US20130000736A1 - Adjustable and directional flow perforated tiles - Google Patents
Adjustable and directional flow perforated tiles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130000736A1 US20130000736A1 US13/172,765 US201113172765A US2013000736A1 US 20130000736 A1 US20130000736 A1 US 20130000736A1 US 201113172765 A US201113172765 A US 201113172765A US 2013000736 A1 US2013000736 A1 US 2013000736A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- air flow
- flow control
- floor tile
- barrier
- retractable barrier
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
- H05K7/20709—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating for server racks or cabinets; for data centers, e.g. 19-inch computer racks
- H05K7/20836—Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
- F17D3/00—Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
- H05K7/20009—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating using a gaseous coolant in electronic enclosures
- H05K7/20136—Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans
- H05K7/20181—Filters; Louvers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
- H05K7/20709—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating for server racks or cabinets; for data centers, e.g. 19-inch computer racks
- H05K7/20718—Forced ventilation of a gaseous coolant
- H05K7/20745—Forced ventilation of a gaseous coolant within rooms for removing heat from cabinets, e.g. by air conditioning device
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/0318—Processes
- Y10T137/0324—With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/6851—With casing, support, protector or static constructional installations
Definitions
- the present invention is directed toward server racks with controlled air flow, and more particularly to the use of perforated floor tiles and a retractable barrier to control air flow to server racks.
- Modern electronic devices continue to grow smaller and denser to optimize speed and minimize power requirements.
- Electronic devices may be cooled by various different methods.
- data centers have been developed to centralize management of network devices.
- Data centers often include server racks, which contain multiple servers in one storage unit. Servers in the same rack may experience different amounts of activity at different times. Server racks may be placed adjacent to other server racks to form aisles. Some data centers are implemented with raised floors to accommodate cooling systems.
- An example embodiment of the present invention is an air flow control assembly for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- the air flow control assembly may include a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack.
- the air flow control assembly may also include a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
- the system may include a perforated floor tile and a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack.
- the system may also include a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
- Yet another example embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- the method may include securing an air flow control assembly between a perforated floor tile and a plenum chamber.
- the air flow control assembly may include a retractable barrier configured to block air flow from the plenum chamber, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack.
- the method may also include controlling the air flow from the plenum chamber to the server rack by retracting and advancing the retractable barrier.
- FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and a system for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and a system including an additional retractable barrier and spring-loaded roller.
- FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and a system including an insert that is coupled to a perforated floor tile.
- FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment of a method for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of a method for controlling air flow to a server rack with an additional coupling step.
- embodiments of the present invention include an air flow control assembly, a system, and a method for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and a system 102 for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- the system may include a perforated floor tile 104 and a retractable barrier 106 configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile 104 to the server rack.
- the retractable barrier 106 is made from a flexible material. The material may be solid enough to prevent the flow of air yet thin enough so that the material can be rolled up and stored in the spring-loaded roller described below.
- the retractable barrier may be at least as long as the width of the perforated floor tile 104 .
- the retractable barrier 106 may be configured to retract out of the path of the air flow so that no air flow or no substantial amount of air flow is blocked when the retractable barrier is fully retracted.
- the perforated floor tile 104 is part of a raised floor cooling system.
- the perforated floor tile 104 may be located in the aisle of a data center.
- the perforated floor tile 104 may also be located near the front door or inlet side of a server rack, which is one of several server racks that form the aisle.
- the system may also include a barrier mount 108 configured to secure the retractable barrier 106 proximate the perforated floor tile 104 .
- the barrier mount 108 is secured to the perforated floor tile 104 .
- the barrier mount 108 includes a spring-loaded roller 110 configured to reel in and store the retractable barrier 106 .
- the barrier mount 108 may also include a tension device 112 connected to the retractable barrier 106 .
- the tension device 112 may be configured to unreel the retractable barrier 106 from the spring-loaded roller 110 .
- the tension device 112 may be connected to the spring-loaded roller by a cable 114 .
- the barrier mount 108 includes guides to control the direction of movement of the retractable barrier 106 .
- the tension device 112 may be adjusted manually. In another embodiment, the tension device 112 is adjusted by an electronic device.
- FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and system 202 for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- System 202 may contain the elements of system 101 as described above.
- system 202 also includes a second retractable barrier 204 connected to the tension device 112 .
- System 202 may include a second spring-loaded roller 206 configured to reel in and store the second retractable barrier 204 .
- Other embodiments contemplated by the present invention may include additional retractable barriers and spring-loaded rollers.
