Cray Incorporated

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

Wade J Doll

Douglas Patrick Kelley

Alexander I Yatskov

Perry D Franz

Eric Lakin

Rob J Rongstad

Corey Knudsen

Dale Sand

Paul Bonstrom

Brian F Hawkins

To achieve multiple benefits, a high speed computing system is configured in a hierarchical manner with flexibility and re-configurability concerns maximized. This begins with a particular cabinet architecture which is specifically designed to accommodate various needs and considerations. The cabinet or rack is designed to receive various chassis assemblies depending on the particular needs and or functions involved. These may include a compute chassis, a switch chassis, or a rectifier chassis, which can be incorporated into the cabinet. Within each chassis, specific components are then inserted, with each of these components being in a subsystem configuration. For example, the compute chassis is specifically designed to receive a number of compute blades. Similarly, the switch chassis is designed to receive a number of switch blades. Lastly, the rectifier chassis is configured to receive a number of rectifiers. Collectively, the multiple blades and chassis are all configured to cooperate with one another in an efficient manner. While various subassemblies are utilized, the cabinet or rack does accommodate certain centralized functions such as cooling and power distribution.

Flexible and adaptable computing system infrastructure

Computer systems and associated methods for cooling computer components are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a computer system includes a computer cabinet having an air inlet spaced apart from an air outlet. The computer system also includes heat exchangers positioned in the computer cabinet, and a heat removal system in fluid communication with the heat exchangers. The computer system additionally includes at least one sensor for monitoring heat transfer between the computer cabinet and the room. The computer system further includes a control system operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the control system including a computer-readable medium holding instructions for determining whether heat transfer between the computer cabinet and the room is balanced based on information from the sensor, and if not, adjusting a parameter to balance the heat transfer.

Systems and associated methods for controllably cooling computer components

Computer cabinets, such as supercomputer cabinets, having progressive air velocity cooling systems are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer cabinet includes an air mover positioned beneath a plurality of computer module compartments. The computer module compartments can be arranged in tiers with the computer modules in each successive tier being positioned closer together than the computer modules in the tier directly below. The computer cabinet can also include one or more shrouds, flow restrictors, and/or sidewalls that further control the direction and/or speed of the cooling air flow through the cabinet.

Computer cabinets having progressive air velocity cooling systems and associated methods of manufacture and use

Computer systems with air cooling systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a computer system can include a computer cabinet holding multiple computer modules, and an air mover positioned in the computer cabinet. The computer system can also include an airflow restrictor positioned proximate to an air outlet of the computer cabinet, and an overhead heat exchanger mated to the computer cabinet proximate to the air outlet.

Air conditioning systems for computer systems and associated methods

Airflow intake systems for use with computer cabinet air conditioning systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a plurality of computer modules and an associated air mover positioned in an interior portion of a computer cabinet. The computer cabinet includes an opening that provides access to the interior portion. In this embodiment, a door or other panel is positioned in front of the opening and is at least partially offset from the opening to define a gap between the panel and the cabinet. Operation of the air mover draws cooling air into the cabinet through the gap, and then drives the cooling air through the cabinet to cool the computer modules.

Airflow intake systems and associated methods for use with computer cabinets

Airflow management apparatuses for computer cabinets and associated methods are disclosed herein. The computer cabinets include a plurality of computer modules positioned between an air inlet and an air outlet and an air mover configured to move a flow of cooling air from the air inlet, past the plurality of computer modules, and out the computer cabinet via the air outlet. The computer cabinets carry an airflow restrictor positioned proximate to the air outlet. The airflow restrictor is configured to restrict the flow of cooling air through a portion of the computer cabinet to achieve a desired temperature profile in the computer cabinet.

Airflow management apparatus for computer cabinets and associated methods

Multi-stage air movers for cooling computers and other systems are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a computer cabinet holding a plurality of computer modules. The computer cabinet includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The computer system further includes a multi-stage air mover configured to move a flow of cooling air from the air inlet, past the plurality of computer modules, and out the computer cabinet via the air outlet.

Multi-stage air movers for cooling computer systems and for other uses

Systems and methods for operatively connecting processor banks in large computer systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a first bank of processors, a second bank of processors spaced apart from the first bank of processors, and a connector assembly configured to operatively connect at least a portion of the first bank of processors to at least a portion of the second bank of processors. The connector assembly can include a first connector unit having a plurality of first connector sets and a second connector unit having a plurality of corresponding second connector sets. At least one of the first and second connector units is movable relative to the other one of the first and second connector units to at least approximately concurrently engage the plurality of first connector sets with the plurality of corresponding second connector sets.

Method for partitioning banks of processors in large computer systems

Cooling systems for use with computer systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a first computer module spaced apart from a second computer module to define a space therebetween. The computer system further includes a cooling system positioned in the space between the first and second computer modules. The cooling system includes a first heat exchanging portion containing a working fluid that absorbs heat from an electronic device mounted to the first computer module. The cooling system further includes a second heat exchanging portion that receives the heated working fluid from the first heat exchanging portion to cool the heated working fluid. A fluid mover is operably coupled to the first and second heat exchanging portions to circulate the working fluid through the first and second heat exchanging portions.

Heat-spreading devices for cooling computer systems and associated methods of use

Systems and methods for absorbing acoustic noise generated by computer cabinet cooling fans are described herein. In one embodiment, an acoustic absorber for use with a fan carried by a computer cabinet in a room includes a first acoustic panel spaced apart from a second acoustic panel. The first acoustic panel is configured to be positioned proximate to an outlet of the fan and at least approximately parallel to a flow of cooling air discharging from the outlet. The second acoustic panel is also configured to be positioned proximate to the outlet of the fan and at least approximately parallel to the flow of cooling air discharging from the outlet. The first and second acoustic panels together form an opening configured to direct the flow of cooling air away from the fan outlet and into the surrounding room. In a further embodiment, the opening formed by the first and second acoustic panels can be configured to extend at least approximately 360 degrees around the fan.

Growing community of inventors

Enumclaw, WA, United States of America

Wade J Doll