DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT STRUCTURE

Abstract

A hot/cold aisle containment system includes a frame structure partially covered by one or more panels to define an interior space, at least one electronic equipment enclosure installed at an end of the frame structure, an adjustable wall assembly positionable against a side of the at least one electronic equipment enclosure, and at least one mounting rail attached to the frame structure to permit forward and rearward adjustment of the adjustable wall assembly.

Description

APPENDIX AND INCORPORATION THEREOF BY REFERENCE

The entirety of co-pending, commonly-assigned U.S. provisional patent application, entitled, “HEADER PANEL ASSEMBLY FOR PREVENTING AIR CIRCULATION ABOVE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE,” attached hereto as Appendix A, is incorporated herein by reference. The disclosure of the foregoing U.S. provisional patent application is contained in the corresponding appendix, as designated above, which is likewise incorporated herein in its entirety by reference and is intended to provide background and technical information with regard to the systems and environments of the inventions of the current provisional patent application.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates generally to structures and methods of thermal management in a data center, and, in particular, to an adjustable wall assembly for installation in a hot aisle containment structure.

Background

Rack-mounted computer and data storage equipment generates heat during normal operation. When equipment is enclosed in racks, cabinets and other electronic equipment enclosures (hereinafter, collectively, referred to as “enclosures”), heat generated by the equipment can concentrate within the enclosure and cause equipment to overheat and shut down. Thus, proper thermal management is a fundamental aspect of the installation and use of such equipment. Moreover, thermal management is particularly important in data centers in which multiple enclosures are installed, each with heat-generating equipment mounted therein.

Many techniques and solutions have been proposed and used with regard to thermal management in such data centers. One such solution involves utilization of a containment structure to receive heated exhaust air from enclosures installed in the data center or computer room. Enclosures are typically arranged in a row facing with their sides abutting one another. Cool air is drawn into the enclosures from outside the containment structure to cool the equipment mounted in each enclosure. Heated exhaust air is then expelled from the enclosures into a common area within the containment structure, which is segregated from the supply of cool air. Heated exhaust air may then be routed from the containment structure and cooled before being re-circulated into the supply of cool air.

Containment structures can typically be configured to accommodate a varying number of enclosures up to a maximum. When such structures are not filled to capacity, the empty slots or spaces for additional enclosures must be otherwise obstructed in order to keep the interior of the containment structure separate from the supply of cool air.

Known containment structures meet this need in a variety of ways. In many instances, full-height metal blanking panels may be mounted parallel to the row of installed enclosures in order to fill a void where additional enclosures can be added at a later time. However, because the entire superstructure for a containment structure is typically installed at the onset, metal blanking panels must necessarily be installed in every empty slot in order to fill the void left for future installation of additional enclosures. As such, several such blanking panels are usually necessary during initial installation in order to accommodate for future expansion of the data center. When additional enclosures are added, blanking panels must be removed from the containment structure and stored. Thus, use of conventional blanking panels often entails high initial installation costs as well as additional long-term storage and handling costs as the data center is expanded.

In other instances, full-height plastic air curtains can be hung to seal off empty slots in the containment structure. However, such air curtains do not have a physical frame structure. As a result, air curtains may be moved or shifted with relative ease to create gaps for air to enter into or escape from the containment structure, thereby comprising the integrity of the containment structure for segregating heated exhaust air from the supply of cool air. Moreover, air curtains are unable to provide a secure environment for equipment housed in the containment structure.

Accordingly, a need exists for a containment system that avoids the shortcomings of known containment structure solutions. This, and other needs, is addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Broadly defined, the present invention according to a first aspect includes a hot/cold aisle containment system substantially as shown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to a second aspect includes a hot/cold aisle containment system having an adjustable wall assembly installed on one or more mounting rails, as substantially shown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to a third aspect includes a hot/cold aisle containment system. The containment system includes a frame structure partially covered by one or more panels to define an interior space, at least one electronic equipment enclosure installed at an end of the frame structure, an adjustable wall assembly positionable against a side of the at least one electronic equipment enclosure, and at least one mounting rail attached to the frame structure to permit forward and rearward adjustment of the adjustable wall assembly.

In features of this aspect, a portion of the adjustable wall assembly may be slidable within a channel of the at least one mounting rail; the adjustable wall assembly may include a center assembly having a door; the center assembly may include a window to permit viewing of the interior space; the center assembly may include a center header panel situated above the door; the adjustable wall assembly may include a side panel situated at each side of the center assembly; and the adjustable wall assembly may include a side header panel at each side of the center assembly above the side panel.

