Expandable blanking panel assembly for aisle in data center and similar facility

Abstract

To provide an expandable panel assembly that provides an air barrier in a row of server racks in a data center or similar facility in spaces in the row that are not occupied by a server rack.SOLUTION: An expandable panel assembly 20 includes a base panel assembly 22 and a slidable panel assembly 24. The expandable panel assembly is configured such that the slidable panel assembly can be slid along the base panel assembly between retracted (non-extended) and extended positions. The base panel assembly includes channel members 28'and 28'' with first and second channels. The slidable panel assembly is slidably retained in those channel members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming hot and cold aisles between rows and above the rows of server racks in a data center and similar facilities. More specifically, the present invention relates to a panel assembly available for these rows to prevent mixing of air in the hot and cold aisles passing through these spaces in the spaces where there are no server racks and in the space above the server racks.

Background Art

[0002] A data center typically includes rows of server racks that house or otherwise support servers as well as other computers and electronic equipment. Each server rack can house or otherwise support various servers as well as other computers and electronic equipment.

[0003] These servers as well as other computers and electronic equipment require a relatively large amount of energy to operate, which generates heat. If the heat is not dissipated, malfunction of the equipment may occur due to overheating.

[0004] Typically, to reduce the risk of excessive heat, and in some cases heat that causes damage, in a row of server racks, each row has a cold aisle on one side of the row, usually the front side, and a hot aisle on the other side of the row, usually the rear side. The server racks function as a "barrier" between the hot aisle and the cold aisle.

[0005] Cooling air is typically (1) directed into the cold aisle, (2) from the cold aisle through the row of server racks, from the front to the rear of the server racks, and then directed into the hot aisle, (3) exits the hot aisle, exits the data center or is recycled as "new" cooling air, and then is recirculated within the data center.

[0006] However, in many cases, the rows of server racks may have "blank" spaces, i.e., spaces not occupied by servers and other computers and electronic devices in the server rack. If these "blank" spaces are not filled, the hot air in the hot aisle can mix with the cooled air in the cold aisle through those spaces, thus reducing the thermal efficiency of the aisle.

[0007] Therefore, in order for the cold / hot aisles to function with high thermal efficiency, it is desirable to place or insert something in these "blank" spaces in the server rack row to prevent the mixing of hot air and cooled air passing through those spaces.

[0008] In the art, there are certain panels adapted to be placed or inserted into those "blank" spaces to block the air flow through those spaces. All of these panels have a predetermined height and width.

[0009] However, the "blank" spaces in the rows of server racks within a particular data center or similar facility, or in different data centers and similar facilities, may have different heights and widths. Therefore, a single-size panel cannot sufficiently block the air flow through all of those "blank" spaces.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a blanking panel assembly for data centers and similar facilities that can be adjusted on-site in height or width to match the various heights and widths of the "blank" spaces in the rows of server racks in data centers and similar facilities.

[0011] Furthermore, in many cases, there is a blank space above the row of server racks, i.e., between the row of server racks and the ceiling, and there is no barrier between the cold aisle and the hot aisle. Therefore, there is also a need for a panel assembly that can be used in those spaces to extend a cold / hot aisle barrier or partition above the row of server racks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] This invention's blanking panel assembly addresses the above needs regarding rows of server racks and cold / hot aisles in data centers and similar facilities, as well as other needs in the art that will be apparent to those skilled in the art considering this disclosure.

[0013] Specifically, the expandable panel assembly of some embodiments of this invention includes a base panel assembly and a slidable panel assembly. The base panel assembly and the slidable panel assembly are configured such that the slidable panel assembly can be slid between a retracted position and an extended position along the base panel assembly. The base panel assembly may include a first air-impermeable panel, a first base panel channel member, and a second base panel channel member. The slidable panel assembly may include a second air-impermeable panel, a first slidable panel channel member, and a second slidable panel channel member. The first base panel channel member may have a first and a second channel. The edge of the first air-impermeable panel may be received and held in the first channel. The edge of the second air-impermeable panel may be held within the first slidable panel channel member. The slidable panel assembly may be slidably held within the second channel. The second base panel channel member may be configured to be attached to a member or structure of a data center or similar facility including an access or raised floor, and the second slidable panel channel member may be configured to be attached to another member or structure of a data center or similar facility.

