Damper for electronic equipment rack

Abstract

A damper system for an electronics rack is provided. The damper system may include an electronics rack, a battery backup unit, and a plurality of rails disposed within the electronics rack. The battery backup unit is slidably secured to the plurality of rails and tuned to damp seismic vibrations of the electronics rack during an earthquake. The battery backup unit can also provide power to electronics disposed within the rack during a power outage.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electronic equipment racks, and more particularly to a damper system for electronic equipment racks.

[0002] An electronics rack is a type of physical structure used to house various electronic devices. Electronics racks are typically made of durable materials (e.g., metals, composites, etc.) and can be anchored to the floor to provide stability to the rack. Typically, electronics racks house vertically arranged electronic devices. For example, a server rack houses various switches, routers, servers, cables, etc., arranged vertically within rectangular drawers or bays of the server rack. In this manner, server racks allow a large amount of equipment to be stored in a small physical footprint. However, due to the rigidity of the physical structure of electronics racks, they are prone to structural failure during earthquakes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, a damper system for an electronics rack is provided. The damper system may include an electronics rack, a battery backup unit, and a plurality of rails disposed within the electronics rack. The battery backup unit is slidably secured to the plurality of rails and tuned to dampen seismic vibrations of the electronics rack during an earthquake. This is advantageous over standard electronics racks because the damper system minimizes vibrations during an earthquake, thereby preventing structural damage to the rack and / or damage to electronic devices within the rack. Furthermore, the battery backup unit can provide power to one or more electronic devices disposed within the electronics rack in the event of a power loss due to an earthquake.

[0004] In some embodiments, the battery backup unit may provide power directly to one or more electronic devices via multiple rails, which is beneficial over standard wire connections for electronic devices that can become loose or disconnected due to vibrations during an earthquake.

[0005] In some embodiments, the rails may be disposed within a removably secured drawer within the electronics rack, and power may be provided to the battery backup unit through a connection between the power rails of the electronics rack and the wheels of the drawer to recharge the battery backup unit, allowing the battery backup unit to maintain a full charge before an earthquake and further avoiding the use of wires that may come loose or disconnect.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a damper system for a server rack, the damper system comprising: a server rack having servers; a battery backup unit electrically coupled to the servers; and a plurality of rails disposed within the server rack, the battery backup unit slidably secured to the plurality of rails and tuned to damp seismic vibrations of the server rack during an earthquake.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for damping vibrations of an electronics rack during an earthquake is provided. The method includes, in response to seismic vibrations of the electronics rack caused by an earthquake, damping the seismic vibrations with a damper system for the electronics rack. In some embodiments, the method further includes, in response to a loss of power to one or more electronic devices disposed in the electronics rack, providing power to the one or more electronic devices disposed in the electronics rack with a battery backup unit of the damper system. The method further includes, upon restoration of power, recharging the battery backup unit of the damper system via a direct connection.

[0008] The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] The drawings included in this disclosure are incorporated in and form a part of this specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are merely illustrations of typical embodiments and are not limiting of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a damper system for an electronics rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.

[0011] [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates a top view of a drawer of a damper system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a drawer of a damper system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a front view of a wheel of a drawer of a damper system connected to a power rail of an electronics rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.

[0014] [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates a side view of a wheel of a drawer of a damper system connected to a power rail of an electronics rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.

[0015] [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates a side view of a wheel of a drawer of a damper system connected to a power rail with a safety disconnect according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 5]FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method for damping seismic vibrations of an electronics rack using a damper system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that the particular embodiments described are not to be construed in a limiting sense. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of electronics racks, and more particularly to dampers for electronics racks. While the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such applications, various aspects of the present disclosure may be understood through the discussion of various examples using this context.

[0019] An electronics rack is a type of physical structure used to house various electronic devices. Electronics racks are usually made of durable materials (e.g., metals, composites, etc.) and can be secured to the floor to provide stability to the rack. Typically, electronics racks house vertically arranged electronic devices. For example, a server rack houses various switches, routers, servers, cables, etc., arranged vertically within rectangular drawers or bays of the server rack. In this way, server racks allow a large amount of equipment to be stored in a small physical footprint.