In further features of this aspect, the adjustable wall assembly may include gasket material at edges thereof to provide a seal; the adjustable wall assembly may be made at least in part from a metal-based material; the adjustable wall assembly may include a glass insert; the adjustable wall assembly may include a polycarbonate insert; the adjustable wall assembly may include a thermoplastic insert; and at least one electronic equipment enclosure may be installed at each side of the frame structure.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to a fourth aspect includes an adjustable wall assembly, for use in connection with a hot/cold aisle containment system, as substantially shown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to a fifth aspect includes an adjustable wall assembly, for use in connection with a hot/cold aisle containment system. The adjustable wall assembly includes a center assembly including a door and a side panel situated at each side of the center assembly. The center assembly is positionable relative to one or more mounting rails, thereby permitting forward and rearward adjustment.

In features of this aspect, the adjustable wall assembly may further include a side header panel situated above each side panel; at least one of the center assembly and the side panels may be made at least in part from a metal-based material; at least one of the center assembly and the side panels may include a glass insert; at least one of the center assembly and the side panels may include a polycarbonate insert; at least one of the center assembly and the side panels may include thermoplastic insert; the center assembly may include a window to permit viewing of the interior space; and the adjustable wall assembly may further include a center header panel situated above the door.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to a sixth aspect includes a method of using a hot/cold aisle containment system as substantially shown and described.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to a seventh aspect includes a method of using a hot/cold aisle containment system. The method includes installing a first electronic equipment enclosure in a frame structure against a side thereof and positioning an adjustable wall assembly along a mounting rail to abut the side of the first electronic equipment enclosure, thereby establishing a seal.

In a feature of this aspect, the method may further include the step of fixing the adjustable wall assembly into position to prevent movement thereof along the mounting rail.

In a further feature of this aspect, the method may further include repositioning the adjustable wall assembly along the mounting rail away from the first electronic equipment enclosure, installing a second electronic equipment enclosure against the side of the first electronic equipment enclosure, and repositioning the adjustable wall assembly along the mounting rail to abut the side of the second electronic equipment enclosure, thereby establishing a seal.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hot/cold aisle containment system having an adjustable wall assembly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, installed therein on a pair of mounting rails:

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the hot/cold aisle containment system of FIG. 1, shown with an electronic equipment enclosure installed at one side thereof and the adjustable wall assembly positioned away from the enclosure;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the hot/cold aisle containment system of FIG. 1, shown with a pair of electronic equipment enclosures installed at one side thereof and the adjustable wall assembly positioned against one of the pair of enclosures;

FIG. 4 is an isometric, exploded view of the adjustable wall assembly and mounting rails of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of one of the side panels of the adjustable wall assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of one of the side header panels of the adjustable wall assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the side header panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the center assembly of the adjustable wall assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the center assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the center frame and center header panel of the center assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the door of the center assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view one of the mounting rails of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is an end view of the mounting rail of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers,” “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese,” and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components throughout the several views, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hot/cold aisle containment system 10 having an adjustable wall assembly 30, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, installed therein on a pair of mounting rails 60. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the hot/cold aisle containment system 10 of FIG. 1, shown with an electronic equipment enclosure 13 installed at one side thereof and the adjustable wall assembly 30 positioned away from the enclosure 13. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the hot/cold aisle containment system 10 of FIG. 1, shown with a pair of electronic equipment enclosures 13,14 installed at one side thereof and the adjustable wall assembly 30 positioned against one of the pair of enclosures 13,14. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the containment system 10 includes a frame structure 12 that may be covered at least in part by a plurality of panels (not shown), one or more enclosures 14, one or more header panel assemblies 50 above the enclosures 13,14, an adjustable wall assembly 30, and a pair of mounting rails 60. Each of these will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As perhaps best shown in FIG. 1, the frame structure 12 includes a plurality of vertical posts 16 spaced apart from one another and arranged to support horizontal beams 17,18 at the tops thereof. The beams may be formed from several beam segments, as in the case of the beams 18 extending along the front and rear ends of the structure 12, or they may be single units, as in the case of the beams 17 extending along the sides of the structure 12. The horizontal beams 17,18 are connected together at their ends to define an upper frame 20 at the top of the frame structure 12. Extending across the upper frame 20 and supported between horizontal beams 18 are a plurality of horizontal joists 22, which may be configured to support ceiling panels for the frame structure 12. The panels covering the frame structure 12 may include panels to provide one or more of a ceiling, front, rear and sides to the frame structure 12. Panels are not shown in the several views in order to permit viewing of the adjustable wall assembly 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, enclosures 13,14 may be installed along the sides of the frame structure 12. At least initially, the first such enclosure 13 may be installed against one or more rear panels of the containment system 10. Additional enclosures 14 may be positioned in a side-to-side relationship as needed, thereby establishing a row of enclosures 13,14. Though the two enclosures 13,14 in FIG. 3 are shown only along one side of the containment system 10, it is contemplated that enclosures 13,14 may alternatively or additionally be positioned at the opposite side of the containment system 10. In this regard, enclosures 13,14 may be incorporated into the containment system 10 by adding an enclosure 13,14 to each side thereof in an alternating manner. In other words, best results may be obtained if the opposing rows of enclosures 13,14 are kept approximately equal in length. If enclosures 13,14 are added only to a single side of the containment system 10, or if the opposing rows of enclosures 13,14 are unequal in length, the opposite side thereof may be otherwise sealed with panels and the like to prevent co-mingling of heated exhaust air within the containment system 10 with the supply of cool air outside of the containment system 10.

