CLIMATE-RESISTANT CEILING FOR DATA CENTERS

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of technical ceilings, particularly ceilings with a stretched fabric, and more specifically to technical ceilings dedicated to air treatment in spaces with significant thermal loads, such as data centers. The invention aims to provide a technical ceiling that allows both the extraction of hot air and the supply of cooled, treated air, without requiring a raised floor. The present invention also aims to diffuse a portion of the cooling power by means of thermal radiation emitted by the technical ceiling, allowing for better uniformity of cooling of computer servers and thus requiring less cooling energy, resulting in energy savings. Figure to be published for the abstract: [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: Climate-controlled ceiling for data centers. Technical field of the invention.

[0001] The invention relates to the field of technical ceilings, in particular that of ceilings comprising a stretched fabric and more particularly of technical ceilings dedicated to the air treatment of spaces with significant thermal loads such as data centers.

[0002] A data center, also called a data center or computing center, is a physical facility that houses a large number of servers, data storage systems, and network equipment. It is a centralized environment designed to collect, process, store, and distribute data, as well as to host computer applications and services.

[0003] Data centers are generally equipped with sophisticated IT infrastructure, including servers, network switches, routers, storage systems, backup and recovery devices, as well as cooling, power supply, and security equipment. They are designed to provide high availability, redundancy, and scalability to ensure the proper functioning of hosted applications and services.

[0004] Data centers are used by organizations of all sizes, including businesses, government institutions, cloud service providers, and Internet service providers. They play a vital role in the secure storage of data, the execution of complex calculations, the hosting of websites and applications, the distribution of online content, and many other applications requiring significant computing resources.

[0005] A technical ceiling is defined as a structure that can take the form of a false ceiling, a box or an island, and which, in addition to a decorative role, has a technical role related to the purpose of the premises.

[0006] The technical ceiling according to the invention has the role, in particular but not exclusively, of ensuring the cooling needs of data centers.

[0007] The energy requirement for cooling a data center is particularly significant and represents 49% of the total data center expenses; the average consumption of a data center in France, for example, is 5.15 MWh / m² / year

[0008] As published by ADEME (French Agency for Environment and Energy Management): sending an email with a 1 MB attachment generates an equivalent CO2 of 19 g. Thus, in the case of a company of 100 people sending an average of 33 emails per day, the carbon equivalent released over the year is 22 round trips by plane between Paris and New York.

[0009] On average, a 10,000 m2 data center consumes as much energy as a city of 50,000 inhabitants (Decree of August 20, 2013, Dalkia)

[0010] https: / / www.legifrance.gouv.fr / jorf / id / JORFTEXT000027947099).

[0011] Therefore, it is important that the sector improves its energy efficiency.

[0012] Especially since, currently, the data center market in France, for example, is evolving very rapidly (15 to 25% per year - according to the private research institute Xerfi's 2012 economic forecasts). And this is for simple reasons: • Affordable land • Low electricity costs compared to other countries • High-quality electricity supply

[0013] France is still a highly centralized country, and the Paris region is home to a large number of data centers. The Saint-Denis plain boasts the highest concentration of data centers in Europe. And this is just the beginning, since 88% of companies have not yet outsourced all or part of their telecommunications.

[0014] The technical ceiling according to the invention aims to increase the efficiency of the cooling diffusion and therefore to reduce the energy consumption in relation to it. STATE OF THE ART

[0015] There are many problems related to cooling data centers, such as: 1. Heat generated by equipment: Servers, storage systems, and other IT equipment in a data center generate a significant amount of heat. This heat must be dissipated efficiently to prevent overheating, as it can damage electronic components and lead to malfunctions. 2. High energy consumption: Cooling data centers requires a considerable amount of energy. Air conditioning systems, fans, and cooling equipment consume a large amount of electricity, leading to high costs and environmental concerns related to energy consumption. 3. Air Management: Data centers require adequate air circulation to maintain optimal temperatures. This can be challenging because it involves managing the flow of hot air generated by equipment and the flow of cool air from cooling systems. Poor air management can lead to areas of overheating or excessive cooling, which compromises the performance and reliability of the equipment. 4. Uneven Heat Distribution: The heat generated in data centers may not be evenly distributed, which can lead to uneven cooling. Some equipment may be exposed to higher temperatures than others, which can reduce its lifespan and increase the risk of failure. 5. Scalability and Cooling Capacity: Data centers must be able to adapt to future expansion and increase their cooling capacity as new equipment is added. Upgrading cooling systems to support growth can be complex and costly. 6. Environmental impact: Data centers consume a significant amount of energy and contribute to the carbon footprint. Therefore, finding more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solutions is a major challenge.

[0016] Data center managers are constantly working to solve these problems by using innovative cooling techniques, such as liquid cooling, infrastructure design, airflow optimization and the use of more efficient cooling technologies to improve the energy efficiency and reliability of data centers.

[0017] One of the most widely used prior art techniques involves cooling by hot and cold aisle containment. Hot and cold aisles are physical arrangements in data centers designed to maximize cooling efficiency. Cold aisles supply cool air directly to the equipment, while hot aisles recover the hot air expelled by the equipment. This allows for better control of airflow and reduces mixing between hot and cold air streams.

[0018] It is known, for example, from US patent 8,477,499 B2, which describes a hot and cold aisle containment cooling system that uses flexible containment panels to direct cold air to the cold aisles and hot air to the hot aisles. This system allows for the separation of hot and cold aisles, directs fresh air from a fresh air supply source to the cold aisles, channels hot air from equipment to the hot aisles, and expels hot air from the hot aisles to a hot air return source.

