Exhaust system for electronic equipment enclosure

• US 6,598,668 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vertiv Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Marconi Communications, Inc. (Marconi Holdings Company Limited)
• Inventors: Cosley, Michael R., Lockhart, Julius C.
• Primary Examiner(s): ATKINSON, CHRISTOPHER MARK
• Application Number:
  US09/548,043
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 165/104.33, 165/104.32, 165/104.34, 165/134.1, 165/135, 165/104.21, 165/104.06, 312/236, 454/368, 454/367, 454/354, 454/94, 454/184-186
• US Class Current: 165/104.32
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/206 Air circulating in closed loop within cabinets wherein heat is removed through air-to-air heat-exchanger

Abstract

A top cover for an electronic equipment cabinets where the top cover is made of upper and lower synthetic resin panels which are welded at their edges to form an air chamber therebetween. The upper panel is domed while the lower panel has a corrugated like structure. Access ports are provided which may be sealed shut. Rain directing berms are also provided to direct rain to the corners of the cover and away from access doors to a sealed electronic equipment chamber in the cabinet. A lateral air and water exhaust duct extending the width of the cover is provided as a path for exhaust air from a heat exchanger which normally moves in one direction but under high wind conditions may move in the opposite direction and for allowing the passage of rain water from one side of the cabinet to the opposite side.

Claims

1. An equipment enclosure comprising:

front, rear and side portions and an interior chamber;

a heat exchanger mounted within said interior chamber;

a centrifugal fan operatively mounted to said heat exchanger for drawing and exhausting ambient air, said centrifugal fan being separated from said interior chamber;

a top cover forming a fan casing for said centrifugal fan, said top cover being mounted over said interior chamber;

said top cover including an enclosed air space; and

said top cover including oppositely disposed passageways extending from said fan casing to a periphery of said top cover, said passageways being offset from said centrifugal fan such that an axis of rotation of said fan does not intersect said passageways.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said top cover is thermoformed of synthetic resin material.