DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC §112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation “a refrigeration system" in lines 2 same or different than in line 1. For examination purposes, it is considered as same and limitation is being considered as -- the refrigeration system --.
Claim 9 recites the limitation “a chilled water circuit" in lines 3 same or different than in line 9 of claim 1. For examination purposes, it is considered as same and limitation is being considered as -- the chilled water circuit --.
Claim 6 recites the limitation “a data center" in lines 1 same or different than in line 1 of claim 1. For examination purposes, it is considered as same and limitation is being considered as -- the data center --.
Claim 6 recites the limitation “a refrigeration system" in lines 1-2 same or different than in lines 1-2 of claim 1. For examination purposes, it is considered as same and limitation is being considered as -- the refrigeration system --.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC §103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1-4 and 10-13 are rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over ZENG et al. (CN 110381698, see attached translation) in view of Novotny (US 2010/0078160).
In regards to claim 1, ZENG discloses a refrigeration system (data center cooling system; Fig. 1) for a data center (implicit), the data center comprising a refrigeration system and at least one computer room (implicit), wherein at least one liquid-cooled server (liquid-cooled server cabinet 11) is arranged in the computer room, and the at least one liquid-cooled server (11) dissipates heat through a liquid-cooled pipeline (corresponding liquid-cooled pipes; par. 34); and the refrigeration system comprises: a water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47) configured to dissipate heat from the at least one liquid-cooled server (11) in the computer room (Fig. 1; refer to par. 34); and a cold source (cooling tower 1) provided with a chilled water circuit (circuit of cooling tower 1) comprising a first chilled water circuit (circuit of pump 22) and a second chilled water circuit (circuit of pump 15); wherein the first chilled water circuit (circuit of pump 22) is connected to the water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47) to provide chilled water to the water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47).
ZENG fails to explicitly teach a coolant distribution apparatus configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server in the computer room; and the second chilled water circuit is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus.
Novotny teaches a system (Fig. 8) wherein a coolant distribution apparatus (least one coolant distribution unit, CDU 805) configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server (a coolant distribution unit, CDU to provide liquid-liquid cooling for heat generating components such as servers mounted in computer racks; par. 7) in the computer room; and the second chilled water circuit (corresponding to circuit of chilled water supply, CWS 810) is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus (805) to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus (CDU).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that a coolant distribution apparatus configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server in the computer room; and the second chilled water circuit is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus as taught by Novotny in order to providing cooling to an electronics rack (refer to par. 17 of Novotny).
In regards to claim 2, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 1. Further, ZENG teaches The refrigeration system according to claim 1, wherein the water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47) comprises a compressor (8), a liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2), an electronic expansion valve (expansion valve 5), and an evaporator (an air conditioning terminal 6; par. 43) to constitute a refrigerant circulation circuit (refrigeration system; par. 67); the first chilled water circuit (circuit of pump 22) passes through the liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2), and chilled water in the first chilled water circuit exchanges heat (refer to pars. 34 and 41), in the liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2), with a refrigerant in a refrigerant pipeline (refer to par. 39 and 41).
In regards to claim 3, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 2. Further, ZENG teaches The refrigeration system according to claim 2, wherein the water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47) further comprises: a fluorine pump (4), an inlet of the fluorine pump (4) being connected to a refrigerant outlet (primary outlet) of the liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2) through the refrigerant pipeline, and an outlet of the fluorine pump (4) being connected to an inlet of the evaporator (6) through the refrigerant pipeline (Fig. 1); and a one-way valve (second one-way valve 13) arranged in parallel with the compressor (8) through the refrigerant pipeline (refer to par. 33), an inlet of the one-way valve (13) being connected to an inlet of the compressor (8), and an outlet of the one-way valve (13) being connected to an outlet of the compressor (8).
In regards to claim 4, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 1, but fails to explicitly teach The refrigeration system according to claim 1, wherein the coolant distribution apparatus comprises: a plate heat exchanger comprising a first branch and a second branch; the first branch being communicated with the second chilled water circuit, the second branch being communicated with the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server; wherein the first branch and the second branch exchange heat; and a water pump arranged in the second branch, the water pump being configured to transport a liquid in the second branch.
