Rack enclosure

ES 2 392 847 T3

DESCRIPTION

Frame protection cabinet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cabinet or enclosure for use with rack-mounted equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in information technology (IT) equipment present challenges in creating a more effective IT environment in data centers and interconnect facilities. Equipment enclosures or enclosures designed for high energy density applications employing servers and interconnect equipment typically must provide not only effective power distribution and cable management, but also adequate cooling and ventilation for ensure proper and reliable operation of the equipment. Equipment rack or shelf protection cabinets for use in such high heat generation applications are primarily configured and equipped to provide front-to-rear airflow to accommodate the standard front-to-rear airflow design used. by IT team for cooling and ventilation. However, IT equipment protection racks and cabinets generally cannot provide adequate cooling and ventilation for equipment that typically uses side-to-side airflow, such as certain types of telecommunications equipment. When an IT equipment protection cabinet includes equipment that uses side-to-side airflow and equipment that uses front-to-back airflow, the air intakes of the side-to-side equipment share the interior of the enclosure. with the evacuation vents for all equipment. As a result, the air intakes of equipment that use side-to-side airflow often do not receive enough cooling air required for proper equipment operation. Insufficient cooling air can cause power outages or outages due to over-temperature and unreliable performance and reduced equipment life. Protection cabinets and IT equipment racks configured to provide front-to-back airflow, therefore are essentially incompatible with airflow designs of some types of electronic equipment that use side airflow aside for cooling and ventilation, such as certain types of telecommunications components.

Conventional solutions to this problem include mounting, for example, telecommunications equipment in open racks to promote air circulation through the components. Open frame configurations do not restrict warm, warm exhaust air within a protection cabinet or around equipment air intakes; however, such configurations do not impede the circulation of exhaust air to the air inlets of the equipment and, therefore, do not solve the problems of insufficient cooling and overheating of the equipment. Telecommunications equipment arranged in side-by-side rack configurations is capable of direct intake of exhaust air that has been vented from adjacent or adjacent equipment and, as a result, presents an increased risk of overheating during operation.

Another solution as shown in GB 2,354,066, includes incorporating fans in an upper part of a housing of a protection cabinet to extract warm and warm air vertically upwards from within a frame to exhaust the exhaust air through the top of the cabinet. Such top-mounted fans, however, do not ensure that sufficient cooling air is provided to the air intakes of all equipment components mounted in a rack. They also do not cause the top-mounted fans to prevent exhaust air from circulating to the air intakes of such components. Top-mounted fans can also cause excess airflow through a rack and can cause significant mixing of exhaust air with cooling air. Mixing exhaust air with cooling air can reduce the efficiency of a patch room or data center cooling system. Using top-mounted fans limits the space available at the top of a protection cabinet for other functions, including power and data wiring. In addition, the top-mounted fans restrict the size and location of equipment that can be mounted in the upper sections of the enclosure due to interference with the airflow of the fans.

In addition, the overall efficiency, cost, reliability and cooling capacity of a data center or patch room cooling system is directly related to the ability to separate cooling air from warm and warm exhaust air within of an equipment protection cabinet during equipment operation. The separation of the exhaust air from the cooling air is the result of an appropriate installation of protective cabinets with frames; However, current designs of protective cabinets and racks and cooling solutions for electronic equipment that use side-to-side airflow as described in US 6,459,579, do not separate the exhaust air from the air. of refrigeration. In the past, the circulation of exhaust air with the cooling air was not problematic because the energy density of equipment, for example, telecommunications equipment was significantly lower than an average of 1 kW per rack. Current designs of equipment

ES 2 392 847 T3 telecommunications, however, can consume 6 kW or more per rack, and thus require effective cooling methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, in one aspect, the invention provides an improved enclosure or enclosure means for electronic equipment that accommodates cooling and ventilation requirements of different types of equipment. In one aspect, the invention provides a protective cabinet means configured to separate the cooling intake air from the exhaust air produced by the equipment during operation to facilitate sufficient cooling and to prevent the equipment from overheating. In another aspect, the invention provides a protective cabinet means configured to separate the cooling intake air from the exhaust air produced by the equipment using a side-to-side air flow for cooling and ventilation. Another aspect of the invention provides a protection cabinet configured to simultaneously accommodate different cooling requirements of different types of rack-mounted equipment using front-to-back airflow or side-to-side airflow within the same protection cabinet. while separating the cooling intake air from the exhaust air. Another aspect of the invention provides a protective cabinet having an interior defining a distribution chamber constructed and arranged to receive and contain cooling air for intake by equipment using side-to-side air flow for cooling. In another aspect, a distribution chamber may be configured within an equipment protection cabinet in which the distribution chamber is constructed and provided to contain cooling air for intake by equipment using a side-to-side air flow. and to prevent loss of air from the distribution chamber. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a protective cabinet that has an adaptable configuration to meet different airflow requirements from equipment using front-to-back airflow and equipment using side-to-side airflow for cooling. and ventilate. Still another aspect of the invention provides a system of barriers, partitions or partitions, interconnections and other components to allow an interior of a protection cabinet, and / or a rack of equipment housed within the protection cabinet, to be easily and quickly configured and arranged to mount different types of equipment and to simultaneously support different airflow patterns used by equipment for cooling and ventilation.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an air distribution unit has been provided as described in claim 1. An equipment protection cabinet comprising the air distribution unit is further provided.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there has been provided a method for cooling equipment components as described in claim 24.

In general, in one aspect, the invention provides a protective cabinet for containing equipment comprising a housing that includes an upper side, a lower side, a first side, a second side, and a front side, having formed therein at least one of the lower and front sides at least one opening to receive the cooling air in a front part of an interior of the housing, and at least one of the rear and top sides having at least one opening formed therein to allow exhaust air to be vented from within a rear portion of the interior of the housing to an area outside of the housing; an internal frame disposed within the housing and spaced and secured to the first side and second side to allow mounting of one or more equipment components in an area of ​​equipment formed by an internal frame; and a first air distribution chamber provided along a first side of the inner frame between the inner frame and the first side of the housing for receiving cooling air from the openings and being configured to contain air along the first side. of the inner frame so that air can flow from the first air distribution chamber to the equipment in the inner frame.

Practices of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The protection cabinet further comprises a second air distribution chamber provided along a second side of the internal frame between the internal frame and the second side of the housing, the second air distribution chamber being in fluid communication with the part. rear inside the housing and adapted to receive the exhaust air from the equipment in the internal frame. The first air distribution chamber includes a rear section that provides a barrier that blocks a flow of air between the first air distribution chamber and the rear of the interior of the housing. The second air distribution chamber includes a front section that provides an airflow blocking barrier between the second air distribution chamber and the front of the interior of the housing.

The enclosure further comprises a first partition removably mounted or removable between the first air distribution chamber and the first side of the internal frame to block the flow of air from the first distribution chamber to a part of the area. internal rack equipment. Furthermore, the protection cabinet further comprises a second partition removably mounted between the second air distribution chamber and the second side of the internal frame to block the flow of air from a part of the equipment area of ​​the internal frame to the second chamber. air distribution. The protection cabinet further comprises an evacuation unit coupled to at least either the rear panel or the upper panel, the evacuation unit having at least one fan contained to extract or suck air from inside the interior of the

ES 2 392 847 T3 protection cabinet.

The protection cabinet further comprises a first part removably mounted between the first air distribution chamber and the first side of the internal frame to block the flow of air from the first air distribution chamber to a part of the equipment area. of the internal frame. The front part is adapted to provide cooling air to the equipment mounted on the internal frame, where the equipment is adapted for front-to-rear cooling.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for cooling a first device and a second device, each of which is mounted in an equipment protection cabinet, wherein the first device is configured for front-to-back cooling and the second device is configured for side-to-side cooling, the method comprising receiving cooling air in an internal front part of the equipment protection cabinet; sucking air from the internal front part through the first device to a rear internal part of the protection cabinet; sucking air from the internal front part to an internal side part of the protection cabinet; evacuating air from the second side inner part and from the rear inner part outside at least an upper part or a rear part of the protection cabinet; and separating the air evacuated from the devices from the air to be drawn into the devices. The protection cabinet includes an equipment rack having an internal area containing the first device and the second device, and wherein the method further includes removably mounting a first partition between the lateral internal part and the area. of the equipment frame to block the air flow between the internal side part and a part of the internal area.

The method further comprises inserting a third device into the equipment frame, the third device being configured for side-to-side cooling; and removing the first septum to allow side-to-side airflow through the third device.

In another aspect, the invention provides an equipment protection cabinet for containing equipment, comprising an external housing; an internal frame disposed within the housing and secured within the housing to allow mounting of equipment components in an area of ​​equipment formed by the internal frame, the equipment components including a first type of equipment having a front cooling backwards and a second type of equipment that has a side-to-side cooling; and means for facilitating air flow from a front inner portion of the outer housing to a rear inner portion of the outer housing, such that when equipment of the first type is mounted on the inner frame, side-to-side cooling can be achieved and When equipment of the second type is mounted on the internal frame, front-to-back cooling can be achieved.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an equipment protection cabinet comprising a 23 inch protection cabinet housing having a front side, a first side, a second side, and a rear side; a 48.26 cm wide equipment frame arranged within the interior area of ​​the enclosure housing, such that a first lateral area is formed between the first side of the enclosure housing and a first side of the enclosure frame. equipment, a second area is formed between a second side of the equipment frame and the second side of the enclosure housing, a front area is formed between the front side of the protection cabinet housing and a front side of the equipment frame, and a rear area is formed between the rear side of the protection cabinet housing and a rear side of the equipment frame; a first interior panel disposed between the first side of the equipment frame and the first side of the enclosure housing to provide a substantially airtight seal between the first side area and the rear area; and a second interior panel disposed between the second side of the equipment frame and the second side of the enclosure housing to provide a substantially airtight seal between the second side area and the front area. The protection cabinet includes an upper side and a lower side, and wherein at least either the front side, or the lower side includes openings to allow air flow to the protection cabinet, and at least the upper or lower side. the back side includes openings to allow air flow out of the enclosure.

The protection cabinet further comprises at least one exhaust fan mounted either on the upper side of the protection cabinet or on the rear side of the protection cabinet to draw in air from the rear area.

Various aspects of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages. A single type of equipment protection cabinet can be used to contain electronic equipment regardless of an airflow design, for example front-to-back airflow, or side-to-side airflow, used by equipment to satisfy your cooling and ventilation needs. The protection cabinet can therefore help simplify the planning, design and maintenance of a data center or patch room. Equipment components that use side-to-side airflow can be mounted in a rack housed within a protective cabinet that has one or more doors, for example, as an alternative to an open rack, to provide security and protection. improved equipment.

A protection cabinet, and / or frame housed within the protection cabinet, configured to allow front-to-rear airflow can be converted, for example easily and quickly reconfigured, to accommodate

ES 2 392 847 T3 operating requirements for equipment using side-to-side airflow for cooling and ventilation. The interior of the enclosure may be configured to define an air intake distribution chamber along one side, for example the left side, of the frame that is substantially enclosed and may receive and contain cooling air from which the Equipment that uses side-to-side airflow can be drawn in to meet your cooling and ventilation requirements. The enclosure, and / or the frame housed within the enclosure, can be configured to allow one or more air ducts to have multiple fans that are to be mounted in the frame alongside the equipment components that use airflow. from side to side and between them to increase a volume of cooling air directed to the air intakes along the components. The air ducts may be configured and arranged within the frame in such a way that the multiple fans draw cooling air into the air ducts and the air ducts direct the cooling air into the distribution chamber. The protection cabinet and / or the frame can therefore be configured to pressurize the distribution chamber by increasing volumes and / or flow rate of the cooling air to the distribution chamber. Increased volumes of cooling air can be provided to equipment using side-to-side airflow for cooling when the equipment is housed in a protective cabinet and / or mounted in a rack that is configured to provide side-to-side airflow . Reliability of performance and lifespan of electronic equipment using side-to-side airflow can be increased and overheating and equipment power outages or interruptions reduced when housed in a standard protective cabinet that provides airflow front to back compared to other cooling solutions.

A protection cabinet, and / or rack housed within the protection cabinet, configured to simultaneously accommodate the cooling and ventilation requirements of equipment using front-to-back airflow and equipment using side-to-side airflow can allow that the rack operates at a high energy density. The enclosure and rack can accommodate a mix of different types of equipment using front-to-back airflow or side-to-side airflow within a single enclosure medium, and can thereby eliminate the need of two separate protection cabinets and frame, each configured to meet a type of air flow required for cooling and ventilation. The only means of protection cabinet, therefore, can reduce the floor space required to house different types of equipment. A protection cabinet and / or frame housed within the protection cabinet, configured to simultaneously accommodate the cooling and ventilation requirements of equipment using front-to-back airflow and equipment that uses side-to-side airflow can accept and accommodate equipment component cooling needs, for example, using side-to-side airflow, having different depths from front to back as well as having air intake ports located at different locations along the components. Different barriers, partitions, panels, interconnections, gaskets or gaskets, cable glands and the like can be used to configure an interior of the protection cabinet and / or a frame arranged in the protection cabinet, to provide a flow of air from front to back and a side-to-side air flow within a single protective cabinet means, and separate the cooling air from the exhaust air.

A protection cabinet, and / or frame housed within the protection cabinet, can be configured and arranged to separate the exhaust air from the intake air drawn in by the equipment using side-to-side air flow in such a way that the temperatures equipment operations can be reduced. Reduced operating temperatures can increase the life of the equipment and can reduce the frequency of over-temperature alarms on the equipment. A protection cabinet and / or frame housed within the protection cabinet, can be configured and arranged to separate the exhaust air from the intake air drawn in by the air flow equipment from side to side to help reduce the air volume intake and to increase the minimum required temperatures of cooling air fed to the protection cabinet by a cooling unit or system. An increase in the minimum required cooling air temperatures helps increase the operating efficiency of the cooling unit or system. The performance reliability and lifespan of rack-mounted IT electronic equipment can be increased and equipment overheating and power outages reduced compared to other cooling solutions.

A protection cabinet may provide an interior configured and arranged to effectively separate the intake air drawn into the protection cabinet, by equipment components for cooling and ventilation purposes, from the exhaust air produced by the components during operation. Separating cooling air from warm and warm exhaust air can help prevent / minimize mixing of cooling air with exhaust air and thereby help prevent / minimize the extent to which exhaust air circulates to the exhaust air intakes. equipment air. As a result, insufficient cooling and overheating of equipment components during operation can be prevented / minimized. Separating cooling air from exhaust air can help increase exhaust return air temperatures to a cooling unit or system associated with a data center or patch room, which can help increase an operating efficiency of the refrigeration unit or system. An increase in exhaust air temperatures can help reduce the volume of air that the refrigeration unit or system requires to deliver to the equipment. Separating the cooling air from the exhaust air can allow the cooling unit or system to feed cooling air at increased temperatures, while maintaining the same operating temperatures of the equipment. The increased air temperatures of

ES 2 392 847 T3 cooling supplied to the equipment can further help improve the efficiency of the cooling unit or system.

Standard IT racks and enclosures can be configured and arranged to provide both front-to-back airflow and side-to-side airflow configurations through different rack sections without significant cost or customization. Standard IT protection racks and cabinets can improve the adaptability and flexibility of data center and equipment room configurations if such protection racks and cabinets are configured to appropriately accept and cool different types of simultaneously mounted electronic equipment within a single enclosure / rack means. IT protection racks and cabinets that can accommodate the operational requirements of different types of equipment, such as a mix of IT and telecommunications equipment, can provide greater ease and flexibility in equipment reconfiguration and efficient use of the equipment. data center and equipment room space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of an equipment protection cabinet or box according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the protection cabinet shown in fig. 1 with a top panel removed;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the protection cabinet shown in fig. 1 with a front panel removed;

Figs. 4A-4B are cross sections of a left side view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with a left side panel removed.

Fig. 5A is a left side cross-sectional view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the left side panel removed:

Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional right side view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the right side panel removed;

Fig. 6A is a front view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the front panel removed illustrating an embodiment of one or more partitions in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of a mounting frame shown in FIG. 6A;

Fig. 7A is a left side cross-sectional view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the left side panel removed illustrating embodiments of one or more partitions in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional left side view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the left side panel removed illustrating embodiments of one or more partitions in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional left side view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with an embodiment of a partition according to the invention having multiple vents or holes;

Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional perspective of a portion of the partition shown in FIG. 8A;

Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional top view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the top panel removed illustrating one embodiment of the partition shown in fig. 8A;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the protection cabinet shown in fig. 1 with the front door removed illustrating another embodiment of one or more partitions in accordance with the invention;

Figs. 10A-10B are cutaway perspective views of parts of one or more partitions within the protective cabinet of FIG. 1 according to the invention;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional top view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a first air flow mode according to the invention;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional top view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 11 with the top panel removed illustrating an embodiment of the first airflow mode.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional top view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the top panel removed illustrating a second airflow mode in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional top view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 1 with the top panel removed illustrating a third airflow mode in accordance with the invention;

ES 2 392 847 T3

Fig. 14B is a perspective view of a duct unit and electronic component that uses side-to-side airflow for cooling and ventilation.

Fig. 14C is a perspective view of duct units in relation to electronic components using side-to-side airflow.

Fig. 15A is a cross-sectional top view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 1 with the top panel removed illustrating an embodiment of the interior of the protection cabinet to allow air flow illustrated in fig. 14 TO.

Fig. 15B is a cross-sectional top view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 1 with the top panel removed illustrating another embodiment of the interior of the protection cabinet to allow air flow illustrated in fig. 14 TO.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the front door, side panel and top panel removed and including an air distribution unit mounted on it.

Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the air distribution system shown in FIG. 16 and the conduit unit shown in FIGS. 14-14C.

Fig. 18 is a front view of the protection cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the front panel removed and an air distribution unit according to an embodiment of the invention mounted thereon.

