Multi-Floor Server Rack Layout With Vertical Airflow Plenums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center building designs are inefficient in terms of cooling and space utilization, leading to suboptimal airflow and increased electrical path lengths between IT equipment.
Innovation Solution
The design features multiple sets of server racks arranged in closed shapes with vertical airflow plenums, aligned openings between floors, and an outer wall with spaced airflow plenums to facilitate airflow and reduce resistance, potentially using natural convection or fans for air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If server racks are arranged in traditional configurations, then space utilization is standard, but airflow efficiency deteriorates and cooling performance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is segmented into multiple floors with distinct airflow zones. Each floor has server racks arranged in closed shapes with internal airflow plenums, creating modular segments that independently manage airflow. This segmentation allows optimized cooling paths on each floor while reducing overall system complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal airflow paths to vertical airflow paths by stacking server racks in closed shapes across multiple floors. Airflow moves vertically through aligned plenums and openings between floors, utilizing the vertical dimension to improve cooling efficiency and reduce airflow path complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If server racks are placed closer together to optimize space, then space utilization improves, but airflow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Server racks are arranged in nested closed shapes where inner racks are surrounded by outer racks with airflow plenums in between. This nesting allows racks to be placed closer together for space optimization while maintaining airflow channels through the plenums, preventing airflow resistance from increasing despite reduced spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
Airflow plenums act as intermediary spaces between server racks, providing dedicated airflow channels that prevent direct thermal interference between racks. This intermediary space allows racks to be positioned closer together while maintaining adequate airflow paths, thus optimizing space without increasing airflow resistance.
3Productivity
If traditional airflow paths are used, then airflow paths are simple, but cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates vertical airflow paths by stacking server racks across multiple floors with aligned openings. Air moves vertically through the stacked plenums rather than traveling long horizontal paths, reducing the effective airflow path length while improving cooling performance through direct vertical access to external environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Airflow plenums are pre-configured within the closed rack shapes before servers are installed. This preliminary arrangement of airflow paths ensures optimized cooling routes are established in advance, allowing short and efficient airflow paths to be maintained regardless of server configuration changes.
4Productivity
If electrical conduits are routed through traditional pathways, then conduit routing is straightforward, but electrical path lengths increase
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical conduits are routed through the nested closed shapes formed by server racks and airflow plenums. The concentric arrangement of racks creates natural pathways for conduit routing that minimize travel distance, reducing electrical path lengths while maintaining straightforward routing through the modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical conduits utilize the vertical dimension by routing through stacked floors and aligned openings between racks. This vertical routing approach reduces horizontal conduit travel distance, shortening electrical path lengths while maintaining straightforward installation paths through the modular floor-to-floor openings.
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
This configuration enhances airflow efficiency, reduces electrical path lengths, and optimizes space usage by allowing for closer server proximity, improved airflow resistance, and shorter conduit runs, thereby improving data center performance.
Implementation Method 1
potentially using natural convection or fans for air circulation
Implementation Method 2
potentially using natural convection or fans for air circulation
Implementation Method 3
The first openings in each of the floors above a first one of the floors is aligned about the first vertical center axis to allow airflow between a portion of the first airflow plenum on one of the plurality of floors with a different portion of the first airflow plenum on an adjacent floor
Implementation Method 4
The outer wall is disposed around and spaced from the first set of server racks, with the space between the first set of server racks and the outer wall comprising a second airflow plenum
Implementation Method 5
The first roof portion is on a top one of the floors and has a first roof opening therein aligned with the first airflow plenum to allow fluid communication between the first airflow plenum and an external environment outside of the data center
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-floor data center, comprising in one implementation, a plurality of floors; a first set of server racks disposed about a first vertical center axis on each floor, the first set of server racks formed in a substantially closed shape, with a substantially vertical open center comprising a first airflow plenum at least for air flow; a first opening in each of the floors, with the first opening aligned with the substantially vertical first airflow plenum on it respective floor, wherein the substantially vertical first airflow plenums on the floors are aligned for communication through the first openings in the floors; outer wall; a roof with a roof opening therein.