comprising a manifold supply outlet extending through an outer surface of the manifold supply inner sleeve, the manifold supply outlet and the central passageway in fluid communication with the channel; and
a manifold supply sealer disposed within the central passageway, the manifold supply sealer biased to seal the manifold supply outlet;

and wherein:
a central wall extends through the channel and divides the channel into a first channel and a second channel;
the manifold supply outlet and the central passageway of the manifold supply inner sleeve are connected in fluid communication with the first channel;
the system further comprises a manifold return connector extending through the second side of the manifold body;
a central passageway of the manifold return connector is connected in fluid communication with the second channel;
the manifold supply outlet extends through the second side, the second channel, and the central wall; and
the manifold supply outlet is sealed from the second channel.

9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a plate retainer, the plate retainer attached to the second side of the manifold body, the plate retainer extending outwards away from the manifold body, the plate retainer configured to engage a retainer pocket of a cold plate and support the cold plate.

10. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a key, the key shaped complimentary to a rail channel of a rail, the key configured to mount the system to the rail.

Assignees

• Seagate Technology Llc

Inventors

• Harvilchuck Laurence A
• Worrall Alex Carl

Classifications

• F28F9/0075

  Supports for plates or plate assemblies · CPC title

• F16L37/32

  at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied · CPC title

• F28F9/0275

  with multiple branch pipes · CPC title

• F16L37/18 Primary

  Joints tightened by eccentrics or rotatable cams · CPC title

• G06F1/20

  Cooling means · CPC title