Fig. 19A is a perspective view of the unit shown in FIG. 18;

Fig. 19B is a perspective view of an air distribution unit according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 19C is a perspective view of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B with an air intake tube or sleeve;

Figs. 19D and 19E are a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of a side air distribution unit according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 19F and 19G are perspective views of a side air distribution unit according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the unit shown in FIG. 19A with a top panel of a unit housing removed and a perspective view of an intake distribution chamber of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19C and figs. 19F-19G;

Fig. 21 is a top view of the intake distribution chamber shown in FIG. twenty;

Fig. 22 is a side view of an intake ring disposed in the intake distribution chamber shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.

Fig. 23 is a top view of an evacuation distribution chamber of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19C and in figs. 19F-19G.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the evacuation distribution chamber shown in FIG. 23 as a lower distribution chamber of the unit shown in FIGS. 19A and 19C and in figs. 19F-19G;

Fig. 24A is a circuit diagram of the control circuits of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G.

Fig. 24B is a schematic diagram of a control system for use with any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G;

Fig. 25A is a perspective view of a bucket for use with any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G;

Fig. 25B is a side view of a bucket shown in FIG. 25A;

Fig. 25C is a perspective view of the bucket shown in FIG. 25A in an inverted orientation;

Fig. 25D is a schematic top view of the exhaust vents of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G with the bucket shown in FIG. 25A mounted on them;

Fig. 25E is a schematic perspective view of the bucket shown in FIG. 25A with a brush gland connected to any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G;

ES 2 392 847 T3

Figs. 25F-25G are perspective views of an adjustable bucket for use with any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G;

Fig. 26A is a perspective view of an air manifold for use with any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G;

Fig. 26B is a perspective view of an air baffle for use with any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G;

Figs. 26C-26E are views of an air tube or sleeve for use with any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G;

Fig. 27A is a schematic top view of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G rack mounted on a wide rack with the bucket shown in FIG. 25A;

Fig. 27B is a schematic top view of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G rack mounted on a wide rack with the bucket shown in FIG. 25A having a brush grommet;

Fig. 27C is a schematic top view of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G frame-mounted in a narrow frame with the bucket shown in FIG. 25A;

Fig. 27D is a schematic top view of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G frame-mounted in a narrow frame with the bucket shown in FIG. 25A having a brush grommet;

Fig. 27E is a schematic side view of any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G with a horizontal seal;

Fig. 28 is a cutaway perspective view of the unit shown in FIG. 19A with side mounting brackets;

Fig. 29A is a right side view of the frame shown in FIG. 1 with any of the units shown in figs. 19A-19G mounted on frame with various baffles;

Fig. 29B is a left side view of the frame shown in FIG. 1 with any of the units shown in figs. 19A-19G mounted on frame with various baffles;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a baffle shown in FIGS. 29A-29B;

Fig. 31 is a top view of one end of the baffle shown in FIG. 30;

Fig. 32A is a partial perspective view of the baffle shown in FIG. 30 and a partial perspective view of a vertical mounting rail of a frame;

Figs. 32B-32C are partial side views of one end of other embodiments of the baffle shown in FIG. 30;

Fig. 32D is a side view of the baffle shown in FIG. 30 including a brush grommet with one or more adjustable plates; Y

Fig. 33 is a block flow diagram of a method for cooling rack-mounted equipment shown in FIG. 18 using any of the units shown in FIGS. 19A-19G.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the invention include an equipment rack enclosure or enclosure having an interior configured to facilitate defined airflow conditions within the enclosure to meet the cooling and ventilation requirements of rack-mounted equipment in which the inside of the protection cabinet is structured and / or arranged to allow air flow from front to back, for example used by information technology (IT) equipment, and side-to-side airflow, for example used by certain types of telecommunications equipment. An exemplary guard cabinet includes at least a first air intake distribution chamber defined within the guard cabinet and arranged to contain cooling air that is directed and / or diverted from a front-to-rear airflow to allow air to circulate side to side through one or more sections of a frame. Different embodiments of a protection cabinet according to the invention allow a protection cabinet interior to be configured or adapted to accommodate different dimensions, for example depths, of different types of electronic equipment, while allowing air flow meet the cooling and ventilation requirements of different types of equipment. Embodiments according to the invention allow a protection cabinet to simultaneously contain

ES 2 392 847 T3 telecommunications equipment and IT equipment in such a way that the cooling and ventilation requirements of each type of equipment are satisfied. Other embodiments are within the scope of the invention.

With reference to fig. 1, a frame protection cabinet 10 for equipment includes an enclosed housing 12 and a frame 14. The housing 12 is configured and dimensioned to define an interior 13 sufficient to contain or enclose a frame 14. In one embodiment, the housing is configured and sized to enclose frame 14 in a substantially centered position. Housing 12 includes side panels 26 and 28 disposed on either side of frame 14 to enclose frame 14 and to define housing 12. In one embodiment, housing 12 further includes a vented rear panel 24 and a vented front panel or door 30 . Front door 30 and rear panel 24 of housing 12 are configured and arranged to allow air flow through frame 14. The door 30 is arranged to allow cooling air, for example ambient air from an equipment room or data center, to flow through multiple vents or vents 30A defined in the door 30 into the interior 13 of the housing. Rear panel 24 is arranged to allow exhaust air to flow through multiple vents or vents 24a defined in rear panel 24 to an area outside the interior 13 of the housing. In one embodiment, the housing further includes an upper panel 15 and a lower panel 19 that further define the housing 12.

In one embodiment, rack 14 includes four vertical mounting rails 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d arranged to help define a rack and an equipment area in which electronic equipment, for example information technology (IT) components 17 and / or telecommunications components 18, are arranged. Frame 14 may further include one or more horizontal mounting members 16 extending from a front to a rear of housing 12 to help define the equipment area and mount equipment 17 and 18. In another embodiment, the front mounting rails 14a and 14b of the frame 14 may be connected to front ends of one or more of the mounting members 16 and the rear mounting rails 14c and 14d may be connected to the rear ends of the members 16. to help define rack 14 and equipment area. One or more of the mounting rails 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d may be connected to one or more of the top panel 15, the bottom panel 19, the side panels 26 and 28, the front door 30 and the rear panel 24 to position and securely dispose the frame 14 within the interior 13 of the housing.

Mounting rails 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are arranged and configured such that equipment components 17 and 18 are mounted on them to arrange or rack-mount equipment components 17 and 18 in the equipment area. defined. In one embodiment, the front mounting rails 14a and 14b are configured to allow equipment, for example IT components 17, to be mounted at a desired vertical height and depth on the frame 14, depending on the height U, depth and depth. other dimensions of the equipment. The mounting rails 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d may be arranged in the housing 12 such that the equipment components 17 are approximately centered when mounted on the frame.

Embodiments of the enclosure 10 according to the invention may include the mounting rails 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d and / or the multiple mounting members 16 for rack mounting a mixture of different types of equipment components, such as a mixture of components 17 and 18 of IT and telecommunications.

In one embodiment, the enclosure 10 is dimensioned to contain the frame 14 having a width W1 of 48.26 cm or a width W1 of 58.42 cm. Frame 14 is configured to accept and mount equipment components 17 and 18 having a width of 48.26 cm or a width of 58.42 cm. In one embodiment, the rack 14 may have a width W1 of 58.42 cm and may be further configured to exclusively accept and mount equipment with a width of 48.26 cm, for example IT components 17, or equipment that has a 58.42 cm width, for example telecommunications components 18. In another embodiment, the 58.42 cm frame 14 may be further configured to simultaneously accept and mount a mixture of equipment having either a 48.26 cm or 58.42 cm width, for example a mixture of the 17 IT components and 18 telecommunications.

The enclosure 10 may have overall dimensions to house the frame 14 such that, for example, the space 46 along the left side of the frame 14 is dimensioned to help increase / optimize the flow of air along the frame. left side of frame 14, as described in greater detail below. In different embodiments of the invention, the frame 14 can be moved from a central position within the enclosure 10 to increase one of the open spaces 46 and 48.

In one embodiment, the enclosure 10 may have overall dimensions to accommodate the frame 14 with a width W1 of 58.42 cm. In this embodiment, the 58.42 cm protective cabinet 10 is sized to accommodate the frame 14 which has a width W1 of either 48.26 cm or 58.42 cm, thereby providing the protection cabinet 10 with flexibility and adaptability with respect to equipment types 17 and 18 that it can contain at the same time. The protective cabinet 10 may have a width ranging from about 24 inches to about 30 inches or more, but is not limited thereto. The invention, however, is not limited to protective cabinet 10 having specific overall dimensions, and in particular it is not limited to a certain width and provides dimensions to accommodate different sizes and widths of frame 14 and / or equipment. 17 and 18. The enclosure is sized and configured to accommodate the type and layout of components 17 and 18 of equipment mounted on frame 14, and to help increase / optimize airflow inside

ES 2 392 847 T3 of the housing. Promoting and increasing airflow within the interior 13 of the housing for example along the left side of the frame 14, helps to configure the side-to-side airflow conditions within the interior 13 of the housing.

With reference to fig. 2 illustrating a cross-sectional top view of the enclosure 10, and further referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the interior 13 of the housing is configured to define at least one first air intake distribution chamber 20 along a left side of frame 14 in open space 46 between side panel 26 and frame 14. The interior 13 of the housing is further configured to define a first exhaust air distribution chamber 22 along a side and rear part of the protection cabinet 10. One or more barriers or partitions 32, 34 and 38 are configured and positioned in spaces 46 and 48 between side panels 26 and 28 and frame 14 to help define first air intake distribution chamber 20 and / or exhaust distribution chamber 22. The first air intake distribution chamber 120, as described in greater detail below, is a substantially enclosed configuration that is constructed and disposed along the left side of frame 14 to receive and contain cooling air from the frame. equipment that uses side-to-side airflow for cooling can aspire to meet your cooling and ventilation needs. The first intake distribution chamber 20 defined within the interior 13 of the housing thereby helps to configure a side-to-side air flow used by the telecommunications equipment 18.

One or more barriers or partitions 32, 34 and 38 are further configured and positioned to help serve as a barrier or partition separating the first air intake distribution chamber 20 from the evacuation distribution chamber 22, and to assist thereby. to prevent the circulation of exhaust air from the exhaust distribution chamber 22 to the first air intake distribution chamber 20. As will be described in greater detail below, the partitions 32, 34 and 38 may be configured and arranged within the interior 13 of the housing to accommodate the different dimensions and, in particular the different depths of the equipment 17 and 18 to achieve the separation of the exhaust air cooling air. The upper panel 15 and the lower panel 19 of the housing 12 may further define the first intake distribution chamber 20 and / or the exhaust distribution chamber 22.

In one embodiment, the first intake distribution chamber 20 is substantially enclosed with an open end 20 in fluid communication with a front portion of the interior 13 of the housing or with an air intake side 25 of the frame 14. As shown in fig. 2, the distribution chamber 20 is arranged and configured to receive directed and / or laterally diverted flow of cooling intake air drawn into the housing 12 from the vents 30a and the door 30 along the front of the interior 13 of the housing. and / or air intake side 25 of frame 14. The first intake distribution chamber 20 is further configured to contain sufficient cooling air from which the air intakes of equipment using side-to-side airflow, eg, telecommunications equipment 18, can draw. In addition, the first intake distribution chamber 120 may further be configured to limit air flow in a side-to-side configuration through equipment on frame 14 that utilizes side-to-side air flow.

The first intake distribution chamber 20 is further arranged and configured to prevent / reduce losses of air from the distribution chamber 20 and to prevent / reduce the flow of air from the first intake distribution chamber 20 to the air distribution chamber. exhaust 22. The first intake distribution chamber 20 helps prevent / reduce exhaust air from circulating to the air intake side 25 and the distribution chamber 20. The distribution chamber 20 and the upper and lower panels 15 and 19 can impede the flow of air from a central part, an upper part or a rear part of the frame 14 to the air intake side 25 and to the distribution chamber 20. The distribution chamber 20 is essentially arranged and configured or established within the interior 13 of the housing to separate the cooling intake air drawn into the front of the interior 13 of the housing from the warm and tempered exhaust air vented along the portion. rear of the rack 14. Separating the cooling air from the exhaust air prevents / minimizes the circulation of exhaust air to the air intake side 25 and the distribution chamber 20, and prevents / minimizes the mixing of cooling air with exhaust air during the operation of teams 17 and 18.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more partitions 32 and 34 are arranged on the left side of frame 14 between side panel 26 and one or more of members 16 extending from front to rear along the left side of frame 14 to defining the first intake distribution chamber 20. One or more partitions 32 and 34 are arranged and configured to help form a substantially airtight barrier between the first intake distribution chamber 20 and the exhaust distribution chamber 22 and thereby help separate the cooling intake air within. from the distribution chamber 20 of the ventilated exhaust air to the exhaust distribution chamber 22.

With reference to fig. 3 illustrating a front view of the interior 13 of the housing and with further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, one septum 32 is disposed in an orientation substantially parallel to the left side panel 26 and the other septum 34 is disposed in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the left side panel 26. The partitions 32 and 34 can be joined or connected at an angle to help define the first intake distribution chamber 20. In one embodiment, the partition 32 arranged substantially parallel to the panel

ES 2 392 847 T3 left side panel 26 extends vertically along at least a portion of the height Hi of frame 14, and partition 34 arranged substantially perpendicular to left side panel 26 similarly extends vertically along al minus a part of the height H1 of the frame, to define the first intake distribution chamber 20.

In another embodiment, septum 32 disposed substantially parallel to left side panel 26 may be arranged and connected to member 16 of frame 14 such that septum 32 extends from member 16 to left side panel 26 to help define the former. intake distribution chamber 20, thereby eliminating the need for partition 34.

Referring further to FIGS. 1-2, partition 38 on the right side of frame 14 is arranged and configured to help define a front air intake distribution chamber 23. The front air intake distribution chamber 23 may include the front of the interior 13 of the housing 12 between the door 30 and the frame.

14. The front air intake distribution chamber 23 is configured and dimensioned to receive air drawn into the front of the housing interior 13 from the vented front panel or door 30 along the air intake side 25 of the frame 14. The partition 38 is further configured to help define evacuation distribution chamber 22. The partition 38 is disposed in a new orientation substantially perpendicular to the right side panel 28 of the housing 12 and extends vertically along at least a portion of the height H1 of the frame 14 and / or the interior 13 of the housing. The partition 38 is further configured to form a substantially airtight barrier between the front intake distribution chamber 23 and the exhaust distribution chamber 22. The partition 38 therefore helps to prevent the flow of air from the front of the frame 14 to the exhaust distribution chamber 22, and helps to prevent the exhaust air from circulating to the first distribution chamber 20 and the distribution chamber. 23 front intake and mix with the cooling intake air contained therein. The right side partition 38, together with the partitions 32 and 34 on the left side of the frame 14, separates the cooling intake air drawn into the interior 13 of the housing by the equipment 17 and 18 during the operation of the hot and tempered exhaust air which has been vented to the evacuation distribution chamber 22.

With reference to fig. 4A, illustrating a cross-sectional left side view of the enclosure 10, and with further reference to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the partitions 32 and 34 extend vertically substantially along the total height H1 of the frame 14 and / or the interior 13 of the housing to help define the first intake distribution chamber 20 between the left side panel 26 and equipment components 17 and 18.

With reference to the left side cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 4B, in another embodiment, each partition 32 and 34 extends vertically and in equal measure with the other partition along only a part of the height H1 of the partition 14 and / or the interior 13 of the housing in the magnitude or heights U of telecommunication components 18 vertically mounted on frame 14. In this case, a front partition 35 and a lower partition 36 are disposed in the space 46 to help define the first intake distribution chamber 20 and to limit its configuration to the magnitude of the telecommunications components 18 in the frame 14. The front partition 35 is connected on a front side of the frame 14 for example either to the frame 14 or, if present, to a front side of the member 16. Front partition 35 extends to left side panel 26 of housing 12 in an orientation substantially perpendicular to panel 26 and downward along H1 from frame 14 to bottom panel 19. Front partition 35 is connected to or attached to bottom panel in an appropriate manner and by appropriate means, as described in greater detail below. The lower partition 36 extends from a front to a rear of the frame 14 along the left side of the frame 14 in an orientation substantially parallel to the lower panel 19. As shown in FIG. 4B, the front and bottom partitions 35 and 36 are cut and connected or joined in an appropriate manner and by appropriate means. Furthermore, the lower partition 36 is attached or connected in an appropriate manner by suitable means to a portion, for example a lower edge, of each of the partitions 32 and 34. The partitions 32, 34, 35 and 36 help thereby to defining and limiting the distribution chamber 20 to those sections of the equipment area of ​​the rack 14 in which the telecommunications components 18 are mounted. The distribution chamber 20 is essentially configured to receive cooling intake air drawn from the front of the interior 13 of the housing and / or from the intake side 25 of the frame 14, and to contain cooling air to facilitate an air flow condition side by side that the telecommunications components 18 use for cooling and ventilation.

With reference to figs. 5A-5B, and with further reference to FIGS. 4A-4B, in one embodiment, multiple blank or filler panels 21 may be mounted on one or more of the mounting rails 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d and / or members 16 along each side of the front of the frame 14 to block sections of the equipment area that are vacant or include components that use front-to-rear airflow, for example IT components 17. The empty panels 21 help prevent air leaks from the first distribution chamber 20 and from the front intake distribution chamber 23, from the frame 14, and / or from the links of the components 17 and 18 and surfaces of the frame 14 As shown in fig. 5a, multiple empty panels 21 can be mounted on mounting rails 14b and 14c and / or one more of the members 16 in sections of the frame 14 along its left side that include components 17 and 18 or are vacant sections without team. Multiple empty panels 21 cover components 17 and vacant sections to help

ES 2 392 847 T3 prevent / minimize air leaks from the left side of frame 14. As shown in fig. 5B, illustrating a cross-sectional right side view of the protection cabinet 10 and the evacuation side of the telecommunications components 18, multiple blank panels 21 can be similarly mounted on the mounting rails 14a and 14d and / or the members 16 to cover IT components 17 and vacant sections of frame 14 along the right side of frame 14.