[0014] In a particular embodiment of this invention, the first base panel channel member may include a base wall and outer, central, and inner flange walls that (1) extend in the same direction from the base wall and (2) are parallel. The first channel may be defined by the outer flange wall and the central flange wall, and the second channel may be defined by the central flange wall and the inner flange wall.

[0015] In other embodiments of the present invention, the first base panel channel member may be a one-piece member.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the outer flange wall and the central flange wall may have fingers that extend towards each other and are configured to slidably engage with the slidable panel assembly.

[0017] This invention has many advantages and benefits, including that the panel assembly of the present invention is scalable in the height or width direction so as to fit into different sized blank spaces in server rack rows within a data room and similar facilities.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0030] An expandable blanking panel assembly 20, which is an embodiment of the expandable blanking panel assembly of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9B.

[0031] In this embodiment of the present invention, the expandable blanking panel assembly 20 includes a base or lower panel assembly 22 and an upper or slidable panel assembly 24. The upper panel assembly 24 is slidable in the up / down direction relative to the base panel assembly 22 at least between a lowered (or retracted) position and an extended position, as will be described below.

[0032] The base panel assembly 22 includes, among other things as shown in FIG. 2, a lower channel member 26, side channel members 28' and 28'', an upper channel member 30, and a panel 32.

[0033] In this embodiment of the present invention, the lower channel member 26 has an F-shaped contour and includes a base wall 34 and flange walls 36 and 38 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The flange walls 36 and 38 extend from the base wall 34 and are parallel. The flange wall 36 includes a pointed protrusion or knob 40, and the flange wall 38 includes a pointed protrusion or knob 42. The pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 face each other.

[0034] Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, the side channel members 28' and 28'' each include a base wall 44, an inner flange wall 46, a central flange wall 48, and an outer flange wall 50, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The flange walls 46, 48, and 50 extend from the base wall 44 and are parallel. The inner flange wall 46 includes a pointed protrusion or knob 52 on the surface of the inner flange wall 46 facing the central flange wall 48. The pointed protrusion or knob 52 extends toward the central flange wall 48. The central flange wall 48 includes a pointed protrusion or knob 54 and a finger 56. The pointed protrusion or knob 54 is on the surface of the central flange wall 48 facing the inner flange wall 46 and extends toward the inner flange wall 46. The finger 56 is on the opposite surface of the central flange wall 48 and extends toward the outer flange wall 50. The outer flange wall 50 has a finger 58 on the surface of the outer flange wall 50 facing the central flange wall 48. The finger 58 extends toward the central flange wall 48.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, only one of the side channel members 28' and 28'' may have the above configuration. The other of the side channel members 28' and 28'' can have the shape of the channel member 30 described below, or any other suitable shape.

[0036] In this embodiment of the present invention, the upper end channel member 30 has a U-shape with a base wall 60 and side walls 62 and 64, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The side walls 62 and 64 extend from the base wall 60 and are parallel. The side wall 62 has a pointed protrusion or knob 66 that extends from the surface of the side wall 62 facing the side wall 64 toward the side wall 64. The side wall 64 has a pointed protrusion or knob 68 that extends from the surface of the side wall 64 facing the side wall 62 toward the side wall 62.

[0037] Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, the panel 32 is a flat panel that is air-impermeable and has thermal capabilities. An example of the panel 32 is a multi-wall polycarbonate panel.

[0038] The lower channel member 26, the side channel members 28' and 28'', and the upper channel member 30 abut at their respective ends to form a "frame" for the panel 32. The panel 32 is held (1) between the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 of the lower channel member 26 at its lower edge as shown in FIG. 7B, (2) between the pointed protrusions or knobs 52 and 54 of the inner flange walls 46 and the central flange walls 48 of the side channel members 28' and 28'' at its side edges as shown in FIG. 9B, and (3) between the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the upper channel member 30 at its upper edge as shown in FIG. 8B, and is thus held within the "frame" by the lower channel member 26, the side channel members 28' and 28, and the upper channel member 30.