- the retractable barrier 106 and second retractable barrier 204 may be simultaneously retracted in different amounts to block different parts of the air flow in different amounts.
- FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and system 302 for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- system 302 may contain the elements of system 101 as described above.
- System 302 may also include an insert 304 that is coupled to a perforated floor tile.
- the perforated floor tile though not shown in FIG. 3 , may be the perforated floor tile 104 of system 102 , and the insert 304 may be included as part of the air flow control assembly and system 102 , shown in FIG. 1 , as well as other similar embodiments contemplated by the present invention.
- the insert 304 may be configured to change, at least partially, the speed and/or direction of the air flow.
- the insert 304 is made of a plastic material.
- the insert 304 may be the size of a standard perforation tile of two feet in length by two feet in width. In another embodiment, the insert 304 may have a larger thickness from top to bottom than a standard perforation tile. The insert 304 may include a relief 305 to compensate for the larger thickness.
- the insert 304 includes a plurality of flow control units 306 .
- Each of the flow control units from the plurality of flow control units may be configured to individually control the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the respective flow control unit.
- the insert may be altered to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow. The change may affect the air flow through one or more flow control units from the plurality of flow control units.
- system 302 includes an adjustment unit configured to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, one or more flow control unit(s) to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the flow control unit(s).
- the flow control units 306 may include individual air flow channels in the insert extending from the top of the insert to the bottom of the insert. The direction of the air flow may be changed by angling the air flow channels. Similarly, the flow control units 306 may be customized individually by the percent of the channel open, flow impedance, and shape of the air flow channel. The flow control units may be customized so that different servers on the same server rack receive different amounts and/or speeds of air flow. The flow control units may be customized individually.
- the angle of a flow control unit may be fixed, but the angle may be customized by manually rotating the insert.
- the angle of a flow control unit may be controlled electronically.
- the adjustment unit may include an electric device to adjust the flow control units 306 based on a temperature reading from a temperature device on a server or server rack.
- the electric device is configured to dynamically adjust the flow control units as server loads increase or decrease.
- the electronic device may adjust the flow control units as server virtualization is utilized to adjust the loads on different servers in the data center.
- the insert and/or retractable barrier is adjusted according to the position of the server rack in the server rack aisle. For example, a different configuration may be used for a server rack at the end of an aisle compared to a server rack in the middle of an aisle.
- the server rack may be proximate the perforated floor tile 104 .
- the perforated floor tile 104 is customized in a similar manner as the insert 304 .
- system 302 includes a plurality of inserts 304 configured to change the air flow at various different angles, speeds, and amounts.
- the plurality of inserts 304 may be interchangeably used with the same retractable barrier 106 .
- the plurality of inserts 103 is used together with a plurality of retractable barriers 106 .
- FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment of method 402 for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- the method 402 may include a first securing step 404 of securing an air flow control assembly between a perforated floor tile and a plenum chamber.
- the air flow control assembly may include a retractable barrier configured to block air flow from the plenum chamber, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack.
- the retractable barrier may be made from a flexible material.
- method 402 includes a second securing step 406 of securing the air flow control assembly to the perforated floor tile. The perforated floor tile and air flow control assembly and details for securing such are described in further detail above.
- Method 402 may include a roller configuration step 408 of configuring a spring-loaded roller to reel in and store the retractable barrier.
- method 402 includes a tension device connecting step 410 of connecting a tension device to the retractable barrier.
- the tension device may be configured to unreel the retractable barrier from the spring-loaded roller.
- the air flow assembly includes the spring-loaded roller and tension device.
- Method 402 may include a controlling step 412 of controlling the air flow from the plenum chamber to the server rack by retracting and advancing the retractable barrier. The spring loaded roller, tension device, and details for controlling the air flow with the air flow assembly are described above.
- FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of method 502 for controlling air flow to a server rack.
- Method 502 may include the same steps of method 402 described above.
- Method 502 may also include a coupling step 504 of coupling an insert to the perforated floor tile.
- the insert may be configured to change, at least partially, the speed and/or direction of the air flow.
- the insert includes a plurality of flow control units. Each of the flow control units from the plurality of flow control units may be configured to individually control the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the respective flow control unit.
- the insert and plurality of flow control units as well as ways for using them to control the air flow are described in greater detail above.
- method 502 includes an altering step 506 of altering the insert to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow through one or more flow control unit(s) from the plurality of flow control units.
- Method 502 may also include an adjustment unit configuration step 508 of configuring an adjustment unit to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, one or more flow control unit(s) to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the one or more flow control unit(s).
