Airflow directing assembly for a cooling system

Abstract

A cooling system comprising a frame containing a cooling unit configured to deliver cool air; a side panel having a grille; and an air directing panel configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The air directing panel in the open position is configured to direct at least a portion of the cool air through the grille. The cooling system can further comprise a device coupled to the air directing panel and configured to move the air directing panel between the closed position and the open position. A method of directing airflow within a cooling system comprising directing cool air through an end of a cooling system frame; and directing a portion of the cool air through a grille of a side panel of the cooling system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to IT equipment and cooling racks, and more specifically, to airflow guiding components used within cooling racks to direct cold air generated by the cooling racks to adjacent IT equipment racks. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional in-row cooling units, sometimes called cooling units or racks, are used to cool rows of information technology (IT) equipment racks. These cooling racks are located within the row of equipment racks and are configured to handle relatively warm or hot air contained within the hot aisle, cool the relatively warm air, and deliver relatively cool or cold air to the cold aisle. Traditional cooling racks cannot address localized hotspots within specific IT equipment racks.

[0003] To address these issues, more in-row cooling racks are needed, and each cooling rack operates at 70% load once it reaches a stable operating level. The goal is to shorten the cold air path and deliver the cooling load directly to where it's needed on the IT equipment racks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a cooling system comprising: a frame including a cooling unit configured to deliver cold air; a side panel including a grille; and an air guide panel configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The air guide panel in the open position is configured to guide at least a portion of the cold air through the grille.

[0005] Embodiments of the cooling system may further include an air guide panel hinged to at least one of the frame or side panels. The size of the air guide panel may cover the grille of the side panel to substantially block the grille in a closed position. The cooling system may also include a device coupled to the air guide panel and configured to move the air guide panel between a closed position and an open position. The device may include a stepper motor. The device may be configured to move the air guide panel to an open position, in which the air guide panel is at a 45-degree angle relative to the side panel. The side panel may include a first side panel having a first grille, and the air guide panel may include the first air guide panel. The first air guide panel may be configured to move to the open position. The cooling system may also include a second side panel including a second grille. The first side panel may be located on one side of the frame, and the second side panel may be located on the opposite side of the frame. The cooling system may also include a second air guide panel configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The second air guide panel in the open position may be configured to guide at least another portion of the cooled air through the second grille. The frame may include a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom. The cooling system may also include at least one air moving device configured to move air from a first end of the frame through the frame to a second end of the frame. The side panel grilles may extend vertically and may be located close to the second end of the frame. The grilles may be at least 100 mm wide and at least 1500 mm high. The frame may be the frame of an IT equipment rack.

[0006] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for guiding airflow within a cooling system. In one embodiment, the method includes: guiding cold air through one end of a frame of the cooling system; and guiding a portion of the cold air through a grille in a side panel of the cooling system.

[0007] Embodiments of the method may further include guiding a portion of the air through a grille by moving an air guide panel from a closed position to an open position. The air guide panel in the open position may be configured to guide a portion of the cool air through the grille. The air guide panel may be hinged to at least one of the frame or side panels. The size of the air guide panel may cover the grille of the side panel to substantially block the grille in the closed position. Movement of the air guide panel may be achieved by a device coupled to the air guide panel. The device may include a stepper motor. The device may be configured to move the air guide panel to an open position, in which the air guide panel is at a 45-degree angle relative to the side panel. The side panel may include a first side panel having a first grille, and the air guide panel includes the first air guide panel. The first air guide panel may be configured to move to the open position. The method may further include guiding another portion of the cool air through a second grille of a second panel of a cooling system by a second air guide panel configured to move to the open position.

[0008] Another aspect of the invention relates to an airflow guiding assembly for a cooling system, including a frame and a side panel coupled to the frame. The side panel has a grille. The airflow guiding assembly includes an air guide panel coupled to one of the frame and the side panel of the cooling system. The air guide panel is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the air guide panel is configured to guide at least a portion of cool air through the grille.

