Heat dissipation inducing device and rack air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an exhaust heat trigger device capable of more efficiently cooling equipment by using air in a space above a rack, and a rack air-conditioning system using the exhaust heat trigger device.SOLUTION: An exhaust heat trigger device comprises a body part 18 that stores equipment 15 inside, and is provided at the end part of the upper surface of a rack 14 on the side of an exhaust surface 14b, where the rack is configured to exhaust warm air 15b after cooling the equipment 15 from the exhaust surface 14b provided on either the front or rear surface. A blowout port 18a is provided on the exhaust surface 14b side of the body part 18. Air in a space above the rack 14 is blown out as an upward airflow 18d from the blowout port 18a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste heat induction device for efficiently cooling heat-generating devices such as servers stored in a rack installed in a server room or the like, and a rack air conditioning system using the waste heat induction device.

Background Art

[0002] In a server room where a large number of important IT devices are installed, or in a computer room where a high-performance supercomputer capable of high-speed and advanced calculations is installed, in order to efficiently cool the devices stored in the racks installed in the room, the indoor space is divided into a space (cold aisle) where cold air for cooling the devices gathers and a space (hot aisle) where warm air after cooling the devices gathers, so that the cold air cooled by the air conditioning equipment can be used for cooling the devices without waste. A rack air conditioning system has been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining such a conventional rack air conditioning system 2.

[0004] As shown in FIG. 6, in the conventional rack air conditioning system 2, a rack row 6 in which a plurality of racks 4 are arranged vertically to the plane of the drawing is formed on the floor of the server room 1, and a plurality of them are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction in the drawing.

[0005] Each rack 4 houses a plurality of heat-generating devices 5 such as servers during operation inside, and cold air for cooling these devices 5 is sucked in from an intake surface 4a provided on the front surface of the rack 4, and warm air after the devices 5 are cooled is exhausted from an exhaust surface 4b provided on the rear surface of the rack 4.

[0006] Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of such racks 4 are arranged in a row perpendicular to the plane of the drawing such that the intake surface 4a or the exhaust surface 4b of each rack 4 faces the same direction in the left - right direction in the drawing, thereby forming a rack row 6. On the floor inside the server room 1, a plurality of rack rows 6 formed in this way are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left - right direction in the drawing such that the intake surfaces 4a of the racks 4 in adjacent rack rows 6 or the exhaust surfaces 4b face each other with a predetermined space therebetween.

[0007] Thereby, the space between two adjacent rack rows 6 inside the server room 1 is divided into a cold aisle 2a formed between the intake surfaces 4a of the opposing racks 4 and a hot aisle 2b formed between the exhaust surfaces 4b of the opposing racks 4.

[0008] Then, as shown in FIG. 6, on the wall surface on the back side of the plane of the drawing of the server room 1 located at one end in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) of the cold aisle 2a, there is provided a wall outlet 1a of the air - conditioning equipment 1b installed in the space behind the wall of the server room 1. At the ceiling of the server room 1 above the hot aisle 2b in the drawing, there is provided a ceiling intake port 1c leading to the space behind the ceiling of the server room 1.

[0009] In such a rack air - conditioning system 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the cold air cooled by the air - conditioning equipment 1b is blown out from the wall outlet 1a into the cold aisle 2a, sucked in from the intake surface 4a of the rack 4 to cool the internal equipment 5. The warm air after cooling the equipment 5 is exhausted from the exhaust surface 4b of the rack 4 to the hot aisle 2b, rises in the hot aisle 2b, is sucked through the ceiling intake port 1c into the space behind the ceiling of the server room 1, and is returned to the air - conditioning equipment 1b through the return air path 1d provided in the space behind the ceiling and the wall, cooled again, and blown out into the interior of the server room 1 from the wall outlet 1a.

[0010] In this way, the conventional rack air-conditioning system 2 is configured to supply the cold air cooled by the air-conditioning equipment 1b to the rack 4 without waste, and to return the warm air exhausted from the rack 4 directly to the air-conditioning equipment 1b, so that the equipment 5 stored in the rack 4 can be efficiently cooled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0011]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] However, in the conventional rack air-conditioning system 2 as described above, there is a problem that not only the air in the space above the rack 4 is not utilized for cooling the equipment 5, but it also hinders the efficient cooling of the equipment 5.

