Abstract: A method of making a data centre is disclosed, comprising making a data centre in an existing building (3010) having a floor, walls and a roof, an air inlet and an air outlet. The method includes: installing prefabricated data centre elements by (a) connecting to the inlet an air handling module (3001, 3002); and (b) installing cold aisle services modules (3011) each having one or more integrated blanking portions and one or more data centre services extending along its length terminating with a connection to an adjacent module (3011); and installing racks of IT equipment arranged in parallel rows; the method being so performed that the floor, racks, and cold aisle services modules (3011) together define parallel cold aisles for entraining cooling air flows to the IT equipment. Also disclosed are a data centre, a service carrying frame and a cold aisle services module for a data centre and a supporting frame for supporting prefabricated data centre elements.

Abstract: A data centre comprises a plurality of sections assembled together to define a unitary structure such that there exists at least one personnel area that spans at least two sections; wherein the sections comprise a first section with which there is associated a first service-carrying chassis and a second section with which there is associated a second service-carrying chassis, each of the first and second service-carrying chassis comprising a frame onto which is mounted components of at least two different services; the first and second chassis are connected to each other by means of a junction between the first and second chassis; and the first and second sections each include a ceiling and the first service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the first section and the second service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the second section.

Abstract: A method of cooling a data centre having at least one hot aisle (145) and at least one cold aisle (144), including the steps of producing cooling air having controlled to have temperature and relative humidity within certain pre-defined limits; supplying the cooling air to a plurality of items of IT equipment (143) located in the data centre between the cold aisle and the hot aisle; measuring the velocity of air flowing from the hot aisle to the cold aisle through an opening (150) between the hot aisle and the cold aisle; and controlling the rate of supply of cooling air to the items of IT equipment in dependence on the velocity of air so measured.

Abstract: A method of cooling a data centre, and a data centre, is disclosed. Optionally, the data centre comprises: a cooling air source (201); at least one rack room (202) having a floor and rack storage areas (203a-203d) on the floor, each rack storage area accommodating racks in which items of electronic equipment having at least one fan (204) are housed; one or more cold aisles (205) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; one or more hot aisles (206) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; and an air supply corridor (207) for transporting cooling air, above the floor, from the cooling air source to the one or more cold aisles. The method optionally comprises transporting cooling air from the cooling air source (201) to the one or more cold aisles (205) substantially under the control of the fans (204) of the items of electronic equipment.

Abstract: An air handling unit for a data centre, a data centre comprising such, a method of operating such, and a method of cooling IT equipment in a data centre using such, is disclosed. The unit comprises an external airflow path (102) arranged to be in fluid communication with outside air, a separate internal airflow path (103) arranged to be in fluid communication with inside air, and heat tube panels (106). Preferably, each heat tube panel (106) comprises a heat tube comprising a first section in the external airflow path (102) and a second section in the internal airflow path (103). Preferably, the plurality of heat tube panels (106) is in a row across the internal and external air flow paths (103, 102). Preferably, at least one of the heat tube panels (106) is removable and extends through an opening between the internal and external air flow paths (103, 102).

Abstract: A method of cooling a data centre, and a data centre, is disclosed. Optionally, the data centre comprises: a cooling air source (201); at least one rack room (202) having a floor and rack storage areas (203a-203d) on the floor, each rack storage area accommodating racks in which items of electronic equipment having at least one fan (204) are housed; one or more cold aisles (205) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; one or more hot aisles (206) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; and an air supply corridor (207) for transporting cooling air, above the floor, from the cooling air source to the one or more cold aisles. The method optionally comprises transporting cooling air from the cooling air source (201) to the one or more cold aisles (205) substantially under the control of the fans (204) of the items of electronic equipment.

Abstract: A data centre comprises a plurality of sections (15a-15h) assembled together to define a unitary structure (10) such that there exists at least one personnel area that spans at least two sections; wherein the sections comprise a first section with which there is associated a first service—carrying chassis (40, 50, 60, 70) and a second section with which there is associated a second service—carrying chassis (40, 50, 60, 70), each of the first and second service—carrying chassis comprising a frame (41, 51, 61, 71) onto which is mounted components of at least two different services (42-44, 46); the first and second chassis are connected to each other by means of a junction (47) between the first and second chassis; and the first and second sections each include a ceiling (22) and the first service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the first section and the second service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the second section.