[0019] US patent 8,605,713 B2 describes a cooling system for a data center that uses containment curtains to separate hot and cold aisles and direct airflow more efficiently. In summary, this claim describes A cooling system for a data center includes equipment racks arranged in hot and cold aisles. The system also includes flexible containment panels that separate the hot and cold aisles, a fresh air supply that provides fresh air at a temperature below a predefined threshold, and an air duct system that carries fresh air to the cold aisles and hot air exhausted from the equipment racks to the hot aisles. The flexible containment panels guide the airflow between the hot and cold aisles.

[0020] A specific arrangement of hot and cold aisles in a data center for optimizing airflow and improving cooling efficiency is also known from US Patent 8,547,473 B2. In summary, this document describes an efficient cooling arrangement for a data center that includes equipment racks arranged in hot and cold aisles. The system also includes containment curtains that spatially separate the hot and cold aisles. In addition, the arrangement includes at least one heat exchanger located in the hot aisles, designed to extract heat from the hot air. An air distribution system is also present, supplying fresh air to the cold aisles. The airflow arrangement directs the cooled air from the cold aisles to the heat exchanger in the hot aisles to cool the hot air, thus establishing a closed-loop airflow.

[0021] Among the main processing systems for data centers, prior art also includes processes using the combination of a technical ceiling with a technical floor.

[0022] An air conditioning machine (13) with a hot air intake and a cooled air outlet is connected (at its outlet) to the technical floor (14) and (at its intake) to the technical ceiling (15).

[0023] The computer servers (6) are arranged in a line, forming rows and thus delimiting corridors (16) between each row.

[0024] Cooled air supply grilles (17) are installed on the upper face of the technical floor and in one corridor (16) out of two, said corridor then being called a cold corridor (16a).

[0025] Hot air extraction grilles (18) are installed on the underside of the technical ceiling and in one corridor (16) out of two, said corridor then being called a hot corridor (16b).

[0026] Each computer server (6) is equipped with a fan that draws in ambient air on its vertical face (then called the suction face (24)) and expels the air on its opposite vertical face (then called the blowing face (23)).

[0027] The rows of computer servers are arranged so that their suction face (24) is located at the level of a cold aisle (16a) and their blowing face (23) at the level of a hot aisle (16b).

[0028] Thus configured, the cold air produced by the air conditioning machine (13) is blown into the volume of the technical floor and then injected into each cold corridor (16a) by means of the blowing grilles (17).

[0029] The cold air is then drawn in by the computer servers (6) and heated by them before being expelled at the level of the hot corridor (16b).

[0030] The heated air is then drawn in through the grilles (18) installed at the level of the technical ceiling and then passes through the volume of the technical ceiling to reach the air conditioning unit.

[0031] This system is complex to install and operates solely by thermal convection, i.e. 100% thanks to the heat exchange carried out between the cooled treated air and the hot computer servers.

[0032] It is also known that suspended ceilings are used in conjunction with ventilation or climate control equipment (heating, air conditioning, dehumidification) to allow air circulation related to the air conditioning and / or ventilation of the room in question. As an example, see application WO 2018 / 037184 A1 (SCHERRER JEAN MARC [FR]; LANG DAMIEN [FR]). The system described in this application uses forced air, hot or cold, in the plenum between the ceiling slab and a stretched fabric mounted on peripheral profiles. These profiles include a passage slot arranged to allow air diffusion from the plenum into the room. Heating and cooling are achieved by recirculating the room air via an air conditioning unit. The recirculated air, as well as fresh air for hygienic ventilation, is thus supplied to the plenum.The technical ceiling distributes heating and cooling, partly via thermal radiation from the fabric, which cools or heats up upon contact with the air blown into the plenum, but also by convection via the airflow, which is warmer or cooler than the ambient air, blown around the perimeter of the room. It therefore operates on a mix of radiation and convection, with the proportion of radiation generally less than 50%.

[0033] The present invention aims to provide a technical ceiling that allows both the extraction of hot air and the discharge of cooled, treated air, thus eliminating the need for a raised floor. The present invention also aims to diffuse a portion of the cooling power by means of thermal radiation emitted by the technical ceiling, enabling more uniform cooling of computer servers and therefore requiring less cooling energy, resulting in energy savings.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The invention proposes to treat all the flows (supply of treated air and return of ambient air), for this purpose the invention includes at least one diffusion profile that can be hung on partition downpipes.

[0036] In particular, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric, enabling cooling by thermal convection and thermal radiation as well as air circulation in data centers operating by hot and cold aisle containment, said aisles or air circulation corridors being formed by computer servers arranged in rows laid on the floor of the data center to be treated, each computer server being equipped with a fan enabling ambient air to be drawn in on its vertical intake face and the heated air to be expelled on its opposite vertical exhaust face, the space formed between each line or row of computer servers is used as an air circulation corridor,said computer servers are arranged so that their supply air faces are opposite each other, defining a hot air aisle, and their intake air faces are also opposite each other, defining a cold air aisle. The aisle facing the supply air faces of the rows of computer servers is called the "hot air aisle," while the aisle facing the intake air faces of the rows of computer servers is called the "cold air aisle." The cold air aisles supply cold air directly to the computer servers, while the hot air aisles recover the hot air expelled by said computer servers. said technical ceiling comprises,

