The Must-Have Connection to Power Your Data Center Cooling

We’re in the midst of our own gold rush of sorts. Rather than fleeing to California in search of prosperity through extraordinary and precious assets, businesses are looking above to achieve their good fortunes. The cloud as it’s become known has empowered organizations with vast amounts of invaluable data to better serve the needs of customers while increasing the all-important bottom line. 

Every second of every day, billions of people are seeking information through computers, mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). This translates to massive amounts of unstructured data being collected and stored with the intent to leverage these variables to support decisions and actions that best satisfy a need or demand. We have come to know this as the big data boom.  

Retrieving data involves a similar approach miners used way back when for discovery and exploration. The process involves mining, processing, refining and extracting unfathomable amounts of information with hopes of discovering valuable intelligence into customer behaviors and trends and all facets of business performance. As with the California Gold Rush, organizations across industries – from manufacturing to finance to healthcare – are in search of these golden nuggets of information, to achieve a significant advantage over the competition. 

  Demand for meaningful data

Our reliance on the internet has never been greater, and our accessibility has never been easier. According to a 2019 study by Pew Research, 81 percent of Americans are going online on a daily basis, with half utilizing the internet multiple times throughout the day. The barrage of IoT devices presents both extraordinary opportunities and difficult challenges. 

As of 2017, an estimated 2.5 quintillion bytes of data was being generated and that number will only accelerate. By the year 2025, the International Data Corporation (IDC) believes IoT devices will generate more than 79 zettabytes (ZB) of data. That’s a whole lot of information to sift through, and therein lies the challenge for businesses. A majority of this data is unstructured, meaning it can come in any size, shape or form, making it extremely difficult to manage and analyze. So then, as the internet rapidly grows, how can organizations effectively manage data to gain valuable insights?

  Cloud computing bridge 

It’s true you can have too much of a good thing. In relation to data, consumers and businesses are generating so much of it, there’s a formidable strain being placed on the internet infrastructure. So then, as cloud technologies evolve, how can companies alleviate the data pressure and effectively collect and manage valuable insights? That’s where cloud computing plays a role in solving the data crunch. 

Cloud computing, better known as “the cloud,” serves as a virtual bridge to seamlessly transport data from IoT applications to a desired destination. Variable expenses, tailored-built capacity, imminent deployment of applications and exceptional speed and agility are several key advantages and benefits as to why organizations favor this approach to collect, process and store tremendous amounts of data. The desired destination to house all of this data is in a public cloud that we refer to as a data center. 

  Data centers proven critical to the success of IoT 

Data centers are the keystone of the big data boom. These technology havens are vital to organizations as they store, communicate and transport the information we generate each and every day. However, most data centers today are outdated infrastructures with inefficient systems, having failed to adapt to emerging technologies. This notion, as a result, limits the capacity to produce meaningful information. 

As data centers transition to satisfy the growing demand, processes within its ecosystem will need to be modernized. Racks of servers and computing equipment require abundant power demands, making them susceptible to extreme heat. That’s where innovative cooling systems can play a role in ensuring these supercomputers continue to operate without overheating. 

  Air-based cooling

Unfortunately, traditional data center cooling systems waste a lot of energy, money and prove insufficient. One of the most common methods is air-based cooling, more specifically, cold aisle / hot aisle. Simply put, the configuration is to conserve energy and lower cooling costs by managing air flow through the separation of cold air from hot air. 

The cold aisle/hot aisle process involves server racks being lined up in alternating rows with cold air intakes facing one way and hot air exhausts facing the other. In theory, this creates a convection system where server racks cool themselves, but this does not always work, causing more cold air to be pumped into the room. While this approach will bring the room temperature to an ideal setting, excess cooling capacity breeds hot spots in the data center. When all of the cooling units are running simultaneously, this creates a surplus of air flow, which causes hot spots to develop and form in racks and across equipment. Instead of cool air being pushed past servers and then staying by the servers, that air is pushed up and away from the servers. 

  Liquid-based cooling

And this brings us to liquid-based cooling. Viewed as the successor and far more efficient solution to air-based cooling, this technique allows specific system components to be cooled to a greater degree utilizing water. Liquid-based cooling is used to cool the hot side of the server rack to bring the temperature down. Since water conducts electricity, the liquid never touches the actual components themselves. Basins accommodate water, which is carried through hoses and into cooling tower pumps, then runs alongside the server. This helps keep the temperature of the components inside the server rack cool. 

Now, there is a conflict with this approach. There will always be that risk of water leaking, especially at the point of connection between components, which spells disaster for server racks. Connections are ever so critical for continuous operations of liquid-based cooling. Companies demand a connection leveraging maximum reliability and efficiency coupled with durability and compact design. Most importantly, eliminating the chance of a drip, spill or leak. And that’s where Parker’s liquid cooling coupling solutions satisfy the need. 

Featuring an advanced internal design and robust functionality, these couplings incorporate non-spill valving, meaning no spillage during connection and disconnection. The key is a flat-sealing valve design, preventing any type of fluid loss against sensitive electronics and all electrical connections. This ensures the highest level of compatibility with the broadest range of liquids and the application environment.