[0020] However, due to the rigidity of the electronics rack's physical structure, it is susceptible to structural failure during an earthquake. For example, seismic vibrations caused by ground movement during an earthquake can cause the electronics rack to vibrate and move or shake. The greater the amplitude of the vibrations / shocks, the greater the likelihood that the electronics rack will suffer structural damage, overturn, or even collapse. To overcome overturning, some electronics racks can be anchored to the floor, but even with this approach, the rack remains susceptible to structural damage if the seismic vibrations are significant. Furthermore, electronic equipment or devices located within the rack may be damaged due to the strong movement of the rack resulting from the vibrations.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a new type of electronics rack including a damper. In particular, some embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a damper system including an electronics rack, a battery backup unit, and multiple rails disposed within the electronics rack, where the battery backup unit is slidably secured to the multiple rails and tuned to dampen seismic vibrations of the electronics rack during an earthquake or other ground shaking event (e.g., weather-related, human-induced, etc.). In some embodiments, the multiple rails may comprise a multi-axis rail set that allows the battery backup unit to slide in the x-y plane to dampen vibrations. Unlike conventional electronics racks, the damper system prevents structural damage to the rack by dissipating energy generated by an earthquake and applied to the structure. Furthermore, the battery backup unit is also configured to provide power to electrical devices / components stored within the electronics rack in the event of a power failure. In some embodiments, power may be provided directly through the rails of the damper system, which is more advantageous than conventional wire connections that may loosen or become disconnected due to vibrations during an earthquake.

[0022] It should be understood that the aforementioned advantages are exemplary advantages and should not be construed as limiting. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include all, some, or none of the aforementioned advantages and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of a damper system 100 for an electronics rack 102 is shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The damper system 100 includes an electronics rack 102, a battery backup unit 104, and a plurality of rails 106 disposed within the electronics rack 102. In some embodiments, the electronics rack 102 may be configured as a server rack housing one or more servers and / or additional electronic devices (e.g., routers, switches, networking equipment, etc.). The battery backup unit 104 is slidably secured to the plurality of rails 106 and is tuned to damp seismic vibrations of the electronics rack 102 during an earthquake or any other type of vibration-generating event (e.g., weather-related event, human-induced event, etc.). In embodiments, the battery backup unit 104 may be mass-tuned using one or more damping mechanisms (not shown) configured to assist in damping seismic vibrations. The damping mechanism may be any type of damping device capable of producing a damping effect (e.g., a spring, a hydraulic device, a fluid, a rubber, a foam, a friction device, etc.). This is beneficial over standard electronics racks because the damper system 100 minimizes vibration during an earthquake, preventing structural failure of the rack and / or damage to any electronic devices stored within the rack. Additionally, a battery backup unit can provide power to one or more electronic devices located within the electronics rack in the event of a power loss due to an earthquake.

[0024] In an embodiment, the battery backup unit 104 may include one or more fasteners (not shown) that secure the battery backup unit to the plurality of rails 106. The fasteners may be any type of fastener, such as, for example, screws, bolts, magnetic fasteners, clips, etc. In an embodiment, the battery backup unit 104 includes a sliding mechanism that allows the battery backup unit to slide along the plurality of rails 106. For example, the sliding mechanism may include, but is not intended to be limiting, a slide rail, rollers, wheels, ball bearings, etc.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the battery backup unit 104 is shown as box-shaped, but this is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that the size, shape, dimensions, weight, etc. of the battery backup unit 104 may vary. Additionally, the plurality of rails 106 is shown as having a first set of rails 106A disposed along the y-axis and a second set of rails 106B disposed along the x-axis and perpendicularly above the first set of rails 106B. It should be noted that various configurations of the plurality of rails 106 may vary. For example, fewer or more rails may be included in a configuration of the plurality of rails 106. In some embodiments, the rails may include various shapes and / or attributes. For example, the rails may be curved and / or may include a damping mechanism, not shown, but within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the rails 106 are disposed within a removably secured drawer 108 that is removable and / or securable to the electronics rack 102 via rails 110. However, in some embodiments, the rails 106 can be disposed within the electronics rack 102 without the need for a drawer 108. For example, the rails 106 can be permanently secured to the electronics rack 102. In some embodiments, the drawer 108 can include wheels (not shown) that allow the drawer to be removed from the electronics rack 102.