Novotny further teaches a system (Figs. 8 and 10) the coolant distribution apparatus (CDU) comprises: a plate heat exchanger (a brazed plate heat exchanger; par. 43) comprising a first branch (primary line of heat exchanger 825) and a second branch (secondary line of heat exchanger 825); the first branch being communicated with the second chilled water circuit (corresponding to circuit of chilled water supply, CWS 810), the second branch being communicated with the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server (par. 7); wherein the first branch and the second branch exchange heat (Fig. 8); and a water pump (variable flow pump 830) arranged in the second branch, the water pump (830) being configured to transport a liquid in the second branch (as can be seen in Fig. 8).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that the coolant distribution apparatus comprises: a plate heat exchanger comprising a first branch and a second branch; the first branch being communicated with the second chilled water circuit, the second branch being communicated with the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server; wherein the first branch and the second branch exchange heat; and a water pump arranged in the second branch, the water pump being configured to transport a liquid in the second branch as taught by Novotny in order to providing cooling to an electronics rack (refer to par. 17 of Novotny).
In regards to claim 10, ZENG discloses a data center (data center cooling system; Fig. 1) comprising at least one computer room (implicit) internally provided with at least one liquid-cooled server (liquid-cooled server cabinet 11) configured to dissipate heat through a liquid-cooled pipeline (corresponding liquid-cooled pipes; par. 34), wherein the data center further comprises a refrigeration system (cooling system; Fig. 1); and the refrigeration system comprises: a water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47) configured to dissipate heat from the at least one liquid-cooled server (11) in the computer room (refer to par. 34); and a cold source (cooling tower 1) provided with a chilled water circuit (circuit of cooling tower 1) comprising a first chilled water circuit (circuit of pump 22) and a second chilled water circuit (circuit of pump 15); wherein the first chilled water circuit is connected to the water-cooled precision air conditioner to provide chilled water to the water-cooled precision air conditioner (refer to pars. 64-65).
ZENG fails to explicitly teach a coolant distribution apparatus configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server in the computer room; and the second chilled water circuit is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus.
Novotny teaches a system (Fig. 8) wherein a coolant distribution apparatus (least one coolant distribution unit, CDU 805) configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server (a coolant distribution unit, CDU to provide liquid-liquid cooling for heat generating components such as servers mounted in computer racks; par. 7) in the computer room; and the second chilled water circuit (corresponding to circuit of chilled water supply, CWS 810) is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus (805) to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus (CDU).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that a coolant distribution apparatus configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server in the computer room; and the second chilled water circuit is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus as taught by Novotny in order to providing cooling to an electronics rack (refer to par. 17 of Novotny).
In regards to claim 11, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 10. Further, ZENG teaches wherein the water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47) comprises a compressor (8), a liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2), an electronic expansion valve (expansion valve 5), and an evaporator (an air conditioning terminal 6; par. 43) to constitute a refrigerant circulation circuit (refrigeration system; par. 67); the first chilled water circuit (circuit of pump 22) passes through the liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2), and chilled water in the first chilled water circuit exchanges heat (refer to pars. 34 and 41), in the liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2), with a refrigerant in a refrigerant pipeline (refer to par. 39 and 41).
In regards to claim 12, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 11. Further, ZENG teaches wherein the water-cooled precision air conditioner (refrigerant circulation within the liquid cooling system; par. 47) further comprises: a fluorine pump (4), an inlet of the fluorine pump (4) being connected to a refrigerant outlet (primary outlet) of the liquid-cooled condenser (primary side of first heat exchanger 2) through the refrigerant pipeline, and an outlet of the fluorine pump (4) being connected to an inlet of the evaporator (6) through the refrigerant pipeline (Fig. 1); and a one-way valve (second one-way valve 13) arranged in parallel with the compressor (8) through the refrigerant pipeline (refer to par. 33), an inlet of the one-way valve (13) being connected to an inlet of the compressor (8), and an outlet of the one-way valve (13) being connected to an outlet of the compressor (8).
In regards to claim 13, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 10, but fails to explicitly teach wherein the coolant distribution apparatus comprises: a plate heat exchanger comprising a first branch and a second branch; the first branch being communicated with the second chilled water circuit, the second branch being communicated with the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server; wherein the first branch and the second branch exchange heat; and a water pump arranged in the second branch, the water pump being configured to transport a liquid in the second branch.