[0013] That is, in the conventional rack air-conditioning system 2, as shown in FIG. 6, above the rack 4 installed in the server room 1, a space with a predetermined height dimension is formed between the upper surface of the rack 4 and the ceiling of the server room 1.

[0014] And since the space above this rack 4 is not on the path of the air (cold air and warm air) circulating in the interior of the server room 1 in the conventional rack air-conditioning system 2 as shown in FIG. 6, the air in this space is not utilized for cooling the equipment 5, and the energy for cooling the air in this space has been wasted.

[0015] Not only that, when a conventional rack air conditioning system 2 as shown in Figure 6 is actually operated, not all of the warm air exhausted from the racks 4 to the hot aisle 2b is taken in by the ceiling air intake 1c of the server room 1, and some of the warm air passes through the space above the racks 4 and flows around to the cold aisle 2a, where it mixes with the cold air in the cold aisle 2a, causing the temperature of the cold air in the cold aisle 2a to rise and reducing the efficiency of cooling the equipment 5.

[0016] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a heat exhaust induction device that can cool equipment more efficiently by utilizing the air in the space above the rack, and a rack air conditioning system that uses this heat exhaust induction device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the exhaust heat induction device of the present invention is The rack has a main body provided at an end of an exhaust surface side of an upper surface of the rack, the main body being configured to accommodate equipment therein and to exhaust warm air after cooling the equipment from an exhaust surface provided on either the front or rear surface of the rack; The main body is disposed in the space between the upper surface of the rack and the ceiling, and has an air inlet different from the air intake surface of the rack and an air intake device that intakes air from the air inlet. The exhaust surface side of the main body provided in Air outlet and has , The air outlet is configured to blow air in the space above the rack as an upward airflow. It is characterized by the above.

[0018] In addition, the exhaust heat inducer device of the present invention is The main body is provided so as to extend from one end to the other end in a width direction of the rack along an end portion of the upper surface of the rack on the exhaust surface side, The air outlet is formed in a surface of the main body on the exhaust side thereof in the shape of a slit extending in the width direction of the rack. It is characterized by the above.

[0019] In addition, the exhaust heat inducer device of the present invention is An air intake port is provided on the surface of the main body portion opposite to the exhaust surface. The air in the space above the rack is configured to be sucked into the main body portion from the air intake port. It is characterized by this.

[0020] Also, the exhaust heat induction device of the present invention An air intake port is provided at at least one end of the main body portion in the width direction of the rack. The air in the space above the rack is configured to be sucked into the main body portion from the air intake port. It is characterized by this.

[0021] Also, the rack air conditioning system of the present invention A plurality of rack rows arranged on the floor in the server room, An air intake port provided on the ceiling of the server room, Each of the rack rows is formed by arranging a plurality of racks side by side in the width direction of the rack such that equipment is housed inside, and warm air after cooling the equipment is exhausted from an exhaust surface provided on either the front or rear surface, and the exhaust surfaces of the racks face the same direction in the front - rear direction of the rack. The plurality of rack rows are arranged at a predetermined interval in the front - rear direction of the rack such that the exhaust surfaces of the racks in adjacent rack rows face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. The ceiling air intake port Is provided above the hot aisle formed between the opposing exhaust surfaces of the racks in two adjacent rack rows, In the rack air - conditioning system configured such that the warm air exhausted from the exhaust surface of the rack rises over the hot aisle and is sucked in from the ceiling air intake port, The upper surface of the rack the space between and the ceiling Has, A main body portion provided at an end on the exhaust - surface side of the upper surface. The main body has an air inlet different from the air intake surface of the rack and an air intake device that intakes air from the air inlet. On the exhaust - surface side of the main body portion provided in An air outletand has , An exhaust heat induction device is provided such that air in the space above the rack is blown out as an upward air current from the air outlet. This is the gist of the present invention.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to such an exhaust heat induction device of the present invention, it includes a main body portion provided at an end on the exhaust surface side of the upper surface of a rack configured such that equipment is housed inside, and warm air after cooling the equipment is exhausted from an exhaust surface provided on either the front or rear surface. The main body is disposed in the space between the upper surface of the rack and the ceiling. The main body is disposed in the space between the upper surface of the rack and the ceiling, and has an air inlet different from the air intake surface of the rack and an air intake device that intakes air from the air inlet. On the exhaust surface side of the main body portion provided in air outlet and has , Since air in the space above the rack is blown out as an upward air current from the air outlet, by using the air in the space above the rack, the equipment can be cooled more efficiently.