The enclosures 13,14 installed in the containment system 10 may be of any conventional construction, and may include features not illustrated herein. Enclosures suitable for use with preferred embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,997,117; 6,185,098; 7,697,285; 7,804,685; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0227197 A1; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0172092 A1, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that the header panel assemblies 50 may be positioned above the enclosures 13,14 to fill the void above each enclosure 13,14. Adjustable header panel assemblies 50 suitable for use with preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in co-pending, commonly-assigned U.S. provisional patent application, entitled, “HEADER PANEL ASSEMBLY FOR PREVENTING AIR CIRCULATION ABOVE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE.” a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A. The crosswise horizontal beams 17 may include regularly-spaced apertures and/or other features to facilitate mounting, attachment or the like of the header panel assemblies 50 thereto.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the containment system 10 further includes an adjustable wall assembly 30 mounted on a pair of mounting rails 60 positioned at a floor area of the containment system 10. The adjustable wall assembly 30 is configured to be slidable along the mounting rails 60 to permit adjustment of the depth of the adjustable wall assembly 30 in the containment system 10. Mounting rails 60 are attached at the base of opposing pairs of vertical posts 16 of the frame structure 12.

Based on the variable quantity of enclosures 13,14 that may be incorporated into the containment system 10 at any given time, the position of the outermost enclosure 14 in each row may likewise vary. To accommodate for such variability, the adjustable wall assembly 30, the position of which is adjustable relative to the length of the enclosure rows installed in the containment system 10, may be slid or otherwise maneuvered forward or rearward along the mounting rails 60 so as to abut the outermost enclosure 13,14 of the rows. For example, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2, the adjustable wall assembly 30 is slidable in a rearward direction from the position shown therein so as to abut the row of enclosures 13,14 at each side of the containment system 10. As additional enclosures 13,14 are added and row length is extended, the adjustable wall assembly 30 is slidable in a forward direction to accommodate such additional enclosures 13,14. When positioned against the rows of enclosures 13,14, the adjustable wall assembly 30 extends all the way across from a row of enclosures 13,14 at one side of the containment system 10 to a row of enclosures 13,14 at the opposing side thereof, thereby sealing the entire end of the containment system 10.

When a sufficient quantity of enclosures 13,14 have been installed in the containment system 10, the length of the rows of enclosures 13,14 within the containment system 10 will extend fully across the sides thereof. Once the containment system 10 is fully populated, the adjustable wall assembly 30 may optionally be removed from the containment system 10 to be replaced with additional side panels (not shown) attachable to the frame structure 12. The adjustable wall assembly 30 may then be disassembled and stored for possible later use in the event that one or more enclosures 13,14 are removed.

The adjustable wall assembly 30 may be composed from a wide variety of materials. In one contemplated embodiment, components of the adjustable wall assembly 30 are composed from solid metal structures. In another contemplated embodiment, components of the adjustable wall assembly 30 could utilize a structural outer frame with captured inserts. The outer frame may be composed from a rigid material such as a metal-based material, and the captured inserts may be composed from materials such as glass, polycarbonates, or a thermoplastic material such as ABS.

