Abstract: Methods are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The method includes providing a liquid-cooled cold plate and a thermal spreader associated with the cold plate. The cold plate includes multiple coolant-carrying channel sections extending within the cold plate, and a thermal conduction surface with a larger surface area than a surface area of the component to be cooled. The thermal spreader includes one or more heat pipes including multiple heat pipe sections. One or more heat pipe sections are partially aligned to a first region of the cold plate, that is, where aligned to the surface to be cooled, and partially aligned to a second region of the cold plate, which is outside the first region. The one or more heat pipes facilitate distribution of heat from the electronic component to coolant-carrying channel sections of the cold plate located in the second region of the cold plate.

Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided facilitating transfer of heat from a working fluid to a coolant. The cooling apparatus includes a vapor condenser which includes a condenser housing with a condensing chamber accommodating the working fluid and coolant, which are in direct contact within the condensing chamber and are immiscible fluids. The condensing chamber includes a working fluid vapor layer and a working fluid liquid layer; and a working fluid vapor inlet facilitates flow of fluid vapor into the condensing chamber, and a working fluid vapor outlet facilitates egress of working fluid liquid from the condensing chamber. A coolant inlet structure facilitates ingress of coolant into the working fluid vapor layer of the condensing chamber in direct contact with the working fluid vapor to facilitate condensing the vapor into working fluid liquid, and the coolant outlet structure facilitates subsequent egress of coolant from the condensing chamber.

Abstract: Cooling apparatuses, cooled electronic modules, and methods of fabrication are provided which facilitate heat transfer from one or more electronic components to a coolant. The cooling apparatus includes a coolant-cooled heat sink with a thermally conductive structure having a coolant-carrying compartment including a varying cross-sectional coolant flow area through which coolant flows in a direction substantially parallel to a main heat transfer surface of the structure coupled to the electronic component(s). The coolant-cooled heat sink includes a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the coolant-carrying compartment, and the coolant flow area of the coolant-carrying compartment decreases, at least in part, in a direction of coolant flow through the coolant-carrying compartment.

Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods of fabricating thereof are provided which facilitate pumped immersion-cooling of an electronic component(s). The cooling apparatus includes an enclosure having a compartment accommodating the electronic component(s), and dielectric fluid within the compartment at least partially immersing the electronic component(s). A liquid-cooled heat sink is associated with the enclosure to cool at least one cooling surface associated with the compartment, and facilitate heat transfer to the heat sink from the electronic component(s) via the dielectric fluid. A pump is disposed external to the compartment and in fluid communication therewith to facilitate pumped dielectric fluid flow through the compartment. The pumped dielectric fluid flow through the compartment enhances heat transfer from the electronic component(s) to the liquid-cooled heat sink via the cooling surface(s).

Abstract: Cooled electronic systems and cooling methods are provided, wherein a field-replaceable bank of electronic components is cooled by an apparatus which includes an enclosure at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the electronic components, a fluid disposed within the compartment, and a heat sink associated with the electronic system. The field-replaceable bank extends, in part, through the enclosure to facilitate operative docking of the electronic components into, for instance, one or more respective receiving sockets of the electronic system. The electronic components of the field-replaceable bank are, at least partially, immersed within the fluid to facilitate immersion-cooling of the components, and the heat sink is configured and disposed to physically couple to the enclosure and facilitates rejection of heat from the fluid disposed within the compartment when the field-replaceable bank of electronic components is operatively inserted into the electronic system.