In one embodiment, the use of empty panels 21 can help to allow air to flow upward over an upper portion of frame 14, as shown by arrows 80 in FIGS. 5A-5B, and to facilitate the flow of warm and warm exhaust air that has been vented from the exhaust vents 18b of the telecommunications components 18. The exhaust air within the exhaust distribution chamber 23 may circulate, for example, in an upward and / or downward orientation, as shown by arrows 82 in FIG. 5B. The empty panels 21 therefore help to facilitate air circulation over the top of the frame 14 and into the evacuation distribution chamber 23 before it is exhausted through the rear panel 24, which aids in resistance. lower than the air within the interior 13 of the housing.

With reference to figs. 6A-6B, in one embodiment, one or more of the partitions 32, 34, 35, 36 and 38 can be constructed with specific dimensions, for example height and width, to correspond to specific U heights and widths of one or more of the components 17 and 18. In another embodiment, partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, and 38 may be configured and arranged as either a single partition or as two or more partitions that overlap or are stacked. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the partition 34 positioned on the left side of the frame 14 may include two or more overlapping partitions 34a disposed within a mounting frame 34b. The mounting frame 34b can have appropriate dimensions, for example a height H2 and a width W2, such that the frame 34b can be seated in the space 46 defined between the left side panel 26 and the frame.

14. In one embodiment, the frame 34b may be constructed and arranged to be removably connected to one or more of the left side mounting rails 14b and 14c, to one or more of the frame members 16, to the top panel 15, to the bottom panel 19 and side panel 26 to securely position frame 34b.

In another embodiment, frame 34b may be dimensioned and constructed such that when frame 34b is seated in space 46, an outer perimeter of frame 34b may bias against one or more of the frame members 16, the top panel 15, bottom panel 19, and side panel 26 to position frame 34b within interior 13 of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 6B, a cross-sectional side view of mounting frame 34b is provided, and illustrates that partitions 34a may be slidably arranged in an overlapping arrangement within frame 34b such that each partition 34a can slide through a partition adjacent 34b. In one embodiment, each of the partitions 34a is slidably mounted within a track or groove 34c defined vertically on an interior surface of the frame 34b. The partitions 34a may be vertically stretched along the height H2 of the frame 34b in a downward / upward direction to extend or shorten the overlapping partitions 34a as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the partitions 34a can be extended or shortened to define a height H3 of the first intake distribution chamber 20 such that the height H3 of the distribution chamber 20 can correspond to the position and height U of, for example , the telecommunications components 18 in the frame

14. In one embodiment, the partitions 34b can be fully extended along the entire height H1 of the frame 14 and / or the interior 13 of the housing.

As noted above, one more of the partitions 32, 34, 35, 36 and 38 can be constructed and arranged as a single partition. As shown in FIG. 6A, the partition 38 arranged on the right side of the frame 14, for example, may be a single partition 38a arranged on a mounting frame 38b. The mounting frame 38b is similar to the frame 34b arranged on the left side of the frame 14, and has appropriate dimensions such that the frame 38b can be seated in the space 48 defined between the right side panel 28 and the frame 14. Like frame 34b disposed on the left side of frame 14, frame 38b may be constructed and arranged to be removably connected by one or more of the fasteners 44 described above, or it may be dimensioned and constructed to allow the frame 38b bears against one or more of the frame members 16, the top panel 15, the bottom panel 19, and the side panel 26 when seated in space 48.

With reference to figs. 7A-7B, in one embodiment, partitions 32 and 34 and empty panels 21 may be configured and arranged along the left side of frame 14 to accommodate different depths and heights U of frame-mounted equipment components 17 and 18. . As shown in figs. 7A-7B, the IT components 17 and 18 telecommunications mounted simultaneously on the rack 14 may have different depths depending on the type of component 17 and 18. The partitions 32 and 34 and the empty panels 21 may be constructed and arranged in different arrangements and configurations to accommodate a defined space or area between the equipment components 17 and 18 and the left rear mounting rail 14c or the other partition 34 which results in different depths of components 17 and 18 mounted on the frame. The partitions 32 and 34 and the empty panels 21 can therefore help define and configure the first intake distribution chamber 20 along the left side of the frame 14 in response to changes in the mixture of

ES 2 392 847 T3 equipment 17 and 18 on frame 14.

As shown in figs. 7A-7B, in one embodiment, the partition 32 may be configured in one or more separate sections arranged along the left side of the frame 14 in which a single section or two or more sections of the partition 32 define a height corresponding to the height U of one or more components 17 and 18 and defines a depth to accommodate the area between components 17 and 18 and partition 34 or rail 14c. In one embodiment, one or more sections of the partition 32 may have a configuration and arrangement similar to the overlapping partitions 34a shown in FIG. 6a and include overlapping partitions 32a arranged on a mounting frame 32b. The mounting frame 32b contains the partitions 32a in an overlapping manner such that each partition 32a is slidably movable on an adjacent partition 32a. The partitions 32a can be slidably moved up / down in a vertical direction to extend / reduce the length of the partition 32a, as shown in FIG. 7A, or may be slidably moved forward / backward in a horizontal direction to widen / narrow a width of partition 32a, as shown in FIG. 7B. Mounting frame 32b may be dimensioned and configured such that frame 32b seats between components 17 and 18 and partition 34 or left rear mounting rail 14c. In another embodiment, frame 32b may be removably attached or connected to rail 14c, one or more of the mounting members 16, partition 34, and / or top or bottom panel 15 and 19.

With further reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, in different embodiments, overlapping partitions 32a can be detachably and directly attached or connected to rail 14c, one or more of members 16, partition 34 and / or upper or lower panel 15 and 19. In one embodiment, each partition 32a may be coupled to an adjacent partition 32a such that the partitions 32a are immobile. In another embodiment, each partition 32a may be slidably coupled to an adjacent partition 32a such that the partitions 32a can slide through or against each other in either an upward / downward orientation or in a forward / backward orientation. . Movement of adjacent partitions 32a adjusts the height or depth of overlapping partitions 32a to accommodate the different depths and heights U of components 17 and 18. As shown in figs. 7A-7B, each of the empty panels 21 may have different lengths to accommodate the different depths of the equipment components 17 and 18. The partitions 32b and / or the multiple empty panels help define the first air intake distribution chamber 20 and form an airflow blocking barrier between the first intake distribution chamber 20 and the exhaust distribution chamber 22. .

In another embodiment, an empty partition 37 may be incorporated along the left side of frame 14, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. Like the multiple blank panels 21, the partition 37 can help to block sections of the equipment area of ​​the rack 14 that are vacant or include components that use front-to-rear airflow, for example IT components 17. The septum 37 can help prevent air leaks from the first intake manifold chamber 20 and from the front intake manifold chamber 23, from the frame 14, and / or from the component links 17 and the frame surfaces. 14. The partition 37 may include a set of overlapping partitions 37a arranged on a mounting frame 37b. Frame 37b may be configured similarly to frame 34b shown in FIG. 6B. In one embodiment, the partitions 37a can be moved vertically up / down to extend / reduce a length of the partitions 37a.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in one embodiment, the partition 34 extending perpendicular to the frame 14 can increase the height H1 of the frame 14. The partition 32, the overlapping partitions 32a and the empty panels can therefore be joined or connected in an appropriate manner. by suitable means, as described in more detail below. As shown in FIG. 7B, in another embodiment, the partition 34 may extend along the height H-ι of the frame 14 only to the extent of the heights U of the components 18 that use the side-to-side airflow. In this case, the partition 36 extending from front to back along the left side of the frame 14 is attached or attached to the partitions 32 and 34. The empty panels and overlapping partitions 32a are attached or connected to the left rear mounting rail 14c in an appropriate manner by suitable means to form a barrier that blocks air flow.

With reference to figs. 8A-8B, in one embodiment, a partition 39 is disposed along the left side of the frame 14. In one embodiment, the partition 39 may extend from the front mounting rail 14b to the rear mounting rail 14c and along substantially height H1 of frame 14. In another embodiment, the partition 39 may extend along a portion of the height H1 of the frame 14 to the magnitude or heights U of adjacent components using side-to-side airflow, for example, telecommunications equipment.

18. In one embodiment, partition 39 may be removably attached or connected to one or more of rails 14b and 14c, left side mounting members 16, and / or top or bottom panel 15 and 19.

As shown in a front view of a portion of the partition 39 in FIG. 8B, partition 39 is constructed of a single sheet of material 40, for example a heat resistant polyethylene, which defines multiple vents or openings 41 substantially across its height and width and has a cover or film 42 that can be remove, for example Mylar®, on its surface. In one embodiment, during installation, partition 39 is attached directly to the left side of frame 14 alongside equipment components 17 and 18. Removable cover or film 42 is slit or cut using appropriate means, for example, cutting edge or knife, and thereafter being manually removed or peeled from the surface of the sheet of material 40. The

The removal of the cover 42 allows the multiple vents or openings 41 to be exposed and thereby allows air to pass through. When attached to the left side of the frame 14, the multiple vents or openings 41 allow air to flow from the first intake distribution chamber 20 to air intakes 18A arranged along the side of the components 18.

As shown in FIG. 8B, in one embodiment, the cover or film 42 may include printed markings or other references 43 to indicate the location of components 18 using side-to-side airflow when partition 39 is coupled to frame 14. In one embodiment, the markings 43 may indicate the location of the air intake vents 18a of the components 18 such that the multiple vents or openings 43 exposed by removal of the cover or film 42 will correspond and / or align substantially with intake vents 18A when septum 39 is coupled to frame 14. Multiple vents or openings 43 can help optimize / increase airflow from the first intake manifold chamber 20 to intake vents 18A and through components 18 to configure side-to-side airflow.

In one embodiment, only a portion of the cover or film 42 is removed from the sheet material 40 in the magnitude of the distribution / location and / or the heights U of the components 18 mounted on the frame 14 that utilize the air flow of Side to side. Depending on the layout / location of the components 18 and the mix of IT and telecommunications equipment 17 mounted in the rack, the partition 39 may either extend to the full height H1 of the rack 14, or it may be limited and extend only along a portion of the frame 14 that contains the components 18 that use side-to-side air flow. After the installation of the partition 39 and the cutting and removal of the cover or film 42, the partition 39 can be adjusted to satisfy a reconfiguration of the frame 14 and a different mix or distribution of the equipment 17 and 18 by placing a removable seal, for example, Mylar® tape, labels or tabs, over one or more of the multiple vents or openings 43 to accommodate changes in airflow requirements. The multiple vents or openings 41 that no longer correspond to the component air intake vents 18A are thus covered to help prevent / minimize air leaks.

With reference to fig. 8C, partition 39 may extend from left front mounting rail 14b to left rear mounting rail 14c. In one embodiment, the left side front and rear mounting rails 14b and 14c help define the first intake distribution chamber 20. As described in more detail below, in different embodiments, the frame 14 may have a relatively wide width W1, for example 58.42 cm, and the protective cabinet 10 may be dimensioned such that the rail left front mounting 14c substantially fills space 46 between left front mounting rail 14b and side panel 26, and the left rear mounting rail 14c substantially fills the space 46 between the left rear mounting rail 14c and the side panel 26. The partition 39 is removably attached or connected to the left side front and rear mounting rails 14b and 14c to help define the first intake manifold chamber 20.

As shown in FIG. 8C, partition 39 is spaced from the left side of frame 14 and equipment 17 and 18 such that partition 39 and frame 14 and equipment 17 and 18 define an area 90 sufficient to allow movement of one or more of components 17 and 18 of frame 14. In one embodiment, one or more of the components is configured to slideably mount on the frame 14 such that, when desired, one or more of the components 17 and 18 can slide horizontally out of the frame 14 toward the part. front of enclosure 12. One or more of components 17 and 18 may thus be drawer-like slideably removed from frame 14, with or without removal of frame 14, to allow inspection, repair and / or replacement of components 17 and 18.

In one embodiment, one or more brush grommets 91 are disposed in area 90 between frame 14 and partition 39 to allow horizontal movement or sliding movement of components 17 and 18 forward / backward along the frame. 14, while serving as air blocking barriers to prevent air leaks from area 90. One or more of the brush grommets 91 are further configured to prevent mixing of the exhaust air circulating in the exhaust distribution chamber 22 with the cooling intake air contained in the first intake distribution chamber 20. In another embodiment, one or more brush grommets or grommets may be disposed between frame 14 and partition 39 along the portion of partition 39 from which cover or film 42 has been removed. One or more brush grommets or grommets may be disposed along a perimeter of an area of ​​partition 39 defined by removal of cover or film 42. One or more of the brush grommets or grommets may be arranged and configured to help to form a seal between frame 14, equipment 17 and 18, and partition 39 in such a way as to prevent / minimize air leaks.

With reference to fig. 9, in one embodiment, one or more of the partitions 32, 34, 35, 36 and 37 may be constructed and provided as a brush seal or grommet 80. In one embodiment, the brush seal or grommet 80 may include the mounting frame 32b, 34b, 37b or 38b as described above, such that the brush seal or grommet 80 is disposed within the housing 13 at a desired position adjacent to the frame 14. The gaskets or brush grommets or partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 help to define the first intake distribution chamber 20, the evacuation distribution chamber 22 and the intake distribution chamber 23

ES 2 392 847 T3 front. The brush seal or glands or partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 are constructed and arranged to allow one or more power or data cables and / or other connectors to be inserted into the brush seal or glands. 80A and threaded therethrough to route cables and connectors through frame 14 and along the left and / or right side of housing interior 13 to provide wiring and current requirements. The gaskets and brush grommets or partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 are configured to allow wiring and to help block / minimize air flow from the first and front intake distribution chambers 20 and 23 to exhaust distribution chamber 22, prevent / minimize circulation of exhaust air to the intakes of equipment components 17 and 18 and prevent / minimize mixing of cooling air with exhaust air.

With reference to figs. 10A-10B, in one embodiment one or more of the partitions 32, 34, 35, 36 and 38 may be detachably attached or connected by one or more appropriate fasteners 44 to one or more of the members 16, of the top panel 15 , bottom panel 19, side panels 26 and 28, and rear panel 24 to securely dispose partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, and 38 in a desired position within the interior 13 of the housing. Appropriate fasteners 44 are preferably constructed and arranged to allow rapid connection and removal of, for example, members 16, to allow the interior of housing 13 to be easily configured in response to different types, sizes, and heights U of components 17 and IT and telecommunications 18, as well as to configure interior 13 to accommodate airflow conditions and the distribution of components 17 and 18 within rack 14.

Preferred fasteners 44 may include, but are not limited to, screws, tabs, snap lock tabs, VELCRO® strips, and the like, which allow partitions 32, 34, 36, and 38 to be easily removed and / or repositioned. An appropriate fastener 44 would depend on a material from which one or more of the partitions 32, 34, 36 and 38 is constructed as well as the size of the partition 32, 34, 36 and 38. For example, as shown in FIG. . 6A, in one embodiment, septum 32 along the left side of frame 14 may be removably connected to one or more of the members 16 by means of a VELCRO strap or snap-fit ​​metal fastener 44. ®, in which an edge of septum 32 abuts one end or overlaps the end of a member 16 and is connected thereto by fastener 44. Similarly, septum 32 may be removably connected to adjacent septum 34 by similar means to help define first intake distribution chamber 20.

As shown in FIG. 10A, in one embodiment, septum 32 may be configured to include along a lateral edge one or more tabs 44 arranged and configured to be removably inserted into corresponding slots 44A defined in one or more of the members. 16 to attach or removably connect partition 32 to frame. The septum 32 may further be configured to include tabs 44 on its opposite side to connect to the adjacent septum 34 to define the first intake distribution chamber 20. In another embodiment, partitions 32 and 34 may be formed from a single partition, wherein the single partition is constructed as a single plane and folded or curved to form partitions 32 and 34 along the left side of the frame. 14.

The partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 may be constructed of a material suitable for use in an electronic environment. A material that is relatively light in weight to allow easy handling and portability, yet rigid enough to help block / minimize air flow is adequate. A suitable material is relatively inexpensive such that in certain embodiments the partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 can be inexpensively constructed and, if desired, disposable. A material from which partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 can be constructed may depend on the size and position of partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 within the interior 13 of the housing. In addition, a material of construction may be dependent on the magnitude and frequency with which the interior of the housing will be reconfigured to accommodate the cooling and ventilation needs of equipment 17 and 18. Such material may include, but is not limited to, polypropylene. or other thermoplastic materials, aluminum foil, reinforced metal foil, reinforced plastic film, and combinations thereof.

The invention is not limited to the construction and arrangement of partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 and blank panels 21 as described above, and includes other barriers and / or partitions as well as other configurations and Arrangements of partitions 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 to help define the first and front intake distribution chambers 20 and 22 and the exhaust distribution chamber 23, as well as to help configure or set the interior 13 of the housing to facilitate front-to-back airflow and / or side-to-side airflow as needed. In particular, the invention includes various configurations and arrangements of barriers and / or partitions to accommodate frame 14 containing exclusively IT or telecommunications components 17 and 18, or a mixture of IT and telecommunications components 17 and 18 and to provide an air flow to meet the cooling and ventilation requirements of each type of equipment 17 and 18.

Other features of the enclosure 10 in accordance with the invention help to facilitate airflow within the interior 13 of the housing to achieve a front-to-back airflow configuration and / or a side-to-side airflow configuration. . As noted above, the vented door 30 defines the multiple vents 30A to allow air, for example ambient air, to flow to the front of the interior 13 of the housing and / or to the air intake side 25 of the housing. frame 14. In one embodiment, door 30 may be

ES 2 392 847 T3 sufficiently perforated, for example, the multiple vents 30A are concentrated along the left side of the door 30, to promote air flow to the first intake distribution chamber 20. As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, one or more gaskets 75, eg, sponge gaskets, may be disposed around the perimeter edges of equipment components 17 and 18 to help provide a substantially airtight seal between components 17 and 18 and members 16 and between adjacent components 17 and 18 to help prevent / minimize cooling air losses from the first and front intake distribution chambers 20 and 23.