[0037] at least one diffusion profile that can be hung by its horizontal upper face on partition downpipes installed on the ceiling slab in line with each supply and exhaust face of the computer servers and the height of the entire partition downpipe and diffusion profile extending to the maximum so as to allow the circulation of a user in said air circulation corridors, said diffusion profile comprising a face with perforations allowing the passage of air and a sealed face, each face having a groove for attaching a stretched fabric, said diffusion profile thus equipped with said stretched fabric creating different plenum zones namely:

[0038] A cold plenum under positive pressure of cold air, a neutral plenum, and a hot plenum under negative pressure. An air conditioning unit drawing in ambient air is connected to each hot plenum under negative pressure, and its treated air outlet is connected to each cold plenum under positive pressure. Thus, the cold air, treated by the air conditioning unit, is injected into each cold plenum and then blown by means of the diffusion profile to each cold aisle. The ambient air, heated by the computer servers, is drawn in by the diffusion profile at each hot aisle so as to join the hot plenum under negative pressure, the neutral plenum installed at the level of the rows of computer servers is filled with air thus constituting a thermal insulator between each cold plenum and each hot plenum, characterized in that the entire air circulation in the data center including the blowing of cold air and the suction of hot air is treated directly by said technical ceiling.

[0039] Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative, namely a technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric, enabling cooling by thermal convection and thermal radiation as well as air circulation in data centers operating by hot and cold aisle containment, said aisles or air circulation corridors being formed by computer servers arranged in rows laid on the floor of the data center to be treated, each computer server being equipped or not with a fan enabling ambient air to be drawn in on its vertical intake face and the heated air to be expelled on its opposite vertical exhaust face, the space formed between each line or row of computer servers is used as a circulation corridor,said computer servers are arranged so that their supply air faces are opposite each other, defining a hot air aisle, and their intake air faces are also opposite each other, defining a cold air aisle. The aisle facing the supply air faces of the rows of computer servers is called the "hot air aisle," while the aisle facing the intake air faces of the rows of computer servers is called the "cold air aisle." The cold air aisles supply cold air directly to the computer servers, while the hot air aisles recover the hot air expelled by said computer servers. said technical ceiling comprises,

[0040] at least one diffusion profile that can be hung by its horizontal upper face on partition downpipes installed on the ceiling slab in line with each supply and exhaust face of the computer servers and the height of the entire partition downpipe and diffusion profile extending to the maximum so as to allow the circulation of a user in said air circulation corridors, said diffusion profile comprising a face with perforations allowing the passage of air and a sealed face, each face having a groove for attaching a stretched fabric, said diffusion profile thus equipped with said stretched fabric creating different plenum zones namely:

[0041] a cold plenum under positive pressure of cold air and a hot plenum under negative pressure, an air conditioning unit drawing in air is connected to each hot plenum under negative pressure and its treated air outlet is connected to each cold plenum under positive pressure, the cold air, treated by the air conditioning unit is injected into each cold plenum and then blown by means of the diffusion profile to each cold aisle, the ambient air, heated by the computer servers is drawn in by the profile of diffusion at the level of each hot aisle so as to reach the hot plenum under negative pressure,

[0042] characterized in that the entire air circulation in the data center including the blowing of hot air and the extraction of cold air is treated directly by said technical ceiling and in that a sealed separation element is installed vertically in line with the top face of the computer servers so as to join each unperforated wing of the diffusion profile thus forming a neutral plenum constituted at the level of the rows of computer servers, said neutral plenum being filled with air thus representing a thermal insulator between each cold plenum and each hot plenum and whose volume is increased so as to extend from the slab of the data center to be treated to the top face of the computer servers.

[0043] Another object of the invention is to provide an air circulation and cooling system by thermal convection and thermal radiation for a data center operating by hot and cold aisle containment, comprising the technical ceiling according to the invention connected to at least one air conditioning machine, where the entire air circulation in the data center including the blowing of hot air and the suction of cold air is treated directly by said technical ceiling.

[0044] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description referring to the following illustrative figures, and the associated claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] Figure 1 represents, for example, a diffusion profile according to a first implementation of the invention,

[0046] Figure [Fig. 2], for example, represents a cross-section of a data center room equipped with a technical ceiling according to the invention.

[0047] Figure 3, for example, represents a cross-section of a data center room equipped with a technical ceiling featuring airtight partitions according to the invention.

[0048] Fig. 4, for example, represents a perspective of a data center room equipped with a conventional air handling system.

[0049] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements of the different embodiments are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The invention proposes to treat all the flows (supply of treated air and return of ambient air), for this purpose the invention includes at least one diffusion profile (1) which can be hung on partition drops (19).

[0051] The diffusion profile (1) comprises a face (4) having perforations allowing the passage of air and a sealed face (21).

[0052] Each face is provided with a hook groove (2) for a stretched canvas (20).

[0053] Advantageously the diffusion profile (1) may include an aerodynamic deflector (5) adopting a curvature to facilitate the passage of air.

[0054] The diffusion profile (1) thus installed makes it possible to create different plenum zones: a plenum (7) under positive pressure of cold air, a neutral plenum (8) and a plenum (9) under negative pressure.

[0055] The suction of the air conditioning machine (13) is connected to each plenum (9) under negative pressure and its treated air outlet to each cold plenum (7) under positive pressure.

