Flexible Rack Cover Assembly for Empty Slot Airflow Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers and gateway facilities face thermal management challenges due to uncontrolled airflow from hot to cool sides of partially filled equipment racks, leading to inefficient energy consumption and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A rack cover assembly system comprising flexible rectangular sheets and tensioners that can be coupled to vertical mounting posts, allowing for easy deployment and retraction to block airflow through empty slots, using a hook and loop closure system for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional rigid blank panels are used to cover empty rack slots, then airflow blocking is effective, but device complexity and storage requirements increase due to needing multiple sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic, flexible blank panels that can be adjusted and positioned to fit various rack slot configurations. These flexible panels replace multiple rigid panels of different sizes with a single adaptable component, reducing the number of parts needed while maintaining effective airflow blocking across different rack arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible blank panel is designed to serve multiple functions and adapt to multiple rack slot sizes through its flexibility and adjustability. A single universal panel design can cover various slot configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized rigid panels and simplifying the overall system
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid blank panels of various sizes are stored for different rack configurations, then adaptability is achieved, but loss of time occurs during transportation and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible blank panel can be dynamically adjusted and shaped to fit different rack slot configurations on-site, eliminating the need to pre-store multiple rigid panel sizes. This dynamic adaptability allows rapid deployment without transportation delays while maintaining versatility across different rack arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the size variation requirement from the system by using a single flexible panel design that can conform to different dimensions. This removes the need to manage and transport multiple panel sizes, reducing logistical complexity and installation time while preserving adaptability
3Device complexity
If flexible blank panels are used to reduce storage needs, then device complexity decreases, but reliability may be compromised compared to rigid panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible blank panels with tensioning mechanisms that provide both flexibility for adaptability and structural integrity for reliability. The flexible material, when properly tensioned and secured, maintains its position and airflow blocking effectiveness comparable to rigid panels, while offering the added benefit of adaptability to different configurations
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 system effectively blocks airflow between hot and cold air streams, reducing energy consumption by preventing hot air recirculation and allowing for flexible configuration with partially filled racks, minimizing the need for storage and transportation of various-sized blank panels.
Implementation Method 1
a first flexible rectangular sheet including a first lateral edge, a first medial edge opposite the first lateral edge, a first top edge, and a first bottom edge opposite the first top edge
Implementation Method 2
using a hook and loop closure system for secure sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A rack cover assembly including a first side cover and a second side cover. The first side cover may include a first tensioner and a first flexible rectangular sheet. The first tensioner may be coupled to the first flexible rectangular sheet at or near a first lateral edge. The first tensioner may include a first tensioner height that is less than a first sheet height between the first top edge and the first bottom edge. The second cover may include a second tensioner and a second flexible rectangular sheet configured to couple with the first flexible rectangular sheet. The second tensioner may be coupled to the second flexible rectangular sheet at or near a second lateral edge. The second tensioner may include a second tensioner height that is less than a second sheet height between the second top edge and the second bottom edge.