In a method of use, the adjustable wall assembly 30 may be preinstalled in a containment system 10 at one end thereof before the installation of any enclosures 13,14. Once a first enclosure 13 is positioned at the rear end of the containment system 10, the adjustable wall assembly 30 may be slid in a rearward direction, as shown in FIG. 2, until it is disposed against the enclosure 13, where it may be fixed into position to prevent unnecessary movement. If space for an additional enclosure 14 is required, the adjustable wall assembly 30 can be unfixed and shifted in a forward direction to accommodate such additional enclosure 14. The additional enclosure 14 may then be installed adjacent to the initial enclosure 13 in a side-to-side relationship, thereby establishing a row. The adjustable wall assembly 30 may then be slid in a rearward direction until it is disposed against the row of enclosures 13,14, where it may be fixed into the position shown in FIG. 3. The steps of adjusting the adjustable wall assembly 30 to accommodate addition enclosures 13,14 can be repeated until the containment system 10 is fully populated, at which point the adjustable wall assembly 30 may be removed and stored.

FIG. 4 is an isometric, exploded view of the adjustable wall assembly 30 and mounting rails 60 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the adjustable wall assembly 30 includes a pair of side panels 42, a pair of side header panels 44 and a center assembly 32. The side header panels 44 are positionable above the side panels 42 and, together, are positionable and attachable alongside the center assembly 32. The side panels 42 and side header panels 44 may be attached to the sides of the center assembly 32 with fasteners or other fastening mechanisms.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of one of the side panels 42 of the adjustable wall assembly 30 of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is an isometric view of one of the side header panels 44 of the adjustable wall assembly 30 of FIG. 1; and FIG. 7 is an end view of the side header panel 44 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side panel 42 and side header panel 44 are generally sheet-like and are formed of a rigid material to provide structure. The side panel 42 and side header panel 44 are dimensioned so as to be able to seal off a end of the containment system 10 when pairs thereof are arranged at either side of the center assembly 32. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side header panel 44 may include a bracket 62 for mounting the side header panel 44 to a portion of the horizontal beams 17 along the sides of the structure 12, thereby providing additional structure and rigidity to the adjustable wall assembly 30.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the center assembly 32 of the adjustable wall assembly 30 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a rear view of the center assembly 32 of FIG. 8. As shown therein, the center assembly 32 includes a center frame 34 and a door 36. FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the center frame 34 and center header panel 38 of the center assembly 32 of FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the door 36 of the center assembly 32 of FIG. 8. The center frame 34 provides additional strength and rigidity to the adjustable wall assembly 30. The door 36 attaches to the center frame at hinges 66 that permit the door 36 to pivot between open and closed positions, thereby providing access to the interior space of the containment system 10. The center frame 34 includes a center header panel 38 situated above the door 36, which may fill any remaining void above the door 36. As shown in FIG. 8, the center frame 34 may also include corner brackets 64 at the top thereof, each with a hooked portion 68 that may be hooked or otherwise coupled to horizontal joists 22 of the frame structure 12 as shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, the corner brackets 64 may provide additional support to the center assembly 32. The center header panel 38 and the door 36 may each include a window 40 that may be filled with an opaque or transparent material to be permit viewing of the interior space within the containment system 10.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view one of the mounting rails 60 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 13 is an end view of the mounting rail 60 of FIG. 12. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each mounting rail 60 includes end brackets 72 at opposing ends thereof to facilitate attachment of the mounting rail 60 to the base of vertical posts 16 of the frame structure 12. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 13, the mounting rail 60 is shaped so as to define channels 70,74 extending the length thereof. The top and bottom channels 70 are sized to accommodate a bolt or other fastening mechanism 76 to retain the end brackets 72 thereon. The side channels 74 are sized to accommodate a bolt or other fastening mechanism (not shown) located at the bottom of the center assembly 32. When bolts on the center assembly 32 are positioned within corresponding channels 74, the adjustable wall assembly 30 is permitted to be adjusted forward and rearward along the mounting rails 60.

The various components of the adjustable wall assembly 30, as described above, may include a gasket or seal, made of a suitable material, along edges thereof to provide a seal between and among the various components as well as between the components and the frame structure 12 of the containment system 10. For example, gasket material may be positioned at the base of the side panels 42 so as to provide a substantial seal between the side panels 42 and the floor. Additionally, gasket material may be positioned along the tops of the side header panels 44 and the center header panel 38 to provide a substantial seal between such header panels 38,44 and ceiling panels of the frame structure 12. Gaskets suitable for use with preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the aforementioned patent application attached hereto as Appendix A. As described in detail in Appendix A, various components may include a V-shaped flange at edges or sides thereof, which is adapted to receive and retain a respective gasket.

