External Wall Air Handling for Accessible Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center designs face inefficiencies in cooling and wire routing, with air conditioning units not being standardized, accessible, or transportable, leading to suboptimal airflow and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates exterior wall penetrations for air handling units, a thermal shield to contain hot air, and modular structures for efficient cable and conduit routing, allowing for rapid air recirculation and improved cooling efficiency while maintaining accessibility and transportability of equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air conditioning units are disposed inside the facility, then cooling is provided to the electronic equipment, but the units are not accessible or transportable for repair or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning units are extracted from the interior space and positioned on the exterior of the building, allowing technicians to access and service the units without entering the facility. The units remain functionally connected to the interior cooling system through exterior wall penetrations that channel cooled air inside.
Solution Approach 2:
Exterior wall penetrations serve as intermediary structures that connect the exterior-mounted air conditioning units to the interior cooling zones. These penetrations include sealed openings and transition components that maintain thermal efficiency while enabling exterior equipment placement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional air conditioning systems are used, then cooling is provided, but the units are not standardized or transportable
Solution Approach 1:
The air handling system is segmented into modular, self-contained units that can be independently manufactured, transported, and installed. Each unit is designed as a complete cooling package with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, enabling replication across multiple facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The air handling units are designed with universal mounting configurations and standardized connection points that allow the same unit design to be installed in various building types and locations. The exterior wall penetration designs are also standardized to accommodate different wall constructions.
3Ease of operation
If wire routing is done through raised floors, then cable management is improved, but the facility complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire routing system is extracted from the raised floor structure and repositioned to utilize existing building infrastructure such as wall cavities, ceiling spaces, and conduit systems. This eliminates the need for raised floors while maintaining cable accessibility through designated routing paths.
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 solution enhances cooling efficiency, reduces temperature within the data center, and simplifies maintenance by ensuring standardized, accessible, and transportable air conditioning units, while also improving wire routing and airflow patterns.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of air conditioning units are disposed in the external area outside the building that each receive heated air, emit cooled air
Implementation Method 2
the thermal shield provides a contiguous wall around the central hot air area and defines a hot air containment chamber that traps the heated air within the central hot air area and causes substantially all the heated air within the central hot air area to rise up within the hot air containment chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a data center that provides for efficient cooling using HVAC units positioned outside of the facility.