  Parker’s liquid cooling coupling advantages

• Higher flow rates
• Low pressure drop for maximum energy efficiency 
• Resistance to vibrations and rotation
• No leakage when connected and disconnected due to state-of-the-art internal design

To learn more, visit Parker at SC19, November 17-22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. View demos of the liquid cooling connection solutions at Booth #557. 

 

Article contributed by Cameron Koller, market development manager, Quick Coupling Division, Parker Hannifin. 

 

 

 

 

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Check Valves Are the Unsung Heroes of Fluid Power

Three Key Benefits of Using Non-Spill Quick Couplings

 

 

 

In clinical diagnostics, the fastest-growing segment is point-of-care testing (POCT). POCT consists of medical diagnostic testing performed close to the patient, instead of a traditional centralized hospital lab or offsite laboratory. Driving this growth and market demand is the ability to bring convenient testing and almost immediate results to the physician and patient. The market is also very broad, as point-of-care tests can be developed for many clinical indications including infectious diseases, glucose, cholesterol, cancer (tumor marker testing), urinalysis, diabetes, cardiology and blood screening. The ability to quickly diagnose a wide variety of diseases closer to where patients are enables improved patient outcomes, increased patient access and lower total cost of care. This market shift is changing clinical diagnostics device manufacturers' needs and approaches to design. This blog investigates a common POCT technique and the innovative components being designed specifically for these devices. 

 

Download this application note to learn how to streamline point of care instrument development.

 

 

 

    Molecular diagnostics technique      

Molecular diagnostics techniques have become a common enabling technology in the point of care market. In its most basic terms, molecular diagnostics typically involves matching the DNA found in a patient sample (the patients own DNA or DNA from organisms in the sample) to target disease in a DNA test cartridge. If no match is found in the test, the patient doesn't have the targeted virus, bacteria or cancer marker, but if a positive match is made the patient can be quickly treated for that illness. Molecular diagnostics enables smaller diagnostic devices because all of the chemistry can be completed in a small compact cartridge. It also provides the ability to detect multiple targets at one time with one sample, referred to as multiple testing. Below is a basic example of a multiplexed point of care instrument by using Molecular Diagnostics techniques, and the types of components that are often involved in this circuit. 

 

 

 

In the above diagram, you see a simplified fluidic circuit where a multiplex test would be completed in a micro-fluidic cartridge. In this example system, fluids in the cartridge are piloted by air pressure supplied by an internal pump and controlled using various valves and pressure control methods. This circuit includes the Parker Helix pump (a miniature high-pressure pump) to supply the gas pressure to an accumulator volume to store compressed air. A Parker OEM-EP pressure controller or VSO LowPro proportional valve is then used to maintain steady pressure in the accumulator for precise control of the microfluidic circuit. Miniature solenoid valves such as the X-Valve, C7, Series MX, are used to dispense specific reagents and move the sample through the process. These fluidic components have a compact and efficient design which helps reduce instrument size and are offered with a variety of features to meet the needs of the application. Two specific parts of this fluidic system that will be examined in greater detail are the Helix Pump and the X-Valve.  

 

The Helix Pump

The Helix pump is a compact, high-pressure pump that is designed to enable the smallest and fastest point of care instruments with a width of only 49 mm [1.9"]  height of  84 mm [3.3"], and a length of 87 mm [3.5"]. The Helix pump delivers more than 5.5 LPM flow and pressures up to 100 PSI to pilot micro-fluidic cartridges with narrow passages. This compact pump was developed specifically for point of care test devices with limited available space and high-performance demands. The pump also includes an integrated Parker X-Valve to relieve pressure on the pump between cycles, this integration further reduces the footprint of the pneumatic system.

The increased performance of the Parker Helix pump also enables operation in challenging high-altitude environments with lower atmospheric pressure, allowing POCT systems to function in a broad geographical range, further increasing patient's access to life-saving diagnostic testing. The Parker Helix pump uses a controllable brushless DC motor designed to operate at a wide range of speeds to reduce noise in a system during times of lower demand. Additional accessories include a filter muffler, which provides further noise reduction and filters debris. 

 

The X-Valve

The X-Valve is described as a miniature valve but it is tiny — measuring 7.87 mm [0.31"]  width, 12.20 mm [0.48"]  height, 23.37 mm [0.92"] length, and weighing only 0.16 oz (4.5g).This valve is ideal for portable applications with limited space and power (power requirement from 0.5W to 1W). The X-Valve was designed to reduce system size and weight while providing pneumatic solutions in one package. This valve includes various mounting options available to ensure compatibility with any point-of-care system. The X-Valve is designed for direct tubing or manifold mounting, and can even be placed directly on a PCB. These options allow for mounting in tight limited space and numerous valves to be mounted together.