As can now be appreciated, the adjustable wall assembly 30 of the present invention provides flexibility over known containment system solutions. The adjustable wall assembly 30 may be adjusted forward or rearward within a containment system 10 in order to close off and establish a seal with the outermost in a row of enclosures 13,14, the length of which may vary as additional enclosures are added or removed from the containment system 10. As a result, the adjustable wall assembly 30 may reduce the amount of materials necessary to accommodate a variable quantity of enclosures 13,14, and may thus reduce costs associated therewith, such as materials and storage costs. Additionally, as a rigid structure capable of establishing a seal in a containment system 10, the adjustable wall assembly 30 may also enhance security in the containment system 10.

Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A hot/cold aisle containment system substantially as shown and described.

2. A hot/cold aisle containment system having an adjustable wall assembly installed on one or more mounting rails, as substantially shown and described.

3. A hot/cold aisle containment system comprising:

(a) a frame structure adapted to be at least partially covered by one or more panels to define an interior space;

(b) at least one electronic equipment enclosure installed at an end of the frame structure;

(c) an adjustable wall assembly positionable against a side of the at least one electronic equipment enclosure; and

(d) at least one mounting rail attached to the frame structure to permit forward and rearward adjustment of the adjustable wall assembly.

4. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 3, wherein a portion of the adjustable wall assembly is slidable within a channel of the at least one mounting rail.

5. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 4, wherein the adjustable wall assembly includes a center assembly having a door.

6. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 5, wherein the center assembly includes a window to permit viewing of the interior space.

7. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 5, wherein the center assembly includes a center header panel situated above the door.

8. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 5, wherein the adjustable wall assembly includes a side panel situated at each side of the center assembly.

9. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 8, wherein the adjustable wall assembly includes a side header panel at each side of the center assembly above the side panel.

10. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 3, wherein the adjustable wall assembly includes gasket material at edges thereof to provide a seal.

11. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 3, wherein the adjustable wall assembly is made at least in part from a metal-based material.

12. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 3, wherein the adjustable wall assembly includes a glass insert.

13. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 3, wherein the adjustable wall assembly includes a polycarbonate insert.

14. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 3, wherein the adjustable wall assembly includes a thermoplastic insert.

15. The hot/cold aisle containment system of claim 3, wherein at least one electronic equipment enclosure is installed at each side of the frame structure.

16. An adjustable wall assembly, for use in connection with a hot/cold aisle containment system, as substantially shown and described.

17. An adjustable wall assembly, for use in connection with a hot/cold aisle containment system, comprising:

(a) a center assembly including a door; and

(b) a side panel situated at each side of the center assembly;

(c) wherein the center assembly is positionable relative to one or more mounting rails, thereby permitting forward and rearward adjustment.

18. The adjustable wall assembly of claim 17, further comprising a side header panel situated above each side panel.

19. The adjustable wall assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of the center assembly and the side panels is made at least in part from a metal-based material.

20. The adjustable wall assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of the center assembly and the side panels includes a glass insert.

21. The adjustable wall assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of the center assembly and the side panels includes a polycarbonate insert.

22. The adjustable wall assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of the center assembly and the side panels includes thermoplastic insert.

23. The adjustable wall assembly of claim 17, wherein the center assembly includes a window to permit viewing of the interior space

24. The adjustable wall assembly of claim 17, further comprising a center header panel situated above the door.

25. A method of using a hot/cold aisle containment system as substantially shown and described.

26. A method of using a hot/cold aisle containment system comprising:

(a) installing a first electronic equipment enclosure in a frame structure against a side thereof; and

(b) positioning an adjustable wall assembly along a mounting rail to abut the side of the first electronic equipment enclosure, thereby establishing a seal.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of fixing the adjustable wall assembly into position to prevent movement thereof along the mounting rail.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

(a) repositioning the adjustable wall assembly along the mounting rail away from the first electronic equipment enclosure;

(b) installing a second electronic equipment enclosure against the side of the first electronic equipment enclosure;

(c) repositioning the adjustable wall assembly along the mounting rail to abut the side of the second electronic equipment enclosure, thereby establishing a seal.