Integrated wiring system and thermal shield support apparatus for a data center

• US 8,072,780 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Switch Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Switch Communications Group LLC
• Inventors: Roy, Rob
• Primary Examiner(s): Norris, Jeremy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Willis, Tremesha S
• Application Number:
  US12/384,105
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 361/825
• US Class Current: 361/825
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20736 within cabinets for removing heat from server blades
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20745 within rooms for removing heat from cabinets, e.g. by air conditioning device

Abstract

Described herein is an integrated data center that provides for efficient cooling, as well as efficient wire routing, and in particular a support for a thermal shield, distribution wiring, as well as cabinet cluster wiring.

Claims

1. An apparatus for maintaining a configuration of electronic equipment disposed in a plurality of cabinets, for supporting a thermal shield that defines a hot air containment chamber, and supporting distribution power wires and conduits, electronic equipment power wires and conduits, and communication wiring, the plurality of cabinets disposed on a floor, the floor being within an internal area of a building, the cabinets positioned in a two rows and separated by a hot aisle area so that the electronic equipment disposed in the plurality of cabinets emit heated air in a predetermined direction toward the hot aisle area between the two rows, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of support brackets disposed along each of the two rows that support the distribution power wires and conduits, the electronic equipment power wires and conduits, and the communication wiring on one side of the plurality of support brackets, and support the thermal shield on another side plurality of support brackets, wherein a portion of each of the support brackets is adapted for connection above the plurality of cabinets, each of the support brackets including, in the portion adapted for connection above the plurality of cabinets;

a plurality of tiered ladder rack supports on the one side to establish a plurality of different tiers outside of the hot air containment chamber, so that each of the different tiers is adapted to hold the electronic equipment power wires and conduits and the communication wiring, and

a plurality of conduit holders disposed on the one side above the plurality of tiered ladder rack supports, each of the conduit holders in each of the plurality of support brackets aligned with corresponding ones of conduit holders in the other plurality of support brackets, for holding a plurality of the distribution power wires and conduits.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of conduit holders are a plurality of conduit clamps disposed on each of the support brackets above the plurality of tiered ladder rack supports.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of conduit holders are disposed on at least one conduit ladder rack support.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of conduit holders are disposed on a plurality of tiered conduit ladder rack supports.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of ladder racks, each of the plurality of ladder racks being associated with one of the plurality of tiered ladder rack supports of the plurality of support brackets, such that each of the plurality of ladder racks is horizontally disposed above the cabinets below and provides further support for the electronic equipment power wires and conduits and the communication wiring.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of ladder rack supports is attached to a back vertical support bracket associated with each of the plurality of support brackets.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein at least some of the plurality of support brackets further includes, at a bottom of the back vertical support bracket, a horizontal support plate for attachment to a top of the cabinet therebelow.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein at least some of the plurality of support brackets further includes a top support plate at a top of the bracket for attachment to a ceiling.