Server Rack Sidewall Cable Passage With Airflow Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable management systems in server racks are costly, time-consuming, and risk damaging cables and disrupting airflow, especially when connecting equipment in adjacent racks, leading to overheating and signal attenuation.
Innovation Solution
Create openings in the side walls of server racks for conduit passage devices that allow cables to pass directly between racks, using flexible membranes or inflatable sleeves to maintain airflow integrity and prevent cable damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are routed through raised floors or suspended ceilings to connect equipment in adjacent racks, then connections can be established, but cable length increases causing signal attenuation and installation becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cable routing path into segments: cables are routed through vertical conduits in the rack frames rather than horizontally through floors or ceilings. This segmentation allows direct vertical access to equipment at different heights, eliminating the need for long horizontal cable runs through raised floors or suspended ceilings, thereby reducing both installation time and signal attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional horizontal cable routing (through floors/ceilings) to three-dimensional vertical cable routing (through rack conduits). By utilizing the vertical dimension within the rack structure, cables can reach equipment at any height directly, eliminating the need to traverse horizontal distances through building infrastructure, thus reducing cable length and installation complexity.
2Ease of operation
If openings are made in rack side walls for conduit passage, then cable installation between adjacent racks is simplified, but airflow circulation may be disrupted causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses flexible fire-resistant membranes to seal conduit openings in rack side walls. These membranes can be cut to accommodate conduits of various sizes while maintaining a tight seal that prevents airflow leakage. The flexibility allows the membrane to conform around the conduit, ensuring a secure fit that blocks hot air escape while still permitting easy conduit installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state or properties of the sealing material by using fire-resistant membranes with specific thermal and structural characteristics. These membranes are designed to withstand high temperatures while maintaining sealing integrity, thus preventing hot air leakage through conduit openings without compromising the ease of cable installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cable trays are used in raised floors, then cable management is provided, but cable access becomes difficult and cable damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cable management function from the raised floor structure and relocates it to the rack frame itself. By integrating vertical conduits directly into the rack structure, the system eliminates the need for cables to traverse through raised floors and suspended ceilings, thereby removing the sources of cable damage (forcing, pulling through dense trays) while maintaining organized cable management within the rack's own structure.
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
Facilitates quick, cost-effective connections between adjacent racks without signal attenuation, while maintaining efficient airflow and cooling, reducing cable length and installation time.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible membrane 41 is further advantageously pre-cut, so that the membrane 41 is divided into several parts 46, i.e. at least two parts 46. The pre-cut 42 has, for example, a cross shape dividing the membrane into four parts 46 capable of spreading apart and forming an opening 45 when a cable 36, 37 is inserted.
Implementation Method 2
When the sleeve is deflated, as illustrated in the cross-sectional diagram of the Figure 5A The opening 40 is not closed. In this case, a hatch 75 is provided.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C
AI summary
The rack has two side walls (12) placed between front and rear frontages. One side wall is equipped with an opening (40) to allow a passage of a pipe (36). The opening is equipped with a pipe passage device to maintain the pipe in a place. The pipe passage device is provided with a pre-cut flexible membrane (41) to seal the opening. The flexible membrane includes a pre-cut dividing the membrane into parts to deviate and form another opening during the introduction of the pipe. The flexible membrane includes a peripheral pad (43) to be enchased on a peripheral edge of the former opening. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a computing chamber comprising a set of computing racks (2) a method for a connecting two equipments in computing racks (3) a device for passage of a pipe for a computing rack.