US 12,146,691 B2
Systems and methods for cooling electrical equipment
Ming Zhang, Weston, CT (US); and John Costakis, Glasco, NY (US)
Assigned to Inertech IP LLC, Plano, TX (US)
Filed by INERTECH IP LLC, Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/097,055.
Application 18/097,055 is a continuation of application No. 16/989,880, filed on Aug. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,555,635.
Application 16/989,880 is a continuation of application No. 15/479,588, filed on Apr. 5, 2017, granted, now 10,739,042, issued on Aug. 11, 2020.
Application 15/479,588 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2015/054789, filed on Oct. 8, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/061,524, filed on Oct. 8, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2023/0221046 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25B 25/00 (2006.01); F25B 7/00 (2006.01); F25B 49/02 (2006.01); H05K 7/20 (2006.01)
CPC F25B 25/005 (2013.01) [F25B 7/00 (2013.01); F25B 49/02 (2013.01); H05K 7/20827 (2013.01); F25B 2500/18 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cooling system comprising:
a first fluid circuit in thermal communication with a heat load and in fluid communication with a main condenser;
a free cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main condenser and a free-cooled water source, the free cooling circuit being in thermal communication with the first fluid circuit via the main condenser;
a chilled water circuit in fluid communication with the main condenser and an evaporator, the chilled water circuit being in thermal communication with the first fluid circuit via the main condenser; and
a second fluid circuit in fluid communication with the evaporator and a secondary condenser, the second fluid circuit being in thermal communication with the chilled water circuit and the free cooling circuit,
wherein during a low wet-bulb temperature condition the second fluid circuit is cooled solely by the free cooling circuit.
 
8. A method of operating a cooling system, comprising:
causing a first fluid to flow through a first fluid circuit in thermal communication with a heat load and in fluid communication with a main condenser;
causing a cooling fluid to flow through a free cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main condenser and a free-cooled water source, the free cooling circuit being in thermal communication with the first fluid circuit via the main condenser;
causing water to flow through a chilled water circuit in fluid communication with the main condenser and an evaporator, the chilled water circuit being in thermal communication with the first fluid circuit via the main condenser; and
causing a second fluid to flow through a second fluid circuit in fluid communication with the evaporator and a secondary condenser, the second fluid circuit being in thermal communication with the chilled water circuit and the free cooling circuit,
wherein during a low wet-bulb temperature condition the first fluid of the first fluid circuit flowing through the main condenser is condensed by the second fluid flowing through the main condenser that is cooled solely by the free cooling circuit.
 
15. A method of operating a cooling system, comprising:
determining a temperature;
in response to the temperature being a first temperature:
closing a first valve to prevent cooling water from a fluid cooler from flowing through a secondary condenser in fluid communication with a second fluid circuit; and
opening a second valve to allow cooling water from the fluid cooler to flow through a main condenser in fluid communication with a first fluid circuit in thermal communication with a heat load; and
in response to the temperature being a second temperature greater than the first temperature:
opening the first valve to allow the cooling water from the fluid cooler to flow through the secondary condenser;
closing the second valve to prevent cooling water from the fluid cooler to flow through the main condenser;
starting a water pump in a chilled water circuit in fluid communication with the main condenser and an evaporator of the second fluid circuit; and
starting a compressor in the second fluid circuit.