[0056] Cold air, treated by the air conditioning unit (13), is injected into each cold plenum (7) and then blown by means of the diffusion profile (1) towards each cold aisle (16a). Ambient air, heated by the computer servers (6), is drawn in by the diffusion profile (1) at each hot aisle (16b) so as to reach the negative pressure plenum (9).

[0057] The neutral plenum (8) installed at the level of the rows of computer servers (6) is filled with air, thus constituting a thermal insulator between each cold plenum (7) and each hot plenum (9).

[0058] Advantageously the cold plenums (7) are provided with thermal insulation (10) installed on the underside of the slab.

[0059] In addition to convective heat treatment by forced air, the stretched canvas (20) visible from each cold corridor (16) emits thermal radiation towards the front face of the server racks (6) and allows for energy optimization as well as improved temperature homogeneity in these areas.

[0060] The large cross-section of the hot (9) and cold (7) plenum zones generates a very low aerodynamic pressure loss (resistance to airflow) and therefore allows for a reduction in the consumption of the fans of the air conditioning machines (13).

[0061] The removal of the technical floor (14) allows operation with rooms of reduced height.

[0062] Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in practice, suitable methods and materials are described below. However, the materials, methods, and embodiments described are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0063] In case of conflict, this description, including the definitions, shall prevail.

[0064] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this document have the same meaning as that generally understood by a person skilled in the art. The following definitions, as used herein, are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

[0065] The term "include or comprise" is generally used in the sense of including, that is, allowing the presence of one or more features or components.

[0066] The presence of expanded words and phrases such as "one or more", "at least", "but not limited to" or other similar expressions should not be interpreted as meaning that the narrowest interpretation is intended or required in cases where such expanded expressions may be absent.

[0067] “Reversible” means that the system can operate in heating or in cooling.

[0068] The "thermal conductivity" of a material refers to its ability to conduct heat or, conversely, to insulate it. The higher the conductivity, the more heat the material conducts. Conversely, the lower the conductivity, the more insulating the material.

[0069] Thermal conductivity, denoted X (lambda) expressed in W / mK, is what will allow us to measure the amount of energy, of heat, which propagates by conduction.

[0070] Thermal conductivity or X is a constant, intrinsic characteristic specific to each material.

[0071] The higher the X value, the more heat-conducting the material is, and the lower the value, the more insulating it is. Insulating materials generally have X values ​​between 0.025 and 0.050 W / mK

[0072] The thermal transmission coefficient of a material, denoted U, is the quantity of heat passing through this material in steady state, per unit of time, per unit of surface area and per unit of temperature difference between the environments located on either side of the wall.

[0073] The thermal transmittance coefficient is the inverse of the total thermal resistance (RT) of the material. U is expressed in W / m²K

[0074] "Emissivity" refers to the ability of a material or surface to absorb and then re-emit heat by thermal radiation.

[0075] Emissivity is expressed by a dimensionless coefficient, between 0 and 1 and denoted "e". It serves to indicate the amount of energy emitted and absorbed by the material and varies essentially as a function of the given wavelength.

[0076] Emissivity is influenced by three elements: • The nature of the material concerned • The surface condition of the material (smooth, rough, colored, etc.) • The temperature of the material

[0077] High-emissivity objects are primarily non-metallic and non-opaque, such as glass (0.92), plastic (from 0.84 to 0.94), plexiglass (0.86), and quartz or vitreous china (0.92). Tile (0.97), polypropylene, the Plaster (0.86), rubber (0.95), brick (0.94) and paint are also among the most emissive materials.

[0078] Conversely, reflective materials such as aluminium (less than 0.10 most of the time), steel (from 0.16 to 0.70), silver (0.03), copper (between 0.006 and 0.88), zinc (from 0.04 to 0.20) or lead (0.28) are among the least emissive objects.

[0079] An object of the invention is to provide a technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric, enabling cooling by thermal convection and thermal radiation as well as air circulation in data centers operating by hot and cold aisle containment, said aisles or air circulation corridors (16) being formed by computer servers (6) arranged in rows placed on the floor of the data center to be treated, each computer server (6) being equipped with a fan (22) enabling ambient air to be drawn in on its vertical intake face (23) and to expel the heated air on its opposite vertical exhaust face (24), the space formed between each line or row of computer servers (6) is used as an air circulation corridor (16),said computer servers (6) are arranged so that their supply faces (24) are opposite each other, defining a hot aisle (16b), and their intake faces (23) are also opposite each other, defining a cold aisle (16a), the cold aisles (16a) supplying cold air directly to the computer servers (6), while the hot aisles (16b) recover the hot air expelled by said computer servers (6), said technical ceiling comprises,

[0080] at least one diffusion profile (1) capable of being hung by its horizontal upper face (3) on partition downpipes (19) installed on the ceiling slab (25) in alignment with each supply (24) and exhaust (23) face of the computer servers (6) and the height of the assembly of partition downpipes (19) and diffusion profile (1) extending to the maximum so as to allow the circulation of a user in said air circulation corridors (16), said diffusion profile (1) comprising a face (4) having perforations allowing the passage of air and a sealed face (21), each face having a groove for attaching (2) a tensioned fabric (20), said diffusion profile (1) thus equipped with said tensioned fabric (20) creating different plenum zones namely:

[0081] a cold plenum (7) under positive pressure of cold air, a neutral plenum (8) and a hot plenum (9) under negative pressure, an air conditioning unit (13) drawing in ambient air is connected to each hot plenum (9) under negative pressure and its treated air outlet is connected to each cold plenum (7) under positive pressure, thus the cold air, treated by the air conditioning unit (13) is injected into each cold plenum (7) and then blown by means of the diffusion profile (1) towards each cold aisle (16a), the ambient air, heated by the computer servers (6) is drawn in by the diffusion profile (1) at the level of each hot aisle (16b) so as to join the hot plenum under negative pressure (9), the neutral plenum (8) installed at the level of the rows of computer servers (6) is filled with air thus constituting a thermal insulator between each cold plenum (7) and each hot plenum (9), characterized in that the whole of the air circulation in the data center including the blowing of cold air and the extraction of hot air is dealt with directly by said technical ceiling.