Abstract: A cooled electronic system and cooling method are provided, wherein a field-replaceable bank of electronic components is cooled by an apparatus which includes an enclosure at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the electronic components, a fluid disposed within the compartment, and a heat sink associated with the enclosure. The field-replaceable bank extends, in part, through the enclosure to facilitate operative docking of the electronic components into one or more respective receiving sockets of the electronic system. The electronic components of the field-replaceable bank are, at least partially, immersed within the fluid to facilitate immersion-cooling of the components, and the heat sink facilitates rejection of heat from the fluid disposed within the compartment. In one embodiment, multiple thermal conductors project from an inner surface of the enclosure into the compartment to facilitate transfer of heat from the fluid to the heat sink.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating cooling of electronic components of an electronic system. The method includes: providing a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the components, and providing an immersion-cooling fluid is disposed within the compartment, at least one component of the electronic system being at least partially non-immersed within the fluid in the compartment; providing a wicking film element physically coupled to a main surface of the at least one component and partially disposed within the fluid within the compartment; and securing, via a coupling element, the wicking film element in physical coupling to the main surface of the at least one component without the coupling element overlying the main surface of the component(s). As an enhancement, the wicking film element wraps over the component to physically couple to two opposite main sides of the component.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a local cooling station, which has a liquid-to-air heat exchanger and ducting for directing a cooling airflow across the heat exchanger. A cooling subsystem is associated with the electronic subsystem of the rack, and includes either a housing facilitating immersion cooling of electronic components of the electronic subsystem, or one or more liquid-cooled structures providing conductive cooling to the electronic components of the electronic subsystem. A coolant loop couples the cooling subsystem to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the local cooling station. In operation, heat is transferred via circulating coolant from the electronic subsystem and rejected in the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the local cooling station to the cooling airflow passing across the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the cooling airflow is outdoor air.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes an air-cooled cooling station, which has a liquid-to-air heat exchanger and ducting for directing a cooling airflow across the heat exchanger. A cooling subsystem is associated with the electronics rack, and includes a liquid-cooled condenser facilitating immersion-cooling of electronic components of the electronics rack, a liquid-cooled structure providing conductive cooling to electronic components of the electronics rack, or an air-to-liquid heat exchanger associated with the rack and cooling airflow passing through the electronics rack. A coolant loop couples the cooling subsystem to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In operation, heat is transferred via circulating coolant from the electronics rack, and rejected in the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the cooling station to the cooling airflow passing across the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the cooling airflow is outdoor air.

Abstract: Cooling methods are provided for facilitating pumped immersion-cooling of electronic components. The cooling method includes: providing a housing forming a compartment about one or more components, and providing a supply manifold, a return manifold, and coupling a coolant loop coupling in fluid communication the supply and return manifolds and the housing. Coolant flowing through the coolant loop flows through the compartment of the housing and, at least partially, immersion-cools the component(s) by flow boiling. A pump facilitates circulation of coolant within the loop, and a coolant bypass line is coupled between the supply and return manifolds. The return manifold includes a mixed-phase manifold section, and the bypass line provides coolant from the supply manifold directly to the mixed-phase manifold section. Coolant flows from the coolant bypass line into the mixed-phase manifold section in a direction counter to the direction of any coolant vapor flow within that manifold section.

Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided for facilitating pumped immersion-cooling of electronic components. The cooling apparatus includes a housing forming a compartment about one or more components, a supply manifold, a return manifold, and a coolant loop coupling in fluid communication the supply and return manifolds and the housing. Coolant flowing through the coolant loop flows through the compartment of the housing and at least partially immersion-cools the component(s) by flow boiling. A pump facilitates circulation of coolant within the loop, and a coolant bypass line is coupled between the supply and return manifolds. The return manifold includes a mixed-phase manifold section, and the bypass line provides coolant from the supply manifold directly to the mixed-phase manifold section. Coolant flows from the coolant bypass line into the mixed-phase manifold section in a direction counter to the direction of any coolant vapor flow within that manifold section.

Abstract: Techniques for cooling in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a computer equipment rack is provided comprising one or more air inlets; one or more exhaust outlets; and one or more of: an air inlet duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the air inlets, the air inlet duct having a lateral dimension that approximates a lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than a length of the computer equipment rack, and an air exhaust duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the exhaust outlets, the air exhaust duct having a lateral dimension that approximates the lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than the length of the computer equipment rack.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a local cooling station, which has a liquid-to-air heat exchanger and ducting for directing a cooling airflow across the heat exchanger. A cooling subsystem is associated with the electronic subsystem of the rack, and includes either a housing facilitating immersion cooling of electronic components of the electronic subsystem, or one or more liquid-cooled structures providing conductive cooling to the electronic components of the electronic subsystem. A coolant loop couples the cooling subsystem to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the local cooling station. In operation, heat is transferred via circulating coolant from the electronic subsystem and rejected in the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the local cooling station to the cooling airflow passing across the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the cooling airflow is outdoor air.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus and methods are provided for partial immersion-cooling of multiple electronic components. The cooling apparatus includes a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the components, and a fluid disposed within the compartment. First and second electronic components are at least partially non-immersed within the fluid, with the first component being a different type of electronic component with different configuration than the second component. A vapor condenser is provided with a vapor-condensing surface disposed within the compartment for condensing fluid vapor, and a condensate redirect structure is disposed within the compartment between the vapor condenser and the first and second components. The redirect structure is differently configured over the first electronic component compared with over the second electronic component, and provides a different pattern of condensate drip over the first component compared with over the second component.

