Raised Floor Power Skid Enclosure for Directed Cooling Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power skids face challenges in cooling equipment, connecting cables, and maintaining work clearance space, especially when installed in raised floor configurations, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A raised floor power skid with enclosing elements, such as side walls, that directs cool air upward to efficiently cool equipment, uses standard cables, and allows unobstructed access, integrating with existing cooling configurations to reduce installation complexity and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional power skids are used without enclosing elements, then installation is simpler, but cooling efficiency of equipment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power skid is divided into multiple enclosed compartments or zones using enclosing elements, allowing different equipment to be separated into distinct cooling zones. This segmentation enables targeted cooling for each equipment type while maintaining overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Enclosing elements are strategically positioned to create localized cooling environments around specific equipment that require enhanced cooling. The enclosing elements modify the local thermal characteristics without requiring complete enclosure of the entire power skid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If work clearance space is not maintained between equipment, then space utilization improves, but safety and maintenance access deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidmaintenance access

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power skid is divided into multiple enclosed compartments or zones using enclosing elements, allowing different equipment to be separated into distinct cooling zones. This segmentation enables targeted cooling for each equipment type while maintaining overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Enclosing elements are strategically positioned to create localized cooling environments around specific equipment that require enhanced cooling. The enclosing elements modify the local thermal characteristics without requiring complete enclosure of the entire power skid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If custom cables are used instead of standard cables, then electrical performance improves, but material costs and installation complexity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical performanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power skid design incorporates universal mounting structures and standardized electrical connections that accommodate standard cables. The enclosing elements and support structures are designed to work with conventional cable types, eliminating the need for custom-engineered cable solutions while maintaining electrical reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Temperature

If power skid does not integrate with existing cooling configuration, then installation flexibility improves, but cooling effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosing elements are designed with adjustable or configurable features that allow the cooling configuration to be adapted to existing data center infrastructure. The dynamic design enables the power skid to integrate with various cooling systems while maintaining effective thermal management.

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

The solution enhances cooling efficiency, reduces material costs by using standard cables, and simplifies installation by integrating with existing data center cooling systems, while maintaining necessary work clearances.

Implementation Method 1

the power skid may be configured to provide direct convective air cooling to the one or more equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the opening may comprise one or more deflecting surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction:

Data Source

PatentUS12454835B2Raised floor power skid (RFPS) with enclosing elements

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 VERTIV CORP

AI summary

A power distribution system is disclosed. The power distribution system may include a power skid configured to be installed in a raised floor configuration. The power skid may include a support structure, a floor coupled to the support structure and located on top of the support structure, and one or more enclosing elements disposed along a boundary of the power skid and coupled to the support structure.