[0009] Embodiments of the airflow guiding assembly may further include at least one of a frame or side panel of the cooling system hinged to an air guide panel. The size of the air guide panel may cover the grille of the side panel to substantially block the grille in a closed position. The airflow guiding assembly may also include a device coupled to the air guide panel and configured to move the air guide panel between a closed position and an open position. This device may include a stepper motor. The device may be configured to move the air guide panel to an open position, in which the air guide panel is at a 45-degree angle relative to the side panel. The side panel may include a first side panel having a first grille, and the air guide panel may include the first air guide panel. The first air guide panel may be configured to move to the open position. The cooling system may also include a second side panel including a second grille. The first side panel may be located on one side of the frame, and the second side panel may be located on the opposite side of the frame. The airflow guiding assembly may also include a second air guide panel configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The second air guide panel in the open position may be configured to guide at least another portion of the cooled air through the second grille. The airflow guiding assembly may also include at least one air moving device configured to move air from a first end of the frame through the frame to a second end of the frame. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in the various figures is represented by the same numbers. For clarity, not every part is labeled in every figure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic top-down plan of part of a data center, showing two rows of IT equipment and cooling racks configured to form a cold aisle and two hot aisles;

[0012] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the cooling rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another exploded perspective view of the cooling rack shown;

[0014] Figure 4 It is a top plan view of a cooling rack placed next to an IT equipment rack, with the top panel or rack cover removed to show the interior of the rack, and the airflow guide components shown in the closed position;

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The top plan view of the cooling rack and IT equipment rack shown indicates that the airflow guide components are in the open position;

[0016] Figure 6 This is a side view of the cooling rack;

[0017] Figure 7 These are relative side views of the cooling rack; and

[0018] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the panel opening assembly of the airflow guiding component, which is configured to open and close the airflow guiding panel. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In data centers, in-row cooling racks are typically installed between IT equipment racks, which can be configured to support servers stacked on top of each other. In cold aisle and / or hot aisle sealed applications, this traditional arrangement is provided to ensure sufficient cooling capacity through air convection. In-row cooling racks typically draw in relatively warm air from the back of the cooling rack from the hot aisle and deliver the treated, relatively cool air through the front of the cooling rack to the cold aisle. The relatively cool air is then drawn in from the cold aisle through the equipment rack to cool the electronic equipment supported by the equipment rack.

[0020] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to airflow guiding components associated with in-row cooling racks to direct relatively cool air to adjacent equipment racks, thereby directing relatively cool air to electronic equipment, such as servers, contained within the adjacent equipment racks.

[0021] In some embodiments, each side panel of the in-row cooling rack includes an airflow guiding assembly having an air grille and an air guide panel movable between open and closed positions. A panel opening assembly is provided to move the air guide panel between the open and closed positions. When the air guide panel is in the closed position relative to its air grille, air from the in-row cooling rack is prevented from passing through the air grille. And when the air guide panel is in the open position, air from the in-row cooling rack enters through the air grille and travels to the adjacent equipment rack. As described above, the air grille and air guide panel are disposed on the side panels of the in-row cooling rack, thereby being configured to directly deliver relatively cool air to the adjacent equipment racks disposed on both sides of the cooling rack.

[0022] In some embodiments, the panel opening assembly of each airflow guide component includes a stepper motor configured to control movement of the air guide panel. The stepper motor may be configured to move the air guide panel from a closed position to a fully open position, the fully open position being set at a 45-degree angle relative to the side panel to which it is mounted.

[0023] In some embodiments, for each airflow guiding assembly, the air guide panel is controlled by a stepper motor. In the closed position (0-degree position), the stepper motor is off. The air guide panel blocks the air grille, which causes relatively cool air generated by the in-row cooling rack to be delivered through the front door of the in-row cooling rack. The cool air mixes with relatively warm air in the cold aisle and is delivered to the electronic equipment provided in the equipment racks located on the left and / or right sides of the in-row cooling rack.