[0082] Preferably, the cold plenums (7) are equipped with thermal insulation (10) installed on the underside of the ceiling slab (25).

[0083] Advantageously, the stretched fabric (20) has a thermal transmission coefficient of at least 500 W / m2.K and a thermal emissivity coefficient of at least 0.9.

[0084] According to one embodiment, each cold plenum (7) is pressurized with treated air cooled via a blowing air duct (26) connected to said air conditioning machine (13).

[0085] According to another embodiment, each hot plenum (9) is put under negative pressure with respect to the room to be treated by means of an air suction duct (27) connected to said air conditioning machine (13).

[0086] Preferably, the diffusion profile (1) includes an aerodynamic deflector (5) adopting a curvature to facilitate the passage of air.

[0087] Another alternative object of the invention is to provide a technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric, enabling cooling by thermal convection and thermal radiation as well as air circulation in data centers operating by hot and cold aisle containment, said aisles or air circulation corridors (16) being formed by computer servers (6) arranged in rows placed on the floor of the data center to be treated, each computer server (6) being equipped or not with a fan (22) enabling ambient air to be drawn in on its vertical intake face (23) and the heated air to be expelled on its opposite vertical exhaust face (24), the space formed between each line or row of computer servers (6) is used as a circulation corridor (16),said computer servers (6) are arranged so that their supply faces (24) are opposite each other, defining a hot aisle (16b), and their intake faces (23) are also opposite each other, defining a cold aisle (16a), the cold aisles (16a) supplying cold air directly to the computer servers (6), while the hot aisles (16b) recover the hot air expelled by said computer servers (6), said technical ceiling comprises,

[0088] at least one diffusion profile (1) that can be hung by its horizontal upper face (3) on partition downpipes (19) installed on the ceiling slab (25) in alignment with each supply (24) and exhaust (23) face of the computer servers (6) and the height of the entire partition downpipe (19) and diffusion profile (1) extending to the maximum so as to allow the circulation of a user in said air circulation corridors (16), said diffusion profile (1) comprising a face (4) with perforations allowing the passage of air and a sealed face (21), each face being provided with a groove for attaching (2) a tensioned fabric (20), said diffusion profile (1) thus equipped with said tensioned fabric (20) creating different plenum zones namely:

[0089] a cold plenum (7) under positive pressure of cold air and a hot plenum (9) under negative pressure, an air conditioning unit (13) drawing in air is connected to each hot plenum (9) under negative pressure and its treated air outlet is connected to each cold plenum (7) under positive pressure, the cold air, treated by the air conditioning unit (13) is injected into each cold plenum (7) and then blown by means of the diffusion profile (1) towards each cold aisle (16a), the ambient air, heated by the computer servers (6) is drawn in by the diffusion profile (1) at the level of each hot aisle (16a) so as to join the hot plenum under negative pressure (9),

[0090] characterized in that the entire air circulation in the data center, including the supply of hot air and the extraction of cold air, is treated directly by said technical ceiling and in that a sealed separation element (11) is installed vertically in line with the top face of the computer servers (6) so as to join each unperforated wing (21) of the diffusion profile (1) thus forming a neutral plenum (8) constituted at the level of the rows of computer servers (6), said neutral plenum (8) being filled with air thus representing a thermal insulator between each cold plenum (7) and each hot plenum (9) and whose volume is increased so as to extend from the slab (25) of the data center to be treated to the top face of the computer servers (6).

[0091] Advantageously, the internal volume of the neutral plenum (8) creates, in addition to thermal insulation, an airtight seal to the passage of air in each cold corridor (16a) and in each hot corridor (16b) respectively.

[0092] According to a particular embodiment, the airtight separation element (11) is a tensioned separation fabric installed at each suction (23) and blowing (24) face of the rows of computer servers (6), each separation fabric (11) being fixed from a hook profile (12) installed on each upper end of said computer servers (6) and extending vertically to the hook groove (2) of the diffusion profile (1).

[0093] According to another particular embodiment, the watertight separation element (11) is constituted by the assembly of partition downpipes (19) and diffusion profile (1) extending to the upper ends of said computer servers (6).

[0094] In this alternative object, the computer servers (6) are not equipped or are devoid of fans (22).

[0095] Another object of the invention is to provide an air circulation and cooling system by thermal convection and thermal radiation for data centers operating by hot and cold aisle containment, comprising the technical ceiling according to the invention or the alternative ceiling according to the invention connected to at least one air conditioning machine (13), where the entire air circulation in the data center including the blowing of cold air and the suction of hot air is handled directly by said technical ceiling.

[0096] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0097] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the diffusion profile (1) according to the invention.

[0098] The diffusion profile (1) has 2 vertical wings, one of which is a wing (4) equipped with perforations allowing the passage of air.

[0099] Each of the 2 wings is equipped in the lower part with a hook groove (2) allowing the installation of a stretch ceiling (20).