With reference to fig. 11, a top cross-sectional view of the guard cabinet 10 illustrates a first mode of air flow through the guard cabinet 10 that can be achieved where the intake distribution chamber 23 is in fluid communication with the first intake chamber. distribution 20 of admission. The first intake distribution chamber 20 receives at least a portion of the laterally directed and / or deflected airflow from the front intake distribution chamber 23, as shown by arrow 51 in FIG.

eleven. To define a front-to-rear airflow condition, cooling air is drawn from vents 30A of door 30 into front intake distribution chamber 23 by air intakes 17A arranged in front portions of components 17 of ITEM. The air intakes 17A draw air to the front parts of the components 17. The aspirated air flows from the front to the rear of the equipment 17 and is evacuated from the rear vents 17B arranged in the rear parts of the components 17 in a front-to-rear flow, as shown by arrows 50 in FIG. eleven. To define a side-to-side airflow condition, the cooling air is drawn in from the door vents 30A and from the front intake distribution chamber 23 by the air intakes 18A arranged on the side parts of the components. 18 telecommunications, as shown by arrows 51 and 52 in FIG. eleven. The air inlets 18A help to draw in and / or laterally deflect to the first intake distribution chamber 20 at least some part of the air flow from front to back, as well as help to draw in the cooling air directly from the vents. 30A from the door. The inlets 18A along the side portions of the equipment 18 draw air from the distribution chamber 20 to the components 18. Aspirated air flows from one side to an opposite side of components 18 and is vented from rear vents 18B arranged along the opposite side of components 18 in a side-to-side flow, as shown by arrows 52 in fig. 11. Ventilated air from IT and telecommunications components 17 and 18 is evacuated from evacuation distribution chamber 22 to an area external to housing 12, as shown by arrows 54 in FIG. eleven.

With reference to fig. 12, a top cross-sectional view of the enclosure 10 illustrates embodiments of the enclosure 10 in which the frame 14 has a relatively wide width W1, for example 58.42 cm, and is further configured such that the Front vertical mounting rails 14a and 14b substantially fill an area in the front of frame 14 between frame 14 and each side panel 26 and 28, as shown. To facilitate the first mode of air flow through the enclosure 10, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the left vertical front mounting rail 14b may define multiple vents or vents 14e to allow air to flow into the first air intake distribution chamber 20 from the door 30 air intake vents 30A and from the front of the interior 13 of the housing or the air intake side 25 of the frame 14, as shown by arrow 51 in FIG.

12. The multiple vents or openings 14e help provide air to the first air intake distribution chamber 30 to thereby help provide sufficient side-to-side airflow used, for example, by telecommunications equipment 18, to cooling, as shown by arrows 52 in FIG. 12. In one embodiment, the left vertical mounting rail 14b has multiple vents or openings 14e defined along a portion of the height H1 of frame 14 to the extent that equipment components 18 using side airflow side are mounted and distributed on frame 14.

With reference to fig. 13, a top cross-sectional view of the enclosure 10 illustrates a second mode of air flow through the enclosure 10 that can be achieved in which the frame 14 is positioned at the front of the housing 12 in such a way that frame 14 and partition 38 help define evacuation distribution chamber 22 only. In this embodiment, the front intake distribution chamber 23 is not defined within the interior 13 of the housing and the partition 38 is arranged behind the door 30. The interior 13 of the housing can accommodate the frame 14 loaded exclusively with the components 18 telecommunications. Cooling air is drawn in through vents 30A of door 30 and flows directly into distribution chamber 20, as shown by arrows 50 and 51 in FIG. 13.

With reference to figs. 14A-14B, in other embodiments of the enclosure 10 in accordance with the invention, the enclosure 10 may include one or more conduit units 75 configured and sized for vertical mounting on the frame 14. As shown in a top view in cross section of the protection cabinet 10 in fig. 14a, the conduit unit 75 may have the overall dimensions to allow mounting of the frame within the equipment area of ​​the frame 14. The conduit unit 75 includes a housing 76 that defines an internal chamber or conduit 77 that is configured to receive and contain air. Duct unit 75 further includes multiple vents or front openings 78 defined on its front side and multiple vents or side openings 79 defined on its left side when mounted on the frame. The chamber 77 of the duct unit 75 can be defined with overall dimensions such that it receives air from the multiple front openings 78 and helps direct air through the duct unit 75 to the multiple

ES 2 392 847 T3 side openings 79 to thereby provide air to the first intake distribution chamber 20. As shown in FIG. 14A, in one embodiment, the housing 76 of the conduit unit 75 may be constructed and arranged such that the housing defines the chamber 77 in a configuration or shape, for example, a funnel-like shape as shown in fig. 14A, which helps direct or channel air from the multiple front openings 78 to the multiple side openings 79 and therefore helps increase the volume or flow rate of air to the first intake distribution chamber 20.

Duct unit 75 is arranged in frame 14 and chamber 77 is configured such that chamber 77 receives and therefore captures at least some part of the front-to-rear airflow from intake distribution chamber 20 front to the front of the interior 13 of the housing or from the air intake side 25 of the frame 14, as shown by arrows 55 in FIG. 14 TO. When equipment components using front-to-rear airflow draw air from front vents 30A of door 30 into front intake distribution chamber 23 to set front-to-rear airflow conditions, as shown described above with reference to Figs. 11-12 and as shown by arrows 50 in FIG. 14A, the duct unit 75 helps divert some part of the airflow from front to back to the first intake distribution chamber 20 along the left side of frame 14, as shown by arrows 56 in FIG. . 14A, to provide side-to-side airflow.

Referring further to FIGS. 14A-14B, in one embodiment, duct unit 75 may include one or more fans 73 disposed within chamber 77. In one embodiment one or more fans 73 may be coupled to the multiple front openings 78 in which each fan 73 is arranged and configured to draw cooling air from the front intake distribution chamber 20 at the front of the interior 13 of the housing. or from the air intake side 25 of frame 14 to chamber 77, as shown by arrows 55 in FIG. 14 TO. The fans are further configured to force sucked air into chamber 77 and through multiple side openings 79 into first air intake distribution chamber 20, as shown by arrows 56 in FIG. 14B. In another embodiment, one or more fans 73 may be coupled to the multiple side openings 78 in which each fan is arranged and configured to draw cooling air through the chamber 77 and from the front intake distribution chamber or the side. Frame 14 air intake 25. The fans are further configured to force drawn air into the first intake distribution chamber 20. In another embodiment, the duct unit 75 may include one or more fans 73 coupled to the multiple front and side openings 78 and 79.

With reference to fig. 14C, and referring further to FIG. 14B, in one embodiment, housing 77 of conduit unit 75 may be constructed and arranged to define a certain height U and a certain depth to allow conduit unit 75 to be mounted vertically adjacent to equipment components 17 and 18 and / or between them, arranged in the equipment area of ​​the frame 14. Duct unit 75 may be mounted to frame 14 in a desired position selected to correspond to the location and layout of equipment that uses side-to-side airflow, such as telecommunications components 18. As shown in FIG. 14C, duct unit 75 may be mounted in adjacent frame 14, for example above or below, and / or between equipment components 18 using side-to-side airflow. As shown in figs. 14B-14C, when mounted adjacent to or between equipment components 18 using side-to-side airflow, duct unit 75 can direct air from chamber, for example, drawn into chamber 77 by the air intakes 18A of the components 18 and / or forced or drawn into the chamber 77 by the fans 73 coupled to the multiple front and / or side openings 78 and 79, through its multiple side openings 79 to the first intake distribution chamber 20. Duct unit 75 thereby vents cooling air proximate side vents 18A of components 18, as shown by arrows 57 in FIGS. 14B-14C. The side vents 18A can draw air from the multiple side openings 79 of the duct unit 75 to thereby help draw in sufficient intake air for cooling in a side-by-side condition.

With reference to fig. 15A, a cross-sectional top view of the enclosure 10 illustrates an embodiment of the enclosure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14C in which the frame 14 has a relatively wide width W1, for example 58.42 cm, and is further configured such that the front vertical mounting rails 14a and 14b substantially fill an area in the front of frame 14 between frame 14 and each side panel 26 and 28. The left vertical front mounting rail 14b can define the multiple vents 14e to allow air to circulate in the first air intake distribution chamber 20 from the door 30 air intake vents 30A and from the front. from the interior 13 of the housing or the air intake side 25 of the frame 14, as shown by arrows 51 in FIG. 15A and as described with reference to FIG. 11-12.

With reference to fig. 15B, in another embodiment of the protection cabinet 10 shown in FIG. 15A, septum 32 may extend from kit 17 and 18 to left rear mounting rail 14c to help define first intake distribution chamber 20. In different embodiments, partition 32 may include various configurations and arrangements that have been described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, 7A-7B and / or 8A-8C.

With reference to a perspective view of the protection cabinet 10 in FIG. 16, a third mode of air flow through the protection cabinet 10 can be achieved when the front intake distribution chamber 23

ES 2 392 847 T3 is in fluid communication with one or more openings in the lower panel 19 of the housing 12. Said one or more openings may serve to provide cooling air to the interior 13 of the housing such that the cooling air flows to the front intake distribution chamber 23 and flow vertically upward along the front of the housing interior 13 or along the air intake side 25 of the frame 14. As shown in FIG. 16, in one embodiment, each of the one or more openings in the bottom panel 19 are coupled to a distribution chamber or conduit 60 that extends outwardly from the bottom panel 19 and connects to a conventional raised floor configuration 67. Raised floor configuration 67 is well known in the art and may include a first floor and a second floor defining a duct between them, where the duct is connected to an air cooling unit or system that supplies cool air to the duct. The duct receives cold air from the cooling unit or system and directs the cold air to one or more ducts 60 to supply cooling air into the housing 13.

Still referring to FIG. 16, in another embodiment, one or more ducts 60 may be coupled to an air distribution unit 65 mounted on the frame, as described in the pending patent application of the applicant serial number 10 / 121,313, which is incorporated herein by reference. The air distribution unit 65 is disposed along and / or coupled to the bottom panel 19 within the interior 13 of the housing and coupled to the raised floor configuration 67 through one or more conduits 60 to receive and / or draw air. cold. Multiple fans 66 of unit 65 can draw cooling air from ducts 60 into front intake distribution chamber 23 and can circulate cooling air upward along the front of frame 14 to configure airflow from bottom to top, as shown by arrows 59 in FIG. 16. In another embodiment, the multiple fans are not connected to the ducts 60 and are configured to draw ambient air outside the enclosure 10 to the system 65 for upward distribution as cooling air in air flow condition from the bottom to the bottom. top, as described.

As shown in FIG. 16, the protection cabinet 10 is configured in such a way that the cooling air can be received by the first intake distribution chamber 20 and the front intake distribution chamber 23 from the unit 65, as described above and shown by arrows 59 in FIG. 16. In this case, a bottom-to-top airflow condition is defined when cooling air is forced and / or sucked upward through the front intake distribution chamber 23 along the front. of IT components 17. Bottom-to-top airflow helps contribute to a front-to-back airflow condition and side-to-side airflow condition , for example, by increasing the volume of cooling air forced toward up through the front intake distribution chamber 23 and received by the first intake distribution chamber 20. In addition, the air distribution unit 65 forces the air flow from the bottom to the top to the first intake distribution chamber 20 and the front intake distribution chamber 23 such that the distribution chambers 20 and 23 become pressurized due to an increase in volume and flow rate of cooling air that flows into distribution chambers 20 and 23 from ducts 60 and unit 65.

With reference to fig. 17, in one embodiment, the enclosure 10 may include the air distribution unit 65, as described above, and may further be configured to mount one or more of the duct units 75 on the frame. shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG. 17, the multiple fans 66 of the air distribution unit 65 can suck in cooling air and force the sucked air to the distribution chamber 23 of front intake at the front of the interior 13 of the housing or to the front intake 25 of the frame 14 and upward in a bottom-to-top air flow condition, as shown by arrows 59 in FIG. 16. The multiple front openings 78 of one or more of the duct units 75 may receive or capture some part of the air flow from the bottom to the top provided by the air distribution unit 75. In one embodiment, one or more of the duct units 75 include one or more fans 73 arranged within the chamber 77, as described above, to draw in airflow from the bottom to the top of the system 65. Air distribution system creates by forcing cooling air into the front intake distribution chamber 23 at the front of the interior 13 of the protection cabinet. The unit 65 and the fans 73 of the duct units 75 help to increase the volume and / or flow rate of cooling air to the first intake distribution chamber 20 and thereby help to pressurize the first intake distribution chamber 20. . The first intake distribution chamber 20 receives and contains pressurized cooling air, which helps to ensure that the air intakes 18A of the side-to-side airflow components 18 have sufficient air from which to draw to meet their requirements. cooling needs.

In one embodiment, one or more of the conduit units 75 further includes a bell-shaped member 71 that is configured to mate with a front portion of the conduit unit 75 and is further configured to be disposed in the distribution chamber 23 front intake or the front of the interior 13 of the housing. The bell-shaped member 71 is disposed within the interior 13 of the housing and configured to capture some of the cooling air forced upward in a bottom-to-top airflow to help provide sufficient cooling air to the first intake distribution chamber 20 via the duct unit 75.

Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. For example, the first

The intake distribution chamber 20 can be arranged and configured on the right side of the frame 14. The partitions 32 and 34 can be arranged in the space 48 between the right side panel 28 of the housing 12 and the members 16 of the frame running from the front to the rear along the right side of the frame 14.

Another example includes embodiments in which the vented rear panel 24 of housing 12 may be configured to mate with an evacuation unit disposed externally along the rear of the enclosure 10 and having one or more fans for sucking and blowing. outlet to evacuation air, as described in the also pending US patent application of the applicant serial number 10 / 303,641, which is incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the external exhaust unit may replace the vented rear panel 24 and may be configured to serve as a rear door of the housing 12. Each exhaust unit fan is coupled to an exhaust duct defined within the interior of the evacuation unit. The exhaust duct is configured to receive air that the fan draws in and vents to the exhaust duct and to direct the air that has been vented by the fan to an upper part of the exhaust unit to exhaust an external area. to the protection cabinet 10. Each fan is arranged in fluid communication with the evacuation distribution chamber 23 and the vents 17A and 18A of the equipment of components 17 and 18. Each fan draws warm and warm exhaust air from the exhaust distribution chamber 23 to the exhaust unit, and then vents the aspirated air into its associated duct. The air vented by the fan is thereafter directed through the exhaust duct to the top of the exhaust unit for ventilation.

In another embodiment, the evacuation unit having one or more fans as described is arranged in an upper part of the protection cabinet 10. Each fan draws air from the evacuation distribution chamber 23 and vents the sucked air to an area. external to the protection cabinet 10.

With reference to fig. 18, in other embodiments of the invention, a side air distribution unit 100 is provided for use within the enclosure 10 to provide cooling air directly to either the left side 45 of the frame 14 or the right side 47 of the frame 14. Unit 100 is configured and arranged to be removably mounted within the equipment area defined by frame 14 and includes one or more fans (not shown). One or more fans are arranged and configured to draw cooling air into unit 100 from the front intake side 25 of frame 14 through one or more front intake vents 120 and 122, arranged along the front of unit 100. The fans exhaust cooling air drawn in from one or more of the side exhaust vents (not shown) to the left side 45 or the right side 47 of frame 14, as needed. Unit 100 thereby provides cooling air to frame-mounted electronic components 18, such as telecommunications components, which draw in cooling air, either from the left side 45 of frame 14 to create a left-hand airflow condition. to the right, or from the right side 47 of the frame 14 to create a right-to-left airflow condition to meet your cooling requirements. Furthermore, in one embodiment, where the enclosure 10 includes the left side panel 26 and / or the right side panel 28, as shown in FIG. 18, the unit 100 can deliver cooling air along the left space 46 defined between the left panel 46 and the frame 14, or along the right space 48 defined between the right panel 28 and the frame 14. Furthermore, the unit 100 can be used in the protection cabinet 10 to deliver cooling air to the first intake distribution chamber 20 defined along the left side 45 of the frame 14 or along the right side 47 of the frame 14 with one or more of partitions 32, 34, 35 and 36, as described above.

The side air distribution unit 100 provides flexibility with respect to providing cooling air to the components 18 using side-to-side airflow regardless of the type and size of the telecommunications components 18, as well as the location of such components 18 in frame 14. The side air distribution unit 100 has dimensions, for example width and depth (length) that allow the unit 100 to be mounted in any position on the frame 14. In addition, the unit 100 can have a height U, for example 2U , 3U, 4U, or 5U, depending on the cooling air requirements of the side-by-side components 18 and the dimensions and fan ratings required to meet such airflow requirements.

With reference to figs. 19A and 19B, and further referring to FIG. 18, the side air distribution unit 100 includes a housing 12 having a top panel 104, a bottom panel 107, a left side panel 106, a right side panel 108, and a rear panel (not shown) configured to define a chamber. inside. Unit 100 further includes an intake distribution chamber 110 and an exhaust distribution chamber 114 within the inner chamber. In one embodiment, the intake distribution chamber 110 of the unit 100 is a top distribution chamber defined between the top panel 104 and a center plate 112, which is horizontally disposed within the interior chamber and is spaced from the top panel 104 and parallel to it. The exhaust distribution chamber 114 is a lower chamber defined below the upper intake distribution chamber 110 between the lower panel 107 and the center plate 112. One or more fans 140 and 142 (shown in dotted lines) are disposed in exhaust distribution chamber 114 in fluid communication with intake distribution chamber 110 to draw air through front vents 120 and 122 to unit 100. In an alternative embodiment of unit 100, as shown in FIG.

ES 2 392 847 T3

19B, the intake distribution chamber 110 is the lower chamber and the exhaust distribution chamber 114 is the upper chamber. The invention has now been described in greater detail with reference to the intake distribution chamber 110 configured as the upper distribution chamber and the exhaust distribution chamber 114 configured as the lower distribution chamber; however, the invention is not limited to this aspect and those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that elements and aspects of the invention described below also apply to the embodiment of unit 100 shown in FIG. 19B.