[0023] According to such a rack air conditioning system of the present invention, it includes a plurality of rack rows arranged on the floor of the server room, and a ceiling air intake provided on the ceiling of the server room. Each of the rack rows is formed by arranging a plurality of racks side by side in the width direction of the rack such that the exhaust surfaces of the racks are oriented in the same direction in the front-rear direction of the rack, and equipment is housed inside, and warm air after cooling the equipment is exhausted from an exhaust surface provided on either the front or rear surface. The plurality of rack rows are arranged at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction of the rack such that the exhaust surfaces of the racks in adjacent rack rows face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. The ceiling air intake is provided above the hot aisle formed between the opposing exhaust surfaces of the racks in two adjacent rack rows. In a rack air conditioning system in which the warm air exhausted from the exhaust surface of the rack rises the hot aisle and is sucked in from the ceiling intake port, the upper surface of the rack the space between and the ceiling is provided with a main body portion provided at an end portion on the exhaust surface side of the upper surface, The main body has an air inlet different from the air intake surface of the rack and an air intake device that intakes air from the air inlet. on the exhaust surface side of the main body portion provided in an air outlet and has and, an exhaust heat inducing device is provided which is configured such that air in the space above the rack blows out as an upward air flow from the air outlet, By using the air in the space above the rack, the equipment can be cooled more efficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, a form for implementing the exhaust heat induction device according to the present invention and a rack air conditioning system using the exhaust heat induction device will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining an exhaust heat induction device 18 according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a rack air conditioning system 12 using the exhaust heat induction device 18. For parts similar to the conventional rack air conditioning system 2 shown in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals will be used for explanation, except for some parts.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, in the rack air conditioning system 12 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of rack rows 16 in which a plurality of racks 14 are arranged in the vertical direction in the drawing are arranged in the horizontal direction in the drawing at a predetermined interval in the server room 11.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, each rack 14 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape having a predetermined width dimension (the dimension of the rack 14 in the left - right direction), a depth dimension (the dimension of the rack 14 in the front - rear direction), and a height dimension (the dimension of the rack 14 in the vertical direction), and a plurality of devices 15 that generate heat during operation, such as servers, are housed inside.

[0029] Then, as shown in FIG. 1, cool air 15a for cooling the devices 15 housed inside is sucked in from an intake surface 14a provided on the front surface of the rack 14, and warm air 15b after the devices 15 are cooled is exhausted from an exhaust surface 14b provided on the rear surface of the rack 14.

[0030] Then, as shown in FIG. 1, an exhaust heat induction device 18 is provided at the rear side of the upper surface of such a rack 14, that is, at the end of the upper surface of the rack 14 on the exhaust surface 14b side.

[0031] The main body of the exhaust heat induction device 18 is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is elongated in the width direction of the rack 14, and its length is arranged to extend from one end to the other end in the width direction of the rack 14 along the end of the exhaust surface 14b side of the upper surface of the rack 14.

[0032] As shown in the right diagram in Figure 1, the rear side of the main body of the exhaust heat induction device 18, i.e., the surface facing the exhaust surface 14b in the front-to-rear direction of the rack 14, is formed approximately flat so as to form the same plane as the exhaust surface 14b of the rack 14, and this surface is provided with a slit-shaped air outlet 18a that extends continuously in the length direction of the exhaust heat induction device 18, i.e., from one end to the other end in the width direction of the rack 14.

[0033] As shown in the left diagram in Figure 1, an intake port 18b is provided on the front side of the main body of the exhaust heat induction device 18, i.e., on the surface opposite the exhaust surface 14b in the front-to-rear direction of the rack 14, in the longitudinal direction of the exhaust heat induction device 18, i.e., approximately in the center of the width direction of the rack 14.