[0100] The upper horizontal face (3) allows the diffusion profile (1) to be fixed to a partition drop (19), made for example of plaster on a metal frame.

[0101] Advantageously the diffusion profile may include an aerodynamic deflector (5) adopting a curvature to facilitate the passage of air.

[0102] Fig. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of a room to be treated, for example a data center, according to a first embodiment.

[0103] By room to be treated is meant a room intended to be cooled according to the system implemented.

[0104] The computer servers (6) are arranged in rows placed on the floor of the room to be treated.

[0105] Each computer server (6) is equipped with a fan (22) which draws in ambient air on its vertical face (then called the suction face (23)) and expels the air on its opposite vertical face (then called the blowing face (24)).

[0106] The space formed between each line or row of computer servers (6) is used as a circulation corridor (16).

[0107] The computer servers (6) are arranged so that their blowing face (24) are face to face at the level of the same corridor (16) and therefore their suction face (23) is also face to face at the level of the same corridor (16).

[0108] The corridor (16) giving on the blower faces of the rows of computer servers (6) is named "hot corridor" (16b).

[0109] The corridor (16) giving on the suction faces of the rows of computer servers (6) is named "cold corridor" (16a).

[0110] Above each row of computer servers (6), two vertical partition drops (19) are fixed to the slab of the room to be treated in alignment with the blowing face and the suction face of the computer servers (6).

[0111] A diffusion profile (1) is installed on each partition drop (19) so that the perforated face (4) of the diffusion profile (1) is oriented towards the corridors (16).

[0112] A stretched fabric (20), exhibiting high thermal transmission and a high thermal emissivity coefficient, is installed from one diffusion profile (1) to the other, i.e. above each corridor (16) and above each row of computer servers (6). The stretched fabric (20) then describes false ceiling zones separated from each other by the interior space (between the perforated flange (4) and the non-perforated flange (21)) of the diffusion profiles (1).

[0113] Hollow volumes called "plenums" are formed by the space between 2 drop walls (19), the floor slab of the room to be treated and each portion of stretched canvas (20).

[0114] Plenums located above cold corridors are called "cold plenums" (7).

[0115] The plenums located above the hot corridors are called "hot plenums" (9).

[0116] The plenums located above the rows of computer servers (6) are called "neutral plenums" (8).

[0117] Thus arranged the false ceiling describes a regular alternation of cold plenum (7), neutral plenum (8), hot plenum (9).

[0118] The interior space of the room to be treated describes an alternation of cold corridor (16a), row of computer servers (6), hot corridor (16b).

[0119] Advantageously, a thermal insulator (10) is fixed to the slab within each cold plenum.

[0120] Each cold plenum (7) is pressurized with cooled treated air, for this purpose the blower of the air conditioning machine (13) is connected via a blower air duct (26) to each cold plenum (7).

[0121] Each hot plenum (9) is put under negative pressure with respect to the room to be treated, for this purpose the suction of the air conditioning machine (13) is connected via an air suction duct (27) to each hot plenum (9).

[0122] Advantageously, an air conditioning unit (13) is installed for each alternating cold aisle (16a), row of computer servers (6), and hot aisle (16b). In this case, only one supply air duct and one exhaust air duct are required to connect the air conditioning unit (13). at each alternation. We then observe as many air conditioning machines (6) as rows of computer servers (6).

[0123] The ambient air heated by the computer servers (6) released at the level of each hot aisle (16b) is drawn through the two perforated faces (4) of the two diffusion profiles (1) installed above each hot aisle (16b).

[0124] This hot air joins the intake of the air conditioning unit (13) by passing through the volume of the hot plenum (9) under negative pressure.

[0125] Once cooled by the air conditioning unit (13), the treated air is injected into the interior volume of the cold plenum (7), which is thus pressurized. It then escapes from the cold plenum through the two perforated faces (4) of the two diffusion profiles (1) installed above each cold aisle (16a). Thus configured, the system according to the invention allows the treated, cooled air to be blown vertically at the level of each intake face (23) of the computer servers (6).

[0126] In addition to this convective heat treatment, the tensioned fabric (20) acting as a false ceiling at the level of each cold plenum (7) is cooled by the circulation of treated air throughout the entire volume of each cold plenum (7). Having a high thermal emissivity coefficient, the tensioned fabric (20) then emits thermal radiation over its entire surface, towards the cold aisles (16). This thermal radiation is an electromagnetic wave that travels in a straight line and uniformly cools all the solids visible from the surface of the tensioned fabric (20), namely the intake face (23) of the computer servers (6).

[0127] The cold plenums (7) within which the cooled treated air circulates are thermally insulated by means of the thermal insulation (10) installed on the underside of the slab and by means of the 2 neutral plenums (8) located on either side of each cold plenum (8), in fact the neutral plenums (8) are filled with air constituting a highly effective natural insulator.

[0128] Fig. 3 represents a detailed longitudinal sectional view of a room to be treated according to a second embodiment.

[0129] This embodiment allows for the establishment of a seal between each cold corridor (16a) and each hot corridor (16b).

[0130] To this end, mounting profiles (12) are fixed to the upper horizontal face of each row of computer servers (6). The tensioned fabric (20) installed in the configuration described in [Fig. 2] at the level of each neutral plenum (8), i.e., above each row of computer servers (6), is removed. A tensioned separation fabric (11) is installed opposite each face (intake and exhaust) of the rows of computer servers (6). Each separation fabric (11) is fixed from the mounting profile (12) and extends vertically to the mounting groove (2) of the diffusion profile (1).