Novotny further teaches a system (Figs. 8 and 10) the coolant distribution apparatus (CDU) comprises: a plate heat exchanger (a brazed plate heat exchanger; par. 43) comprising a first branch (primary line of heat exchanger 825) and a second branch (secondary line of heat exchanger 825); the first branch being communicated with the second chilled water circuit (corresponding to circuit of chilled water supply, CWS 810), the second branch being communicated with the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server (par. 7); wherein the first branch and the second branch exchange heat (Fig. 8); and a water pump (variable flow pump 830) arranged in the second branch, the water pump (830) being configured to transport a liquid in the second branch (as can be seen in Fig. 8).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that the coolant distribution apparatus comprises: a plate heat exchanger comprising a first branch and a second branch; the first branch being communicated with the second chilled water circuit, the second branch being communicated with the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server; wherein the first branch and the second branch exchange heat; and a water pump arranged in the second branch, the water pump being configured to transport a liquid in the second branch as taught by Novotny in order to providing cooling to an electronics rack (refer to par. 17 of Novotny).
Claims 5 and 14 are rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over ZENG et al. (CN 110381698) in view of Novotny (US 2010/0078160), further in view of CAMPBELL et al. (US 20120111038 A1).
In regards to claim 5, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 1, but fails to explicitly teach wherein the cold source further comprises: an auxiliary heating apparatus arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit, respectively, the auxiliary heating apparatus being configured to heat the chilled water.
CAMPBELL teaches wherein the cold source (corresponding to evaporator 410) further comprises: an auxiliary heating apparatus (upper controllable refrigerant heater 560) arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit (corresponding to upper loop 520) and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit (corresponding to lower loop 520), respectively, the auxiliary heating apparatus (lower controllable refrigerant heater 560) being configured to heat the chilled water (refer to par. 53).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that the cold source further comprises: an auxiliary heating apparatus arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit, respectively, the auxiliary heating apparatus being configured to heat the chilled water as taught by CAMPBELL in order to ensures that refrigerant entering compressor is in a superheated thermodynamic state (refer to par. 53 of CAMPBELL).
In regards to claim 14, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 10, but fails to explicitly teach wherein the cold source further comprises: an auxiliary heating apparatus arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit, respectively, the auxiliary heating apparatus being configured to heat the chilled water.
CAMPBELL teaches wherein the cold source (corresponding to evaporator 410) further comprises: an auxiliary heating apparatus (upper controllable refrigerant heater 560) arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit (corresponding to upper loop 520) and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit (corresponding to lower loop 520), respectively, the auxiliary heating apparatus (lower controllable refrigerant heater 560) being configured to heat the chilled water (refer to par. 53).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that the cold source further comprises: an auxiliary heating apparatus arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit, respectively, the auxiliary heating apparatus being configured to heat the chilled water as taught by CAMPBELL in order to ensures that refrigerant entering compressor is in a superheated thermodynamic state (refer to par. 53 of CAMPBELL).
Claims 6-7 and 8-9 are rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over ZENG et al. (CN 110381698) in view of Novotny (US 2010/0078160) and CAMPBELL et al. (US 20120111038 A1), further in view of Ahladas et al. (US 20110036540).
In regards to claim 6, ZENG discloses a refrigeration control method (data center cooling system and method; Fig. 1) for a data center, wherein the method is applied to a refrigeration system as claimed in claim 5, but fails to explicitly teach the refrigeration system further comprises a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first ambient temperature inside a computer room; and the refrigeration control method comprises: obtaining the first ambient temperature inside the computer room when the coolant distribution apparatus is started up; and controlling to switch on the water-cooled precision air conditioner when the first ambient temperature is higher than a set temperature.
Ahladas teaches a system wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a first temperature sensor (114) configured to detect a first ambient temperature inside a computer room (refer to par. 15); and the refrigeration control method comprises: obtaining the first ambient temperature inside the computer room when the coolant distribution apparatus is started up (system 82 is activated); and controlling to switch on (system 82 is activated) the water-cooled precision air conditioner when the first ambient temperature is higher than a set temperature (refer to par. 15).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that the refrigeration system further comprises a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first ambient temperature inside a computer room; and the refrigeration control method comprises: obtaining the first ambient temperature inside the computer room when the coolant distribution apparatus is started up; and controlling to switch on the water-cooled precision air conditioner when the first ambient temperature is higher than a set temperature as taught by Ahladas in order to depend upon desired cooling affect and the number of heat generating components arranged within the computer room (refer to par. 15 of Ahladas).