[0024] In some embodiments, in the open position (45-degree position), a stepper motor commands the air guide panel to open until the air guide panel is at a 45-degree angle relative to its side panel. The relatively cool air generated by the in-row cooling unit not only passes through the front door, but a portion of the relatively cool air is also delivered to the adjacent equipment rack to cool the electronic equipment within the equipment rack.

[0025] Therefore, it should be observed that the airflow guiding assembly of this disclosure embodiment can provide cooling load where it is truly needed. When cooling demand is high, the airflow guiding assembly is opened to allow the cooling load to directly reach the electronic equipment in adjacent equipment racks. When cooling demand is low, the airflow guiding assembly is closed to allow the use of in-row cooling racks in a conventional manner.

[0026] This disclosure, in its application, is not limited to the construction details and component arrangements set forth in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings. The principles set forth in this disclosure can be provided in other embodiments and can be practiced or performed in various ways. Furthermore, the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered limiting. The use of "comprising," "including," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof herein means to cover the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as additional items.

[0027] Now refer to the attached diagram, for more specific details. Figure 1 A portion of a data center is typically denoted by 10. Data center 10 can be represented as a large, medium, or small facility, comprising rooms configured to include IT equipment racks and associated cooling equipment, including cooling racks sometimes referred to as cooling units. As shown, the first row of equipment and cooling racks is denoted by 12, and the second row by 14. The first row of racks 12 and the second row of racks 14 are spaced apart to define a "cold" aisle (denoted by 16), such that the front of the equipment and cooling racks in the first row of racks 12 faces the front of the equipment and cooling racks in the second row of racks 14. The back of the equipment and the cooling racks in the first row of racks 12 face a "hot" aisle (denoted by 18). Similarly, the back of the equipment and cooling racks in the second row of racks 14 faces another "hot" aisle (denoted by 20).

[0028] In one embodiment, the first row of racks 12 includes six IT equipment racks, each designated 22, and two in-row cooling racks, each designated 24. The cooling racks 24 of the first row of racks 12 are positioned between adjacent IT equipment racks 22. Similarly, the second row of racks 14 includes six IT equipment racks, each also designated 22, and two in-row cooling racks, each also designated 24. Like the first row of racks 12, the cooling racks 24 of the second row of racks 14 are positioned between adjacent IT equipment racks 22.

[0029] In one embodiment, airflow within the data center 10 is indicated by arrow 26 positioned in the cold aisle 16 and arrow 28 positioned in the hot aisles 18 and 20. Specifically, as shown, cold air is delivered into the cold aisle 16 by cooling racks 24. Cold air is drawn into the IT equipment racks 22 from the cold aisle 16 through the front of the IT equipment racks 22. Each IT equipment rack 22 may be configured with one or more fan modules to draw cold air from the cold aisle 16 into the IT equipment rack 22 through the front of the IT equipment rack 22. As the cold air passes through the IT equipment rack 22, it is heated by electronic equipment (e.g., servers) supported by the IT equipment rack 22 and exhausted through the rear of the IT equipment rack 22. Hot air is delivered to the hot aisles 18 and 20 and drawn into the cooling racks for cooling, repeating the cooling cycle within the cooling racks.

[0030] Data center 10 can be configured with any number of rows of equipment and cooling racks, with multiple cold aisles and multiple hot aisles. Figure 1 The example shown as a portion of data center 10 is an example of air circulation in a data center.