Housing 102 further includes a front panel 118 extending across the width W1 of unit 100 and defining one or more front intake vents 120 and 122. The intake vents 120 and 122 are arranged and configured in communication. of fluid with the intake distribution chamber 110. When the side air distribution unit 100 is mounted on the frame, the intake vents 120 and 122 are positioned to allow the fans 140 and 142 to draw air from the front intake side 25 of the frame 14 through the intake vents 120 and 122 and to intake distribution chamber 110. Right side panel 108 of housing 102 defines one or more right side exhaust vents 124 and 126 in fluid communication with exhaust distribution chamber 114. Right side exhaust vents 124 and 126 are positioned to allow fans 140 and 142 to vent air drawn from exhaust distribution chamber 114 to an area external to unit 100 along the right side 47 of the frame 14. Similarly, left side panel 106 defines one or more left side exhaust vents (not shown) in fluid communication with exhaust distribution chamber 114. The left side exhaust vents are arranged and configured similarly to the right side exhaust vents 124 and 126 shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. When the side air distribution unit 100 is mounted on the frame, the left side exhaust vents are positioned to allow the fans 140 and 142 to vent the air drawn from the exhaust distribution chamber 114 to an area external to unit 100 along left side 45 of frame 14.

In use, the fans 140 and 142 exhaust cooling air from the exhaust distribution chamber 114, either through the left-hand or right-hand exhaust vents 124 and 126, while the exhaust vents opposite side exhaust pipes are locked, for example, using a lock panel (not shown). The blocking panel is configured to mount to the left or right side panel 106 or 108 and to block the flow of air from the left or right side exhaust vents 124 and 126 when mounted. The lockout panel allows the unit 100 to exclusively supply cooling air to either the left side 45 or the right side 47 of the frame 14, depending on the type and location of the components 18 and the design of the side-to-side airflow. , for example, left to right or right and left, which components 18 use for cooling and heat removal. Unit 100 is therefore flexible with respect to accommodating different types of components 18 produced by different manufacturers, as well as the location of components 18 when mounted on the frame. In addition, unit 100 further includes electrical circuits to drive fans 140 and 142 that may be at least partially disposed within housing 102.

With reference to figs. 20 and 21, a perspective view and a top view of the intake distribution chamber 110 are provided. Intake distribution chamber 110 includes parallel air paths 128 and 130 defined by front intake vents 120 and 122, center plate 112, and one or more partition walls 132 and 134 mounted on or connected to center plate 112 that extends along at least a portion of the length L1 of the interior of housing 102. Center plate 112 defines a port or hole 136 and 138 in each of air paths 128 and 130. For example, in one embodiment of the unit 100, a first port or front port 136 is disposed in the right air path 128 and a second port or rear port 138 is disposed in the left air path 130. The front and rear ports 136 and 138 are staggered along a horizontal plane, or, in other words, defined on the center plate 112 such that each port is offset relative to the other port. Each port 136 and 138 is further arranged and configured to align with at least a portion of one of the fans 140 and 142 arranged in the evacuation distribution chamber 114. Like front and rear ports 136 and 138, fans 140 and 142 are staggered along a horizontal plane such that each fan is offset relative to the other fan and is aligned with one of ports 136 and 138 As shown in fig. 21, the front port 136 is arranged and configured, for example, defines a certain diameter, such that it accommodates an extension of a plurality of fan blades or impellers 140 'of the front fan 140. Front fan 140 is arranged in exhaust distribution chamber 114 such that front port 136 is open to fan blades or blades 140 'and to a central fan hub 140 to thereby position front fan 140. in fluid communication with right air path 128. Front port 136 and front fan 140 are further arranged and configured to allow front fan 140 to draw air from right air path 128 and to allow drawn air to pass through port 136 to an extension or number of blades or blades. 140 'fan impellers. Similarly, as also shown in FIG. 21, the rear port 138 is arranged and configured, for example, defines a certain diameter, such that it accommodates a plurality of fan blades or impellers 142 'of the rear fan 142. Like the front fan 140, the rear fan 142 is disposed in evacuation distribution chamber 114 such that rear port 138 is open to fan blades 142 'and a hub

ES 2 392 847 T3 fan hub 142 for placing the rear fan 142 in fluid communication with the left air path 130. The rear port 138 and the rear fan 142 are further arranged and configured to allow the rear fan 142 to draw in air. from the left air path 130 and allowing the aspirated air to pass through port 138 to an extension or amount of the fan blades or impellers 142 '.

With reference to fig. 22, and further referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, each port 136 and 138 has an inlet ring 144 and 146 mounted or connected to the center plate 112 adjacent to a circumferential edge of each port 136 and 138 such that the inlet ring 144 and 146 helps define an opening through which air passes from air paths 128 and 130 to the plurality of blades or impellers, 140 'and 142' of each fan 140 and 142. As shown by the cross-sectional view of the inlet ring 144 and 146 in FIG. 22, entry ring 144 146 has an upwardly curved cross-sectional profile 148 ending in a sloped or curved edge 150. The configurations of the intake ring profile 148 and its edge 150 help reduce / minimize resistance to air flow when fans 140 and 142 draw air from air paths 128 and 130 and the aspirated air then passes over the ring. ports 144 and 146 to ports 136 and 138. As shown by arrows 92 in FIG. 22, airflow passes over inlet ring 144 and 146 toward edge 150 such that fans 140 and 142 can draw air downward to fan blades 140 'and 142' with minimal resistance to flow. of air. The configuration of inlet ring 144 and 146 therefore helps increase airflow to ports 136 and 138 and fans 140 and 142.

Still referring to Figs. 20 and 21, and with further reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the front panel 118 of the side air distribution unit 100 defines a ramp 152 along the width W1 of the housing 102 below the front intake vents 120 and 122. Ramp 152 slopes upward into intake distribution chamber 110 such that vents 120 and 122 defined in front panel 118 are ramp openings to air paths 128 and 130. Ramp 152 is configured to help minimize / reduce static air pressure in front of intake vents 120 and 122 and to reduce air resistance and increase airflow to air paths 128 and 130. The inclined configuration of the ramp 152 helps to provide an air flow moment when the fans 140 and 142 draw air from the front of the side air distribution unit 100 to the respective air paths 128 and 130. The inclined ramp 152 thereby helps to increase the volume of air entering air paths 128 and 130 and the total output of unit 110.

As shown in figs. 20 and 21, partition walls 132 and 134 separate intake distribution chamber 110 at parallel air paths 128 and 130. Walls 132 and 134 and separate air paths 128 and 130 allow operation of fans 140 and 142 to be separately optimized with respect to each position of fans 140 and 142 within unit 100 and their ability to draw air. cooling to the intake distribution chamber 110. Each fan 140 and 142 is positioned relative to the other fan to help optimize / maximize the airflow that each fan 140 and 142 draws from the front intake vents 120 and 122 into the intake distribution chamber 110. The configuration and position of each wall 132 and 134 helps to minimize / reduce static air pressure along the front intake vents 120 and 122 and to increase / maximize cooling air flow along each air path 128 and 130. Also as described in greater detail below and as shown in FIG. 23, the evacuation distribution chamber 114 includes one or more partition walls 158, 159, and 160 to separate the evacuation distribution chamber 114 into one or more parallel evacuation paths 162 and 164. Partition walls 158, 159, and 160 and separate exhaust air paths 162 and 164 of exhaust distribution chamber 114 similarly help to separately optimize the operation of each fan 140 and 142 with respect to its position within unit 100 and its ability to force sucked cooling air through exhaust paths 162 and 164 and from left or right side exhaust vents 124 and 126. Thus, the placement of the fans 140 and 142 and the configuration and location of the partition walls 132 and 134 or 158, 159 and 160 help to separately optimize the operation of each fan 140 and 142 and to increase / maximize the air output of the Total unit cooling 100.

If the operation of the fans 140 and 142 is optimized with respect to each fan's ability to draw cooling air into the unit 100 or to exhaust the cooling air from the unit 100, it may depend on the areas of resistance to the flow of air within frame 14, for example, along front intake vents 120 and 122, and / or to air resistance areas, for example, along the exhaust air paths 162 and 164 or the left or right side exhaust vents 124, 126 which have a significant effect on the total output of the unit 100. Each of intake distribution chamber 110 and exhaust distribution chamber 114 may be internally configured using partition walls 134, 138 and 158, 159 and 160 and positioning fans 140 and 142 accordingly to optimize / maximize flow. of air, for example, its flow rate in liters per second (l / s), which each fan 140 and 142 delivers to thereby optimize / maximize the total cooling air output of the unit 100. In one embodiment of unit 100 in accordance with the invention, the placement of fans 140 and 142 within unit 100 and the position and configuration of walls 132 and 134 in intake distribution chamber 110 are used to aid in optimizing / maximizing the flow of cooling air to the intake distribution chamber 110. In another embodiment of the invention, fans 140 and 142 are positioned and walls 158, 159, and 160 are located and configured in exhaust chamber 114 to help optimize / maximize ventilation of cooling air from distribution chamber 114 of evacuation. In

In another embodiment, the placement of the fans 140 and 142 and the configurations and positions of the walls 132, 134 and 158, 159 and 160 are used to help optimize / maximize the operation of each fan 140 and 142 with regarding its ability to draw in cooling air and to exhaust cooling air from unit 100.

As shown in figs. 20 and 21, an exemplary unit 100 in accordance with the invention includes the two fans 140 and 142 as shown arranged in a staggered arrangement relative to each other and as close to the front intake vents 120 and 122 as possible to help optimize air cooling flow to intake manifold chamber 110. The dividing walls 132 and 134 are arranged and configured to contain the air that each fan 140 and 142 draws into its air path 128 and 130 and to help retain the air near each of the blades or impellers 140 'and 142' fan. In addition, partition walls 132 and 134 define the dimensions, for example the length and width, of each air path 128 and 130 to help induce air flow to the intake distribution chamber 110 during operation of the fans 140. and 142. The shorter the lengths L2 and L3 of the air path 128 and 130, the lower the static air pressure and resistance to air flow that each fan 140 and 142 needs to overcome the aspiration of optimal cooling air flow from the front intake vents 120 and 122, along their respective air paths 130 and 128 and to their blades or impellers 140 'and 142'. The width W2 and W3 of each front intake vent 120 and 122, and / or the width and length of each air path 128 and 130, can be adjusted to compensate for the length L2 and L3 of their respective air paths 130 and 128. A wide front intake vent 120 and 122 helps reduce static air pressure in front of vents 120 and 122 and thus helps reduce airflow resistance and increase airflow through along the length L2 and L3 of each air path 130 and 128. As shown in FIGS. twenty and 21, the front intake vent 120 providing air to the left air path 130 has a width W2 greater than the width W3 of the intake vent 122 providing air to the right air path 128 to accommodate the greater length. L2 of the right air path 130. The larger width W2 of the vent 120 of the rear fan 142 helps to reduce the static air pressure and resistance to air flow that the rear fan 142 needs to overcome the suction of sufficient cooling air from the intake vents. front 120 and 122 to and along the right air path 130. Unit 100 shown and described with reference to FIGS. twenty and 21 can be used, for example, when the static air pressure along the front intake vents 120 and 122 is problematic and has a significant effect on the total cooling air output of the unit 100.

With reference to figs. 23 and 24, and with further reference to FIG. 19A, a top view and a perspective view of the evacuation distribution chamber 114 are provided with the front and rear fans 140 and 142 disposed therein. Fans 140 and 142 may be positioned positioned in exhaust distribution chamber 114 in an offset manner relative to each other and are arranged and configured to deliver cooling air to left side exhaust vents 154 and 156 which vents the left side 45 of frame 14, or to the right side exhaust vents 124 and 126 that vents the right side 47 of frame 14, as needed. Fans 140 and 142 are configured to be mounted or connected to bottom panel 107 of housing 102, and are configured for radially outward air flow. One or more of partition walls 158, 159, and 160 are mounted and / or connected to bottom panel 107 and / or side panels 106 and 108 of housing 102 to divide chamber 114 into separate exhaust air paths 162 and 164. With this arrangement, the only openings in the exhaust distribution chamber 114 for air are the side exhaust vents 124, 126 and 154, 156. By using the blocking panel (not shown) to block either the left side or right side exhaust vents, the openings are further limited to exhaust airflow from the left or right side vents. on the right side 124, 126 or 154, 156.

Partition walls 158, 159, and 160 configure each air path 162 and 164 to receive and isolate the cooling air that has been vented from one fan from the cooling air that has been vented from the other fan. In addition, partition walls 158, 159, and 160 are positioned and configured to help direct a stream of cooling air that has been vented from each fan 140 and 142 toward its respective side exhaust vent 124, 126, or 154. , 156, and minimize / reduce any turbulent air zones or other resistances to cooling air flow along exhaust air path 162 and 164.

In addition, partition walls 158, 159, and 160 are positioned and configured such that unit 100 is configured to optionally deliver cooling air to either the left side 45 or the right side 47 of frame 14, as needed. As shown in figs. 2. 3 and 24, exhaust air paths 162 and 164 are defined by partition walls 158, 159, and 160 such that each exhaust air path 162 and 164 can help direct air to the exhaust vents of the unit. right side 124, 126 or to the left side exhaust vents 154, 156. The configuration of evacuation paths 162 and 164 provides flexibility to unit 100 that allows unit 100 to be used to deliver cooling air to the left side 45 of frame 14 and to the right side of frame 14, as needed.

Fans 140 and 142 are configured to be mounted or connected to bottom panel 107, for example, with screws, and in alignment with ports 136 and 138 of center plate 112 when center plate 112 is

ES 2 392 847 T3 connected, for example, by screws or fasteners, to side panels 106 and 108 and rear panel 109 of housing 102. Fans 140 and 142 are also configured to receive air flowing through ports 136 and 138, as described above.

Furthermore, the fans 140 and 142 are configured to rotate the respective hubs 140 "and 142", which include internal motors (not shown), in which the plurality of blades or impellers 140 'and 142 "rotate relative to the hubs. 140 '' and 142 ''. The motors are configured to rotate impellers 140 'and 142' clockwise when viewed from above, as in FIGS. 21 and 23. The plurality of fan blades or impellers 140 'and 142' may include rings of blades or impellers, as shown, inclined relative to the radial direction of the fans 140 and 142 such that rotation of the rings by the Engines will draw air through ports 136 and 138 to internal regions 143 and 145 of fans 140 and 142 that are in fluid communication with ports 136 and 138. Rotation of fans 140 and 142 will force drawn air out of fans 140 and 142 from internal regions 143 and 145 and radially outward into air paths 162 and 164 as indicated by arrows 94 and 96 on the fig. 24. Internal regions 143 and 145 encompass areas at least as large as the areas encompassed by ports 136 and 138 such that air will flow alone, or substantially alone, to evacuation distribution chamber 114 through ports 136 and 138. Fans 140 and 142 may be backward-impeller type fans such as those available from EBM of Farmintong, CT or Soler & Palau (S&P) of Pine Brook, NJ, although numerous other fans including fans produced by other manufacturers are acceptable and may be used as fans 140 and 142.

Still referring to FIG. 24, and further referring to FIG. 19B, in which the intake distribution chamber 110 is the lower chamber and the exhaust distribution chamber 114 is the upper chamber, the fans 140 and 142 are configured to be mounted or connected to the center plate 112 or the upper panel. 104, for example, with screws, from housing 102. Fans 140 and 142 are connected or mounted to center plate 112 or top plate 104 such that each fan 140 and 142 is in alignment with one of ports 136 and 138 of center plate 112. A portion of each fan 140 and 142 is received by one of ports 136 and 138 to place fan 140 and 142 in fluid communication with lower intake distribution chamber 110. In this case, each fan 140 and 142 is arranged such that the plurality of fan blades or impellers 140 'and 142' and the fan hub 140 and 142 are oriented downwardly relative to the distribution chamber. 110 lower intake. As each fan 140 and 142 rotates, the fan 140 and 142 can draw air upward to its internal regions 143 and 145. The drawn air is then forced from the fan 140 and 142 in a radially outward direction through the upper exhaust distribution chamber 114 to the exhaust vents 124, 126 or 154, 156.

Depending on the cooling airflow requirements of the side-by-side components 18, for example, the minimum liters per second (l / s) required to maintain a required or desired operating temperature, and / or the type of frame location of such components 18, Each fan 140 and 142 can be selected with respect to its rating and a range of l / s that the fan 140 and 142 can deliver to the components 18 during their operation within the unit 100. The height H1 of the distribution unit of Side air, eg, 2U, 3U, 4U, or 5U, may be sized to accommodate a suitably sized / rated fan 140 and 142 that can deliver airflow within a required or desired l / s range.

In an exemplary embodiment of unit 100 in accordance with the invention, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, each of the two fans 140 and 142 can have a flow rate of about 127.43 l / s and can be disposed within the unit 100 having a height H1 of 2U, which accommodates the size / rating of the fan. Each fan 140 and 142 can deliver airflow to one or more of the components 18 side-to-side within a required or desired range, for example, from 0 to about 141.59 L / s, to provide sufficient cooling air. to help meet component 18 side-by-side cooling requirements. In another embodiment, each of the two fans 140 and 142 may be set at about 235.98 L / s to deliver airflow within a range of from 0 to about 330.37 L / s. In alternative embodiments of unit 100 according to the invention, a single fan or more than two fans may be arranged in exhaust distribution chamber 114 to provide airflow within a required or desired range of l / s of such so that unit 100 provides sufficient cooling air to help meet the cooling requirements of specific types of side-by-side components 18. The invention is not limited with respect to the number, size, or setting of each fan 140 and 142 that may be used within unit 100 to provide cooling air to one or more of the components 18 side-by-side, and anticipates that each side air distribution unit 100 may be configured and arranged to house one or more suitably sized / calibrated fans that can deliver cooling air in a required or desired range of l / s, sufficient to help at least satisfy the cooling requirements of the side-by-side components 18.

