Dynamically limiting energy consumed by cooling apparatus

摘要

Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided which include one or more coolant-cooled structures associated with an electronics rack, a coolant loop coupled in fluid communication with one or more passages of the coolant-cooled structure(s), one or more heat exchange units coupled to facilitate heat transfer from coolant within the coolant loop, and N controllable components associated with the coolant loop or the heat exchange unit(s), wherein N≧1. The N controllable components facilitate circulation of coolant through the coolant loop or transfer of heat from the coolant via the heat exchange unit(s). A controller is coupled to the N controllable components, and dynamically adjusts operation of the N controllable components, based on Z input parameters and one or more specified constraints, to provide a specified cooling to the coolant-cooled structure(s), while limiting energy consumed by the N controllable components, wherein Z≧1.

主权项

1. A cooling apparatus comprising:
at least one coolant-cooled structure associated with an electronics rack for facilitating dissipation of heat from the electronics rack, the at least one coolant-cooled structure comprising at least one coolant-carrying passage; a coolant loop coupled in fluid communication with the at least one coolant-carrying passage of the at least one coolant-cooled structure; at least one heat exchange unit coupled to facilitate heat transfer from liquid coolant within the coolant loop; N controllable components associated with at least one of the coolant loop or the at least one heat exchange unit, the N controllable components having operation setting ranges which facilitate control of at least one of circulating of the liquid coolant through the coolant loop or transfer of heat from the coolant via the at least one heat exchange unit, wherein N≧2; and a controller coupled to the N controllable components, the controller being programmed to dynamically control operational settings of the N controllable components, based on Z input parameters and one or more specified constraints, to provide a specified cooling to the at least one coolant-cooled structure, and to minimize energy consumed by the N controllable components in providing the specified cooling to the at least one coolant-cooled structure with reference to predetermined operational characterizations of the N controllable components within the cooling apparatus, wherein Z≧1.