In regards to claim 7, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 6. Further, ZENG teaches wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a first water temperature sensor (first temperature detection device 18 and second
temperature detection device 19) configured to detect a water temperature inside the first chilled water circuit (refer to par. 52); and the refrigeration control method further comprises: controlling to switch on (turned on; pars. 25, 36-37 and 40) a compressor (when the temperature is high in summer; par. 40) and a fluorine pump (when the temperature is cold or in winter; par. 37) when the water temperature inside the first chilled water circuit is higher than or equal to a first water temperature threshold (this situation is determined based on the seasonal temperature, summer or winter; pars. 37 and 40); or, controlling to switch off the compressor (disconnect the compressor 8; par. 37) and to switch on the fluorine pump (turn on the fluorine pump 4; par. 37) when the water temperature inside the first chilled water circuit is lower than the first water temperature threshold (this situation is determined based on the seasonal temperature, summer or winter; pars. 37 and 40).
In regards to claim 8, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 6, but fails to explicitly teach wherein the cold source further comprises an auxiliary heating apparatus and a second temperature sensor; the auxiliary heating apparatus is arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit, respectively, and the auxiliary heating apparatus is configured to heat the chilled water; the second temperature sensor is configured to detect a second ambient temperature outside the computer room; and the refrigeration control method further comprises: obtaining the second ambient temperature outside the computer room; and controlling to switch on the auxiliary heating apparatus when the second ambient temperature is below a first temperature threshold.
CAMPBELL teaches wherein the cold source (corresponding to evaporator 410) further comprises: an auxiliary heating apparatus (upper controllable refrigerant heater 560) and a second temperature sensor; the auxiliary heating apparatus is arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit (corresponding to upper loop 520) and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit (corresponding to lower loop 520), respectively, the auxiliary heating apparatus (lower controllable refrigerant heater 560) is configured to heat the chilled water (refer to par. 53); the second temperature sensor is configured to detect a second ambient temperature outside the computer room (temperature of ambient air entering the electronics rack; par. 35); and the refrigeration control method further comprises: obtaining the second ambient temperature outside the computer room (par. 15 of Ahladas); and controlling to switch on the auxiliary heating apparatus when the second ambient temperature is below a first temperature threshold (par. 15 of Ahladas).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of ZENG such that the cold source further comprises an auxiliary heating apparatus and a second temperature sensor; the auxiliary heating apparatus is arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit, respectively, and the auxiliary heating apparatus is configured to heat the chilled water; the second temperature sensor is configured to detect a second ambient temperature outside the computer room; and the refrigeration control method further comprises: obtaining the second ambient temperature outside the computer room; and controlling to switch on the auxiliary heating apparatus when the second ambient temperature is below a first temperature threshold as taught by CAMPBELL in order to depend upon desired cooling affect and the number of heat generating components arranged within the computer room (refer to par. 15 of CAMPBELL).
In regards to claim 9, ZENG as modified meet the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 6. Further, ZENG teaches wherein the cold source (cooling tower 1) further comprises a fan, a circulating pump (variable frequency fan and variable frequency water pump of the cooling tower 1; par. 53), and a second water temperature sensor (a third temperature detection device 20 and a fourth temperature detection device 21); the fan is configured to dissipate heat from a chilled water circuit; the circulating pump is configured to transport chilled water in the chilled water circuit; the second water temperature sensor (20/21) is configured to detect water temperature inside the chilled water circuit (refer to par. 53); and the refrigeration control method further comprises: decreasing (adjusting based on the temperature needs; par. 53) a rotational speed of the fan and decreasing an operating frequency of the circulating pump (operator can adjust, i.e., decrease or increase, the opening of the variable frequency fan and variable frequency water pump of the cooling tower 1; par. 53) when the water temperature inside the chilled water circuit is below a second water temperature threshold (detected to be low; par. 53); or increasing the rotational speed of the fan and increasing the operating frequency of the circulating pump when the water temperature inside the chilled water circuit is higher than the second water temperature threshold (operator can adjust, i.e., decrease or increase, the opening of the variable frequency fan and variable frequency water pump of the cooling tower 1; par. 53).
Conclusion
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/M.T/
Examiner, Art Unit 3763
/FRANTZ F JULES/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3763