[0034] Inside the main body of the exhaust heat induction device 18, a flow path (not shown) is provided that leads from the intake port 18b to the exhaust port 18a, and an intake device (not shown), such as a small blower (fan), is provided in the intake port 18b of the exhaust heat induction device 18.

[0035] As a result, by operating an intake device (not shown) provided at intake port 18b, exhaust heat induction device 18 draws in air 18c from the space above rack 14 through intake port 18b, as shown in FIG. 1, and the air passes through an internal flow path (not shown) in the main body of exhaust heat induction device 18, becoming upward airflow 18d, which is then blown out from outlet 18a along the surface of the main body of exhaust heat induction device 18 on the exhaust surface 14b side.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the racks 14 provided with such exhaust heat inducing devices 18 are arranged in a plurality in the width direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the rack 14 so that the intake surface 14a or the exhaust surface 14b of each rack 14 faces the same direction in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the figure) of the rack 14, thereby forming a rack row 16.

[0037] And as shown in Fig. 2, the rack row 16 formed in this way is arranged on the floor in the server room 11 with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the figure) of the rack 14 so that the intake surfaces 14a of the racks 14 in adjacent rack rows 16 or the exhaust surfaces 14b face each other with a predetermined space therebetween.

[0038] Thereby, the space between two adjacent rack rows 16 in the server room 11 is divided into a cold aisle 12a formed between the intake surfaces 14a of the opposing racks 14 and a hot aisle 12b formed between the exhaust surfaces 14b of the opposing racks 14.

[0039] And as shown in Fig. 2, a wall air outlet 11a is provided on the wall surface of the server room 11 located at one end (upper side in the figure) in the length direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the cold aisle 12a, and cold air cooled by the air conditioning equipment 11b installed in the space behind the wall of the server room 11 is blown out into the server room 11 from this wall air outlet 11a.

[0040] And as shown in Fig. 3, a ceiling air intake 11c communicating with the space above the ceiling of the server room 11 is provided in the ceiling of the server room 11 above the hot aisle 12b in the figure, and the air in the server room 11 is sucked into the space above the ceiling of the server room 11 through this ceiling air intake 11c.

[0041] And in the space above the ceiling and behind the wall of the server room 11, a return air duct 11d that leads from the ceiling air intake 11c to the air conditioning equipment 11b is provided, and the air sucked from the ceiling air intake 11c into the space above the ceiling passes through this return air duct 11d and is returned to the air conditioning equipment 11b.

[0042] Next, a procedure for cooling the equipment 15 housed in the rack 14 by the rack air conditioning system 12 using the exhaust heat induction device 18 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0043] First, as shown in FIG. 2, the cold air 21 cooled by the air conditioning equipment 11b installed in the space behind the wall of the server room 11 is blown out from the wall air outlet 11a provided on the wall surface of the server room 11 into the interior of the server room 11 and supplied to the cold aisle 12a.

[0044] Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cold air 22 in the cold aisle 12a is sucked from the intake surface 14a of each rack 14 in the rack row 16 facing the cold aisle 12a, and the equipment 15 inside the rack 14 is cooled using the cold air. The warm air 23 heated after cooling the equipment 15 is exhausted to the hot aisle 12b from the exhaust surface 14b of the rack 14.

[0045] Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the warm air 24 in the hot aisle 12b rises in the hot aisle 12b.

[0046] At this time, by the exhaust heat induction device 18 provided on the upper surface of the rack 14, the air 18c in the space above the rack 14 is sucked from the air intake 18b provided on the front surface of the exhaust heat induction device 18, and the air is blown out as an upward airflow 18d from the air outlet 18a provided on the rear surface of the exhaust heat induction device 18 toward the ceiling air intake 11c provided on the ceiling of the server room 11 (see FIG. 1).

[0047] Then, due to the inducing effect of the upward airflow 18d blown out from the air outlet 18a of the exhaust heat inducing device 18, an upward airflow 25 with a larger air volume is generated above the hot aisle 12b.