Abstract: A cooled electronic system and cooling method are provided, where an electronics board having a plurality of electronic components mounted to the board is cooled by an apparatus which includes an immersion-cooled electronic component section and a conduction-cooled electronic component section. The immersion-cooled section includes an enclosure at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about multiple electronic components of the electronic components mounted to the electronics board, and a fluid disposed within the compartment. The multiple electronic components are, at least in part, immersed within the fluid to facilitate immersion-cooling of those components. The conduction-cooled electronic component section includes at least one electronic component of the electronic components mounted to the electronics board, and the at least one electronic component is indirectly liquid-cooled, at least in part, via conduction of heat from the at least one electronic component.

Abstract: A vapor condenser is provided which includes a three-dimensional folded structure which defines, at least in part, a set of coolant-carrying channels and a set of vapor condensing channels, with the coolant-carrying channels being interleaved with and extending parallel to the vapor condensing channels. The folded structure includes a thermally conductive sheet with multiple folds in the sheet. One side of the sheet is a vapor condensing surface, and the opposite side of the sheet is a coolant-cooled surface, with at least a portion of the coolant-cooled surface defining the coolant-carrying channels, and being in contact with coolant within the coolant-carrying channels. The vapor condenser further includes, in one embodiment, a top plate, and first and second end manifolds which are coupled to opposite ends of the folded structure and in fluid communication with the coolant-carrying channels to facilitate flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying channels.

Abstract: An air-cooling apparatus is provided which includes a heat exchanger door and a catch bracket. The door is hingedly mounted to the air inlet or outlet side of an electronics rack, and includes: a door frame spanning at least a portion of the air inlet or outlet side of the rack, wherein the frame includes an airflow opening which facilitates airflow through the rack; an air-to-coolant heat exchanger supported by the door frame and disposed so that airflow through the airflow opening passes thereacross; and a door latch mechanism to selectively latch the heat exchanger door to the rack. The catch bracket is attached to the rack and sized to extend from the rack into the heat exchanger door through a catch opening, and the door latch mechanism is configured and mounted within the heat exchanger door to physically engage the catch bracket within the heat exchanger door.

Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided for pumped immersion-cooling of selected electronic components of an electronic system, such as a node or book of a multi-node rack. The cooling apparatus includes a housing assembly defining a compartment about the component(s) to be cooled, which is coupled to a first side of a printed circuit board. The assembly includes a first frame with an opening sized to accommodate the component(s), and a second frame. The first and second frames are sealed to opposite sides of the board via a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, respectively. The printed circuit board is at least partially porous to a coolant to flow through the compartment, and the first frame, second frame, and first and second adhesive layers are non-porous with respect to the coolant, and provide a coolant-tight seal to the first and second sides of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method is provided for pumped immersion-cooling of selected electronic components of an electronic system, such as a node or book of a multi-node rack. The method includes providing a housing assembly defining a compartment about the component(s) to be cooled, which is coupled to a first side of a printed circuit board. The assembly includes a first frame with an opening sized to accommodate the component(s), and a second frame. The first and second frames are sealed to opposite sides of the board via a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, respectively. The printed circuit board is at least partially porous to a coolant to flow through the compartment, and the first frame, second frame, and first and second adhesive layers are non-porous with respect to the coolant, and provide a coolant-tight seal to the first and second sides of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An air-cooling method is provided which includes providing a heat exchanger door and a catch bracket. The door is hingedly mounted to the air inlet or outlet side of an electronics rack, and includes: a door frame spanning at least a portion of the air inlet or outlet side of the rack, wherein the frame includes an airflow opening which facilitates airflow through the rack; an air-to-coolant heat exchanger supported by the door frame and disposed so that airflow through the airflow opening passes thereacross; and a door latch mechanism to selectively latch the heat exchanger door to the rack. The catch bracket is attached to the rack and sized to extend from the rack into the heat exchanger door through a catch opening, and the door latch mechanism is configured and mounted within the heat exchanger door to physically engage the catch bracket within the heat exchanger door.