VERTICAL AIRFLOW SEGREGATION PANEL AND BAFFLE

• US 20140016266A1
• Filed: 07/13/2012
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Lenart, Christopher Allen
• Granted Patent: US 9,060,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/690
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/183 support rails therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20727 within server blades for removing heat from heat source
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20745 within rooms for removing heat from cabinets, e.g. by air conditioning device

Abstract

An airflow segregation panel is disclosed for directing air flow. The airflow segregation panel includes a first connection end, an airflow direction portion and a hinge. The hinge is positioned between the first connection end and the air flow direction portion such that the air flow direction portion is selectively pivotable with respect to the first connection end. The airflow direction portion may be configured with a selectively adjustable length.

Claims

1. A storage rack cooling arrangement, comprising:

a first storage rack that is configured to store at least one electronic component, the first storage rack defined by opposing first and second sides and opposing third and fourth sides, wherein an airflow pathway is formed through the third and fourth sides; and

a selectively positionable airflow segregation panel having a first connection end that is configured to be selectively positioned adjacent a first side of the first storage rack so as to direct air flow from the airflow pathway in a direction toward the second side of the first storage rack.

2. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a second storage rack positioned adjacent the first storage rack such that an airflow delivery aisle is positioned between the first storage rack and the second storage rack, wherein the airflow segregation panel is positioned between the first storage rack and the second storage rack.

3. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 2, wherein the air flow segregation panel is positioned within the airflow delivery aisle so as to be oriented at an angle with respect to the first storage rack and the second storage rack to selectively direct cooling air through a first portion of the air flow delivery aisle and into the second storage rack and to selectively direct heated air leaving the first storage rack into a second portion of the air flow delivery aisle to exit the air flow delivery aisle at the second side of the first storage rack.

4. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 2, further comprising a vented cable riser positioned between the first storage rack and the second storage rack, wherein the vented cable riser is configured to permit cooling air to pass therethrough and enter the airflow delivery aisle.

5. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 2, further comprising a rack pillar mounted on first storage rack adjacent a first side of the first storage rack, wherein the first connection end of the air flow segregation panel is configured to be selectively secured to the rack pillar.

6. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airflow segregation panel further comprises an air flow direction portion and a hinge positioned between the first connection end and the air flow direction portion such that the air flow direction portion is selectively pivotable with respect to the first connection end.

7. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 6, wherein the hinge is formed by a first set of spaced apart sleeves arranged on one end of the connection end and a second set of spaced apart sleeves arranged on one end of the air flow direction portion, wherein the first and second set of spaced apart sleeves are arranged in an interlocking manner to form a channel that receives a rod.

8. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 7, further comprising a connection member that may be selectively tightened to fix the first connection end with respect to the air flow direction portion.

9. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the airflow segregation panel further comprises an air flow direction portion, a second connection end and first and second hinge portions, wherein the first hinge portion is positioned between the first connection end and the air flow direction portion and the second hinge portion is positioned between the second connection end and the air flow direction portion.

10. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 9, wherein the air flow direction portion further comprises a first air flow direction portion and a second airflow direction portion operatively connected together in an overlapping manner such that a length of the air flow direction portion may be selectively expanded and contracted.

11. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 10, wherein the first and second airflow direction portions each include at least one slot formed therein, wherein the slots of each of the first and second airflow direction portions are aligned in one direction and configured to receive a connecting element to attach the first and second airflow direction portions operatively together.

12. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 11, wherein the connecting element may be selectively tightened to restrict movement of the first airflow direction portion relative to the second air flow direction portion to fix the length of the airflow direction portion.

13. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first connection end comprises a leg portion that is fixedly connected to a foot portion and wherein the foot portion is disposed at an angle with respect to the leg portion.

14. An airflow segregation panel, comprising:

a first connection end;

an air flow direction portion; and

a hinge positioned between the first connection end and the air flow direction portion such that the air flow direction portion is selectively pivotable with respect to the first connection end.

15. The airflow segregation panel of claim 14, wherein the hinge is formed by a first set of spaced apart sleeves arranged on one end of the connection end and a second set of spaced apart sleeves arranged on one end of the air flow direction portion, wherein the first and second set of spaced apart sleeves are arranged in an interlocking manner to form a channel that receives a rod.

16. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 14, wherein the airflow segregation panel further comprises an air flow direction portion, a second connection end and first and second hinge portions, wherein the first hinge portion is positioned between the first connection end and the air flow direction portion and the second hinge portion is positioned between the second connection end and the air flow direction portion.

17. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 16, wherein the air flow direction portion further comprises a first air flow direction portion and a second airflow direction portion operatively connected together in an overlapping manner such that a length of the air flow direction portion may be selectively expanded and contracted.

18. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 17, wherein the first and second airflow direction portions each include at least one slot formed therein, wherein the slots of each of the first and second airflow direction portions are aligned in one direction and configured to receive a connecting element to attach the first and second airflow direction portions operatively together.

19. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 18, wherein the connecting element may be selectively tightened to restrict movement of the first airflow direction portion relative to the second air flow direction portion to fix the length of the airflow direction portion.

20. The storage rack cooling arrangement of claim 14, wherein the first connection end comprises a leg portion that is fixedly connected to a foot portion and wherein the foot portion is disposed at an angle with respect to the leg portion.