[0027] 2A and 2B, a top view and a side view, respectively, of a drawer 208 of a damper system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. The drawer 208 may be substantially similar to the drawer 108 of the damper system 100 of FIG. 1. The drawer 208 may be configured to be removably secured within an electronics rack, such as the electronics rack 102 of FIG. 1.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment, multiple rails 206A and 206B, collectively referred to as rails 206, are disposed within drawer 208. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple rails 206 comprise a multi-axis rail set that allows battery backup unit 204 to slide in the x-y plane when electronics rack vibrations occur. For example, rail 206B allows battery backup unit 204 to slide along the x-axis, while rail 206A allows battery backup unit 104 to slide along the y-axis. As shown, rail 206A is disposed above rail 206B. In the illustrated embodiment, rail 206A is configured to slide along rail 206B. In some embodiments, rail 206A includes a sliding mechanism that allows rail 206A to slide along rail 206B in response to seismic vibrations. In some embodiments, the rail configurations may vary as long as the sliding function is maintained. For example, rail 206B may be disposed above rail 206A, or in another example, the rails may be interconnected such that they move and position in the same plane.

[0029] In some embodiments, the battery backup unit 204 may include one or more damping mechanisms (not shown) configured to assist in damping seismic vibrations. The damping mechanisms may be any type of damping device capable of producing a damping effect (e.g., springs, hydraulic devices, fluids, rubber, foam, friction devices, etc.). For example, the battery backup unit 204 may include multiple damping springs attached to each side of the battery backup unit 204 and / or rails 206 to dampen seismic vibrations. For example, attaching one or more damping springs to each side of the battery backup unit 204 can ensure that the unit remains centered within the rack during an earthquake. The damping springs may be mass-tuned to a vibration frequency that best prevents structural damage to the electronics rack. The vibration frequency may be derived based on a given amplitude or range of amplitudes of a potential earthquake that would most likely cause structural damage to the electronics rack (e.g., based on Richter scale measurements).

[0030] In some embodiments, the rails 206 may be configured to provide power directly from the battery backup unit 204 to one or more electronic devices stored in the electronic rack. For example, the rails 206 may be constructed of a conductive material (e.g., metal) to allow power to be transmitted from the battery backup unit 204 through the rails 206 and the drawer 208 to another electrical device in the rack. In some embodiments, the battery backup unit 204 may include a wire connection or cable to an electronic device in the rack. For example, the battery backup may be electrically coupled to a server in a server rack. In some embodiments, the battery backup unit 204 is recharged via a wireless connection, as described below.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3 , a close-up front view of a drawer wheel 312 of a damper system 300 connected to a power rail 316 of an electronics rack 302 is shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the rail 310 is secured to a sidewall of the electronics rack 302. The rail 310 includes a power rail 316 configured to supply power to recharge a battery backup unit (not shown) via the drawer wheel 312. As shown, power can be supplied from the power rail 316 to the wheel 312 and through the drawer axle 314. The axle 314 may connect and contact multiple rails to which the battery backup unit is secured within the drawer, as shown in FIGS. 1 , 2A, and 2B. In an embodiment, the wheel 312, axle 314, power rail 316, and rail 310 can be constructed from conductive materials (e.g., various metals). In this manner, the battery backup unit can maintain a full charge before an earthquake and further avoid the use of wires that may become loose or disconnected.