[0048] Here, the inducing effect of the airflow (Coanda effect) refers to a phenomenon in which a gas blown out at high speed draws in the surrounding gas due to its viscosity and generates an airflow with an air volume much larger than the amount of the blown-out gas.

[0049] That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper part of the hot aisle 12b (the height portion from the upper surface of the rack row 16 to the ceiling of the server room 11) is sandwiched from both sides in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the figure) of the rack 14 by the airflow 18d blown out from the air outlet 18a of the exhaust heat inducing device 18 provided on the upper surface of the rack 14 of the rack row 16.

[0050] Therefore, the air in the upper part of the hot aisle 12b is drawn into the upward airflow 18d blown out from the air outlets 18a of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 provided on the upper surfaces of the racks 14 of both rack rows 16 sandwiching the hot aisle 12b.

[0051] Thereby, the warm air 24 of the hot aisle 12b is also more strongly drawn upward, and an upward airflow 25 with a larger air volume than before is generated above the hot aisle 12b.

[0052] Then, the warm air of the hot aisle 12b that has risen to the ceiling of the server room 11 by the airflow 25 is sucked into the space above the ceiling through the ceiling air intake 11c provided on the ceiling of the server room 11.

[0053] Then, the warm air sucked into the space above the ceiling is returned to the air conditioning equipment 11b through the air return path 11d provided in the space above the ceiling and behind the wall, and after being cooled again by the air conditioning equipment 11b, it is blown out into the interior of the server room 11 from the wall air outlet 11a provided on the wall surface of the server room 11.

[0054] By repeating the above and circulating the air in the server room 11, the equipment 15 stored in the rack 14 can be cooled.

[0055] By using such an exhaust heat induction device 18 according to this embodiment and the rack air conditioning system 12 using the exhaust heat induction device 18, the equipment 15 stored in the rack 14 can be cooled more efficiently.

[0056] That is, the upward airflow 18d blown out from the air outlet 18a of the exhaust heat induction device 18 can generate an upward airflow 25 with a large air volume above the hot aisle 12b, so that the warm air in the hot aisle 12b can be returned to the space above the ceiling more quickly.

[0057] In addition, the upward airflow 18d blown out from the air outlet 18a of the exhaust heat induction device 18 draws in the surrounding air, so that an upward airflow with a much larger air volume than the airflow 18d is generated around the airflow 18d, that is, on both sides above the hot aisle 12b. This upward airflow functions as an air curtain to prevent the warm air in the hot aisle 12b from flowing into the cold aisle 12a, so that it is possible to prevent the warm air in the hot aisle 12b from mixing with the cold air in the cold aisle 12a and increasing the temperature of the cold air in the cold aisle 12a.

[0058] In addition, by using such an exhaust heat induction device 18 according to this embodiment and the rack air conditioning system 12 using the exhaust heat induction device 18, the air in the space above the rack 14 can be utilized for efficient cooling of the equipment 15.

[0059] That is, since the exhaust heat induction device 18 sucks in the air in the space above the rack 14 from the air intake 18b and blows out an upward airflow 18d from the air outlet 18a, it is possible to utilize the air in the space above the rack 14, which was not utilized in the conventional rack air conditioning system 2.

[0060] At this time, since the air in the space above the rack 14 is not used to directly cool the equipment 15 stored inside the rack 14, it is at a lower temperature than the warm air of the hot aisle 12b. Therefore, even if a part of the upward airflow 18d blown out from the air outlet 18a of the exhaust heat inducing device 18 circulates toward the cold aisle 12a, the rise in the temperature of the cold air of the cold aisle 12a can be suppressed.

[0061] Thus, according to the exhaust heat inducing device 18 according to the present embodiment and the rack air conditioning system 12 using the exhaust heat inducing device 18, by utilizing the air in the space above the rack, the equipment stored in the rack can be cooled more efficiently.

[0062] And according to the exhaust heat inducing device 18 according to the present embodiment and the rack air conditioning system 12 using the exhaust heat inducing device 18, by enabling efficient exhaust heat from the hot aisle 12b, the width of the hot aisle 12b can be narrowed, so that the number of racks 14 arranged in the server room 11 can be increased.