[0031] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The cooling rack in the embodiments of this disclosure is generally designated as 30. The cooling rack 30 and... Figure 1 The cooling rack 24 shown is identical. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling rack 30 has the dimensions of an IT equipment rack. In certain embodiments, the cooling rack 30 may be embodied in 19-inch, 21-inch, or 23-inch rack dimensions, which are standardized frame or shell structures. As shown, the cooling rack 30 includes a frame assembly 32 having a front frame 34 defining the front of the cooling rack 30 and a rear frame 36 defining the back of the cooling rack 30. The frame assembly 32 also includes a plurality of side frame members, each denoted by 38, which connect the front frame 34 to the rear frame 36. The two side frame members 38 at the bottom of the frame assembly 32 may be connected to each other by one or more transverse members (not shown) to provide additional structural stability. Similarly, the two side frame members 38 at the top of the frame assembly 32 may be connected to each other by one or more transverse members (not shown). Although in Figure 2 and Figure 3 Four side frame members 38 are shown, but it should be understood that more than four side frame members 38 may be provided to assemble the front frame 34 and the rear frame 36 together. Thus, the frame assembly 32 of the cooling rack defines the bottom, top, left side and right side in addition to the front and back of the cooling rack 30.

[0032] Components of frame assembly 12 can be made of any suitable lightweight rigid material, such as, but not limited to, steel or aluminum. It should be noted that the chosen material, in addition to being lightweight and structurally robust, should also be cost-effective and easy to manufacture. In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, it is desirable to use a material with a conductive coating to allow grounding of electronic components housed within frame assembly 32 of cooling rack 30, and to allow grounding of all conductive portions of cooling rack 30.

[0033] The cooling rack 30 also includes a heat exchanger 40, which is supported by the frame assembly 32 and extends vertically from the bottom to the top of the frame assembly 32 within the frame assembly 32. The heat exchanger 40 is positioned at a 45-degree angle relative to the airflow direction from the rear of the cooling rack 30 through the front of the cooling rack 30. The heat exchanger 40 is configured to cool the relatively warm air drawn into the rear of the cooling rack 30.

[0034] The cooling rack 30 also includes multiple fan modules, each designated 42, positioned near the heat exchanger 40 facing the front of the cooling rack 24 and extending vertically from the bottom to the top of the frame assembly 32 inside the frame assembly 32. Although six fan modules 42 are shown, any number of fan modules 42 may be provided. The fan modules 42 are configured to draw in hot air from a hot aisle (e.g., hot aisle 18) through the heat exchanger 40, which cools the hot air through the rear of the cooling rack 30, as described above. Once cooled, the fan modules 42 move the cold air through the front of the cooling rack 30 into a cold aisle, such as cold aisle 16.

[0035] The frame assembly 32 of the cooling rack 30 also includes a front panel or door 44, a back panel or door 46, a bottom panel 48, and a top panel or rack cover 50, which are suitably secured to the front frame 34, rear frame 36, and side members 38 of the frame assembly 32 to respectively enclose the front, back, bottom, and top of the cooling rack 30. The cooling rack 30 also includes two side panels, a first (left) side panel 52 and a second (right) side panel 54.

[0036] like Figure 2 and 3As shown, the first side panel 52 includes a first elongated opening 56 formed therein. The first elongated opening 56 is rectangular in shape and extends from the bottom to the top of the first side panel 52. The first elongated opening 56 is positioned near the edge of the first side panel 52 toward the front of the cooling rack 30. The first elongated opening 56 is configured to receive a first grille 58, the shape and size of which are set to fit within the first elongated opening 56. The first grille 58 is properly secured to the first side panel 52 by fasteners or other types of fixing devices. The purpose of the first elongated opening 56 and the first grille 58 is to allow cool air to be diverted or delivered to adjacent IT equipment racks before being delivered to the front of the cooling rack 30.

[0037] Similarly, the second panel 54 includes a second elongated opening 60 formed therein. The second elongated opening 60 is rectangular in shape and extends from the bottom to the top of the second side panel 54. The second elongated opening 60 is positioned near the edge of the second side panel 54 towards the front of the cooling rack 30. The second elongated opening 60 is configured to receive a second grille 62, the shape and size of which are set to fit within the second elongated opening 60. The second grille 62 is properly secured to the second side panel 54 by fasteners or other types of fixing devices. Like the first elongated opening 56 and the first grille 58, the purpose of the second elongated opening 60 and the second grille 62 is to allow cool air to be diverted or delivered to adjacent IT equipment racks before being delivered to the front of the cooling rack 30.