Furthermore, in other embodiments of unit 100 according to the invention, one or more fans 140 and 142 can be operated independently to adjust, for example, increase or decrease, an air flow rate range (l / s) that unit 100 delivers to components 18 located side by side. In one embodiment, an operator can adjust the airflow range of each fan 140 and 142 manually, for example,

ES 2 392 847 T3 by manually adjusting the speed of each fan 140 and 142 to a set point speed, which provides a required or desired air flow rate (l / s). In an alternative embodiment, as described in greater detail below, the airflow range of each fan 140 and 142 can be independently monitored and controlled through electronic control means that can automatically monitor and adjust the operation of each fan. fan 140 and 142, for example, the speed of the fan, in response to any of a number of process variables, for example, temperature of the components 18 located side by side, to deliver and maintain a required or desired air flow rate (l / s) during the operation of the unit 100. The invention is not limited in this regard, and envisages that fans 140 and 142 may be independently monitored and controlled by various electrical and / or electronic monitoring and control means in response to different parameter points and / or process variables established for help deliver and maintain sufficient airflow to meet the cooling requirements of one or more components 18 side by side.

In addition, the placement of the side air distribution unit 100 within the frame 14 in relation to one or more components 18 side by side can help to increase / maximize the cooling air flow along the ports 14A and 14C of component intake vent 18. For example, by positioning unit 100, configured as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B which includes fans 140 and 142 which have an air flow rate of 127.35 (l / s) liters per second, can deliver an air flow either above or below one or more components 18 side by side in a range from 0 to about 141.59 (l / s). In another example, placing unit 100 above component 18 side-by-side and a second unit 100 below component 18 side-by-side can help increase / maximize the total airflow (l / s) available for cooling the unit. component 18. The invention is not limited in this regard, and envisions that any number of side air distribution units 100 may be used, with any number of fans providing any range of l / s, in frame 14 and arranged relative to one or more components 18 side by side to help provide sufficient cooling air to components 18 such that the cooling air requirements of each component 18 can be at least minimally satisfied.

With reference to fig. 19C, in other embodiments of the side air distribution unit 100 in accordance with the invention, the unit 100 may include the front intake vents 120 and 122 defined along the front panel 118 of the housing 102 and configured to mate. with an air intake sleeve 167. The air intake sleeve 167 is configured to be removably mounted or connected to the front panel 118 in fluid communication with the front intake vents 120 and 122, and further configured to help facilitate air flow through the air intake vents. intake vents 120 and 122 to intake distribution chamber 110. In one embodiment, sleeve 167 may define a configuration similar to the configuration of bell-like member 71 described above with reference to FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 19C, in another embodiment, the sleeve 167 may be configured as an air tube that defines an inner chamber and is configured to help direct the flow of air to the intake vents 120 and 122. Tube 167 may be connected to a cold air supply, such as a raised floor configuration 67 described above with reference to FIG. 16, or a cold air unit or refrigeration system. Tube or sleeve 167 can help increase the volume and / or flow rate of cooling air to unit 100 and thus help optimize / maximize total cooling air output from unit 100. The air intake tube or sleeve 167 according to the invention is not limited with respect to its dimensions or configuration or shape, it defines another that is configured to help collect air along the front intake vents 120 and 122 and / or to help facilitate air flow to the intake distribution chamber 110.

With reference to figs. 19D and 19E, in an alternative embodiment of the lateral air distribution unit 100 in accordance with the invention, the unit 100 may include a single distribution chamber 111 which serves as an intake distribution chamber and an exhaust distribution chamber. . One or more fans 140 and 142, as described above, can be mounted or connected to the bottom panel 107, for example with screws, and further arranged to draw air from the front intake vents 120 and 122. As each fan 140 and 142 rotates, it draws air from the intake vents 120 and 122 into the distribution chamber 111 and its inner region 143 and 145 and then forces the air drawn from the inner region 143 and 145 radially outward to through the side vents 124, 126 or 154, 156. As shown in FIG. 19A, the single distribution chamber 111 can be further defined using one or more partition walls 131 and 133 to define an air path for each fan 140 and 142 that can be configured to help optimize / maximize volume and / or flow. of air to the air path and / or to help optimize / maximize vented out airflow from fans 140 and 142 to exhaust vents 124, 126, or 154,156. The unit 100 having the single distribution chamber 102 can be used in combination with the air intake tube or sleeve 167 described above with reference to FIG. 19C to help increase the volume and / or flow of air to the single distribution chamber 111.

With reference to figs. 19F and 19G, in another embodiment of the lateral air distribution unit 100 according to the invention, the unit 100 may be configured to be frame mounted along the lower U space of the frame 14 and may be further configured and arranged to draw air into the frame 14 through the bottom panel 107 of the unit housing 102. In this case, the exhaust distribution chamber 114 is the upper distribution chamber and the intake distribution chamber 110 is the lower distribution chamber, so the lower intake distribution chamber 110 is configured and arranged to allow the

Fans 140 and 142 draw air from the bottom panel 19 of the enclosure 10 or from the bottom of the frame 14, as described above with reference to FIG. 16. In this case, the fans 140 and 142 are mounted or connected to the center plate 112, for example, with screws, such that the fan blades 140 'and 142' and the fan hubs 140 "and 142" are oriented downward relative to the lower panel 107 of the housing 102 such that when the fans 140 and 142 rotate the fans 140 and 142 can draw air from the lower intake distribution chamber 110 upward to the internal regions 143 and 145 of the fans 140 and 142. Thereafter, fans 140 and 142 force air from internal regions 143 and 145 through upper exhaust distribution chamber 144 to exhaust vents 124, 126 or 154, 156.

As shown in FIG. 19F, bottom panel 107 of housing 102 may define one or more intake vent ports 135 and 137 from which fans 140 and 142 draw air into intake distribution chamber 110. In one embodiment, the intake ports or holes 135 and 137 may be defined along the bottom panel 107 of the unit 100 and configured to align with the openings in the bottom panel 19 of the enclosure 10, in those cases where frame 14 is arranged inside protection cabinet 10. The intake ports 135 and 137 are further aligned with the ports 136 and 138 of the unit's center plate 112 such that the intake ports 135 and 137, the center plate ports 136 and 138, and the fans and 140 and 142 are aligned. Such an arrangement allows fans 140 and 142 to draw air from intake ports 135 and 137 into intake distribution chamber 110 and to internal regions 143 and 145 of fans 140 and 142 from which the drawn air is forced through. from the side vents 124, 126 or 154, 156. With this configuration, the unit 100 can be used in combination with the raised floor configuration 67, described above with reference to FIG. 16, which includes an air cooling unit or cooling system for supplying cool air to the raised floor 67. As shown in FIG. 19G, the intake ports 135 and 137 of unit 100 may further be configured to mate with one or more conduits 60 shown in FIG. 16 which are connected to one or more vents of raised floor configuration 67 in order to receive cool air from the raised floor and direct cool air through intake ports 135 and 137. Drawing cool air from intake ports 135 and 137 into intake manifold chamber 110 removes static air pressure that can occur along front intake vents 120 and 122 of unit 100, as discussed above. described with reference to figs. 19A and 19B, and can affect the airflow to the 100 unit as well as the total output of the 100 unit. Furthermore, the height H1 of the unit 100 can be reduced when configured for placement along the lower U space of the frame 14.

With reference to the schematic circuit diagram of FIG. 24A, and further referring to FIG. 24, to supply power to fans 140 and 142, housing 102 may include a dual power inlet having two power ports 302 and 304 to provide electrical redundancy. The two current ports 302 and 304 are connected to two switches 306 and 308 through a control circuit 310 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 24). Control circuit 310 couples each switch 306 and 308 to one of fans 140 and 142. In one embodiment, control circuit 310 and switches 306 and 308 may be disposed in housing 102. Power ports 302 and 304 they are configured to receive power cord connectors, eg, standard three-pin connectors, or other connectors as appropriate for power to be supplied.

Control circuit 310 may include redundant power relay circuit and fan control circuit for connecting, for example, ports 302 and 302 to fan switches 312 and 314. Although the specifications of the redundant power relay circuit and the fan control circuit have not been shown in fig. 24A or described herein, such circuits are well known to those of skill in the art. The control circuit 310 is configured to connect one of the ports 302 and 304 to the two switches 306 and 308 in a normal way. The on / off buttons 312 and 314 for turning fans 140 and 142 on and off may be associated with fan switches 306 and 308. Activation of buttons 312 and 314 causes fan switches 306 and 308 to close and thus couple the control circuit 310 to fans 140 and 142 to provide electrical current when side air distribution unit 100 is activated. . Deactivating buttons 312 and 314 causes fan switches 306 and 308 to interrupt circuit 310 coupled with fans 140 and 142. For example, deactivating one of the buttons 312 and 314 can interrupt the circuit coupled to one of the fans 140 and 142 in order to reduce the total air flow (l / s) that the unit 100 provides when, for example, certain components 18 side by side require less airflow for cooling. Switches 306 and 308 and respective buttons 312 and 314 can thus be used to select which one, or whether both fans 140 and 142 will operate when side air distribution unit 100 is activated. Pressing button 312 and 314 will activate / deactivate the respective switches 306 and 308.

Control circuit 310 is further configured to detect a power supply failure and to switch through the redundant power relay circuit and / or the fan control circuit between alternate current sources. Control circuit 310 may be configured to detect a failure in the power supply, for example, from port 302 and, in response, couple port 304, for example, connected to an alternate current source, to switches 306 and 308 to supply current from port 304. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 24A, one or more indicator lamps or 316 LED display screens

ES 2 392 847 T3 arranged along the front panel 118 of the housing 102 can indicate the detection of a fault in the current supply and / or the port 302 and 304 from which the current is being supplied to the unit 100. Each LED indicator lamp or display device 316 can indicate the status of one of the fans 140 and 142. In one embodiment, an indicator lamp 316 may display a green light to indicate the respective fan 140 and 142 that it is receiving power, a red light to indicate a fan failure, a motor has failed, or a fuse has blown, and no lights to indicate that the respective fan 140 and 142 is not receiving any current. Other types of indicators are within the framework of the electrical circuits of the unit 100 according to the invention to provide the information indicated above and / or to provide different and / or additional information regarding the status and operation of the fans 140 and 142 . In addition, circuit 310 is further configured to provide a separate double fuse for fans 140 and 142, such that if one of fans 140 and 142 fails, then only the other of fans 140 and 142 will receive running current. .

As noted above, fans 140 and 142 can be independently monitored and controlled through electronic control means that can automatically monitor and adjust the operation of each fan 140 and 142 in response to air flow and / or other requirements. . In one embodiment, the speed of each fan 140 and 142 can be independently controlled to maintain a required or desired airflow (l / s) from the side air distribution unit 100 in response to one or more set point parameters. and / or one or more measured process variables. With reference to fig. 24B, and referring further to FIGS. 24 and 24A, in one embodiment, one or more side air distribution units 100 disposed within frame 14 are operatively coupled to a fan speed control system 300 that can automatically and independently control the speed of each fan 140 and 142 in each unit 100 in response to one or more set points and / or measured variables. For example, the speed of each fan 140 and 142 can be controlled in response to the actual fan speed relative to a set point speed, for example, by manually setting the fan 140 and 142 or by setting it automatically through electronic control means. . Otherwise, the fan speed can be adjusted and controlled in response to thermal output or the flow of hot / tempered exhaust air vented from components 18 side by side by monitoring / measuring current load or electrical current / power. extracted by the components

18. In other cases, the fan speed can be adjusted and controlled in response to changes in cooling air flow that the side air distribution unit 100 delivers by monitoring / measuring changes in air pressure near the side vents. 124, 126 or 154, 156 from unit 100. Fan speed can also be adjusted and controlled in response to temperatures within the enclosure and along either side 45 and 47 of frame 14 by monitoring / measuring temperatures of air drawn by components 18 side-by-side for cooling. . The invention is not limited in this regard to the set point (s) and / or the process variable (s) used to monitor and measure the performance of the side air distribution unit 100 and to adjust and control the speed of each fan 140 and 142 to adjust and thereby control the total cooling air output of unit 100. By way of example, and for purposes of description of at least one embodiment of the invention that includes fan speed control system 300, control system 300, and unit 100 are described below with respect to monitoring or measuring of the thermal or power load output of the components 18 side-by-side to control the fan speed and the total output of the unit 100.

With further reference to FIG. 24A, the fan speed control system 300 can operate based on the power load or electrical current drawn by the components 18 side by side within the frame 14. The power load of the components 18 refers to the output thermal, eg hot / warm exhaust air, produced by components 18 during operation. In one embodiment, the fan speed control system 300 can operate in a manual and / or semi-manual mode through which an operator can empirically determine a thermal output or power load of each of the components 18 side-by-side. side and the corresponding cooling air flow (l / s) requirements of such components 18. The corresponding fan speeds can then be calculated to provide a cooling air flow rate for each fan 140 and 142 within a required or desired range of l / s. Fan speed control system 300 may include speed selectors 318 and 320 for each of fans 140 and 142 whereby each speed selector 318 and 320 is coupled by control circuit 310 to its respective fan 140 and 142, as shown in FIG. 24A. Speed ​​selectors 318 and 320 are configured to allow a user to manually select a set point speed that is set for each of the fans 140 and 142, or for both.

Still referring to Figs. 24A and 24B, in another embodiment, the control system 300 may be configured to automatically set the fan speed and to automatically monitor, adjust and / or control the fan speed with respect to the thermal output or power load of the components. 18 side by side. Control system 300 may include one or more monitoring / measurement devices 322 disposed within frame 14 and configured to monitor / measure a power load of component 18 side-by-side. One or more monitoring / measurement devices 322 may include, for example, one or more current or voltage sensors, or may include a switched rack PDU that can measure the added power drawn by equipment 17 and / or 18 from the rack, such as Model No. AP7900 or AP7901 Switched Rack PDU, available from American Power Conversion of Billerica, MA. Monitoring / measuring devices 322 may be arranged within the

ES 2 392 847 T3 frame 14 or along frame 14 such that devices 322 can monitor / measure the electrical current drawn by each component 18 and / or a group of components 18. The control system 300 may further include a programmable controller 324, such as a programmable microprocessor or a PC type computer, to provide automatic fan speed or set point selection and to provide automatic fan speed monitoring, adjustment and control. For example, in one embodiment, one or more current or voltage sensors 322 are operatively coupled to controller 324, and are configured to monitor / measure electrical current drawn by components 18 at any given time during operation to provide one or more Power load values ​​of each component 18 or of a group of components 18. Sensors 322 may further be configured to transmit one or more signals representative of measured power load values ​​to controller 324. Controller 324 may be configured to receive signals from sensors 322. The 324 control may also be programmed with different standards or values ​​of one or more process variables, such as corresponding power load values ​​and air flow rates (l / s) that the 324 control uses to calculate an appropriate response to thermal outputs. known / measurements of components 18 side by side. As shown in FIG. 24A, in response to receiving one or more signals from sensors 322, control 324 may transmit one or more speed control signals to speed selectors 318 and 320 of control circuit 310 and / or to an input 330 of signal from each fan 140 and 142 to set and / or adjust the fan speed to provide an air flow rate within a required range of l / s that corresponds to the measured / known thermal outputs of the components 18 side-by-side. Controller 324 may be programmed to set and / or adjust the fan speed of each fan 140 and 142 independently and separately from the other fans, or to set and / or adjust the speed of both fans 140 and 142 simultaneously. In addition, controller 324 can be programmed to adjust the fan speed of fans 140 and 142 of each of the side air distribution units 100 independently and separately from the other units 100 arranged within frame 14.

In one embodiment, controller 324 includes a programmable microprocessor configured and arranged to mount within housing 102 of side air distribution unit 100, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 24. In an alternative embodiment, programmable microprocessor 324 may be located external to unit 100, or remotely to unit 100 outside of the equipment room or data center. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24B, the likely microprocessor 324 may be operatively coupled to a remote control system 328, for example, a computer, through an interface 326 where the computer 328 is configured and programmed to establish, monitor, adjust and / or control the fan speed in response to monitored / measured power load values ​​that one or more sensors 305 transmit to computer 328, for example, through microprocessor 325 and interface 326. The computer 328 can be programmed with an alert capability such that when one or more fans 140 and 142, or one or more units 10 are not running, for example due to a power failure, or are not delivering a flow rate. cooling air (l / s) required, for example, as indicated by a measured increase in power load, the alert capacity is adopted. The alert capability may be configured to provide an alarm, for example, an LED indicator or reading lamp 316 on unit 100 or a visual or audible alarm on computer 328, to notify an operator that one or more fans 140 and 142 and / or one or more units 100 are not providing cooling air at a set point flow rate or within a sufficient l / s range to satisfy the cooling requirements of the components 18 side by side.

As those skilled in the art can appreciate, control system 300 may be configured, and control 324 and / or remote computer 328 may be programmed, to monitor / measure any set point or points and / or process variable (s). affecting the performance of the side air distribution unit 100 and the operation of the fans 140, and for adjusting and controlling the air flow output of the unit 100 in response to such feedback.

