Abstract
An active self-cleaning assembly programmatically removes particulate buildup from temperature sensors and deflector baffles within data center cooling modules. The system uses a high-frequency acoustic transducer (e.g., piezoceramic PZT, magnetostrictive transducer, electromagnetic actuator, or piezo-composite stack) clamped to a structural guy-wire, which serves as an acoustic waveguide to transmit ultrasonic standing waves ranging across a broad spectrum of 15 kHz to 100 kHz (nominally 28 kHz to 40 kHz). These waves propagate to the coupled temperature sensor and baffles, inducing high-acceleration microscopic vibrations that overcome surface adhesion forces and shed accumulated dust into the leaving airstream. A fancoil controller with a diagnostic algorithm automates the process by detecting sensor fouling; it performs a valve step test, analyzes the thermal response rate, direct transducer electrical impedance/admittance shift monitoring, or airside differential pressure (ΔP) tracking, and triggers a cleaning cycle when a time constant threshold is exceeded. This approach restores the sensor’s thermal performance to its baseline without manual intervention, preventing control loop oscillations and eliminating the need for operational downtime and hazardous manual maintenance.
Keywords: acoustic resonant self-cleaning assembly, piezoelectric resonant transducer, magnetostrictive actuator, electromagnetic transducer, piezo-composite stack, ultrasonic wave propagation, dust atomization, integrated controls upgrade, thermal lag diagnostic algorithm, transducer impedance shift monitoring, airside differential pressure drop, harmonic frequency sweep, acoustic waveguide, carbon-fiber tension cable, data center cooling modules, cleaning temperature sensors and baffles
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
N/A, "Acoustic Resonant Self-Cleaning Assembly", Technical Disclosure Commons, ()
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/12351