[0038] The cooling rack 30 also includes a first airflow guiding assembly 64 and a second airflow guiding assembly 66. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the first airflow guiding assembly 64 includes a first air guide panel 68, which is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the first air guide panel 68 blocks the first elongated opening 56. In the open position, the first air guide panel 68 moves away from the first elongated opening 56 to allow cold air to pass through the first elongated opening 56. Specifically, the first air guide panel 68 in the open position is configured to guide at least a portion of the cold air (sometimes referred to as relatively cold air) through a first grille 58 of the first elongated opening 56.

[0039] The first air guide panel 68 of the first airflow assembly 64 is hinged to the edge of the first elongated opening 56 and fixed to the first side panel 52. A suitable hinge, such as a door hinge, can be used to hinge the first air guide panel 68 to the first side panel 52. In another embodiment, the first air guide panel 68 may be hinged to the front frame 34 of the frame assembly 32. The first air guide panel 68 is sized to cover the first grille 58 disposed in the first elongated opening 56 of the first side panel 52, so as to substantially block the first elongated opening 56 and the first grille 58 in the closed position.

[0040] The first airflow guiding assembly 64 also includes a first panel opening assembly, denoted by 70, which is coupled to the first airflow guiding panel 68 to move the first airflow guiding panel 68 between a closed position and an open position. In one embodiment, the first panel opening assembly 70 is embodied as a first device including a stepper motor configured to move the first airflow guiding panel 68. A stepper motor is an electric motor that rotates in a series of small, precise steps or "increments," producing minute movements. The manner in which the first device of the first panel opening assembly 70 moves the first airflow guiding panel 68 will be combined with... Figure 8 To provide a more detailed description.

[0041] In one embodiment, the first panel opening assembly 70 of the first airflow guiding assembly 64 is configured to move the first air guiding panel 68 to an open position, in which the first air guiding panel 68 is at a 45-degree angle relative to the first side panel 52. However, it should be noted that the first panel opening assembly 70 can be configured to move the first air guiding panel 68 relative to the first side panel at any desired angle to optimize the amount of cold air transferred through the first elongated opening 56 and the first grille 58.

[0042] Similarly, the second airflow guiding assembly 66 includes a second air guide panel 72 configured to move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the second air guide panel 72 blocks the second elongated opening 60; in the open position, the second air guide panel 72 moves away from the second elongated opening 60 to allow cold air to pass through the second elongated opening 60. Specifically, the second air guide panel 72 in the open position is configured to guide at least a portion of the cold air through the second grille 62 of the second elongated opening 60. The structure of the second airflow guiding assembly 66 is substantially the same and is a mirror image of the structure of the first airflow guiding assembly 64.

[0043] The second air guide panel 72 of the second airflow assembly 66 is hinged to the edge of the elongated opening 60 and fixed to the second side panel 54. A suitable hinge, such as a door hinge, can be used to hinge the second air guide panel 72 to the second side panel 54. In another embodiment, the second air guide panel 72 can be hinged to the front frame 34 of the frame assembly 32. The second air guide panel 72 is sized to cover the second grille 62 disposed in the elongated opening 60 of the second side panel 54, so as to substantially block the elongated opening 60 and the second grille 62 in the closed position.

[0044] The second airflow guiding assembly 66 further includes a second panel opening assembly 74 coupled to the second air guide panel 72 to move the second air guide panel 72 between a closed position and an open position. In one embodiment, the second panel opening assembly 74 is embodied as a second device including a stepper motor configured to move the second air guide panel 72. The manner in which the second device of the second panel opening assembly 74 moves the second air guide panel 72 will be combined with... Figure 8 To provide a more detailed description.

