Manufactured Data Center with Interlocking Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of computing and electrical equipment infrastructure is slow and costly, with traditional brick-and-mortar data centers requiring months to years to construct, limiting rapid deployment and adaptability to changing market demands, and existing modular data centers lack comprehensive HVAC and electrical infrastructure, making them inadequate for permanent use.
Innovation Solution
A manufactured data center (MDC) with a self-contained design, including 'white space' for servers, a power center with backup power systems, and a self-contained CRAC unit for HVAC, featuring interlocking panel construction for thermal efficiency and redundancy, allowing for rapid deployment and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional brick-and-mortar data center infrastructure is built in place by contractors, then comprehensive electrical and HVAC infrastructure can be provided, but deployment time extends to months or years
Solution Approach 1:
The data center infrastructure including electrical systems, HVAC components, and structural elements is pre-assembled and pre-tested in a controlled manufacturing environment before delivery to the deployment site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for lengthy on-site construction while ensuring infrastructure completeness upon arrival.
Solution Approach 2:
The data center is divided into modular units that can be manufactured independently and then assembled on-site. Each module contains complete infrastructure packages, allowing parallel production and rapid deployment without requiring sequential construction of entire building systems.
2Loss of time
If modular data centers are designed with pre-built casings and pre-wired electrical infrastructure, then deployment time is reduced, but HVAC and electrical infrastructure are insufficient for permanent use
Solution Approach 1:
The modular units are pre-assembled with complete HVAC systems and electrical infrastructure in the manufacturing environment, allowing full system testing and validation before deployment. This ensures that the infrastructure is not only reduced-time deployed but also fully adequate for permanent use upon arrival at the site.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular data center units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized infrastructure that enable them to function as standalone permanent installations. The HVAC and electrical systems are configured to meet full operational requirements, making the modules suitable for both temporary and permanent deployment scenarios.
3Reliability
If redundancy systems are installed in data centers to ensure continuity of operation, then operational reliability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Redundant systems are implemented at the modular unit level rather than requiring complex centralized redundancy infrastructure. Each module contains its own backup systems that operate independently, simplifying the overall redundancy architecture while ensuring operational continuity through distributed fault isolation.
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
The MDC significantly reduces deployment time and costs, provides efficient cooling and power management, and is adaptable for both indoor and outdoor use, offering a viable alternative to traditional data centers with improved thermal efficiency and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a self-contained CRAC unit for HVAC
Implementation Method 2
featuring interlocking panel construction for thermal efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A manufactured data center (MDC) uses construction systems and methods allowing the MDC unit to serve as a drop-in replacement for a traditional brick-and-mortar computer data center, while providing functional and operational advantages over known modular data centers. The MDC comprises “white space” housing supported equipment such as servers and other heat-producing computing equipment, plus a power center incorporating electrical equipment and infrastructure necessary for operation of the supported equipment, including an HVAC system which may comprise a purpose-built computer room air conditioning (CRAC) unit.