Referring further to FIG. 18, the side air distribution unit 100 may further be configured such that an external part of the unit 100 mounts or connects so that an air directing device 168 can be removed to either of the side panels 106 and 108 of the accommodation 102. Air directing device 168 is configured and arranged to receive a flow of cooling air from one or both of the left or right side vents 124, 126 or 154, 156 of unit 100. As shown in FIG. . 18, the air directing device 168 may be configured and arranged such that it can be mounted in the housing 102 to direct or channel the flow of cooling air either in an upward direction or in a downward direction along the left side. or right 45 and 47 of frame 14. Air directing device 168 may further be configured to help widen and expand a cooling air stream / curtain as it exits unit 100 to slow and thereby diffuse the air stream as it flows along either side. and 47 of the frame 14. The intake vents 18C of the side-by-side components 18 can more easily draw air from a slower and more diffuse air flow. In addition, the air directing device 168 may further be configured to receive a stream / curtain of cooling air as it exits unit 100 and diffuse the stream / curtain into multiple streams of cooling air to slow and further diffuse the flow of cooling. air along frame 14. Air directing device 168 is thus configured to direct cooling air flow in an upward or downward direction and help slow and / or diffuse air flow along frame 14 to

ES 2 392 847 T3 deliver usable cooling air to component 18 intake vents 18C. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the air directing device 168 may be configured and arranged to be mounted, or removably connected, to the frame 14 such that the air directing device 168 is disposed adjacent or proximal. to side exhaust ports 124, 126 and 154, 156 of unit 100, and may further be configured and arranged to remain mounted on frame 14 when unit 100 is removed. The invention is not limited with respect to type, size and / or configuration of air directing device 168 other than such device defining a configuration or shape that can help expand and / or restrict a stream / curtain of ventilated cooling air from unit 100 to thereby help slow and to diffuse the flow of cooling air throughout the frame 14 and to increase the air that can be used to the intake vents 18C of the components 18 side by side. Thus, various configurations and arrangements of the air directing device 168 are possible and have been considered. Those skilled in the art may appreciate that the invention includes different shapes and configurations of device 168 and different types of arrangements whereby device 168 can be removably or permanently mounted or connected to frame 14 or air distribution unit 100. side.

With reference to figs. 25A-25C, in one embodiment, the invention provides air directing device 168 configured as a bucket 170 for use with side air distribution unit 100. Bucket 170 is configured and arranged such that it can be removably mounted or connected to unit 100 or to frame 14. In one embodiment, an external portion of unit 100 may be configured to removably mount or connect bucket 170 along right or left side panel 106 and 1081 of housing 102 such that bucket 170 is arranged to receive air from either the right side 124, 126 or left side 154, 156 exhaust vents during operation of the unit 100. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25A-25C, the bucket 170 may define a curved cross-sectional configuration or an arc 170 '. The configuration of bucket 170 allows bucket 170 to receive and collect a stream / curtain of cooling air from unit 100 exiting from either left or right side vents 124, 126 or 154, 156. In addition, the configuration of the bucket 170 helps the bucket 170 direct cooling air to flow either in an upward direction or in a downward direction along either the left side 45 or the right side 47 of the frame 14. The bucket 170 is configured such that it is flexible with respect to the direction in which it directs the air flow, when mounted or connected to the housing 102 of the frame 14, the same bucket 170 may be arranged in a first orientation to direct an air flow in an upward direction, and may be arranged in a second orientation to direct an air flow in a downward direction. As shown in figs. 25A and 25C, the bucket 170 is simply inverted to change the direction in which it directs the air. Additionally, bucket 170 is configured to allow the same bucket 170 to be used along the left and right side of unit 100. In addition, the shape / configuration of the bucket 170 causes the cooling air to flow alone, or substantially alone, up or down to the side-to-side airflow components 18 mounted on the frame above or below the side air distribution unit 100. The bucket 170 thus helps to increase the flow of cooling air along either the left side or the right side 45 and 47 of the frame 14 such that the component intake vents 18C can draw in sufficient air.

With reference to fig. 25D, and further referring to FIGS. 25A-25C, the bucket 170 may be configured to define a length L2 longer than the total width W4 of the right or left side vents 124, 126 or 154, 156. The elongated length L2 allows the bucket 170 to collect a stream of cooling air and allows the stream of cooling air to expand along the length L2 of the bucket, as shown by arrows 93 in FIG. 25D, thereby reducing air flow. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 25A and 25D, bucket 170 includes an exhaust grill 174 disposed along one side of bucket 170 through which an vented stream / curtain of air is directed. The grill 174 creates a static air pressure that further helps to expand the air flow and thereby diffuse the air stream as it passes from the bucket 170 to the grill 174. Intake vents 18C can more easily draw air into components 18 from a slow, diffuse air stream. The bucket 170 thus helps to optimize / maximize the cooling air that can be used to the components 18 side by side.

With reference to fig. 25E, in one embodiment, the bucket 170 may further be configured such that a longitudinal portion of the bucket 170 terminates in a brush gland 176. The brush gland 176 is configured and dimensioned such that when the bucket 170 is mounted In unit 100 or frame 14, brush gland 176 is disposed adjacent or flush with left side panel 26 or right side panel 28 of enclosure 10. Brush grommet 176 thus helps prevent / minimize loss of cooling air from side 46 and 48 of frame 14 to exhaust distribution chamber 22. In addition, the brush grommet 176 helps prevent / minimize the amount of warm / warm air that the side vents 18A and 18C of the side-by-side components 18 draw from the evacuation distribution chamber 22 to the side 46 and 48 of the frame 14. . Brush grommet 176 may be permanently or removably disposed along length L2 of bucket 170, and may further be configured to allow wiring along either side 46 and 48 of frame 14. FIG. . 25E represents the bucket 170 with the brush gland 176 mounted or connected to the right side panel 108 of the housing 102 of the side air distribution unit or to the right vertical rails 14a and 14d of the frame 14. The bucket 170 with the brush gland 176 arranged on it can be mounted or connected similarly to the side panel

ES 2 392 847 T3 left 106 of housing 102 or to the left vertical rails 14b and 14d of frame 14 with similar effects along the left side 45 of frame 14.

With reference to figs. 25F and 25G, in another embodiment of the bucket 170 according to the invention, the bucket 170 can be configured as an adjustable bucket 170 such that the length L2 of the bucket can be increased or decreased. Adjustable bucket 170 may include a first bucket 171 and a second bucket 173. The first and second buckets 171 and 173 may be configured and dimensioned such that the first bucket 171 slides over at least a portion of the second bucket 173 to overlap the second bucket 173. As shown in FIG. 25F, the first and second buckets 171 may be mounted on an adjustable skirt 175 disposed along either the left panel or the right panel 106 and 108 of the housing 102 of the side air distribution unit 100. Adjustable skirt 175 may be configured as separate sliding panels 175A and 175B, with each panel 175A and 175b configured to match and slide along the other panel. The sliding panels 175A and 175B are further configured to accept and mount one of the first and second buckets 171 and 173 and thus to allow the first bucket 171 to slide over at least a portion of the second bucket 173 to increase or decrease the length L2 of the bucket 170.

In another embodiment, the first and second buckets 171 and 173 may each include a longitudinal portion terminating in an overlapping brush grommet 179. The brush gland 179 may be arranged adjacent or flush with either the left side wall 26 or the right side wall 28 of the guard cabinet 10 when the adjustable skirt 175, with the first and second buckets 171 and 173 connected to the itself, it is mounted or connected to the left or right panel 106 and 108 of the unit housing 102. As described above with reference to FIG. 25E, the overlapping brush gland 179 helps to allow wiring, and will help separate cooling air from hot / warm exhaust air.

With reference to figs. 26A-26C, other embodiments of the air directing device 168 according to the invention may be used with the side air distribution unit 100 to help direct the flow of cooling air in an upward or downward direction, as well as to assist to slow down and diffuse the flow of cooling air that has been vented from the left or right side exhaust ports 124, 126 or 154, 156 of the unit 100. As shown in FIG. 26A, an air manifold 161 may be removably connected to the side panel 106 and 108 of the unit 100 or to the frame 14, such that the air manifold 161 is in fluid communication with one of the left vent holes. or right 124, 126 or 154, 156 or with both. Air manifold 161 is arranged and configured to collect a stream of cooling air vented from unit 100 and to create resistance to air flow that slows and diffuses air flow from manifold 161. As is shown in fig. 26A, manifold 161 is configured to allow air to collect within manifold 161 and to allow an air stream to widen and expand along the length and width of manifold 161 to slow and diffuse air. In addition, manifold 161 may define a plurality of openings 161a along one side of manifold 161 from which air exits. The plurality of openings 161a are configured to serve as an exhaust grill, as described above, to help create static pressure that expands and diffuses air as it exits the manifold 161.

As shown in FIG. 26B, air directing device 168 may be configured as a set of one or more baffles 163 removably or permanently connected to side panel 106 and 108 of housing 102 of unit 100. Deflector 163 may be arranged and configured to pivot along hinged edges 163a such that deflector 163 opens and closes against side vents 124, 126 or 154, 156 in response to ventilation of air from the vents. evacuation holes 124, 126 or 154, 156. Baffle 163 may be spring loaded (not shown) or other means to block exhaust ports 124, 126 or 154, 156 when unit 100 is not operating and cooling air is not exiting from unit 100. In In use, a stream of cooling air can force deflector 163 to pivot outward, as shown by arrows 91 in Figure 26B, by an amount allowed by the charging spring or other means. Baffle 163 may be disposed in an outward position such that baffle 163 is inclined, for example, at a 45 degree angle, to help direct airflow in an upward or downward direction toward vents 18C of intake of components 18 side by side. Additionally, the sloped deflector 163 can be used in combination with an exhaust grill 124a mounted along the exhaust vents 124, 126 or 154, 156 to help create resistance to air flow that can help diffuse the air stream as it exits from unit 100.

As shown in figs. 26C-26E, in yet another embodiment of the air directing device 168 according to the invention, an air tube or sleeve 165 defining a plurality of openings 165a may be configured to be removably mounted or connected to side 106 and 108 of unit 100. When assembled, tube or sleeve 165 is arranged and configured to collect air that has been vented from unit 100 into its interior and to allow air to flow along a length of sleeve 165 to the left or left side. right 45 and 47 of frame 14. The plurality of openings 165a may be defined along one side of the sleeve 165 that is in facing relation to the intake vents 18C of the components 18 side by side, as shown in FIGS. 26C and 26D, and each opening 165a may be configured to allow air to flow from inside the sleeve 165 and through the opening 165a to an area proximate the intake vents 18C. The shape and / or length of the tube or sleeve 165 and the plurality of openings 165a help create resistance to air flow that slows and diffuses the air stream when the

Air flows along the inside of the tube or sleeve 165 and passes through each opening 165a. The sleeve 165 thereby helps to deliver a flow of cooling air that the intake vents 18C can easily draw in. Sleeve 165, as shown in FIG. 26D, may be hermetically sealed or tied at the bottom away from the exhaust vents 124, 126, or 154, 156 to help contain air and to ensure a sufficient volume of air from which the intake vents 18C they can aspire. As shown in FIG. 26D, sleeve 165 may have dimensions, eg, a length, to accommodate the size and position of components 18 side by side. The length of the sleeve can be adjusted to accommodate different heights of the components 18 side by side.

In addition, the sleeve 165 can define a width that is sufficient to accommodate different depths of different types of the side-by-side components 18 made by different manufacturers. As shown in FIG. 26E, sleeve 165 may have a width to extend lengthwise and accommodate a depth (length L1) of unit 100 and / or components 18 side by side. To help define an area from which air flows from inside the sleeve 165 to an area near the intake vents 18C, a portion of the openings 165a can be blocked using a cover or film, for example, that can be remove. Similar to septum 19 shown in FIG. 8B, sleeve 165 may be constructed of a material, for example heat resistant polyethylene, which allows a removable cover or film 165b, for example Mylar®, to be affixed thereto along a interior or exterior surface to help block the portion of the openings 165a and thus confine the flow of air from the interior sleeve 165 to the intake vents 18C. As shown in FIG. 26E, cover or film 165b is suitable to help prevent intake vents 18C from drawing hot / warm exhaust air from exhaust distribution chamber 22 to side 45 and 47 of frame 14, and may further help prevent mixing of cooling air with exhaust air. In addition, sleeve 165 may be constructed of a material that defines either a rigid structure or a flexible structure, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 27A-27E, in other embodiments of side air distribution unit 100 in accordance with the invention, additional configurations may be used in association with unit 100 to help prevent cooling air losses from either side 45 and 47 of frame 14 , for example when the frame 14 is arranged inside the protection cabinet 10. Such configurations can further help separate the cooling air from the warm / warm exhaust air circulating within the exhaust distribution chamber 22 of the protection cabinet 10. In addition, such configurations may be arranged and intended to help prevent / minimize the amount of hot / warm exhaust air that vents 18A and 18C of the side-by-side components 18 draw from the exhaust distribution chamber 22 to either side 45 and 47 of frame 14. As shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the bucket 170 can be mounted or connected to the unit 100 of the frame 14, as described in greater detail below, such that the bucket 170 is arranged next to one of the front vertical rails 14a and 14b of the frame 14. The frame 14 shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B is a wide frame 14 having a width of approximately 58.42 cm, thereby creating potential areas of cooling air loss along the length of frame 14. When unit 100 is arranged on a wide frame 14, bucket 170 can be positioned, as shown in FIG. 27A and 27B, to help prevent cooling air losses to the front side of the enclosure 10. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 27B, a brush grommet 177 may be mounted or connected, for example removably, to the bucket 170 such that the brush grommet 177 is disposed adjacent or flush with either the left side panel or the right side panel 26 and 28 of the protection cabinet 10. Bucket 170 and / or brush gland 177 not only help prevent cooling air losses from side 45 and 47 of the frame, but also help prevent mixing of cooling air and exhaust air during operation. of the components 18.

As shown in figs. 27C and 27D, the unit 100 can be arranged in a narrow frame 14 that has a width of approximately 48.26 cm. Bucket 170 can be positioned in such a way as to help prevent cooling air losses from either side 45 and 47 of frame 14 to the front of frame 14. Bucket 170 may further include brush grommet 177 mounted or connected to bucket 170 such that when bucket 170 is connected to unit 100 or frame 14, brush grommet 177 is adjacent or flush with a side panel. 26 and 28 of the protection cabinet 10 to help prevent losses of cooling air and the mixing of cooling and exhaust air. In addition, brush gland 177 helps accommodate various cabinet / cabinet structures made by different manufacturers to allow the combination of bucket 170 and brush gland 177 to be used with any type or configuration of protective cabinet / cabinet. For example, some protective cabinets / cabinets include rigid mounting members along the side panels. Brush grommet 177 can be curved and / or adapted to such members to allow brush grommet 177 to be effective in helping to confine cooling air and block exhaust air.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 27E, a horizontal seal 181 can be mounted on either side panel 106 and 108 of housing 102 adjacent to left or right side vents 124, 126 or 154, 156 to help direct cooling air to which it has been installed. vented along sides 46 and 48 of frame 14 such that side intake vents 18A and 18C of components 18 can draw cooling air from them. In addition, the horizontal seal 181 may be configured to surround an outer perimeter of the exhaust vents 124, 126 and 154, 156, and further configured

ES 2 392 847 T3 to extend to any side panels 26 and 28 of the enclosure 10 to thereby help prevent cooling air losses and to help separate the cooling air from the exhaust air. As described in greater detail below with reference to Figs. 32A-32D, when used in combination with a deflector 200 that may extend from a rear vertical rail 14c and 14d of frame 14, seal 181 can help deliver air to component 18 intake vents 18C.

With reference to fig. 28, and further referring to FIG. 24, in one embodiment, unit 100 may include a mounting bracket 180, 182 disposed along each side panel 106 and 108 of housing 102. Each mounting bracket 180, 182 has a pair of mounting skirts 184, 184 'and 186, 186'. The pair of mounting skirts 184, 184 'and 186, 186' includes a first or front mounting skirt 184, 186 disposed along a front portion of the mounting bracket 180, 182 and a second or rear mounting skirt. 184 ', 186' disposed along a rear of the mounting bracket 180, 182. As shown in FIG. 28, the terminal ends of the mounting skirts 184, 184 'and 186, 186' are configured and arranged such that the front mounting skirts 184, 186 can be connected to the front vertical rails 14a, 14b of the frame 14, and the rear mounting skirts 184 ', 186' can be connected to the rear vertical rails 14c, 14d. As described in more detail below, mounting brackets 180, 182 and mounting skirts 184, 184 'and 186, 186' help to allow frame mounting of the side air distribution unit 100.

As shown in FIG. 28, each mounting bracket 180, 182 includes a first bracket 180 ', 182' and a second bracket 180, 182. The first bracket 180 ', 182' connects to the side panel 106 and 108 of the housing 102 above the holes. side exhaust vents 124, 126 and 154, 156. The second bracket 180, 182 is complementary to the first bracket 180 ', 182' and is configured and dimensioned to receive and coincide with the first bracket 180 ', 182' such that the first and second brackets 180 ', 182' and 180, 182 are removably coupled. As shown in figs. 24 and 27, the first and second brackets 180 ', 182', and 180, 182 are configured as elongated brackets having a length L3 that extends along at least a portion of the length L1 of housing 102, and that preferably extends along substantially the length L1 of housing 102. The first and second brackets 180 ', 182' and 180, 182 have inwardly curved longitudinal edges 183 configured and dimensioned such that a terminal end of the second bracket 180, 182 accepts a terminal end of the first bracket 180 ', 182 'to allow the first bracket 180', 182 'to slide on the second bracket 180, 182 to removably couple the first and second brackets 180', 182 'and 180, 182. As described above, the terminal end portions of the skirts 184, 184 'and 186, 186' of the second bracket 180, 182 are configured to connect to the front rails 14a, 14b and the rear rails 14c, 14d of the frame. 14, respectively, to mount the second bracket 180, 182 on the frame. When the second bracket 180, 182 is mounted on the frame, the second bracket 180, 182 can accept the first bracket 180 ', 182' as described, and allow the first bracket to slide on the second bracket for mounting in a removable side air distribution unit 100 to frame 14. In use, the bracket configurations 180, 182 and skirt 184, 184 'and 186, 186' provide flexibility that allows the side air distribution unit 100 to be removably mounted on the frame at any position within the frame. 14 which would optimize cooling airflow to components 18 that use side-to-side airflow, and for unit 100 to be easily repositioned within frame 14 when frame 14 and / or one or more of protective cabinets 10 are reconfigured.