[0063] FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the exhaust heat inducing device 38 according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the rack air conditioning system using the exhaust heat inducing device 38.

[0064] The rack air conditioning system 32 according to the present embodiment is different in configuration from the rack air conditioning system 12 according to the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in that an exhaust heat inducing device 38 as shown in FIG. 4 is provided instead of the exhaust heat inducing device 18 provided on the upper surface of the rack 14.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 4, the exhaust heat induction device 38 according to this embodiment, similar to the exhaust heat induction device 18 according to the first embodiment, has its main body formed in an elongated substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending from one end to the other end in the width direction of the rack 14 along the end on the exhaust surface 14b side of the upper surface of the rack 14. As shown in the right figure in the drawing, a slit-shaped air outlet 38a extending continuously and elongated from one end to the other end in the length direction of the exhaust heat induction device 38 is provided on the surface on the rear side (the exhaust surface 14b side of the rack 14) of the main body.

[0066] And as shown in Fig. 4, the left and right side surfaces of the main body of the exhaust heat induction device 38, that is, both end surfaces in the width direction of the rack 14, are formed substantially flat so as to form the same plane as the left and right side surfaces of the rack 14, and air inlets 38b are provided on the respective end surfaces.

[0067] And inside the main body of the exhaust heat induction device 38, a flow path (not shown) is provided that connects these two air inlets 38b to each other and leads to the air outlet 38a. An intake device (not shown), such as a small blower (fan), is provided at both or either one of the two air inlets 38b of the exhaust heat induction device 38.

[0068] Thereby, as shown in Fig. 4, the exhaust heat induction device 38 operates the intake device (not shown) provided at the air inlet 38b to intake the air 38c in the space above the rack 14 from the air inlet 38b, and the air passes through the flow path (not shown) inside the main body of the exhaust heat induction device 38 and is blown out as an upward air current 38d along the surface on the exhaust surface 14b side of the main body of the exhaust heat induction device 38 from the air outlet 38a.

[0069] At this time, the exhaust heat inducing device 38 is configured to provide an intake device at both of the two intake ports 38b and intake air from both of the two intake ports 38b, provide the intake device at one of the two intake ports 38b and intake air only from one intake port 38b, or not provide an intake device at either of the two intake ports 38b and have only the two intake ports 38b (and the air outlet 38a) communicate with each other. Depending on the arrangement of the intake device, the intake configuration of the exhaust heat inducing device 38 can be changed.

[0070] And as shown in FIG. 5, a rack 14 provided with such an exhaust heat inducing device 38 is formed by arranging a plurality of racks in the vertical direction in the drawing in the server room 11, and a plurality of rack rows 36 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction in the drawing.

[0071] At this time, the intake ports 38b of the exhaust heat inducing devices 38 provided on the upper surfaces of the respective racks 14 forming each rack row 36 are adjacent to the intake ports 38b of the exhaust heat inducing devices 38 provided on the upper surfaces of the adjacent racks 14, so that the flow paths of the adjacent exhaust heat inducing devices 38 communicate with each other in the length direction (vertical direction in the drawing) of the rack row 36.

[0072] And as shown in FIG. 5, by operating an intake device (not shown) provided at the intake port 38b of the exhaust heat inducing device 38, air in the space above the rack 14 in the passage portion outside both ends in the length direction (vertical direction in the drawing) of the rack row 36 is taken in from the intake ports 38b on both end sides in the length direction (vertical direction in the drawing) of the exhaust heat inducing device 38 provided on the upper surface of the rack 14 arranged at both ends in the length direction of the rack row 36.

[0073] At this time, by changing the arrangement of the intake devices provided at the intake ports 38b of the exhaust heat inducing devices 38 provided on the upper surfaces of the respective racks 14 forming the rack row 36, the intake direction, strength, etc. of the rack row 36 can be finely changed.

[0074] For example, the intake directions of the intake devices are aligned in the same direction (for example, the direction from top to bottom in FIG. 5), and intake is performed only from one end in the length direction of the rack row 36, or a powerful intake device is provided only at the intake port 38b outside the exhaust heat induction device 38 provided on the racks 14 at both ends of the rack row 36, and no intake device is provided for the other exhaust heat induction devices 38, so that intake can be performed with fewer intake devices.

