EXTENDIBLE BARRIER

• US 20180035571A1
• Filed: 07/31/2016
• Published: 02/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilone Grinberg
• Original Assignee: Ilone Grinberg
• Inventors: Grinberg, Ilone
• Granted Patent: US 10,455,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20572 within cabinets for removing heat from sub-racks, e.g. plenum
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20736 within cabinets for removing heat from server blades
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20836 Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control

Abstract

Provided are blanking panels and methods of use for preventing the exchange of cold and hot air in an electronics rack having at least one module. The blanking panels comprise a face having a top edge and an oppositely positioned bottom edge; a first planar member extending transversely from the top or bottom edge; and a second planar member that is slidably engaged with the first planar member. The second planar member is configured for parallel movement relative to the first planar member. Further, the first and second planar members are configured to prevent airflow from a superior side of the blanking panel to an inferior side of the blanking panel. Methods of making and use are further provided.

Claims

1. A blanking panel for preventing the exchange of cold and hot air in an electronics rack having at least one module comprising:

a face having a top edge and an oppositely positioned bottom edge;

a first planar member extending transversely from the top or bottom edge; and

a second planar member slidably engaged with the first planar member, the second planar member configured for parallel movement relative to the first planar member,

wherein the first and second planar members are configured to prevent airflow from a superior side of the blanking panel to an inferior side of the blanking panel.

2. A blanking panel of claim 1, wherein the first planar member comprises a contacting surface configured to receive the second planar member, the contacting surface defining a passage.

3. A blanking panel of claim 1, further comprising a third planar member extending transversely from the other of the top or bottom edge and a fourth planar member slidably engaged with the third planar member, the third and fourth planar members extending parallel to the first and second planar members.

4. A blanking panel of claim 1, wherein the second planar member comprises a slide track configured to be received in a passage of the first planar member, the slide track extending along a partial length of a side of the second planar member.

5. A blanking panel of claim 4, wherein the second planar member comprises stopping portions at opposite ends of the slide track, the stopping portions defining the bounds of movement relative to the first planar member.

6. A blanking panel of claim 1, wherein the blanking panel is movable between a collapsed configuration when the first and second planar members substantially overlap one another and an extended configuration when the second planar member extends beyond the first planar member, the blanking panel extending a greater distance in the extended configuration than in the collapsed configuration.

7. A blanking panel of claim 1, wherein the first planar surface includes a first locking member and the second planar surface includes a second locking member, the first and second locking members configured to lock the first and second planar members relative to one another.

8. A blanking panel of claim 1, wherein the face comprises oppositely positioned engagement members configured to secure the blanking panel to the electronics rack.

9. A blanking panel of claim 3, wherein the first planar member is removable from the face.

10. A blanking panel of claim 1, wherein the blanking panel is 1 RU in height.

11. A blanking panel of claim 1, wherein the blanking panel is placed in the electronics rack adjacent a rear-mounted switch.

12. A blanking panel of claim 9, wherein the electronics rack comprises a vacant space adjacent the rear-mounted switch.

13. A system for preventing the exchange of cold and hot air in an electronics rack comprising having at least one front-mounted module and at least one rear-mounted module comprising:

an electronics rack adapted to hold a plurality of electronic modules, the electronics rack configured for intake of air through a front side and exhaust of air through a rear side;

a plurality of slots within the rack, each slot configured to receive an electronic module; and

at least one blanking panel comprising;

a face having a top edge and an oppositely positioned bottom edge;

a first planar member extending transversely from the top or bottom edge; and

a second planar member slidably engaged with the first planar member, the second planar member configured for parallel movement relative to the first planar member,

wherein the first and second planar members are configured to prevent airflow from a superior side of the blanking panel to an inferior side of the blanking panel.

14. A system of claim 13, wherein the electronics rack comprises a plurality of electronics modules, at least one of the plurality of modules comprising a rear-mounted switch.

15. A system of claim 14, wherein the electronics rack comprises a vacant space adjacent the rear-mounted switch.

16. A system of claim 13, wherein the slots are 1 RU in height and the module has a height that is in an increment of 1 RU.

17. A system of claim 13, wherein the face is attachable to the front side of the electronics rack and the first and second planar members extend toward the rear side of the electronics rack.

18. A method of managing airflow in an electronics rack having at least one front-mounted module and at least one rear-mounted module, the method comprising:

securing a face of a blanking panel into a pair of opposing front supports of the electronics rack, the face comprising at least one engagement member on a rear side to interact with receptacles of the supports;

moving the blanking panel from a collapsed configuration in which first and second planar members of the blanking panel substantially overlap one another to an extended configuration when the second planar member extends beyond the first planar member, the blanking panel extending a greater distance in the extended configuration than in the collapsed configuration.

19. A method of claim 18, wherein the electronics rack comprises a rear-mounted switch and at least one vacant space adjacent the switch.

20. A method of claim 18, wherein the electronics rack comprises a plurality of slots and the blanking panel is configured to attach to one or more slots and prevent air circulation between two adjacent slots.