[0039] In this embodiment of the present invention, the "frame" of the base panel assembly 22 includes the lower channel member 26, the side channel members 28' and 28'', and the upper channel member 30, but the base panel assemblies of other embodiments of this invention can include other structural members as long as those other structural members provide the required structural integrity.

[0040] Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, the lower channel member 26, the side channel members 28' and 28'', and the upper channel member 30 are held in the "frame" shape by frictional engagement of the edges of the panel 32 with (1) the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 of the lower channel member 26, (2) the pointed protrusions or knobs 52 and 54 of the inner walls 46 and the central flange walls 48 of the side channel members 28' and 28'', and (3) the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the upper channel member 30, but in other embodiments, the respective ends of these members may be connected, for example, by welding.

[0041] In this embodiment of the present invention, the upper panel assembly 24 includes, among other things, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper channel member 70, side channel members 72' and 72'', a lower channel member 74, and a panel 76.

[0042] The upper channel member 70 is the same as the base channel member 26 of the base panel assembly 22, and the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 extend towards each other respectively.

[0043] The side channel members 72' and 72'' and the lower channel member 74 are the same as the upper channel member 30, and all the side walls of these members have pointed protrusions or knobs 64 and 66 extending from the opposing surfaces of the side walls.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower channel member 74 can support or be replaced by a gasket member for sealing the interface between the base panel assembly 22 and the upper panel assembly 24.

[0045] Similar to the panel 32, the panel 76 is a flat panel that is air-impermeable and has thermal capabilities. An example of the panel 76 is a multi-wall polycarbonate panel.

[0046] The upper channel member 70, the side channel members 72' and 72'', and the lower channel member 74 abut at their respective ends to form a "frame" for the panel 76. The panel 76 is held (1) between the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the lower channel member 74 at its lower edge as shown in FIG. 8B, (2) between the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the side channel members 72' and 72 at its side edges as similarly shown in FIG. 8B, and (3) between the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 of the upper channel member 70 at its upper edge as shown in FIG. 7B, and is thus held within the upper channel member 70, the side channel members 72' and 72'', and the lower channel member 74, i.e., within the "frame".

[0047] The upper panel assembly 24 is slidable in the up / down direction relative to the base panel assembly 22 as follows. As shown in FIG. 9B, the side channel members 72' and 72'' of the upper panel assembly 24 are slidably received between the fingers 56 and 58 of the central flange wall 48 and the outer flange wall 50 of the side channel members 28' and 28'' of the base panel assembly 22 so that the upper panel assembly 24 can be slid in the up / down direction at least between its extended position shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 and its lowered or retracted position shown in FIG. 3.

[0048] In this embodiment of the present invention, the upper panel assembly 24 is composed of the upper channel member 70, the side channel members 72' and 72'', and the lower channel member 74. However, the upper panel assemblies of other embodiments of this invention can include other structural members as long as those structural members have sufficient structural integrity.

[0049] Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, the upper end channel member 70, the side channel members 72' and 72, and the lower end channel member 74 are held in a "frame" shape by frictional engagement of the edges of the panel 76 with (1) the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 on the side walls 62 and 64 of the lower end channel member 74, (2) the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 on the side walls 62 and 64 of the side channel members 72' and 72'', and (3) the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 on the flange walls 36 and 38 of the upper end channel member 70. However, in other embodiments, the respective ends of those members may be connected, for example, by welding.

[0050] In use, when an expandable blank panel assembly 20 is used to "fill" the blank spaces in a row of server racks, the base wall 34 of the base channel member 26 can be attached to an access floor panel or other floor surface. Then, when the upper end panel assembly 24 is in a desired position, such as the extended position shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the base wall 34 of the upper end channel member 70 can be attached to a ceiling support member or structure.

[0051] Furthermore, when an expandable blank panel assembly 20 is used to "divide" the space above a row of server racks, the base wall 34 of the base channel member 26 can be attached to the upper ends of one or more server racks. Then, when the upper end panel assembly 24 is in a desired position, the base wall 34 of the upper end channel member 70 can be attached to a ceiling support member or structure.

