Back-up DC vent system for equipment enclosure

• US 6,579,168 B1
• Filed: 01/03/2002
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vertiv Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Marconi Communications, Inc. (Marconi Holdings Company Limited)
• Inventors: Webster, James W., Garcia, Marvin P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOLES, DEREK
• Application Number:
  US10/038,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20030124970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 454/184, 361/687, 361/695, 361/694
• US Class Current: 454/184
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/2019 Fan safe systems, e.g. mechanical devices for non stop cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20736 within cabinets for removing heat from server blades

Abstract

A backup DC vent system for an equipment enclosure is disclosed. The system includes an air intake system which allows air to pass from the ambient environment through a battery compartment of the enclosure, through the floor and into the interior of the enclosure where components to be cooled are mounted. Internal air distribution is accomplished by an air distribution duct system. An air exhaust system is attached to a side of the enclosure and includes a door panel to selectively allow heated air flow from the enclosure interior, a fan mounted to a fan box which is mounted to the enclosure for sucking the air through the enclosure, and a cover to prevent wind driven rain water from impinging upon the fan or the interior of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A backup vent system for an equipment enclosure comprising:

an enclosure having an interior space adapted to contain components to be cooled;

an air intake system including a first opening, a first movable panel for opening and closing said opening, a first seal around said first opening when said first panel closes said first opening, and a first actuator for moving said first panel and for maintaining a closing pressure on said first panel; and

an air exhaust system including a second opening, a second panel for opening and closing said second opening, a second seal around said second opening when said second panel closes said second opening, and a second actuator for moving said second panel and for maintaining a closing pressure on said second panel.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:

said air exhaust system includes a selectively operated fan connected to said enclosure adjacent said second opening; and

said air exhaust system includes a cover connected to said enclosure for shielding said fan and said second opening, said cover allowing for exhaust air to pass to an ambient environment outside the enclosure.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said first and said second movable panels are closed when said fan is not operating and said first and said second movable panels open said first and said second openings, respectively, when said fan is activated.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said first seal is positioned around said first opening; and

said second seal is positioned around said second opening.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

said first and said second seals are of the bulb type.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including:

a control for opening and closing said first and said second movable panels and for activating said fan.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said cover includes side and bottom openings for preventing wind driven rain water from impinging on said exhaust fan and for draining water.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said enclosure includes a battery compartment with walls having air intake openings;

said enclosure includes a bottom wall to which said air intake system is connected; and

said enclosure includes a side to which said air exhaust system is connected.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:

an air distribution duct system.

10. A DC vent system for an equipment enclosure comprising:

an enclosure having an interior, a first wall with an opening for passing ambient air into said interior, a second wall with an opening for passing heated air out of the interior, said interior adapted to contain components to be cooled;

a first movable panel connected to said enclosure and positioned to open and close the opening in said first wall;

a second movable panel connected to said enclosure and positioned to open and close the opening in said second wall;

a first seal between said first panel and said opening of said first wall;

a second seal between said second panel and said opening of said second wall;

a fan connected to said enclosure and mounted adjacent the opening in said second wall;

a cover connected to said enclosure and positioned to shield said fan;

a first actuator connected to said enclosure for moving said first panel between open and closed positions;

a second actuator connected to said enclosure for moving said second panel between open and closed positions; and

a control connected to said enclosure for sensing temperature in said interior and for activating said first and said second actuators and said fan when said temperature reaches a predetermined level.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said first seal is placed around a first frame surrounding the opening in said first wall; and

said second seal is placed around a second frame surrounding the opening in said second wall.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said first seal is a bulb seal; and

said second seal is a bulb seal.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said cover includes side and bottom openings.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said enclosure includes a battery compartment with walls having air intake openings.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said first and said second movable panels are closed when said fan is not operating and said first and said second movable panels open said first and said second openings, respectively, when said fan is activated.