Digitization is the constant drive for information that is available quickly and everywhere. Creating efficient factories or faster transport systems is driving the world of work. What consequences do these growing demands have on the hardware technology that makes "faster or better, more comprehensive, more livable" possible in the first place? The concern about thermal management takes the lead.
Concerns for data centers
Let's look at these issues using the example of mainframe computer systems where thermal management quickly comes up. Thermal management is generally understood to mean the control of energy and, in particular, heat flows. In this specific example, microprocessors generate waste heat during operation. This can lead to overheating of the unit and to malfunctions or even the destruction of entire assemblies. For this reason, these units should always have optimum cooling to ensure that the waste heat is dissipated quickly. Small dissipation areas and high temperatures require highly efficient solutions. And regardless of the area of application - whether solar and wind power systems, transportation, medical technology, semiconductors or the food industry - the components belonging to the system should provide optimum cooling at all times through reliable functioning and high material quality.
What is the best coolant?
The next step quickly raises the question of the best coolant. Cooling with water or other liquids proves to be more efficient than temperature control via air currents. In addition, cooling via liquids is associated with significantly lower noise emissions and requires less installation space than air cooling. Compact design in particular is becoming increasingly important in view of the steadily increasing power density of electronics.
Which connection system can be used?
Parker HPCE division offers quick-connect couplings for thermal management, which are used, among other things, to connect cooling elements and lines. This can be done without the use of additional tools. The low pressure drop of these coupling systems takes into account energy savings while providing optimum performance. Greatly reduced sizes allow use in confined spaces and expand the design possibilities. This design scope is further extended during planning and installation by the Parker RNS systems for block and plate installation.
The flat-seated valve design is a uniform feature across all product series. It offers maximum safety for the operator and the electronics themselves and is a valuable contribution to environmental protection. This is because the design prevents air from entering the medium and the medium from escaping during coupling and decoupling, which is started before maintenance work on the electronics or batteries begins. Maintenance is noticeably shortened due to the fast coupling and decoupling. In addition, the shut-off couplings mean that the fluid can remain in the circuit during maintenance work and does not have to be drained. For IT cabinets, the Parker RNS series has been developed to enable fast and safe coupling and locking of the cooling circuits to the racks.
Customized thermal management solutions
Parker HPCE helps customers find customized solutions and offers a comprehensive range of seals to choose from, depending on the type and temperature of the media. Another plus of Parker's quick disconnect couplings is the variety of materials. The NSA couplings, for example, are made of aluminum, in line with the trend toward lightweight designs. In addition, the nickel-plated brass or stainless steel components are corrosion-free in use with a wide variety of fluids, and like the other couplings, have a high consistent quality and long service life. The various sizes (3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 19 and 25 mm) allow the couplings to be optimally adapted to the respective cooling circuit.
In close cooperation with customers, Parker HPCE division develops modular systems in which all sizes (3 - 25 mm) can be optimally combined, depending on their requirements. In addition, ready-to-install systems, fully tested, are offered across the individual product, from the coupling to the fitting, hose or manifold. For customers, this has the advantage that they can rely on the supplier's more than 60 years of expertise and, by receiving complete system blocks, save valuable assembly time and significantly simplify their warehousing.
Parker offers modular and customized systems and engineering support in Thermal Management. Watch the video to learn more:
NSA Quick Disconnects
RNS Quick Disconnects
Customised Manifolds