Translatable Blower Mounting for Flexible Computer Room Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer room environmental conditioning units require labor-intensive and costly processes to relocate the blower, as it needs to be disconnected and reconnected to the control system, which increases installation costs and reduces flexibility in positioning.
Innovation Solution
The blower can be easily translated between positions within the conditioning unit without disconnection from the control system, using mechanisms such as scissor jacks, jig assemblies, pivoting mechanisms, and lever systems, allowing it to remain connected during movement and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the blower is relocated by disconnecting and reconnecting it to the control system, then the blower can be positioned in different locations (internal or external to the cabinet), but the process becomes labor intensive and increases installation cost
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is mounted on a translatable platform (such as a scissor jack mechanism) that allows it to move between different positions (inside the cabinet, outside the cabinet, above or below the raised floor) while remaining electrically connected to the control system. This dynamic positioning capability eliminates the need for disconnection and reconnection, resolving the contradiction between positioning flexibility and installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with universal electrical connections that remain valid across multiple blower positions. The same control wiring and connection protocol work whether the blower is located internally or externally, eliminating the need for position-specific reconfiguration and reducing installation complexity while maintaining positioning versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blower is relocated by disconnecting and reconnecting it to the control system, then the blower can be positioned in different locations, but recertification is required which increases cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is pre-configured with universal connection protocols and wiring arrangements that are designed to work with the blower in any position (internal, external, above floor, below floor). This preliminary design decision eliminates the need for recertification when the blower is repositioned, as the system architecture already anticipates and supports multiple configurations
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of conditioning units are manufactured to accommodate different blower positions, then various applications can be served, but manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single conditioning unit design incorporates universal mounting structures and control system connections that support multiple blower positions. The unit can serve down-flow applications (blower below raised floor), up-flow applications (blower above raised floor), and internal cabinet installations without requiring different hardware configurations, thereby reducing product variety while maintaining application coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The conditioning unit incorporates dynamic mounting mechanisms (such as adjustable brackets or translatable platforms) that allow the blower position to be changed after installation. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for manufacturers to produce multiple static configurations, reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining versatility across applications
Data Source
AI summary
A conditioning unit can allow the blower to be easily translated from a first operable position in the conditioning unit to a second operable position external to the conditioning unit. The translation of the blower does not require the disconnection of the blower and, accordingly, does not require that the blower be disconnected and reconnected to the control system. Such capability can facilitate the installation of the conditioning unit into a variety of applications and allows the purchaser to customize the blower location based on the desired performance. The ability to customize the installation of the conditioning unit without requiring disconnection and reconnection of the blower can reduce the cost and expense associated with the installation into differing applications.