[0131] Thus implemented the volume of the neutral plenum (8) is increased so as to extend from the slab (25) of the room to be treated to the upper face of each row of computer servers (6).

[0132] The internal volume of the neutral plenum (8) creates, in addition to thermal insulation, a separation creating an aerodynamic seal (i.e., a seal against the passage of air) in each cold corridor (16a) and each hot corridor (16b).

[0133] This sealing makes it possible to optimize thermal efficiency by preventing any "short cycle" phenomenon between the blown air flows and the air flows drawn in by the technical ceiling.

[0134] The sealing also makes it possible to eliminate the fans (22), conventionally installed on each computer server (6), in fact it makes it possible to put the volume of each cold corridor (16a) under positive pressure of cooled treated air and the volume of each hot corridor (16b) under negative pressure so that the cooled treated air naturally passes through each row of computer servers (6) from its suction face (23) to its blowing face (24).

[0135] Fig. 4 represents a cross-sectional view of a room to be treated, equipped with a traditional diffusion system.

[0136] An air conditioning machine (13) with a hot air intake and a cooled air outlet is connected (at its outlet) to the technical floor (14) and (at its intake) to the technical ceiling (15).

[0137] The computer servers (6) are arranged in a line, forming rows and thus delimiting corridors (16) between each row.

[0138] Cooled air supply grilles (17) are installed on the upper surface of the technical floor of each cold corridor (16a).

[0139] Hot air extraction grilles (18) are installed on the underside of the technical ceiling of each hot corridor (16b).

[0140] Each computer server (6) is equipped with a fan (22) which draws in ambient air on its vertical face (then called the suction face (23)) and expels the air on its opposite vertical face (then called the blowing face (24)).

[0141] The rows of computer servers (6) are arranged so that their suction faces (23) are located at the level of a cold aisle (16a) and their blowing faces (24) at the level of a hot aisle (16b).

[0142] Thus configured, the cold air produced by the air conditioning machine (13) is blown into the volume of the technical floor and then injected into each cold corridor (16a) by means of the blowing grilles (17).

[0143] Cold air is then drawn in by the computer servers (6) and heated by them before being expelled at the hot corridor (16b).

[0144] The heated air is then drawn in through the grilles (18) installed at the level of the technical ceiling and then passes through the volume of the technical ceiling to reach the air conditioning unit (13).

[0145] This system is complex to install and operates solely by thermal convection, i.e. 100% thanks to the heat exchange carried out between the cooled treated air and the hot computer servers (6). Reference numbers used in the figures:

[0146] 1 diffusion profile

[0147] 2 hook groove

[0148] 3 diffusion profile fixing face

[0149] 4 perforated face of the diffusion profile

[0150] 5 air deflector

[0151] 6 computer server

[0152] 7 cold plenum under positive pressure

[0153] 8 neutral plenum

[0154] 9 hot plenum in depression

[0155] 10 thermal insulation

[0156] 11 element or waterproof separation fabric

[0157] 12 partition canvas attachment profile

[0158] 13 air conditioning unit

[0159] 14 traditional raised access floor

[0160] 15 traditional technical ceiling

[0161] 16 air circulation aisle; 16a cold aisle; 16b hot aisle

[0162] 17 blower grille

[0163] 18 suction grille

[0164] 19 partition descent

[0165] 20 stretched canvas forming false ceiling

[0166] 21 non-perforated face of the diffusion profile

[0167] 22 computer server fan

[0168] 23 suction face of the computer server

[0169] 24 computer server blower face

[0170] 25 ceiling slab of the room served (or room to be treated)

[0171] 26 air supply duct

[0172] 27 suction air duct

Claims

1. Demands Technical ceiling intended to be hung by its horizontal upper face (3) from partition drops (19) installed on a ceiling slab (25) of a data center room to be treated, said technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric, enabling cooling by thermal convection and thermal radiation as well as air circulation in data centers operating by hot and cold aisle containment, said aisles being air circulation corridors (16) formed by computer servers (6) arranged in rows placed on the floor of the data center to be treated, each computer server (6) being equipped with a fan (22) enabling ambient air to be drawn in on its vertical intake face (23) and the heated air to be expelled on its opposite vertical discharge face (24), the space formed between each row of computer servers (6) is used as an air circulation corridor (16),The computer servers (6) are arranged so that their supply faces (24) are opposite each other, defining a hot air aisle (16b), and their exhaust faces (23) are also opposite each other, defining a cold air aisle (16a). The cold air aisles (16a) supply cold air directly to the computer servers (6), while the hot air aisles (16b) recover the hot air expelled by the computer servers (6). The technical ceiling includes at least one diffusion profile (1) that can be attached by its horizontal upper face (3) to partition wall drops (19) installed on the ceiling slab (25) in line with each supply (24) and exhaust (23) face of the computer servers (6). The combined height of the partition wall drops (19) and diffusion profile (1) extends to the maximum extent necessary to allow a user to circulate within the circulation aisles. air (16),said diffusion profile (1) comprising a face (4) having perforations allowing the passage of air and a sealed, non-perforated face (21), each face having a groove for attaching a stretched fabric (20), said diffusion profile (1) thus equipped with said stretched fabric (20) creating different plenum zones namely: a cold plenum (7) under positive pressure of cold air, a neutral plenum (8) and a hot plenum (9) under negative pressure, an air conditioning machine, (13) drawing in ambient air is connected to each hot plenum (9) under negative pressure and its treated air supply is connected to each cold plenum (7) under positive pressure, thus the cold air, treated by the air conditioning machine (13) is injected into each cold plenum (7) then blown by means of the diffusion profile (1) towards each cold aisle (16a), the ambient air, heated by the computer servers (6) is drawn in by the diffusion profile (1) at the level of each hot aisle (16a) so as to join the hot plenum under negative pressure (9), the neutral plenum (8) installed at the level of the rows of computer servers (6) is filled with air thus constituting a thermal insulator between each cold plenum (7) and each hot plenum (9), characterized in that the whole of the air circulation in the data center including the supply of cold air and the drawing in of hot air is treated directly by said technical ceiling.

2. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched canvas according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold plenums (7) are provided with thermal insulation (10) installed on the underside of the ceiling slab (25).

3. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the stretched fabric (20) has a thermal transmission coefficient of at least 500 W / m2.K and a thermal emissivity coefficient of at least 0.

9.

4. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched canvas according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each cold plenum (7) is pressurized with treated air cooled via an air supply duct (26) connected to said air conditioning machine (13).

5. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each hot plenum (9) is depressurized with respect to the room to be treated by means of an air suction duct (27) connected to said air conditioning machine (13).

6. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the diffusion profile (1) includes an aerodynamic deflector (5) adopting a curvature to facilitate the passage of air.

7. Technical ceiling intended to be suspended by its horizontal upper face (3) from partition drops (19) installed on a ceiling slab (25) of a data center room to be treated, said ceiling technique comprising a stretched canvas, enabling cooling by thermal convection and thermal radiation as well as air circulation in data centers operating by hot and cold aisle containment, said aisles being air circulation corridors (16) formed by computer servers (6) arranged in rows laid on the floor of the data center to be treated, each computer server (6) being equipped or not with a fan (22) enabling ambient air to be drawn in on its vertical intake face (23) and the heated air to be expelled on its opposite vertical exhaust face (24), the space formed between each line or row of computer servers (6) is used as a circulation corridor (16),The computer servers (6) are arranged so that their supply faces (24) are opposite each other, defining a hot air aisle (16b), and their exhaust faces (23) are also opposite each other, defining a cold air aisle (16a). The cold air aisles (16a) supply cold air directly to the computer servers (6), while the hot air aisles (16b) recover the hot air expelled by the computer servers (6). The technical ceiling includes at least one diffusion profile (1) that can be attached by its horizontal upper face (3) to partition wall drops (19) installed on the ceiling slab (25) in line with each supply (24) and exhaust (23) face of the computer servers (6). The combined height of the partition wall drops (19) and diffusion profile (1) extends to the maximum extent necessary to allow a user to circulate within the circulation aisles. air (16),said diffusion profile (1) comprising a face (4) with perforations allowing the passage of air and a sealed, non-perforated face (21), each face having a groove for attaching (2) a tensioned fabric (20), said diffusion profile (1) thus equipped with said tensioned fabric (20) creating different plenum zones, namely: a cold plenum (7) under positive pressure of cold air and a hot plenum (9) under negative pressure, an air conditioning unit (13) drawing in air is connected to each hot plenum (9) under negative pressure and its treated air outlet is connected to each cold plenum (7) under positive pressure, the cold air, treated by the air conditioning unit (13) is injected into each cold plenum (7) and then blown by means of the diffusion profile (1) towards each cold aisle (16a), the ambient air, heated, by the computer servers (6) is drawn in by the diffusion profile (1) at the level of each hot aisle (16a) so as to join the hot plenum under negative pressure (9), characterized in that the entire air circulation in the data center including the supply of cold air and the intake of hot air is treated directly by said technical ceiling and in that a sealed separation element (11) is installed vertically in line with the upper face of the computer servers (6) so as to join each sealed non-perforated face (21) of the diffusion profile (1) thus forming a neutral plenum (8) constituted at the level of the rows of computer servers (6), said neutral plenum (8) being filled with air thus representing a thermal insulator between each cold plenum (7) and each hot plenum (9) and whose volume is increased so as to extend from the slab (25) of the data center to be treated to the upper face of the computer servers (6).

8. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric according to claim 7, characterized in that the internal volume of the neutral plenum (8) is configured for thermal insulation as well as for airtightness to the passage of air in each cold corridor (16a) and in each hot corridor (16b) respectively.

9. Technical ceiling comprising a tensioned fabric according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the airtight separation element (11) is a tensioned separation fabric installed at each suction (23) and blowing (24) face of the rows of computer servers (6), each separation fabric (11) being fixed from a hanging profile (12) installed on each upper end of said computer servers (6) and extending vertically to the hanging groove (2) of the diffusion profile (D-

10. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched fabric according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the watertight separation element (11) is constituted by the assembly of partition drops (19) and diffusion profile (1) extending to the upper ends of said computer servers (6).

11. Technical ceiling comprising a stretched canvas according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the computer servers (6) are devoid of fans (22).

12. A data center air circulation and cooling system by thermal convection and thermal radiation operating by hot and cold aisle containment, comprising the technical ceiling according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or the technical ceiling according to any one of claims 7 to 11 connected to at least one air conditioning machine (13), characterized in that the entire air circulation in the data center, including the blowing of cold air and the extraction of hot air, is handled directly by said technical ceiling.

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