[0052] An expandable blanking panel assembly 78, which is a second embodiment of the expandable blanking panel assembly of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0053] In this embodiment, the expandable blanking panel 78 includes a base panel assembly 80 and a slidable panel assembly 82. The slidable panel assembly 82 is slidable in the left / right direction relative to the base panel assembly 80 at least between a non-extended (retracted) position and an extended position, as described below.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11, the base panel assembly 80 includes a lower end channel member 84, side channel members 86 and 90, an upper end channel member 88, and a panel 92.

[0055] Those members of the base panel assembly 80 correspond to the members of the base panel assembly 22 of the expandable blanking panel assembly 20 as follows. The lower end channel member 84 and the upper end channel member 88 of the base panel assembly 80 respectively correspond to the side channel members 28’ and 28’’ of the base panel assembly 22. The side channel member 86 of the base panel assembly 80 corresponds to the upper end channel member 30 of the base panel assembly 22. The side channel member 90 of the base panel assembly 80 corresponds to the lower end channel member 26 of the base panel assembly 22. The panel 92 of the base panel assembly 80 corresponds to the panel 32 of the base panel assembly 22.

[0056] The lower channel member 84, the side channel members 86 and 90, and the upper channel member 88 abut at their respective ends to form the "frame" of the panel 92. The panel 92 is held (1) with its lower edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 52 and 54 of the inner flange wall 46 and the central flange wall 48 of the lower channel member 84, (2) with one side edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the side channel member 86, (3) with the other side edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 of the side channel member 90, and (4) with its upper edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 52 and 54 of the inner flange wall 46 and the central flange wall 48 of the upper channel member 88, and is thus held by the lower channel member 84, the side channel members 86 and 90, and the upper channel member 88, i.e., within the "frame".

[0057] In this embodiment of the invention, the "frame" of the base panel assembly 80 includes the lower channel member 84, the side channel members 86 and 90, and the upper channel member 88, but the base panel assemblies of other embodiments of this invention can include other structural members as long as those other structural members provide the necessary structural integrity.

[0058] Also, in this embodiment of the invention, the lower channel member 84, the side channel members 86 and 90, and the upper channel member 88 are held in the "frame" shape by frictional engagement of the edges of the panel 92 with (1) the pointed protrusions or knobs 52 and 54 of the inner flange wall 46 and the central flange wall 48 of the lower channel member 84, (2) the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the side channel member 86, (3) the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 of the side channel member 90, and (4) the pointed protrusions or knobs 52 and 54 of the inner flange wall 46 and the central flange wall 48 of the upper channel member 88, but in other embodiments, the respective ends of those members may be connected, for example, by welding.

[0059] In this embodiment of the present invention, the slidable panel assembly 82 includes a lower channel member 94, side channel members 96 and 100, an upper channel member 98, and a panel 102.

[0060] Those members of the slidable panel assembly 82 correspond to the members of the upper panel assembly 24 of the expandable panel assembly 20 as follows. The lower channel member 94 and the upper channel member 98 of the slidable panel assembly 82 respectively correspond to the side channel members 72' and 72'' of the upper panel assembly 24, the side channel member 96 of the slidable panel assembly 82 corresponds to the upper channel member 70 of the upper panel assembly 24, the side channel member 100 of the slidable channel assembly corresponds to the lower channel member 74 of the upper panel assembly 24, and the panel 102 of the slidable panel assembly 82 corresponds to the panel 76 of the upper panel assembly 24.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention, the side channel member 100 can support a gasket member or replace the gasket member to seal the interface between the base panel assembly 80 and the slidable panel assembly 82.

[0062] The lower channel member 94, the side channel members 96 and 100, and the upper channel member 98 abut at their respective ends to form a "frame" for the panel 102. The panel 102 is held within the "frame" by (1) holding its lower edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the lower channel member 94, (2) holding one side edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 of the side channel member 96, (3) holding the other side edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the side channel member 100, and (4) holding its upper edge between the pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the upper channel member 98.