[0045] In one embodiment, the second panel opening assembly 74 is configured to move the second air guide panel 72 to an open position, in which the second air guide panel 72 is at a 45-degree angle relative to the second side panel 54. However, it should be noted that the second panel opening assembly 74 can be configured to move the second air guide panel 72 relative to the second side panel 54 at any desired angle to optimize the amount of cool air transferred through the second elongated opening 60 and the second grille 62.

[0046] refer to Figure 4 A fully assembled cooling rack 30 is placed next to an IT equipment rack, typically designated 76. As described above, the cooling rack 30 has the same dimensions as the IT equipment rack 76, which includes a front, back, first side, second side, bottom, and top or rack cover, the top or rack cover of which is removed to reveal the interior of the IT equipment rack 76. Figure 1 As described, the airflow circulation through the IT equipment rack 76 includes drawing cold air from the front of the IT equipment rack 76 through a cold aisle. The cold air passes through the IT equipment rack 76 and is heated by the electronic equipment supported by the IT equipment rack 76. The warm or hot air is exhausted through the back of the IT equipment rack 76, where the hot air is delivered to a hot aisle.

[0047] The described airflow circulation is insufficient when attempting to address localized hotspots requiring additional cooling. It is well known that servers take longer to cool down because the air surrounding them needs to be adequately cooled. Therefore, if faster cooling is required, additional inline units are typically deployed to achieve stable temperature operation. As mentioned above, these units operate at approximately 70% of their potential capacity, resulting in inefficient operation.

[0048] In one embodiment, the IT equipment rack 76 is configured to stack and support power components within mounting slots provided inside the IT equipment rack 76. The IT equipment rack 76 can be configured to support any number and type of power components, including but not limited to servers. In one embodiment, the IT equipment rack 76 includes a front side having a panel that encloses the interior of the IT equipment rack 76 and a plurality of fan modules (not shown) that provide airflow within the IT equipment rack 76 to move cool air over the power components in the manner described above. The number and location of the fan modules can vary depending on the location of the power components within the IT equipment rack 76. Furthermore, the fan modules can be coupled to a controller to control their operation.

[0049] Although not shown, the IT equipment rack 76 may be configured with a universal interface for receiving all types of standardized modules mounted on the front and rear racks of the IT equipment rack 76. For example, the front of the IT equipment rack 76 may be configured to be deeper to receive larger modules within the IT equipment rack 76. In this embodiment, the rear of the IT equipment rack 76 may be configured to be shallower in the depth direction than the front of the IT equipment rack 76 to receive smaller modules within the IT equipment rack 76.

[0050] The cooling rack 30 of the embodiments of this disclosure is designed to address these types of hot spots. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the second airflow guide assembly 66, which is located adjacent to the IT equipment rack 76, is in the closed position, as is the first airflow guide assembly 64. Therefore, all the cold air generated by the cooling rack 30 is delivered to the cold aisle.

[0051] Reference Figure 5The second airflow guide assembly 66 is in the open position to allow a portion of the cold air generated by the cooling rack 30 to be redirected or swept toward the IT equipment rack 76. In one embodiment, the IT equipment rack 76 is configured without side panels to allow a portion of the cold air to enter the IT equipment rack 76, thereby providing additional cooling for the electronic equipment supported by the IT equipment rack 76. In another embodiment, the IT equipment rack 76 may be configured with side panels having openings corresponding to the second elongated opening 60 to allow a portion of the cold air to enter the IT equipment rack 76. Once this portion of the cold air enters the IT equipment rack 76, it combines with the cold air flowing into the front of the IT equipment rack 76 to cool the electronic equipment within the IT equipment rack 76.

[0052] Each air guide panel 68, 72 is configured to move to an open position via its respective panel opening assembly 70, 74, in which the air guide panel 70, 74 achieves a 45-degree angle relative to its respective side panel 52, 54, or any other desired angle.