[0032] 4A , a side view of wheels 412 of a drawer of damper system 400A connected to a power rail 416 of an electronics rack is shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, wheels 412 are secured to drawer 418 and configured to contact power rail 416 when placed in the electronics rack. Wheels 413 are secured to a side wall or rail of the equipment rack and remain stationary when drawer 418 is removed. As shown, wheels 412 are slidable along power rail 416 toward wheels 413 when accessing or removing drawer 418, which holds a battery backup unit.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4B , a side view of a wheel 412 of a damper system drawer connected to a power rail 416 having a safety disconnect 420 is shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel 412 is secured to the drawer 418 and configured to contact the power rail 416 when placed in an electronics rack. The wheel 413 is secured to a sidewall or rail of the equipment rack and remains stationary when the drawer 418 is removed. As shown, the wheel 412 is slidable along the power rail 416 toward the wheel 413 when accessing or removing the drawer 418 holding the battery backup unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the power rail 416 includes a safety disconnect that prevents a user from touching live electrical connections when removing the drawer. The safety disconnect 420 is shown as a protrusion disposed along the power rail 416. However, this example is not intended to be limiting. The safety disconnect can be any type of configuration that prevents a user from touching the power rail 416. In this way, the drawer 418 can be safely removed from the rack without the risk of touching the live power rail 416.

[0034] 5, a flow diagram of an exemplary method 500 for damping seismic vibrations of an electronics rack using a damper system is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 500 utilizes damper system 100 described in FIG.

[0035] In an embodiment, method 500 begins by responding to seismic vibrations of the electronics rack caused by an earthquake by damping the seismic vibrations using a damper system for the electronics rack. This is shown in step 505. For example, during an earthquake, the damper system prevents failure of the structural components of the electronics rack by damping the vibrations using a mass-tuned battery backup unit. This is advantageous over standard electronics racks because the damper system minimizes vibrations during an earthquake, thereby preventing structural failure of the rack and / or damage to the electronic devices within the rack.

[0036] In some embodiments, method 500 continues by providing power to one or more electronic devices disposed within the electronics rack in response to a loss of power to one or more electronic devices disposed within the electronics rack. This is shown at step 510. For example, general-purpose power provided to the electronics rack may be lost due to the severity of an earthquake. Therefore, the battery backup unit not only functions as a damper but is also configured to provide battery backup power to the electronic devices in the rack. For example, the battery backup unit may provide backup power to servers disposed within the rack. In some embodiments, the battery backup unit provides power directly to the electronic devices via a series of power rails. For example, the battery backup power may be transmitted to the electronic devices through multiple rails supporting the battery backup unit and through one or more rails of the electronics rack. In some embodiments, the battery backup unit may include electrical cables and / or bus bars that provide battery backup power directly to the electronic devices.

[0037] In an embodiment, the battery backup unit may include circuitry (e.g., a sensor, a switch, etc.) configured to sense when power is being supplied by the power rail of the electronics rack or when a power loss occurs. The circuitry may include a switch mechanism such that when a power loss is detected / sensed, the battery backup unit turns on and begins providing backup power to the electronic devices in the electronics rack. The circuitry of the battery backup unit is also configured to detect when power is returned to the power rail of the electronics rack. In response to power being returned to the rack, the battery backup turns off and ceases providing battery backup power to the rack.

[0038] In some embodiments, method 500 continues by recharging the battery backup unit of the damper system in response to the restoration of power to the electronics rack, as shown in step 515. In some embodiments, the battery backup unit is recharged via a direct connection between the battery backup unit and the electronics rack, as discussed above. This allows the battery backup unit to maintain a full charge before the earthquake and also avoids the use of wires that may become loose or disconnected.

[0039] In embodiments, the circuitry of the battery backup unit may include a sensor / switch that detects and / or measures the battery charge of the battery backup unit in percent and initiates or terminates a charging function based on the percent battery charge. For example, the switch terminates the charging function as soon as the battery backup unit is determined to be fully charged. In some embodiments, method 500 returns to step 505 if another earthquake occurs.

