Stackable Air Handler Rack for Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center heat management solutions require significant floor space and are costly, necessitating upfront planning and limiting flexibility in data center layout and server rack placement.
Innovation Solution
The design of stackable air handler racks and computer racks with horizontally-extending frames allows for efficient use of space, enabling air handler racks to be added without prior planning, facilitating flexible layout and increased server capacity by allowing air handler racks to be stacked with computer racks and among themselves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air handler units are implemented for heat management, then cooling capability is improved, but floor space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions air handler units from floor-standing to rack-mounted configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension and existing rack infrastructure. This allows cooling capacity to be added without consuming additional floor space, as units are stacked vertically within or adjacent to server racks rather than occupying floor area.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-mounted air handler units serve dual purposes: providing cooling for servers while utilizing the same vertical space and infrastructure (rack frames, mounting points) already allocated for server equipment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate floor space dedicated solely to cooling equipment.
2Temperature
If conventional air handler units with false floors and ceilings are implemented, then heat management is improved, but structural complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air handling function from the building infrastructure (false floors and ceilings) and relocates it to the rack-mounted units. This eliminates the need for complex structural modifications to the facility, as cooling is provided at the rack level using existing structural elements rather than requiring facility-wide infrastructure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rack-mounted air handler unit is a self-contained system that provides cooling locally to the servers in its rack, eliminating the need for extensive facility-wide infrastructure. The units utilize their own internal components (compressors, heat exchangers, fans) mounted within the rack structure, making the system independent of complex building modifications.
3Temperature
If conventional air handler units are implemented, then cooling performance is improved, but adaptability and flexibility in layout planning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into modular rack-mounted units rather than implementing a monolithic facility-wide system. Each unit can be independently installed, removed, or repositioned within racks, allowing flexible adaptation to changing server layouts and cooling requirements without requiring comprehensive replanning of the entire facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-mounted air handler units provide dynamic adaptability to layout changes. As servers are added, removed, or repositioned within racks, the cooling units can be similarly adjusted or reconfigured at the rack level without requiring facility-wide replanning, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to operational changes.
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 optimizes space usage, enhances cooling flexibility, and allows for increased server density within data centers without the need for extensive upfront planning or additional floor space, improving heat management and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit including at least one cooling coil, at least one fan for circulating air through said at least one cooling coil
Implementation Method 2
at least one fan for circulating air through said at least one cooling coil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A rack arrangement for a data center includes at least one row of racks including a plurality of computer racks and an air handler rack. Each computer rack includes a computer rack frame including a housing unit for housing computer equipment. The air handler rack includes an air handler rack frame, a heat exchanger and at least one fan. The at least one fan is configured for pulling air into the air handler rack via an air inlet side and discharging air via an air outlet side of the air handler rack, directing air through the heat exchanger. An air inlet side of any one of the computer racks and the air outlet side of the air handler rack are on a cold aisle side of the at least one row of racks. At least one selected rack is stacked atop the air handler rack.