 

Conclusion

The demand for more point-of-care testing has driven medical device manufacturers to design smaller components and devices with the capability to replace traditional in-vitro diagnostics systems. The advancements in molecular diagnostics and miniaturization will continue to change the industry in the future. These changes will make testing more convenient and generate immediate results for patients and physicians; this will decrease the cost of care and increase early detection to improve patient outcomes. Point of care testing is one of the most promising solutions to serve an expanding population by increased patient access, improved patient outcomes with early detection, lower total costs and overall improving the lives of patients.

 

These are only a few examples of Parker Precision Fluidics pumps and valves that are offered for Point of Care Testing devices. Follow this link to view more Parker Precision Fluidics point of care testing solutions. 

 

Learn how to streamline point of care instrument development, download our application note.

 

 

 

This post was contributed by Don McNeil, Strategic Marketing Manager, Parker Precision Fluidics.

 

 

 

 

 

Our applications engineering team is always available to provide recommendations and customize equipment to customer specifications. 

To learn more, visit Parker Hannifin’s Precision Fluidics Division or call 603-595-1500 to speak with an engineer.

 

Other related articles on this topic:

Point-of-Care Testing Requires Microfluidic Precision

Reducing the Noise Impact of Medical Devices

New Miniature Poppet Solenoid Valve Increases Battery Life

 

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are more than 100,000 car wash facilities throughout the country with Americans spending $5.8 billion annually to have their vehicles cleaned and detailed. In fact, over the last two decades, the number of car owners opting for car wash and auto detailing services has increased exponentially, and industry revenue growth is forecasted to grow at an average yearly rate of 3.3 percent. This will continue to rise as automatic car washes become more affordable and environmentally friendly.

With tremendous growth comes increased competition to provide the most convenient and specialized car wash process for the modern vehicle. For decades, full-service, in-bay automatic (IBA) and self-serve car wash services dominated the landscape. Today, they are competing with express exterior and flex-serve washes implementing modern systems and processes that greatly enhance the car wash experience for a better and longer wash while utilizing virtually no labor.

Performance problems that can wash away business

Machines are the lifeblood of modern professional car wash facilities. Success is dependent on the performance of the equipment. As the demand grows for vehicle washes, system components are being used at a much higher pace and volume which can result in faster wear and tear of machinery. Automated conveyors, for example, can fail to operate on high traffic days due to insufficient pressure issues. If mechanical problems persist due to poor performance, this may lead to car wash downtime resulting in a huge loss of profit.

Along with machines, car wash owners and operators must be mindful of car care applications. Modern chemical systems are essential to wash performance. Running out of soap or wax can also lead to downtime. The ability to monitor liquid levels can ensure the car wash process is performing at an optimum pace. These liquids can also be affected by variables beyond control, such as the weather. The most important agents, soap and water, under the most extreme conditions can induce havoc on a car wash facility. Car washes can shut down from frozen waterlines, ice buildup, bay door malfunctions or equipment freezes. Being offline temporarily can have permanent consequences for owners and operators.

Despite industry advancements, car washes remain subservient to other variables such as air pressure and water temperature. Innovations in advanced condition monitoring and the advent of the internet of things (IoT), equip owners with data and analytics to diagnose machine health, detect issues before they arise and monitor equipment in all weather conditions.

Condition monitoring for car wash facilities

One car wash equipment manufacturer for automotive dealerships wanted to provide preventative maintenance on its systems. They were seeking a remote monitoring solution that would allow them to monitor a variety of conditions:

• Bay temperature
• Water temperature
• Hydraulic temperature
• Hydraulic pressure
• Chemical levels

Real-time information would enable technicians to effectively and efficiently service equipment. Additionally, the capability to sense chemical levels would allow owners to know exactly when soap, conditioner, pre-soak and other cleaner replenishments need to occur, reducing system downtime and lost revenue.

Preventive maintenance ensures continuous operations and machine performance

The local Parker distributor suggested a continuous remote monitoring solution that could monitor the system including liquid level sensing. SensoNODE™ Gold Sensors and Voice of the Machine™ Software is a low-cost monitoring system with superior flexibility that can be incorporated throughout the car wash process in new or existing systems. By installing the wireless SensoNODE Gold Sensors, service technicians can monitor the bay for changes in pressure, temperature and humidity with instant data and conduct accurate diagnostics to pinpoint any potential issues without having to be on-site.

Chemical levels can be tracked with Parker’s liquid level sensor which identifies chemical fluid levels within barrels. This sensor is non-invasive and attached to the outside of the chemical container. This reduces the opportunities for spillage and employee health mishaps. This helps alleviate material and equipment issues while also providing service technicians with critical information to know exactly when they are needed to be on location.

Together, SensoNODE Gold Sensors and Voice of the Machine Software create a touch-free experience for the dealership as up-to-date machine measurements and chemical levels are available to be viewed via an internet connection. Access to this information eases concerns over inadequate car washes, equipment malfunctioning or low chemical levels. Learn more.

Article contributed by Westin Siemsglusz, IoT market sales manager, Parker Hannifin Corporation.

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles:

Wireless Transmission of Performance Data Extends Equipment Life

5 Considerations Before Using Condition Monitoring on the Plant Floor

Cloud-based Solutions for Monitoring Machine Performance