Modular Thermal Isolation Barrier for Sealing Data Center Rack Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data center thermal management is inefficient due to the need to cool the entire room to provide cooled air to enclosures, which leads to inadequate pressurization and reduced performance, especially when multiple enclosures are densely packed, causing overheating issues.

Innovation Solution

A modular thermal isolation barrier system using extruded edge seals and panels with retention fingers to create a sealed environment within data processing equipment structures, allowing for individual cooling of each row and improved airflow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the entire data center room is cooled to provide cooled air to enclosures, then cooled air supply is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to cooling unnecessary spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooled air supplyVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the data center room into multiple isolated zones using thermal isolation barriers (panels with seals) that segment the space between enclosures. This allows individual cooling of each zone rather than cooling the entire room, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining cooled air supply to enclosures while eliminating energy waste on unnecessary spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements localized cooling by creating thermally isolated zones around specific enclosures or rows of enclosures. Each zone can be independently cooled according to its specific thermal requirements, applying local quality control to avoid the energy inefficiency of uniform whole-room cooling while ensuring adequate cooled air supply where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of stationary object

If multiple enclosures are densely packed to maximize space utilization, then space efficiency is improved, but thermal management deteriorates causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidthermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces thermal isolation barriers (segmentation elements) between densely packed enclosures that divide the thermal zones. This allows high-density enclosure placement while preventing thermal accumulation, as each enclosure or row operates in its own thermally isolated zone with independent airflow and cooling, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If thermal isolation barriers are added to seal gaps between enclosures, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal isolationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible sealing elements (grommets, seals, and gaskets) integrated into panel structures to create thermal isolation barriers. These flexible components effectively seal gaps between enclosures and structural elements, achieving thermal isolation without requiring complex rigid constructions, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal management improvement and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If standard enclosure arrangements are used, then ease of installation is improved, but adaptability to non-standard equipment geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidgeometric flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes adjustable and reconfigurable panel structures with flexible sealing components that can be dynamically configured to accommodate various enclosure geometries and arrangements. The modular panel design allows adaptation to non-standard equipment configurations while maintaining relatively simple installation procedures, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and geometric adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances thermal management by segregating heated and cooled air, improving efficiency and performance by allowing for targeted cooling of each enclosure, reducing overheating risks, and accommodating non-standard equipment geometries with flexible sealing solutions.

Implementation Method 1

modular thermal isolation barriers... thermally sealing gaps between enclosures and structural elements of the equipment structure frame... seal around additional openings or obstructions to provide enhanced airflow solutions... segregating heated and cooled air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal isolation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9572286B2Modular thermal isolation barrier for data processing equipment structure

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 CHATSWORTH PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

A modular thermal isolation barrier for use in sealing gaps in a data processing equipment structure includes an extruded edge seal and a panel. The extruded edge seal has a seal portion and a base portion with one or more channels. An edge of the panel is disposed within one of the one or more channels of the base portion of the edge seal such that the edge seal is seated against the edge of the panel with the seal portion in position to abut, and establish a seal with, an adjacent structure.