Abstract: A method of providing cooling air for cooling data centre IT equipment, an evaporative humidifier and an air handling unit is disclosed. The method comprises operating an evaporative humidifier (201) to humidify air for supply as IT equipment cooling air, the evaporative humidifier preferably comprising a deformable wettable matrix (207). Preferably, the method comprises steps of wetting the deformable wettable matrix (207), passing air through the wetted matrix (207) thus producing humidified air, and expelling water from the wettable matrix (207) by subjecting the wettable matrix to compressive deformation.

Abstract: An air handling unit for a data centre, a data centre comprising such a unit, a method of operating such a unit and a method of cooling IT equipment in a data centre using such a unit is disclosed. An indirect air handling unit (IDAHU) (101) for a data centre comprises an external air flow path (102) arranged to be in fluid communication with air outside the data centre; an internal air flow path (103) arranged to be in fluid communication with air inside the data centre, wherein the external air flow path (102) is separated from the internal air flow path (103); and a plurality of heat tube panels (106). Preferably, each heat tube panel (106) comprises at least one heat tube, wherein each heat tube comprises a first section extending into the external air flow path (102) and a second section extending into the internal air flow path (103). Preferably, the plurality of heat tube panels (106) is arranged in at least one row across the internal air flow path (103) and across the external air flow path (102).

Abstract: A method of cooling a data centre, and a data centre, is disclosed. Optionally, the data centre comprises: a cooling air source (201); at least one rack room (202) having a floor and rack storage areas (203a-203d) on the floor, each rack storage area accommodating racks in which items of electronic equipment having at least one fan (204) are housed; one or more cold aisles (205) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; one or more hot aisles (206) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; and an air supply corridor (207) for transporting cooling air, above the floor, from the cooling air source to the one or more cold aisles. The method optionally comprises transporting cooling air from the cooling air source (201) to the one or more cold aisles (205) substantially under the control of the fans (204) of the items of electronic equipment.

Abstract: A data centre (100) includes at least one rack room (in for example module 140) having a floor and a plurality of rack storage areas on the floor, each rack storage area being arranged to accommodate a plurality of racks (143) in which a plurality of rack-mountable electronic components may be housed, one or more controllable air circulation systems (in for example module 122), one or more cold aisles (144) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area, and one or more hot aisles (145) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area. There may be a large air duct, in the form of a personnel corridor (123), for transporting, under the control of the one or more air circulation systems, cooling air, above the floor, to the one or more cold aisles. The air supply corridor/duct (123) may have a height greater than 1.5 m above the floor and a cross-sectional area of at least 2 m2 and a maximum dimension in the plane of the cross-section of less than 3 m.

Abstract: An air handling unit for a data center, a data center comprising such a unit, a method of operating such a unit and a method of cooling IT equipment in a data center using such a unit is disclosed. An indirect air handling unit (IDAHU) (101) for a data center comprises an external air flow path (102) arranged to be in fluid communication with air outside the data center; an internal air flow path (103) arranged to be in fluid communication with air inside the data center, wherein the external air flow path (102) is separated from the internal air flow path (103); and a plurality of heat tube panels (106).

Abstract: A data center comprises a plurality of sections assembled together to define a unitary structure such that there exists at least one personnel area that spans at least two sections; wherein the sections comprise a first section with which there is associated a first service-carrying chassis and a second section with which there is associated a second service-carrying chassis, each of the first and second service-carrying chassis comprising a frame onto which is mounted components of at least two different services; the first and second chassis are connected to each other by means of a junction between the first and second chassis; and the first and second sections each include a ceiling and the first service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the first section and the second service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the second section.

Abstract: An air handling unit for a data centre, a data centre comprising such a unit, a method of operating such a unit and a method of cooling IT equipment in a data centre using such a unit is disclosed. An indirect air handling unit (IDAHU) (101) for a data centre comprises an external air flow path (102) arranged to be in fluid communication with air outside the data centre; an internal air flow path (103) arranged to be in fluid communication with air inside the data centre, wherein the external air flow path (102) is separated from the internal air flow path (103); and a plurality of heat tube panels (106). Preferably, each heat tube panel (106) comprises at least one heat tube, wherein each heat tube comprises a first section extending into the external air flow path (102) and a second section extending into the internal air flow path (103). Preferably, the plurality of heat tube panels (106) is arranged in at least one row across the internal air flow path (103) and across the external air flow path (102).

