Staggered Backplanes for Data Storage Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In data centers, suboptimal airflow configurations in server racks lead to inadequate heat removal from hard disk drives, resulting in inefficient cooling and potential server operation issues due to wasted space and bypassed airflow, which can hinder the performance of heat-producing components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system where data storage modules are designed with backplanes coupled to a chassis in a staggered configuration, incorporating an air plenum that directs airflow beneath the backplanes to enhance heat removal, and a discrete cooling module with an air moving device and cover to isolate rotational vibrations, ensuring efficient airflow and cooling within the data storage module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard off-the-shelf hard disk drives are used in servers, then cost effectiveness is improved, but space utilization deteriorates due to wasted space in the server chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane backplane configuration to a staggered multi-plane backplane arrangement. By offsetting backplanes at different depths within the chassis, the system effectively utilizes three-dimensional space that would otherwise be wasted, allowing more hard disk drives to be mounted without increasing the chassis footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The staggered backplane configuration creates nested layers of storage components within the chassis depth. Each backplane is positioned at a different depth, with components on one backplane utilizing the space between it and the chassis front, while components on subsequent backplanes utilize the remaining depth, creating an efficient nested arrangement.
2Temperature
If airflow is induced through a rack to cool heat producing components, then heat removal is improved, but airflow bypasses some components resulting in suboptimal cooling utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The staggered backplane configuration creates locally optimized airflow channels between and around the offset planes. Each region of the chassis has tailored airflow paths that direct cooling air specifically through the heat-generating components in that locale, ensuring that airflow is utilized efficiently at each local position rather than bypassing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow cooling system is segmented into multiple independent channels corresponding to different backplane regions. By dividing the airflow path into separate segments that each pass through specific groups of hard disk drives, the system ensures comprehensive cooling coverage and prevents bypass effects that would occur in a single undivided airflow path.
3Device complexity
If multiple backplanes are coupled at a common elevation, then structural simplicity is improved, but airflow channels are blocked reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in the vertical positioning of backplanes, offsetting them at different elevations rather than aligning them at a common elevation. This asymmetric arrangement creates unobstructed airflow channels between the backplanes, allowing cooling air to pass through the chassis while maintaining structural integrity through the offset mounting configuration.
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 airflow and cooling within data storage modules, improving heat removal efficiency and reducing the risk of server operation disruptions by ensuring that airflow is effectively utilized to remove heat from all heat-producing components, thereby enhancing overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
an air plenum that enables an airflow from an air inlet to an outlet to remove heat from at least one heat producing component of one or more of the mass storage devices
Implementation Method 2
a discrete cooling module with an air moving device and cover to isolate rotational vibrations, ensuring efficient airflow and cooling within the data storage module
Data Source
AI summary
A system for storing data includes a rack and one or more data storage modules coupled to the rack. The data storage modules may include a chassis, two or more backplanes coupled to the chassis, one or more mass storage devices coupled to the backplanes, and one or more air plenums extending beneath one or more of the backplanes in the chassis interior. The backplanes are coupled to the chassis in a staggered configuration, where one of the backplanes is coupled to the chassis at a different elevation relative to another one of the backplanes coupled to the chassis. An air passage may extend beneath one or more of the staggered backplanes and may progressively narrow from the inlet end towards the exhaust end of the chassis. A progressively narrowing air passage can progressively impede airflow through the air passage from the inlet end towards the exhaust end.