- an adjustment unit configuration step 508 of configuring an adjustment unit to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, one or more flow control unit(s) to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the one or more flow control unit(s).
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cooling Or The Like Of Electrical Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
An air flow control assembly, system, and method for controlling air flow to a server rack. An example air flow control assembly includes a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly also includes a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
Description
- The present invention is directed toward server racks with controlled air flow, and more particularly to the use of perforated floor tiles and a retractable barrier to control air flow to server racks.
- Modern electronic devices continue to grow smaller and denser to optimize speed and minimize power requirements. Electronic devices may be cooled by various different methods. With the increase of electronic communication and the spread of networks, data centers have been developed to centralize management of network devices. Data centers often include server racks, which contain multiple servers in one storage unit. Servers in the same rack may experience different amounts of activity at different times. Server racks may be placed adjacent to other server racks to form aisles. Some data centers are implemented with raised floors to accommodate cooling systems.
- An example embodiment of the present invention is an air flow control assembly for controlling air flow to a server rack. The air flow control assembly may include a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly may also include a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
- Another example embodiment of the present invention is a system for controlling air flow to a server rack. The system may include a perforated floor tile and a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack. The system may also include a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
- Yet another example embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling air flow to a server rack. The method may include securing an air flow control assembly between a perforated floor tile and a plenum chamber. The air flow control assembly may include a retractable barrier configured to block air flow from the plenum chamber, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack. The method may also include controlling the air flow from the plenum chamber to the server rack by retracting and advancing the retractable barrier.
- The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
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FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and a system for controlling air flow to a server rack. -
FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and a system including an additional retractable barrier and spring-loaded roller. -
FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and a system including an insert that is coupled to a perforated floor tile. -
FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment of a method for controlling air flow to a server rack. -
FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of a method for controlling air flow to a server rack with an additional coupling step. - The present invention is described with reference to embodiments of the invention. Throughout the description of the invention reference is made to
FIGS. 1-5 . As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the present invention include an air flow control assembly, a system, and a method for controlling air flow to a server rack. -
FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and asystem 102 for controlling air flow to a server rack. The system may include aperforated floor tile 104 and aretractable barrier 106 configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through theperforated floor tile 104 to the server rack. In one embodiment, theretractable barrier 106 is made from a flexible material. The material may be solid enough to prevent the flow of air yet thin enough so that the material can be rolled up and stored in the spring-loaded roller described below. The retractable barrier may be at least as long as the width of theperforated floor tile 104. Theretractable barrier 106 may be configured to retract out of the path of the air flow so that no air flow or no substantial amount of air flow is blocked when the retractable barrier is fully retracted. - In one embodiment, the perforated
floor tile 104 is part of a raised floor cooling system. The perforatedfloor tile 104 may be located in the aisle of a data center. The perforatedfloor tile 104 may also be located near the front door or inlet side of a server rack, which is one of several server racks that form the aisle. The system may also include abarrier mount 108 configured to secure theretractable barrier 106 proximate the perforatedfloor tile 104. In one embodiment, thebarrier mount 108 is secured to the perforatedfloor tile 104. - In one embodiment, the
barrier mount 108 includes a spring-loadedroller 110 configured to reel in and store theretractable barrier 106. Thebarrier mount 108 may also include atension device 112 connected to theretractable barrier 106. Thetension device 112 may be configured to unreel theretractable barrier 106 from the spring-loadedroller 110. Thetension device 112 may be connected to the spring-loaded roller by acable 114. In one embodiment, thebarrier mount 108 includes guides to control the direction of movement of theretractable barrier 106. Thetension device 112 may be adjusted manually. In another embodiment, thetension device 112 is adjusted by an electronic device. -
FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly and system 202 for controlling air flow to a server rack. System 202 may contain the elements of system 101 as described above. In one embodiment, system 202 also includes a secondretractable barrier 204 connected to thetension device 112. System 202 may include a second spring-loadedroller 206 configured to reel in and store the secondretractable barrier 204. Other embodiments contemplated by the present invention may include additional retractable barriers and spring-loaded rollers. In one embodiment, theretractable barrier 106 and secondretractable barrier 204 may be simultaneously retracted in different amounts to block different parts of the air flow in different amounts. -
FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of an air flow control assembly andsystem 302 for controlling air flow to a server rack. Though not shown inFIG. 3 ,system 302 may contain the elements of system 101 as described above.System 302 may also include aninsert 304 that is coupled to a perforated floor tile. The perforated floor tile, though not shown inFIG. 3 , may be theperforated floor tile 104 ofsystem 102, and theinsert 304 may be included as part of the air flow control assembly andsystem 102, shown inFIG. 1 , as well as other similar embodiments contemplated by the present invention. Theinsert 304 may be configured to change, at least partially, the speed and/or direction of the air flow. In one embodiment, theinsert 304 is made of a plastic material. Theinsert 304 may be the size of a standard perforation tile of two feet in length by two feet in width. In another embodiment, theinsert 304 may have a larger thickness from top to bottom than a standard perforation tile. Theinsert 304 may include arelief 305 to compensate for the larger thickness. - In one embodiment, the
insert 304 includes a plurality offlow control units 306. Each of the flow control units from the plurality of flow control units may be configured to individually control the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the respective flow control unit. In one embodiment, the insert may be altered to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow. The change may affect the air flow through one or more flow control units from the plurality of flow control units. - In one embodiment,
system 302 includes an adjustment unit configured to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, one or more flow control unit(s) to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the flow control unit(s). - The
flow control units 306 may include individual air flow channels in the insert extending from the top of the insert to the bottom of the insert. The direction of the air flow may be changed by angling the air flow channels. Similarly, theflow control units 306 may be customized individually by the percent of the channel open, flow impedance, and shape of the air flow channel. The flow control units may be customized so that different servers on the same server rack receive different amounts and/or speeds of air flow. The flow control units may be customized individually. - In one embodiment, the angle of a flow control unit may be fixed, but the angle may be customized by manually rotating the insert. In another embodiment, the angle of a flow control unit may be controlled electronically. For example, the adjustment unit may include an electric device to adjust the
flow control units 306 based on a temperature reading from a temperature device on a server or server rack. In another embodiment, the electric device is configured to dynamically adjust the flow control units as server loads increase or decrease. For example, the electronic device may adjust the flow control units as server virtualization is utilized to adjust the loads on different servers in the data center. - In one embodiment, the insert and/or retractable barrier is adjusted according to the position of the server rack in the server rack aisle. For example, a different configuration may be used for a server rack at the end of an aisle compared to a server rack in the middle of an aisle. The server rack may be proximate the
perforated floor tile 104. In one embodiment, theperforated floor tile 104 is customized in a similar manner as theinsert 304. In one embodiment,system 302 includes a plurality ofinserts 304 configured to change the air flow at various different angles, speeds, and amounts. The plurality ofinserts 304 may be interchangeably used with the sameretractable barrier 106. In one embodiment, the plurality of inserts 103 is used together with a plurality ofretractable barriers 106. -
FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment of method 402 for controlling air flow to a server rack. The method 402 may include afirst securing step 404 of securing an air flow control assembly between a perforated floor tile and a plenum chamber. The air flow control assembly may include a retractable barrier configured to block air flow from the plenum chamber, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack. The retractable barrier may be made from a flexible material. In one embodiment, method 402 includes asecond securing step 406 of securing the air flow control assembly to the perforated floor tile. The perforated floor tile and air flow control assembly and details for securing such are described in further detail above. - Method 402 may include a roller configuration step 408 of configuring a spring-loaded roller to reel in and store the retractable barrier. In one embodiment, method 402 includes a tension device connecting step 410 of connecting a tension device to the retractable barrier. The tension device may be configured to unreel the retractable barrier from the spring-loaded roller. In one embodiment, the air flow assembly includes the spring-loaded roller and tension device. Method 402 may include a
controlling step 412 of controlling the air flow from the plenum chamber to the server rack by retracting and advancing the retractable barrier. The spring loaded roller, tension device, and details for controlling the air flow with the air flow assembly are described above. -
FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment ofmethod 502 for controlling air flow to a server rack.Method 502 may include the same steps of method 402 described above.Method 502 may also include acoupling step 504 of coupling an insert to the perforated floor tile. The insert may be configured to change, at least partially, the speed and/or direction of the air flow. In one embodiment, the insert includes a plurality of flow control units. Each of the flow control units from the plurality of flow control units may be configured to individually control the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the respective flow control unit. The insert and plurality of flow control units as well as ways for using them to control the air flow are described in greater detail above. - In one embodiment,
method 502 includes an alteringstep 506 of altering the insert to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow through one or more flow control unit(s) from the plurality of flow control units.Method 502 may also include an adjustmentunit configuration step 508 of configuring an adjustment unit to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, one or more flow control unit(s) to cause a change to the speed and/or direction of the air flow through the one or more flow control unit(s). Various ways of altering the insert and configuring the adjustment unit are described in greater detail above. - While the preferred embodiments to the invention have been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements that fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.