[0040] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of various embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes" and / or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. In the preceding detailed description of exemplary embodiments of various embodiments, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings (in which like numerals represent like elements), which form a part of this specification and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments in which the various embodiments may be practiced. These embodiments have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, but other embodiments may be used, and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments. In the preceding description, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. However, various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments.

[0041] Different examples of the term "embodiment" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. Any data and data structures shown or described herein are merely examples, and other embodiments may use different amounts of data, types of data, fields, numbers and types of fields, field names, numbers and types of rows, records, entries, or organizations of data. Furthermore, any data may be combined with logic, such that a separate data structure may not be necessary. Therefore, the previous detailed description should not be construed in a limiting sense.

[0042] The description of various embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein has been selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements over commercially available technologies, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0043] While the present disclosure has been described with respect to particular embodiments, it is anticipated that variations and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as including all such variations and modifications that are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A damper system for an electronics rack, comprising: Electronic equipment racks; a battery backup unit; and A plurality of rails disposed within the electronics rack Equipped with the battery backup unit is slidably secured to the rails and tuned to attenuate seismic vibrations of the electronic equipment rack during an earthquake. Damper system.

2. The damper system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rails comprises a set of multi-axis rails that allow the battery backup unit to slide in an xy plane.

3. The damper system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics rack has an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, and the plurality of rails are disposed on the upper portion of the electronics rack.

4. The damper system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of damping springs are secured to the battery backup unit.

5. The damper system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of damping springs are tuned to a vibration frequency to prevent structural failure of the electronics rack in response to the earthquake.

6. The damper system of claim 1 , wherein the battery backup unit provides power to one or more electronic devices disposed within the electronic equipment rack in response to a loss of power due to the earthquake.

7. The damper system of claim 6 , wherein the battery backup unit provides power directly to the one or more electronic devices via the rails.

8. The damper system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of rails are disposed in a drawer that is removably secured within the electronics rack.

9. 9. The damper system of claim 8, wherein power is supplied to the battery backup unit through a connection between a first rail of the electronics rack and a wheel of the drawer, thereby recharging the battery backup unit.

10. 10. The damper system of claim 9, wherein the first rail of the electronics rack includes a safety disconnect configured to stop the supply of power to the drawer when the drawer is removed from the electronics rack.

11. 1. A damper system for a server rack, comprising: a server rack with servers; a battery backup unit electrically coupled to the server; and a plurality of rails disposed within the server rack; Equipped with the battery backup unit is slidably secured to the rails and is tuned to damp seismic vibrations of the server rack during an earthquake. Damper system.

12. The damper system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of rails comprises a set of multi-axis rails that allow the battery backup unit to slide in an xy plane.

13. The damper system of claim 11 , wherein a plurality of damping springs are secured to the battery backup unit.

14. 14. The damper system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of damping springs are tuned to vibration frequencies to prevent structural failure of the server rack in response to the earthquake.

15. The damper system of claim 11 , wherein the battery backup unit supplies power to the server in response to a loss of power due to the earthquake.

16. The damper system of claim 15 , wherein the battery backup unit supplies power directly to the server through the rails.

17. 12. The damper system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of rails are disposed in a removably fixed drawer within the server rack, and wherein power is supplied to the battery backup unit through a connection between a first rail of the server rack and a wheel of the drawer, thereby recharging the battery backup unit.

18. 1. A method for damping vibrations in an electronics rack during an earthquake, comprising: in response to seismic vibrations of the electronics rack caused by an earthquake, damping the seismic vibrations with a damper system for the electronics rack. Equipped with The damper system comprises: the electronic equipment rack; a battery backup unit; and A plurality of rails disposed within the electronics rack Including, The battery backup unit is slidably secured to the rails and tuned to damp seismic vibrations of the electronics rack during an earthquake. Including, method.

19. in response to a loss of power to one or more electronic devices disposed within the electronics rack; providing power to the one or more electronic devices disposed within the electronic equipment rack with the battery backup unit of the damper system; 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

20. recharging the battery backup units of the damper system directly through the plurality of rails in response to the restoration of power to the electronics rack.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

Images