Exterior Air Handling Layout for Data Center Cooling and Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center and co-location facility designs face inefficiencies in air conditioning and wire routing, with air conditioning units not being standardized, accessible, or transportable, leading to suboptimal cooling and wiring management.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an external air handling unit system with condenser units located outside the facility, a thermal shield to contain hot air, and modular cable and conduit routing systems that separate power and data wiring, allowing for efficient cooling and wiring distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air conditioning units are located inside the facility, then cooling efficiency is improved, but accessibility for maintenance and repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is divided into two separate units: an evaporator unit located inside the facility for efficient cooling, and a condenser unit located outside for easy maintenance. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimally positioned for its specific function while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser unit is extracted from the interior facility and relocated to the exterior. This extraction resolves the conflict by placing the maintenance-requiring component outside while keeping the cooling-providing evaporator unit inside, thus achieving both cooling efficiency and accessibility.
2Ease of repair
If air conditioning units are standardized and transportable, then ease of repair is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular evaporator and condenser units that can be independently manufactured, transported, and installed. This modularity enables standardization for ease of repair while the segmented design actually reduces overall installation complexity compared to integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning units are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing them to be relocated as needed. This enhances repair accessibility while the standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms keep installation complexity manageable.
3Temperature
If thermal shield contains hot air, then cooling efficiency is improved, but air recirculation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal shield is implemented with localized quality variations: it contains hot air in specific zones where cooling efficiency is prioritized, while incorporating openings and pathways in other areas to maintain overall air recirculation. This selective containment approach resolves the contradiction by applying thermal shielding only where most beneficial.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances air recirculation, reduces temperature, and simplifies maintenance by providing a standardized, transportable, and accessible setup for air conditioning units, while improving airflow and cable management within the facility.
Implementation Method 1
causes substantially all the heated air within the central hot air area to rise up within the hot air containment chamber
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of air conditioning units are disposed in the external area outside the building that each receive heated air, emit cooled air
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an integrated data center that provides for efficient cooling, as well as efficient wire routing.