Abstract: A method of providing cooling air for cooling data centre IT equipment, an evaporative humidifier and an air handling unit is disclosed. The method comprises operating an evaporative humidifier (201) to humidify air for supply as IT equipment cooling air, the evaporative humidifier preferably comprising a deformable wettable matrix (207). Preferably, the method comprises steps of wetting the deformable wettable matrix (207), passing air through the wetted matrix (207) thus producing humidified air, and expelling water from the wettable matrix (207) by subjecting the wettable matrix to compressive deformation.

Abstract: A method of cooling a data centre, and a data centre, is disclosed. Optionally, the data centre comprises: a cooling air source (201); at least one rack room (202) having a floor and rack storage areas (203a-203d) on the floor, each rack storage area accommodating racks in which items of electronic equipment having at least one fan (204) are housed; one or more cold aisles (205) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; one or more hot aisles (206) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area; and an air supply corridor (207) for transporting cooling air, above the floor, from the cooling air source to the one or more cold aisles. The method optionally comprises transporting cooling air from the cooling air source (201) to the one or more cold aisles (205) substantially under the control of the fans (204) of the items of electronic equipment.

Abstract: A method of cooling a data center having at least one hot aisle (145) and at least one cold aisle (144), including the steps of producing cooling air having controlled to have temperature and relative humidity within certain pre-defined limits; supplying the cooling air to a plurality of items of IT equipment (143) located in the data center between the cold aisle and the hot aisle; measuring the velocity of air flowing from the hot aisle to the cold aisle through an opening (150) between the hot aisle and the cold aisle; and controlling the rate of supply of cooling air to the items of IT equipment in dependence on the velocity of air so measured.

Abstract: A data center (100) includes at least one rack room (in for example module 140) having a floor and a plurality of rack storage areas on the floor, each rack storage area being arranged to accommodate a plurality of racks (143) in which a plurality of rack-mountable electronic components may be housed, one or more controllable air circulation systems (in for example module 122), one or more cold aisles (144) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area, and one or more hot aisles (145) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area. There may be a large air duct, in the form of a personnel corridor (123), for transporting, under the control of the one or more air circulation systems, cooling air, above the floor, to the one or more cold aisles. The air supply corridor/duct (123) may have a height greater than 1.5 m above the floor and a cross-sectional area of at least 2 m2 and a maximum dimension in the plane of the cross-section of less than 3 m.

Abstract: A data center (100) includes at least one rack room (in for example module 140) having a floor and a plurality of rack storage areas on the floor, each rack storage area being arranged to accommodate a plurality of racks (143) in which a plurality of rack-mountable electronic components may be housed, one or more controllable air circulation systems (in for example module 122), one or more cold aisles (144) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area, and one or more hot aisles (145) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area. There may be a large air duct, in the form of a personnel corridor (123), for transporting, under the control of the one or more air circulation systems, cooling air, above the floor, to the one or more cold aisles. The air supply corridor/duct (123) may have a height greater than 1.5 m above the floor and a cross-sectional area of at least 2 m2 and a maximum dimension in the plane of the cross-section of less than 3 m.

Abstract: A data center (100) includes at least one rack room (in for example module 140) having a floor and a plurality of rack storage areas on the floor, each rack storage area being arranged to accommodate a plurality of racks (143) in which a plurality of rack-mountable electronic components may be housed, one or more controllable air circulation systems (in for example module 122), one or more cold aisles (144) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area, and one or more hot aisles (145) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area. There may be a large air duct, in the form of a personnel corridor (123), for transporting, under the control of the one or more air circulation systems, cooling air, above the floor, to the one or more cold aisles. The air supply corridor/duct (123) may have a height greater than 1.5 m above the floor and a cross-sectional area of at least 2 m2 and a maximum dimension in the plane of the cross-section of less than 3 m.