[0075] Other configurations are the same as those of the exhaust heat induction device 18 according to the first embodiment and the rack air conditioning system 12 using the exhaust heat induction device 18. Also, with the rack air conditioning system 32 using such an exhaust heat induction device 38, by utilizing the air in the space above the rack, the equipment stored in the rack can be cooled more efficiently.

[0076] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the range that can achieve the object of the present invention.

[0077] For example, in the exhaust heat induction devices 18 and 38 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the exhaust heat induction devices 18 and 38 are formed in a slender substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the exhaust heat induction devices 18 and 38 is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, they may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially triangular prism shape.

[0078] Also, in the exhaust heat induction devices 18 and 38 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the rear surface of the exhaust heat induction devices 18 and 38 is formed in a flat shape, but the rear surface of the exhaust heat induction devices 18 and 38 may be formed in a curved surface shape.

[0079] Further, in the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the air outlet openings 18a and 38a of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 are formed in a slit shape that continuously extends in an elongated manner from one end to the other end in the length direction of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38. However, the shape of the air outlet openings 18a and 38a is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the slit may be formed intermittently, or a plurality of circular holes may be provided along the length direction of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38.

[0080] Also, in the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 in the first and second embodiments, an intake device is provided at the intake ports 18b and 38b of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 in order for the air in the space above the rack 14 to be drawn into the interior of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38. However, the method of drawing air into the interior of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a cross-flow fan or the like may be provided inside the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 and operated so that air is drawn in from the intake ports 18b and 38b.

[0081] Further, in the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 are provided such that their main body portions extend from one end to the other end in the width direction of the rack 14. However, the length dimension of the main body portion may be formed smaller than the dimension in the width direction of the rack 14, so that when the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 are provided on the upper surface of the rack 14, a space (gap) is formed between the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 provided on the upper surface of the rack 14 adjacent to the rack 14.

[0082] And thereby, particularly in the rack air conditioning system 32 using the exhaust heat inducing device 38 in the second embodiment, air in the space above the rack 14 may be drawn in from the space (gap) formed between the exhaust heat inducing devices 38 provided on the adjacent racks 14.

[0083] Further, in the exhaust heat inducing device 38 in the second embodiment, the intake ports 38b are provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the main body portion. However, the intake ports 38b may be provided only on one of the left and right side surfaces of the main body portion so that intake air is drawn from one side surface. Alternatively, intake ports 38b may be provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the main body portion and formed so that they can be blocked later, enabling a change to the above configuration later.

[0084] Further, in the rack air conditioning systems 12 and 32 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 are provided in all the racks 14 forming the rack rows 16 and 36. However, the arrangement of the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the exhaust heat inducing devices 18 and 38 may be provided only in the racks 14 located below the ceiling intake port 11c of the server room 11 among the racks 14 forming the rack rows 16 and 36.

[0085] Further, in the rack air conditioning system 12 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, all the racks 14 forming the rack row 16 are provided with the exhaust heat inducing devices 18. However, the exhaust heat inducing device 18 in the present embodiment and the exhaust heat inducing device 38 in the second embodiment may be used simultaneously. For example, the exhaust heat inducing device 18 and the exhaust heat inducing device 38 may be provided alternately on the upper surfaces of the racks 14 forming the rack row 16.

[0086] Further, in the rack air conditioning systems 12 and 32 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the racks 14 forming the rack rows 16 and 36 are configured to intake cold air from the intake surface 14a at the front of the rack 14 and exhaust warm air from the exhaust surface 14b at the rear of the rack 14. However, a rack may be used in which the directions of intake and exhaust of the rack are reversed, with the intake surface for taking in cold air provided at the rear and the exhaust surface for exhausting warm air provided at the front.

[0087] Also, in the rack air conditioning systems 12 and 32 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the cold air supplied to the cold aisle 12a in the server room 11 is blown out from the wall air outlet 11a provided on the wall surface of the server room 11. However, the method of supplying cold air to the cold aisle 12a is not limited to such a configuration. For example, an air outlet may be provided on the floor surface of the server room 11, and cold air may be blown out therefrom and supplied to the cold aisle 12a.