[0053] Reference Figure 6 The image shows a first side panel 52 of the cooling rack 30. The first side panel 52 includes a first elongated opening 56 and a first grille 58 disposed within the first elongated opening 56. (Reference) Figure 7 The diagram shows a second side panel 54 of the cooling rack 30. The second side panel 54 includes a second elongated opening 60 and a second grille 62 disposed within the second elongated opening 60. In one embodiment, each of the first elongated opening 56 and the second elongated opening 60 has dimensions of at least 100 mm wide and at least 1500 mm high. It should be noted that the size and shape of each elongated opening 56, 60 can be selected based on the desired amount of cold air to be transferred to its respective IT equipment rack.

[0054] refer to Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a panel opening assembly, such as a second panel opening assembly 74. The first panel opening assembly 70 and the second panel opening assembly 74 are identical to each other; therefore, the description of the second panel opening assembly 74 applies to the first panel opening assembly 70. A second device, such as a stepper motor 78, is suitably fixed to the frame assembly 32. As shown, the second device 78 is configured to rotate a drive shaft 80 having a first gear 82 at one end. The second air guide panel 72 includes a fixed shaft 84 extending upward from the second air guide panel 72. As shown, the fixed shaft 84 extends along an axis hinged to the second side panel 54 of the second air guide panel 72. The fixed shaft 84 includes a second gear 86 that meshes with the first gear 82. In one embodiment, the first gear 82 and the second gear 86 are bevel gears configured to transmit power between shafts intersecting at a 90-degree angle.

[0055] During operation, the second device 78 is activated to rotate the drive shaft 80, thereby rotating the first gear 82 and the second gear 86 to move the second air guide panel 72 about its hinge. The second device 78 can be coupled to a controller or some other type of control system to control the operation of the second device 78, thereby moving the second air guide panel 72 between closed and open positions. As described above, the first panel opening assembly 70 is configured to move the first air guide panel 68 in the same manner.

[0056] A method for guiding airflow within a cooling system is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes guiding cold air through a front end of a cooling rack 30 and guiding a portion of the cold air through a grille of a side panel of the cooling rack 30, such as grille 58 of side panel 52. Guiding the portion of air through the grille includes moving an air guide panel (e.g., air guide panel 68) from a closed position to an open position, the air guide panel in the open position being configured to guide the portion of the cold air through the grille.

[0057] It should be observed that the airflow guiding assembly of this disclosure embodiment is configured to move cold air directly to the location where cold air is needed. Therefore, fewer cooling racks are required to achieve the same cooling capacity, resulting in each cooling rack operating at higher efficiency.

[0058] In some embodiments, the airflow guide assembly may be coupled to a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, and a controller coupled to the sensor, to detect the temperature in an adjacent IT equipment rack and control the airflow guide assembly to deliver cool air to that IT equipment rack.

[0059] Various controllers can perform the various operations discussed above. For example, as described above, a controller can control a fan module and other operations. Using data stored in associated memory and / or storage devices, a controller can execute one or more instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media to which the controller may include and / or be coupled, which can produce manipulated data. In some examples, a controller may include one or more processors or other types of controllers. In one example, a controller is or includes at least one processor. In another example, in addition to, or instead of, a general-purpose processor, a controller uses an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to perform at least a portion of the operations described above, the ASIC being customized to perform a specific operation. As these examples show, examples of this disclosure can use many specific combinations of hardware and software to perform the operations described herein, and this disclosure is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software components. Examples of this disclosure may include a computer program product configured to perform the methods, processes, and / or operations described above. The computer program product may be or include one or more controllers and / or processors configured to execute instructions to perform the methods, processes, and / or operations described above.

[0060] Therefore, having described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this disclosure, it should be understood that various changes, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such changes, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the positive description and accompanying drawings are merely exemplary.