[0063] In this embodiment of the present invention, the "frame" of the slidable panel assembly 82 includes a lower channel member 94, side channel members 96 and 100, and an upper channel member 98. However, the slidable panel assemblies of other embodiments of the present invention can include other structural members as long as those other structural members provide the required structural integrity.

[0064] Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, the lower channel member 94, side channel members 96 and 100, and upper channel member 98 are held in a "frame" shape by frictional engagement of the edges of the panel 102 with (1) the respective pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the lower channel member 94, (2) the respective pointed protrusions or knobs 40 and 42 of the flange walls 36 and 38 of the side channel member 96, (3) the respective pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 86 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the side channel member 100, and (4) the respective pointed protrusions or knobs 66 and 68 of the side walls 62 and 64 of the upper channel member 98. However, in other embodiments, the respective ends of those members may be connected, for example, by welding.

[0065] The slidable panel assembly 82 is slidable in the left - right direction with respect to the base panel assembly 80 as follows. The lower channel member 94 and the upper channel member 98 of the slidable panel assembly 82 are slidably received between the respective fingers 56 and 58 of the central flange wall 48 and the outer flange wall 50 of the lower channel member 84 and the upper channel member 88 of the base panel assembly 80 so that the slidable panel assembly 82 can be slid in the left / right direction at least between a retracted position (non - extended position) and an extended position.

[0066] When the expandable panel assembly 78 is used to "fill" the blank space in the column of the server rack during use, the side channel member 90 of the base panel assembly 80 can be attached to the side surface of the server rack or another vertical surface. Then, when the slidable panel assembly 82 is in the desired position, the side channel member 96 of the slidable panel assembly 82 can be attached to a similar opposing surface.

[0067] Furthermore, when the expandable panel assembly is used to "divide" the space above the column of the server rack, the side channel member 90 of the base panel assembly 80 can be attached to a vertical surface or member. Then, when the slidable panel assembly 82 is in the desired position, the side channel member 96 of the slidable panel assembly can be attached to another vertical surface or member.

[0068] What is described and illustrated in this specification are embodiments of the present invention with some variations. The terms, descriptions, and drawings in this specification are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents, and all terms have the broadest reasonable definition unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. 1. A panel assembly configured to provide an air barrier for a row of server racks in a data center or similar facility, comprising: a base panel assembly; a slidable panel assembly; Equipped with the base panel assembly and the slidable panel assembly are configured such that the slidable panel assembly can be slid along the base panel assembly between a retracted position and an extended position; the base panel assembly includes a first air impermeable panel, a first base panel channel member, and a second base panel channel member; the slidable panel assembly includes a second air impermeable panel, a first slidable panel channel member, and a second slidable panel channel member; the first base panel channel member having a first channel and a second channel; an edge of the first air impermeable panel is held within the first channel; an edge of the second air impermeable panel is held within the first slidable panel channel member; the slidable panel assembly is slidably retained within the second channel; the second base panel channel member is configured to be attached to a member or structure of the data center or similar facility; The second slidable panel channel member is configured to be attached to another member or structure of the data center or similar facility.

2. the first base panel channel member includes a base wall and (i) outer, central, and inner flange walls that extend in the same direction from the base wall and (ii) are parallel; the first channel is defined by the outer flange wall and the central flange wall; The panel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second channel is defined by the central flange wall and the inner flange wall.

3. The panel assembly of claim 2 wherein said first base panel channel member is an integral, one-piece member.

4. The panel assembly of claim 3 , wherein the outer flange walls and the central flange walls have finger portions extending toward one another and configured to slidably engage the slidable panel assembly.

5. The panel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are aligned.

6. the second base panel channel member having a first wall, the first wall (i) configured to be attached to a member or structure of the data center or similar facility and (ii) having a first surface configured to abut a member or structure of the data center or similar facility; the second slidable panel channel member having a second wall, the second wall (ii) configured to be attached to the other member or structure of the data center or similar facility and (ii) having a second surface configured to abut the other member or structure of the data center or similar facility; The panel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first surface and the second surface face in opposite directions.

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