[0088] Also, in the rack air conditioning systems 12 and 32 in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, in the server room 11, four rows of rack rows 16 and 36 formed by five racks 14 are arranged. However, the arrangement of the racks 14 in the server room 11 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the number of racks 14 forming the rack rows 16 and 36 may be more or less than five, and the number of rack rows 16 and 36 arranged in the server room 11 may also be more or less than four rows.

[0089] Also, the rack air conditioning systems 12 and 32 in the first and second embodiments are circulation type air conditioning systems that circulate the air in the server room 11. However, for example, it may be a ventilation type air conditioning system that exhausts the warm air sucked from the ceiling air inlet 11c to the outside without circulating the air in the server room 11 and takes in new outside air.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0090] 1 Server room 1a Wall air outlet 1b Air conditioning equipment 1c Ceiling air inlet 1d Return air duct 2 Rack air conditioning system 4 Rack 4a Intake surface 4b Exhaust surface 5 Equipment 6 Rack row 11 Server room 11a Wall air outlet 11b Air conditioning equipment 11c Ceiling air intake 11d Return air duct 12 Rack air conditioning system 14 Rack 14a Intake surface 14b Exhaust surface 15 Equipment 15a Cold air 15b Warm air 16 Rack row 18 Heat exhaust inducing device 18a Air outlet 18b Air intake 18c Air 18d Airflow 21 Cold air 22 Cold air 23 Warm air 24 Warm air 25 Airflow 26 Cold air 32 Rack air conditioning system 36 Rack row 38 Heat exhaust inducing device 38a Air outlet 38b Air intake 38c Air 38d Airflow

Claims

1. The rack has a main body provided at an end of an exhaust surface side of an upper surface of the rack, the main body being configured to accommodate equipment therein and to exhaust warm air after cooling the equipment from an exhaust surface provided on either the front or rear surface of the rack; The main body is disposed in a space between an upper surface of the rack and a ceiling, and has an intake port separate from the intake surface of the rack, an intake device that draws in air from the intake port, and an air outlet provided on the exhaust surface side of the main body, The air outlet is configured to blow air in the space above the rack as an upward airflow. A heat exhaust induction device characterized by:

2. The main body is provided so as to extend from one end to the other end in a width direction of the rack along an end portion of the upper surface of the rack on the exhaust surface side, The air outlet is formed in a surface of the main body on the exhaust side thereof in the shape of a slit extending in the width direction of the rack.

2. The heat exhaust induction device according to claim 1.

3. The intake port is provided on a surface of the main body opposite to the exhaust surface, The air intake is configured to draw air from the space above the rack into the inside of the main body.

3. The exhaust heat induction device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The air intake is provided at least at one end of the rack in the width direction of the main body, The air intake is configured to draw air from the space above the rack into the inside of the main body.

3. The exhaust heat induction device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A plurality of rows of racks arranged on the floor of a server room; A ceiling air intake is provided on the ceiling of the server room, Each of the rack rows is formed by arranging a plurality of racks side by side in the width direction of the rack such that each of the racks is configured to house equipment therein and exhaust warm air after cooling the equipment from an exhaust surface provided on either the front or rear surface, and such that each of the exhaust surfaces faces in the same direction in the front-rear direction of the rack. The plurality of rack rows are arranged at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction of the rack such that the exhaust surfaces of the racks in adjacent rack rows face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. The ceiling air intake is provided above the hot aisle formed between the opposing exhaust surfaces of the racks in two adjacent rack rows. In a rack air conditioning system configured such that the warm air exhausted from the exhaust surface of the rack rises through the hot aisle and is sucked in through the ceiling air intake. In the space between the upper surface of the rack and the ceiling. It includes a main body provided at the end of the upper surface on the exhaust surface side. The main body has an air intake different from the intake surface of the rack, an intake device that intakes air from the air intake, and an air outlet provided on the exhaust surface side of the main body. An exhaust heat induction device is provided such that air in the space above the rack is blown out as an upward air current from the air outlet. A rack air conditioning system characterized by the above.

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