Fully integrated computer racking system

• US 6,577,498 B1
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Robinson, Douglas, Land, David, Hill, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US09/996,339
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 211/90.01, 211/90.04, 211/94.01, 211/94.02, 211/94.05, 211/119.003, 211/126.1, 211/126.6, 211/126.12, 211/132.1, 211/133.1, 211/134, 211/186, 211/187, 211/188, 211/153, 211/162, 211/189, 211/190, 211/191, 211/194, 211/195, 211/206, 211/175, 211/183, 211/207, 211/208, 312/9.1, 312/22, 312/23, 312/25, 312/29, 312/31.1, 312/107, 312/107.5, 312/108, 312/111, 312/128, 312/129, 312/130, 312/140, 312/205, 312/257.1, 312/265.1, 312/265--26, 312/223--22, 312/223.6
• US Class Current: 361/679.6
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06

Abstract

A fully integrated computer rack mount system comprising: at least one shelving unit configured to store computers; at least one electrical panel coupled to at least one of the at least one shelving unit, the at least one electrical panel configured to receive power from an external source; at least one network panel, coupled to at least one of the at least one shelving units, the at least one network panel configured to receive network connectivity from an outside source; a raceway apparatus coupled to the back plane or the front-plane of each of the at least one shelving unit, the raceway apparatus comprising a horizontal raceway and a vertical member, said vertical member comprising a power interface and a network interface; where said raceway apparatus is configured to allow each computer stored in the shelving units to be proximately connectable to the power interface and network interface; where the at least one electrical panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each power interface; and where the at least one network panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each network interface. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understand that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A fully integrated computer rack mount system comprising:

at least one shelving unit configured to store computers;

at least one electrical panel coupled to at least one of said at least one shelving unit, said at least one electrical panel configured to receive power from an external source;

at least one network panel, coupled to at least one of said at least one shelving units, said at least one network panel configured to receive network connectivity from an outside source;

a raceway apparatus coupled to the back plane of each of said at least one shelving unit, said raceway apparatus comprising a horizontal raceway and a vertical member, said vertical member comprising a power interface and a network interface;

where said raceway apparatus is configured to allow each computer stored in said shelving units to be proximately connectable to said power interface and network interface;

where said at least one electrical panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each power interface; and

where said at least one network panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each network interface.

2. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said at least one shelving unit is adjustable.

3. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to raceway apparatuses of other shelving units.

4. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said system is U/L listed.

5. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said system is compliant with seismic regulations.

6. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with “

tee”

connectors.

7. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with four-way connectors.

8. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with corner connectors.

9. The computer rack mount system of claim 1, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with straight thru connectors.

10. A method of fully integrating a computer rack mount system comprising:

configuring at least one shelving unit to store computers;

coupling at least one electrical panel to at least one of said at least one shelving unit, said at least one electrical panel configured to receive power from an external source;

coupling at least one network panel to at least one of said at least one shelving units, said at least one network panel configured to receive network connectivity from an outside source;

coupling a raceway apparatus to the back plane of each of said at least one shelving unit, said raceway apparatus comprising a horizontal raceway and a vertical member, said vertical member comprising a power interface and a network interface;

configuring said raceway apparatus to allow each computer stored in said shelving units to be proximately connectable to said power interface and network interface;

coupling said at least one electrical panel via said horizontal raceway to each power interface; and

coupling said at least one network panel via said horizontal raceway to each network interface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one shelving unit is adjustable.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to raceway apparatuses of other shelving units.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said system is U/L listed.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said system is compliant with seismic regulations.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with “

tee”

connectors.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with four-way connectors.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with corner connectors.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said raceway apparatus is interconnectable to at least one other raceway apparatus with straight thru connectors.

19. A fully integrated computer rack mount system comprising:

at least one shelving unit configured to store computers;

at least one electrical panel coupled to at least one of said at least one shelving unit, said at least one electrical panel configured to receive power from an external source;

at least one network panel, coupled to at least one of said at least one shelving units, said at least one network panel configured to receive network connectivity from an outside source;

a raceway apparatus coupled to the front plane of each of said at least one shelving unit, said raceway apparatus comprising a horizontal raceway and a vertical member, said vertical member comprising a power interface and a network interface;

where said raceway apparatus is configured to allow each computer stored in said shelving units to be proximately connectable to said power interface and network interface;

where said at least one electrical panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each power interface; and

where said at least one network panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each network interface.