Stackable modular personal computer array

• US 8,561,814 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M&A Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: M&A Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Elwany, Magdy
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne, Darnell
• Assistant Examiner(s): TEFERA, HIWOT E
• Application Number:
  US13/593,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20120318756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 211/26, 211/189, 211/103, 211/187, 36167946-67954, 361724-727, 361688-689, 361694-695, 361/715, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/213, 312/236, 454/184
• US Class Current: 211/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/18 Construction of rack or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20136 Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans H05K7/202 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20727 within server blades for removing heat from heat source
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20736 within cabinets for removing heat from server blades
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a sub-rack module for supporting a personal computer chassis therein. The sub-rack module is configured to be received within a multi-position support rack. Due to the unique combination of the sub-rack and the multi-position support rack, the sub-rack modules can be positioned such that the back ends of the personal computer chassis form an air passageway in the center of the multi-position support rack, which allows for the air flow to be directed through the passageway and out through the front end of the personal computer chassis. This configuration allows for the high density storage of an array of personal computer chassis while providing adequate cooling for multiple units. A method for manufacturing this system is also provided.

Claims

1. A storage system comprising:

a first plurality of computer housings;

a second plurality of computer housings;

a third plurality of computer housings;

a fourth plurality of computer housings;

a storage unit, including;

a first plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the first plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the first plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the first plurality of sleeves to form a first stack of sleeves,

a second plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the second plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the second plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the second plurality of sleeves to form a second stack of sleeves,

a third plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the third plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the third plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the third plurality of sleeves to form a third stack of sleeves,

a fourth plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the fourth plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the fourth plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the fourth plurality of sleeves to form a fourth stack of sleeve,

wherein the first stack of sleeves is positioned adjacent to the second stack of sleeves to form a first row of stacks having a front side and a back side,

wherein the third stack of sleeves is positioned adjacent to the fourth stack of sleeves to form a second row of stacks having a front side and a back side,

wherein the first row of stacks is positioned adjacent to the second row of stacks such that the back side of the first row of stacks and the back side of the second row of stacks face each other and form an unobstructed space to create an air vertical flow path,

wherein each computer housing of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of computer housings further comprises;

a first plurality of inlet air flow holes defined on a side wall of each housing, and a second plurality of inlet air flow holes defined on a top wall of each housing such that the second plurality of inlet air flow holes are exposed beyond a rear of the respective sleeve of the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of sleeves, and a first plurality of outlet air flow holes defined on a front wall of each housing,

wherein each computer housing of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of computer housings further comprises a plurality of apertures defined on the front wall of each computer housing sized to allow the passage of network and power cords, and

wherein each computer housing of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of computer housings is coupled to a rotatable handle and a fastening mechanism to secure each computer housing to a support frame.

2. A storage system comprising:

a first plurality of computer housings;

a second plurality of computer housings;

a third plurality of computer housings;

a fourth plurality of computer housings;

a storage unit, including;

a first plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the first plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the first plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the first plurality of sleeves to form a first stack of sleeves,

a second plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the second plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the second plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the second plurality of sleeves to form a second stack of sleeves,

a third plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the third plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the third plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the third plurality of sleeves to form a third stack of sleeves,

a fourth plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate the fourth plurality of computer housings wherein each sleeve in the fourth plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the fourth plurality of sleeves to form a fourth stack of sleeve,

wherein the first stack of sleeves is positioned adjacent to the second stack of sleeves to form a first row of stacks having a front side and a back side,

wherein the third stack of sleeves is positioned adjacent to the fourth stack of sleeves to form a second row of stacks having a front side and a back side,

wherein the first row of stacks is positioned adjacent to the second row of stacks such that the back side of the first row of stacks and the back side of the second row of stacks face each other and form an unobstructed air flow path, and

wherein each computer housing of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of computer housings further comprises;

a first plurality of inlet air flow holes defined on a side wall of each housing, and

a second plurality of inlet air flow holes defined on a top wall of each housing such that the second plurality of inlet air flow holes are exposed beyond a rear of the respective sleeve of the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of sleeves,

a first plurality of outlet air flow holes defined on a front wall of each housing; and

wherein each computer housing of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of computer housings further comprises a plurality of apertures defined on a front wall of each computer housing sized to allow the passage of network and power cords.

3. The storage system of claim 2, wherein each computer housing of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of computer housings is coupled to a rotatable handle.

4. The storage system of claim 2, wherein each computer housing of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of computer housings is coupled to fastening mechanism to releasibly secure each computer housing to a support frame.

5. A method of cooling a plurality of computers, where each computer has a housing, the method comprising:

positioning a first plurality of computers into a first plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve in the first plurality of computers is sized to slidingly accommodate at least one of the first plurality of computers wherein each sleeve in the first plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the first plurality of sleeves to form a first stack of sleeves,

positioning a second plurality of computers into a second plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve in the second plurality of sleeves is sized to slidingly accommodate at least one of the second plurality of computers wherein each sleeve in the second plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the second plurality of sleeves to form a second stack of sleeves,

positioning a third plurality of computers into a third plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve in the third plurality of sleeves sized to slidingly accommodate at least one of the third plurality of computers wherein each sleeve in the third plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the third plurality of sleeves to form a third stack of sleeves,

positioning a fourth plurality of computers into a fourth plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve in the fourth plurality of sleeves is sized to slidingly accommodate at least one computer of the fourth plurality of computers wherein each sleeve in the fourth plurality of sleeves is positioned vertically with respect to its adjacent sleeve in the fourth plurality of sleeves to form a fourth stack of sleeve,

positioning the first stack of sleeves adjacent to the second stack of sleeves to form a first row of stacks having a front side and a back side,

positioning the third stack of sleeves adjacent to the fourth stack of sleeves to form a second row of stacks having a front side and a back side,

positioning the first row of stacks adjacent to the second row of stacks such that the back side of the first row of stacks and the back side of the second row of stacks face each other and form an unobstructed vertical air flow path,

creating an outlet air current from an inside space of each computer to an exterior space proximate to each computer through a plurality of outlet air flow holes defined within a front wall of each computer housing,

creating a first inlet air current from the vertical air flow path to the inside space of each computer through a plurality of holes defined on a top wall of each computer such that the plurality of holes are exposed beyond a rear of the respective sleeve of the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of sleeves, and

creating a second inlet air flow from the exterior space proximate to each computer to the inside space of each computer through a plurality of inlet air flow holes defined on a side wall of each computer.