Claims

1. A cooling system, comprising: The frame contains a cooling unit configured to deliver cold air; Side panels, including grilles; and The air guide panel is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the air guide panel is configured to guide at least a portion of the cold air through the grille.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the air guide panel is hinged to at least one of the frame or the side panel, and the air guide panel is sized to cover the grille of the side panel to substantially block the grille in the closed position.

3. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a device coupled to the air guide panel, the device being configured to move the air guide panel between the closed position and the open position.

4. The cooling system according to claim 3, wherein the device includes a stepper motor.

5. The cooling system of claim 3, wherein the device is configured to move the air guide panel to an open position, wherein the air guide panel is at a 45-degree angle relative to the side panel.

6. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the side panel includes a first side panel having a first grille, and the air guide panel includes a first air guide panel configured to move to the open position. The cooling system also includes The second side panel includes a second grille, the first side panel is located on one side of the frame, and the second side panel is located on the opposite side of the frame. The second air guide panel is configured to move between the closed position and the open position. The second air guide panel, in the open position, is configured to guide at least another portion of the cold air through the second grille.

7. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom.

8. The cooling system of claim 7 further includes at least one air moving device configured to move air from a first end of the frame through the frame to a second end of the frame.

9. The cooling system of claim 8, wherein the grille of the side panel extends vertically and is close to the second end of the frame.

10. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein the width of the grille is at least 100 mm and the height is at least 1500 mm.

11. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein the frame is the frame of an IT equipment rack.

12. A method for guiding airflow within a cooling system, the method comprising: Guide cold air through one end of the frame of the cooling system; and A portion of the cool air is guided through the grille on the side panel of the cooling system.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein guiding a portion of the air through the grille comprises moving an air guide panel from a closed position to an open position. in, In the open position, the air guide panel is configured to guide a portion of the cold air through the grille.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the air guide panel is hinged to at least one of the frame or the side panel, and the air guide panel is sized to cover the grille of the side panel to substantially block the grille in the closed position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the air guide panel is achieved by means of a device connected to the air guide panel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a stepper motor.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the device is configured to move the air guide panel to the open position, wherein the air guide panel is at a 45-degree angle relative to the side panel.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the side panel includes a first side panel having a first grille, and the air guide panel includes a first air guide panel configured to move to the open position. The method further includes Another portion of the cold air is guided through the second grille of the second panel of the cooling system by a second air guide panel configured to move to the open position.

19. An airflow guiding assembly for a cooling system, the airflow guiding assembly including a frame and a side panel coupled to the frame, the side panel having a grille, the airflow guiding assembly comprising: An air guide panel, connected to one of the frame and side panels of the cooling system, is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the air guide panel is configured to guide at least a portion of the cold air through the grille.

20. The airflow guiding assembly of claim 19, wherein the air guide panel is hinged to at least one of the frame or side panel of the cooling system, and the air guide panel is sized to cover the grille of the side panel to substantially block the grille in the closed position.

21. The airflow guiding assembly of claim 19, further comprising a device coupled to the air guiding panel, the device being configured to move the air guiding panel between the closed position and the open position.

22. The airflow guiding assembly of claim 21, wherein the device comprises a stepper motor.

23. The airflow guiding assembly of claim 19, wherein the device is configured to move the air guide panel to the open position, wherein the air guide panel is at a 45-degree angle relative to the side panel.

24. The airflow guiding assembly of claim 19, wherein the side panel includes a first side panel having a first grille, and the air guiding panel includes a first air guiding panel configured to move to the open position. The cooling system further includes a second side panel comprising a second grille, wherein the first side panel is located on one side of the frame and the second side panel is located on the opposite side of the frame. The airflow guiding assembly also includes The second air guide panel is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The second air guide panel, in the open position, is configured to guide at least another portion of the cold air through the second grille.

25. The airflow guiding assembly of claim 19, further comprising at least one air moving device configured to move air from a first end of the frame through the frame to a second end of the frame.

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