Multi Control Valve

The Multi Control Valve combines precise linear flow control, actuation, thermal energy metering and integrated measurement technology in one compact device. Instead of requiring several separate components for control, measurement and isolation, it brings these functions together within a single valve assembly. This can reduce the number of components, connections and interfaces in a cooling circuit, helping simplify system design, installation and commissioning. It also provides a more consistent view of operating conditions because the relevant measurements are collected at the point where flow is controlled.

Five integrated sensors measure flow, two temperatures and two pressures. Based on these measurements, the valve can also calculate temperature difference and pressure difference, providing a clearer view of operating conditions within the cooling circuit. These values can help operators understand how much coolant is moving through the circuit, how effectively heat is being transferred and how the circuit is performing hydraulically. Having the measurements integrated into the valve can also reduce the need for additional external instrumentation.

Its linear flow characteristic enables proportional adjustment across the operating range, helping match coolant flow more closely to actual cooling demand. This allows the valve to make controlled changes rather than relying only on fully open or fully closed operation. More precise modulation can support stable temperatures, improve hydraulic balancing and help avoid supplying more coolant than a cooling circuit requires. The result is a control approach that is better suited to applications where thermal loads vary over time.

The valve can close in as little as five seconds, supporting rapid circuit isolation when operating conditions, safety requirements or maintenance procedures require it. Fast shutoff can help limit the impact of a fault or allow a section of the cooling system to be separated without unnecessarily affecting other circuits. This capability can be particularly useful in data center environments, where maintenance and operational changes may need to be carried out quickly while maintaining the availability of unaffected equipment.

The Multi Control Valve is up to 50% more compact and up to 70% lighter than comparable product assemblies. This can help free installation space, simplify access around the equipment and reduce the load placed on the piping infrastructure. Its integrated design may also reduce the number of separate components that need to be mounted, connected and commissioned. These benefits are especially relevant in dense cooling installations, where available space is limited and the weight of valves, meters and associated pipework must be carefully managed.

AI workloads can create rapid and significant changes in heat generation, placing greater demands on cooling systems. Precise linear flow control and a response time up to seven times faster than comparable products support more responsive adjustment of cooling capacity as thermal loads change. The valve can therefore help the cooling circuit react more closely to changing operating conditions instead of maintaining a fixed flow level. This may support more stable thermal performance and help reduce the risk of excessive or insufficient coolant flow during workload transitions.

Temperature difference indicates how effectively coolant absorbs and transports heat through a cooling circuit. Comparing the coolant temperature at the beginning and end of the circuit helps show how much thermal energy has been transferred. Calculating this value within the valve provides useful context for assessing cooling loop performance, identifying changes in operating conditions and supporting system balancing. Temperature difference should be considered together with flow and pressure measurements, since these values provide a more complete picture of how the circuit is operating.

Integrated thermal energy metering provides data at the point of control, supporting more informed balancing, performance reviews and energy management decisions. By combining flow and temperature measurements, the system can help indicate how much thermal energy is being transported through a cooling circuit. This information can be used to compare circuits, review cooling performance and identify changes that may require further investigation. Because the metering function is integrated into the valve, operators can access relevant data without relying solely on separate measurement devices installed elsewhere in the system.

Its integrated flow, temperature and pressure measurements provide the visibility needed to compare flow conditions with thermal performance and investigate potential overprovisioning. If a circuit is receiving more coolant than necessary for its thermal load, the available data can help highlight a mismatch between flow and heat transfer. Operators can then review control settings, balancing conditions and equipment performance to determine whether flow can be reduced. The valve does not replace system-level analysis, but it provides important measurement data at the circuit level to support that analysis.

By consolidating multiple functions in one device, the Multi Control Valve can reduce the number of components and interfaces required for each cooling circuit. It combines flow control, isolation, measurement and thermal energy metering, which can simplify the design of repeatable cooling modules. Its compact, lightweight design is particularly relevant where space and piping loads are constrained, such as in high-density data center installations. As systems expand, using a consistent integrated valve assembly can also support more standardized installation, commissioning and maintenance processes across multiple circuits.

GF designed the Multi Control Valve to align with the technical objectives and standardized infrastructure requirements of hyperscale liquid cooling loops.

• Targeted Rack Flow Distribution: OCP design metrics for rear-mounted rack manifolds and server interfaces recommend managing flow rate variations across chassis positions within a tight ±10% threshold to ensure uniform thermal performance. Under dynamic AI and high-density workloads, the valve’s linear flow characteristics and 5-second response provide the precise, pressure-independent balancing capabilities that allow data center operators and engineers to maintain uniform coolant distribution across parallel server loops.
• Standardized Telemetry and Hardware Management: In alignment with modern open hardware management frameworks requiring standardized fluid infrastructure event logs, such as tracking valve positioning, open/closed statuses, and setpoint deviations, the valve features integrated IO-Link, Modbus RTU, and BACnet MS/TP connectivity. Out of the box, it seamlessly transmits real-time data for volumetric flow, temperature variance (ΔT), and differential pressure (ΔP) straight back to your Building Management System (BMS) or data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software.