Claims (24)
1. An air flow control assembly for controlling air flow to a server rack, comprising:
a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack; and
a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the barrier mount is secured to the perforated floor tile.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an insert coupled to the perforated floor tile, the insert configured to change, at least in part, at least one of a speed and a direction of the air flow.
4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the insert includes a plurality of flow control units, each of the flow control units from the plurality of flow control units configured to individually control at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through the respective flow control unit.
5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the insert is alterable to cause a change to at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through at least one flow control unit from the plurality of flow control units.
6. The assembly of claim 5 , further comprising:
an adjustment unit configured to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, the at least one flow control unit to cause a change to at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through the at least one flow control unit.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the barrier mount includes:
a spring-loaded roller configured to reel in and store the retractable barrier; and
a tension device connected to the retractable barrier, the tension device configured to unreel the retractable barrier from the spring-loaded roller.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retractable barrier is made from a flexible material.
9. A method for controlling air flow to a server rack, comprising:
securing an air flow control assembly between a perforated floor tile and a plenum chamber, the air flow control assembly including a retractable barrier configured to block air flow from the plenum chamber, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack; and
controlling the air flow from the plenum chamber to the server rack by retracting and advancing the retractable barrier.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
securing the air flow control assembly to the perforated floor tile.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
coupling an insert to the perforated floor tile, the insert configured to change, at least in part, at least one of a speed and a direction of the air flow.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the insert includes a plurality of flow control units, each of the flow control units from the plurality of flow control units configured to individually control at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through the respective flow control unit.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
altering the insert to cause a change to at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through at least one flow control unit from the plurality of flow control units.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
configuring an adjustment unit to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, the at least one flow control unit to cause a change to at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through the at least one flow control unit.
15. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
configuring a spring-loaded roller to reel in and store the retractable barrier; and
connecting a tension device to the retractable barrier, the tension device configured to unreel the retractable barrier from the spring-loaded roller.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the retractable barrier is made from a flexible material.
17. A system for controlling air flow to a server rack, comprising:
a perforated floor tile;
a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through the perforated floor tile to the server rack; and
a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the barrier mount is secured to the perforated floor tile.
19. The system of claim 17 , further comprising:
an insert coupled to the perforated floor tile, the insert configured to change, at least in part, at least one of a speed and a direction of the air flow.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the insert includes a plurality of flow control units, each of the flow control units from the plurality of flow control units configured to individually control at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through the respective flow control unit.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the insert is alterable to cause a change to at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through at least one flow control unit from the plurality of flow control units.
22. The system of claim 21 , further comprising:
an adjustment unit configured to modify, based on thermal properties of the server rack, the at least one flow control unit to cause a change to at least one of the speed and the direction of the air flow through the at least one flow control unit.
23. The system of claim 17 , wherein the barrier mount includes:
a spring-loaded roller configured to reel in and store the retractable barrier; and
a tension device connected to the retractable barrier, the tension device configured to unreel the retractable barrier from the spring-loaded roller.
24. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the retractable barrier is made from a flexible material.
Priority Applications (2)
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US13/172,765 US20130000736A1 (en) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-06-29 | Adjustable and directional flow perforated tiles |
US14/100,013 US9402334B2 (en) | 2011-06-29 | 2013-12-08 | Method for controlling airflow of directional flow perforated tile |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/172,765 US20130000736A1 (en) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-06-29 | Adjustable and directional flow perforated tiles |
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US14/100,013 Division US9402334B2 (en) | 2011-06-29 | 2013-12-08 | Method for controlling airflow of directional flow perforated tile |
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US20130000736A1 true US20130000736A1 (en) | 2013-01-03 |
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US13/172,765 Abandoned US20130000736A1 (en) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-06-29 | Adjustable and directional flow perforated tiles |
US14/100,013 Active US9402334B2 (en) | 2011-06-29 | 2013-12-08 | Method for controlling airflow of directional flow perforated tile |
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US14/100,013 Active US9402334B2 (en) | 2011-06-29 | 2013-12-08 | Method for controlling airflow of directional flow perforated tile |
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US20160378124A1 (en) * | 2015-06-25 | 2016-12-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Active perforation for advanced server cooling |
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US10375864B2 (en) | 2017-08-07 | 2019-08-06 | Panduit Corp. | Airflow control in data centers utilizing hot aisle containment |
US11643864B2 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2023-05-09 | Pella Corporation | Screen edge retention and screen rethreading features for a hidden screen assembly and a fenestration assembly |
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Also Published As
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US20140090806A1 (en) | 2014-04-03 |
US9402334B2 (en) | 2016-07-26 |
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