Still referring to FIG. 24, in one embodiment, the mounting skirts 184, 184 ', 186, 186' may further be configured to mount or connect the bucket 170 to the second mounting bracket 180, 182 to thereby mount the bucket 170 to the frame 14, for example, in a position where the second mounting bracket 180, 182 is mounted on the frame. Each mounting skirt 184, 184 ', 186, 186' may include a sliding skirt 190 that defines a narrow opening or slot 192. The opening or slot 192 is dimensioned and configured to accept and retain a mounting portion of a fastener 194, for example, a cage nut, while allowing fastener 194 to move or slide in any direction along opening or slot 192, as shown by arrows 98 in FIG. 24. Fastener 192 is configured to connect to bucket 170 and to mount bucket 170 to sliding skirt 190. Fastener 192, for example cage or snap nut, allows bucket 170 to slide along slot 192 in any direction to allow bucket 170 to be positioned at a desired location along sliding skirt 190. When side air distribution unit 100 is mounted on the frame by mounting brackets 180 and 182, the combination of sliding skirt 190 and cage nut 194 allows bucket 170 to slide along slot 192 to disposing the bucket 170 in a desired position adjacent to the right side or left side evacuation vents 124, 126 or 154, 156. Once positioned in the desired position, the cage nut 194 can be secured or tightened to prevent the bucket 170 from sliding from the desired position.

Second mounting brackets 180, 182 with mounting skirts 184, 184 'and 186, 186' and the combination of sliding skirt 190 and cage nut 190 allow second mounting brackets 180, 182 and bucket 170 remain mounted on the frame when the side air distribution unit 100 is removed from the frame 14. Furthermore, the configuration of the combination of sliding skirt 190 and cage nut 190 on each of the second mounting brackets 180, 182 allows a single bucket 170 to be

ES 2 392 847 T3 mounted on either side of frame 14 and on either side of side air distribution unit 100. For example, bucket 170 positioned on the right side of unit 100 can be removed from sliding skirt 190 of right mounting bracket 180, inverted and connected to sliding skirt 190 of left mounting bracket 182 to position bucket 170 on the left side of unit 100. Because the second mounting brackets 180, 182 are removably connected to the frame 14 via the mounting skirts 184, 184 'and 186, 186' the second mounting brackets 180, 182 and the bucket 170 can be easily connected to the frame 14 and removed therefrom in order to reposition the side air distribution unit 100 vertically. The invention is not limited in this regard, and anticipates other types of configurations and arrangements of brackets, skirts, and / or other devices that removably mount unit 100 to frame 14 on the frame, and removably mount on the frame. bucket 170 to frame 14 of unit 100.

With reference to figs. 29A and 29B, in other embodiments of the invention, the side air distribution unit 100 may be used in combination with a deflector 200 configured to connect to the rear vertical rails 14c and 14d of the frame 14 and to extend from the rear rails 14c and 14d to the rear of a telecommunications component 18 or to the rear of the side air distribution unit 100. As shown in a right side view of the protection cabinet 10 in FIG. 29A, deflector 200 connects to right rear rail 14d and extends to rear of component 18 or frame mounted unit 100. The position of the deflector 200 helps prevent the lateral air intakes 18C defined along the side-by-side components 18 from drawing hot / warm exhaust air from the exhaust distribution chamber 22 to the right side of the frame 14 and to the components 18. In addition, the position of the deflector 200 helps prevent a negative air pressure created by an air stream vented from the unit 100 to the right side 47 of the frame 14 from drawing hot / warm air from the distribution chamber. 22 evacuation. As shown in the left side view of the protection cabinet 10 in FIG. 29B, deflector 200 is configured to similarly connect to left rear rail 14c and extend from rail 14 to rear of frame-mounted unit 100 or side-to-side component 18. Deflector 200 helps prevent left air intakes 18A defined along the left side of components 18 from drawing hot / warm air from exhaust distribution chamber 22 to left side 45 of frame 14 and components 18. The position of the deflector 200 similarly helps to prevent a negative air pressure created by an air stream exiting from the unit 100 to the right side 47 of the frame 14 from drawing hot / warm air from the exhaust distribution chamber 22. In addition, the deflector 200 may be configured to have a length L4 that accommodates the depth of the side-to-side air flow component 18 and / or the depth L1 of the side air distribution unit 100.

With reference to figs. 30 and 31, and with further reference to FIGS. 29A and 29B, in one embodiment, the deflector 200 may be configured such that the length L4 of the deflector 200 can be adjusted, for example increased or decreased. Adjustable deflector 200 may include one or more plates, each plate being configured to slidably receive another plate such that deflector 200 can be extended or shortened by telescopic extension / contraction of the multiple plates. In one embodiment, the deflector 200 includes a first plate 202 and a second plate 204 with the first plate 202 configured to slidably receive the second plate 204 such that the length L4 of the deflector 200 can be adjusted to accommodate different depths of different types of components 18 side by side. Deflector 200 may further include a third plate in order to adjust the depth or length L4 of deflector 200. The deflector 200 is therefore flexible and can be used with components 18 made by different manufacturers.

As shown in figs. 30 and 31, a terminal end of deflector 200 includes one or more slide mount fasteners 206. In one embodiment, mounting clips 206 are configured to be slidably connected to a mounting skirt 208 of the deflector. Skirt 208 defines an elongated narrow opening or slot 210 configured to receive one or more fasteners 211, eg, screws, to connect each of mounting fasteners 206 to skirt 208. The slot 210 receives a screw 211 connected to the mounting clip 206 to mount the clip to the skirt 208 and allow the clip 206 to slide along the slot 210.

With further reference to FIG. 30, a terminal end of the deflector 200 opposite the end of the deflector 200 defining the deflector mounting skirt 208 includes a brush grommet 220. When the deflector 200 is mounted on one of the rear vertical rails 14c and 14d, the Brush 220 is disposed alongside or flush with a portion of a side wall of component 18 side-by-side to the rear end of component 18. Baffle 200 and brush gland 220 are thus arranged or mated with component 18 to help block / prevent exhaust air from being drawn from exhaust distribution chamber 22 and prevent cooling air from being drawn. move from side 46 and 48 of frame 14 to evacuation distribution chamber 22. The brush gland 220 is configured to receive wires through the brush portion to allow wiring to and from components 17 and 18.

With reference to figs. 32A-32B, and further referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, deflector 200 may be frame mounted at any position along frame 14 by virtue of mounting clips 206. Each mounting clip 206 has a clip 212 and a depressed button 214 located along an outer edge 218 of clip 206. Each, either the clip 212 or the depressed button 214 are configured and dimensioned such that the openings 230 defined in the rear vertical rails

ES 2 392 847 T3

14c and 14d of frame 14 may receive clip 212 and button 214 to thereby mount deflector 200 to a vertical rail 14c and 14d. Openings 230 defined in vertical rails 14c and 14d are standard openings of a conventional 23 "or 30" rack 14 that are spaced according to industry standard units to universally accept a variety of equipment for rack mounting. As shown in FIG. 32, D1 and D2 are 15.88mm and D3 is 12.7mm, which represents the standard spacing of rack mounting openings 230 for conventional rack designs. Slide-mount 206 fasteners allow 200 baffles to be used with standard 58.42 cm and 76.20 cm equipment racks, for example, for use with 48.26 cm and 58.42 cm components 17 and 18 , and that they are mounted anywhere along the vertical rails 14c and 14d of the frame 14. The deflector 200, therefore, can be mounted at any point along the frame 14 and can be used with all types of equipment components 17 and 18. In addition, the configuration of the mounting clips 206 allows the deflector 200 to be attached. connect to left rear rail 14c and right rear vertical rail 14d such that the same deflector 200 can be used on both sides of frame 14. Deflector 200 is simply reversed to be mounted on the left or right 45 and 47 of frame 14. Additionally, mounting clips 206 provide additional flexibility due to the ability of clips 206 to slide along the slot. 210. To attach deflector 200 to frame 14, a height of deflector 200 is approximately aligned with a height of, for example, a side-to-side component 18 and with one or more openings 203 defined in vertical rail 14c or 14d. The mounting clip 206 facing the top of the deflector 200 can be slid into the top of the slot 210, and the clip 212 and button 214 can be inserted into openings 203 in the rail. The mounting clip 206 below the clip 206 positioned toward the top of the deflector 200 can then be slid up or down along the slot 210 until the clip 212 and the button 214 of the clip 206 are aligned with the rail openings 203 to allow the remaining fastener 206 to be connected to the frame 14.

Thus, deflector 200 and mounting clips 206 allow deflector 200 to be positioned either on the left side 45 or on the right side 47 of frame 14 and allow clips 206 to connect to openings 203 defined anywhere. along the rear vertical rails 14c and 14d. Mounting clips 206 further allow deflector 200 to be aligned with a frame-mounted component 17 and 18 at any position within frame 14.

As shown in figs. 32B and 32C, the mounting clips 206 may be configured as removable clips 206 that may be attached or removably mounted to the deflector 200. As shown in FIG. 32B, fasteners 206 can be removably coupled to slot 210 or removably connected to mounting skirt 208, for example, using screws. To adjust the deflector 200 from a position along the left side 45 of the frame 14 to a position along the right side 47 of the frame 14, the fasteners 206 can be removed from the deflector 200, inverted and reattached or reattached. connect to an alternate side of mounting skirt 208 or slot 210 to allow deflector 200 to be mounted on an opposite side of frame 14. As shown in FIG. 32C, deflector 200 may further be configured such that deflector 200 is connected to a rear vertical rail 14c and 14d using conventional fasteners, eg, screws, that are accepted by openings 230 defined in rails 14c and 14d.

As shown in FIG. 32D, a multi-plate baffle 200 having, for example, first plate 202 and second plate 204, as described above with reference to FIG. 30, may be configured to allow the combination of deflector 200 and brush gland 220 to be mounted on either side of frame 14. The first plate 202 may further be configured to telescopically accept the second plate 204 if the second plate 204 is oriented in a position in which the brush grommet 220 extends outward to the left of second plate 204 or to the right of the second. plate 204. As shown in FIG. 32D, the first plate 202 can accept the second plate 204 such that the brush grommet extends out to the left of the deflector 200 such that the deflector 200 can be used along the left side 45 of the frame 14 and Brush gland 220 may be disposed adjacent or flush with left side panel 26 in guard cabinet 10. To adjust deflector 200 for use on the right side 47 of frame 14, second panel 204 is removed from first panel 202 and inverted, as shown by arrows 250 in FIG. 32D in such a way that side A, first oriented towards the upper part of deflector 200, faces the lower part of deflector 200 and side B, oriented first towards the lower part of deflector 200, faces the upper part of the deflector 200. deflector 200. The same deflector 200 and brush gland 220 can be used along the right side of frame 14 and brush gland 220 can be arranged adjacent or flush with right side panel 28 of guard cabinet 19. The combination of deflector 200 and brush gland 220 can therefore be mounted on both sides of frame 14 and at any height along rear vertical rail 14c and 14d to promote flexibility of side air distribution unit 100.

With reference to figs. 19A-19G, the mounting and positioning of the side air distribution unit 100 can be done easily and in a relatively short time. The ease of assembly and disassembly of unit 100 allows unit 100 to be commissioned and allows any of the fans 140 and 142 and control elements, eg, control circuit 310, to be maintained or replaced. Each fan 140 and 142 may be mounted or connected, for example, using screws, to the bottom panel 107 of the housing 102, as described above.

ES 2 392 847 T3 shown in figs. 19A and 19C, such that the fan 140 and 142 is in alignment with one of the ports or holes 136 and 138 defined in the center plate 112 and is in fluid communication with the upper intake distribution chamber 110 when the center plate 112 is connected to housing 102. In those embodiments of the unit 100 according to the invention in which the intake distribution chamber 110 is the lower distribution chamber, as shown in FIG. 19B and in figs. 19F and 19G, each fan 140 and 142 is mounted or connected, for example, using screws, either to the center plate 112 or to the top panel 104 of the housing 102 in alignment with one of the ports 136 and 138 defined on the center plate 112 such that fan 140 and 142 are in fluid communication with lower intake distribution chamber 110. The fan blades or blades 140 'and 142' and the fan hub 140 and 142 of each fan 140 and 142 are therefore oriented downwardly relative to the bottom panel 107 of housing 102. The fans 140 and 142 they can draw air from the lower intake distribution chamber 110 upwards to their inner region 143 and 145 and they can vent air from their inner region 143 and 145 to the upper exhaust distribution chamber 114. Furthermore, in the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 19F and 19G, each fan 140 and 142 can further be aligned with one of the ports 136 and 138 of the center plate 112 such that the fan 140 and 142 is in alignment with one of the ports or intake ports 135 and 137 defined on bottom panel 107 of housing 102 to place fan 140 and 142 in fluid communication with port or orifice 135 and 137 when center plate 112 is connected to housing 102. In alternative embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 19D and 19E, fans 140 and 142 can be mounted or connected, for example, using screws, to bottom plate 107 of housing 102.

A portion of the housing 102 may be preformed or it may be assembled in which the bottom panel 107, the side panels 106 and 108, the front panel 118, and the rear panel 109 are attached. The center plate 112 can be mounted with the fall, for example, using screws, to the part of the housing without all in such a way that it is arranged parallel to the bottom panel 107, and parallel to the top channel 104 when the top panel 104 is attached to the accommodation 102. When center plate 112 is attached to housing portion 102, top plate 104 can be connected to housing portion 102 to contain or enclose unit 100.

With reference to figs. 24 and 28, once assembled, unit 100 can be placed on frame 14 at a desired position within frame 14 by connecting unit 100 to front vertical rails 14a and 14b of frame 14 and / or rear vertical rails 14c and 14d via mounting brackets 180 and 182. As a stage of mounting, mounting brackets 180 and 182 can be mounted or connected to unit 100 before unit 100 is disposed within frame 14. Unit 100 with mounting brackets 180 and 182 can be positioned to continuation at a desired position / height within frame 14 by connecting mounting brackets 180 and 182 along front rails 14a and 14b and / or rear rails 14c and 14d of frame 14. As an alternative mounting step, the second brackets 180 and 182 of the mounting brackets 180 and 182 can be removed from the first brackets 180 'and 182' and mounted on the front rails 14a and 14b and / or on the frame rails. rear 14c and 14d to a desired position / height before unit 100 is placed on frame 14. The first brackets 180 'and 182' disposed along the side panels 106 and 108 of the unit housing 102 can then be coupled to the second assembled brackets 180 and 182, as described above, such that the second brackets 180 and 182 receive first brackets 180 'and 182' and allow first brackets 180 'and 182' to move along second brackets 180 and 182 to thereby position unit 100 within frame 14.

Once placed in the frame 14, the unit 100 can be connected to one or more current sources, and arranged to draw air when desired. The power cords are connected to the power ports or ports 302 and 304, for example, to couple an alternating current source such as a wall socket or an uninterruptible power supply to one of the ports or ports 302 and 304 and connect a battery to the other of ports 302 and 304. The invention is not limited in this regard and alternative current sources can be provided in the same way that different arrangements can be used to provide current to unit 100.

In addition, one or more air directing devices 168 may be coupled to exhaust vents 124, 126 and 154, 156 of unit 100 before or after unit 100 is placed in frame 14. One or more deflectors 200 may be connected to one or both of the rear rails 14c and 14d of frame 14, either before or after unit 100 is placed in frame 14.

With reference to fig. 33, with further reference to FIGS. 18 and 19A-19G, a method 400 for cooling rack-mounted components 18 using side-to-side air flow using the side air distribution unit 100 includes the stages shown. The method, however, is exemplary only and not limiting. Method 400 can be altered, for example, by adding, removing, and / or rearranging steps.

In step 405, the lateral air distribution unit 100 according to the invention is located within the frame 14. The unit 100 can be positioned above or below one or more components 18 side by side, for example by arranging the unit 100 in rack 14 using mounting brackets 180 and 182. In an alternative embodiment, unit 100 may be positioned along the bottom U-space of frame 14, for example by arranging unit 100 in frame 14 using mounting brackets 180 and 182 such that unit 100 is the lowermost component or one of the lowermost components within the frame 14. The power cables

ES 2 392 847 T3 streams are connected to one or both of the current ports or ports 302 and 304 of the unit 100 to provide current to the fans 140 and 142. A user can operate one or both of the fan switches 306 and 308 to thereby selecting one or both of the fans 140 and 142 to be powered. Additionally, a user can manually set the fan speed, if fans 140 and 142 are configured for multi-speed operation, using one or both fan speed selectors 318 and 320 to select the speed of each fan 140 and 142. In other aspects of unit 100 in accordance with the invention, a user can use control system 300 to automatically program or set the fan speed. The selected fan speed is preferably a speed of each fan 140 and 142 such that when the air exits through the exhaust vents 124, 126 or 154, 156, the air remains substantially as an air curtain or a continuous stream of air.

At step 410, unit 100 is actuated to provide air flow to either the left side 45 or the right side 47 of frame 14. The fans 140 and 142 of unit 100 rotate and draw air from either port. front intake vents 120 and 122, or through the lower intake ports or holes 135 and 137 defined in the bottom panel 107 of housing 10, and into the interior chamber of unit 100. The fans 140 and 142 further draw air to the fan blades 140 'and 141' and to the internal regions 143 and 147 of the fan 140 and 142 from which the fans 140 and 142 force the air radially outward toward the intake ports. side exhaust vents 124, 126 or 154, 156 such that air circulates from the vents 124, 126 or 154, 156 and along either the left side 45 or the right side 47 of the frame 14. The vented air may thereafter be directed in an upward direction away from the bottom of frame 14 or in a downward direction away from the top of frame 14 along the sides of components 18 mounted on the frame and, in particular, along the side intake vents 18A and 18C of the components 18.

In step 415, the air circulating along either the left side 45 or the right side 47 of the frame 14 is drawn into the left intake vents 18A or the right intake vents 18C of the side-by-side components. by one or more fans arranged within components 18. For example, one or more fans may be disposed within one or more of the components 18 along the left exhaust vents 18B or the right exhaust vents such that one or more fans exhaust air from the components 18, Fans thereby draw air into intake vents 18A and 18C and through components 18 to provide cooling.