Abstract: The invention provides a modular, configurable aisle isolation and containment system that may function as a hot aisle or as a cold aisle. The data center air routing system of the invention comprises one or more free-standing, essentially identical, modular system units. Each modular unit comprises two sidewalls, a ceiling, and a door or panel at either end to form an interior, enclosed aisle. Two or modular units may be coupled together end-to-end. Each modular unit further comprises one or more sidewall blanking panels that may be removed to create gaps of varying height and width to accommodate one or more IT racks. Each modular unit may also include one or more ceiling-mounted air ducts, baffles and fans to manage air flow.

Abstract: The invention combines systems and methods for heat containment and cold air isolation for managing airflow and temperature in data centers. The data center contains at least two rows of cabinets containing heat-generating equipment and arranged to form a cold aisle and a hot aisle. The data center system includes panels or doors at both ends of the cold aisle and an optional cover over the cold aisle to inhibit cooled air supplied by an air conditioning system from exiting the cold aisle and inhibit air warmed by the heat-generating components from entering the cold aisle. A chimney coupled to the top, rear, or top and rear of the cabinets is configured to exhaust the warmed air into a region above the rows of cabinets. The chimneys may be ducted to a plenum or suspended ceiling or to the intake of the air conditioning system. Baffles and/or fans may be included in the chimneys, ducts, and/or plenums to control the air pressure.

Abstract: Adjustable blanking panels for use with equipment racks and enclosures to cover or fill in vacant sections of the rack or enclosure, to prevent the circular flow and reentry of high temperature air into the intake of electrical and computer equipment. The adjustable blanking panels include a generally rectangular base frame that defines opposing left and right side channels, and a generally rectangular shield that is adapted to be inserted into the side channels and slide relative to the base frame, to adjust the height of the panel to the size of the vacant section. The adjustable blanking panel may further include a lip that may be used to raise or lower the shield.

Abstract: An assembly for supplying heated air to a housing with an interior that is adapted to hold air conditioning equipment. The housing has a top portion and a back portion, where the top portion defines a first opening that leads to the interior of the housing, and where the first opening is proximate the back of the top portion of the housing. The back portion of the housing defines a second opening that leads to the housing interior, where the second opening is proximate the top of the back portion. The assembly includes a flue external to the housing and adapted to be coupled to the housing such that the flue encompasses and is in fluid communication with the first and second openings, the flue defining an inlet for conducting heated air into the flue and an outlet for conducting heated air out of the flue and into the housing through the first and second openings. The air cooled by the air conditioning equipment in the housing is used to cool electronic equipment.

Abstract: The invention combines systems and methods for heat containment and cold air isolation for managing airflow and temperature in data centers. The data center contains at least two rows of cabinets containing heat-generating equipment and arranged to form a cold aisle and a hot aisle. The data center system includes panels or doors at both ends of the cold aisle and an optional cover over the cold aisle to inhibit cooled air supplied by an air conditioning system from exiting the cold aisle and inhibit air warmed by the heat-generating components from entering the cold aisle,. A chimney coupled to the top, rear, or top and rear of the cabinets is configured to exhaust the warmed air into a region above the rows of cabinets. The chimneys may be ducted to a plenum or suspended ceiling or to the intake of the air conditioning system. Baffles and/or fans may be included in the chimneys, ducts, and/or plenums to control the air pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular, configurable aisle isolation and containment system that may function as a hot aisle or as a cold aisle. The data center air routing system of the invention comprises one or more free-standing, essentially identical, modular system units. Each modular unit comprises two sidewalls, a ceiling, and a door or panel at either end to form an interior, enclosed aisle. Two or modular units may be coupled together end-to-end. Each modular unit further comprises one or more sidewall blanking panels that may be removed to create gaps of varying height and width to accommodate one or more IT racks. Each modular unit may also include one or more ceiling-mounted air ducts, baffles and fans to manage air flow.

Abstract: An assembly for extracting heat from a housing for electronic equipment, the housing having a front, a back, two sides and a top. The assembly is defined by a back for the housing that defines an open area proximate the top, and an air passageway in fluid communication with the open area in the back, to conduct heated air exiting the housing through the open area away from the housing.

Abstract: An assembly for extracting heat from a housing for electronic equipment with an interior that is adapted to hold heat-generating electronic equipment, the housing having an essentially solid top portion and an essentially solid back portion.

Abstract: An assembly for selectively lifting a computer monitor, and particularly a flat screen computer monitor, from a storage position below the top of a desk or table, to a use position above the top in which the monitor is visible to the user. The assembly includes a stationary member including a linear slide mechanism, a vertically slideable support member sized and dimensioned to receive a computer display monitor and coupled to the linear slide mechanism. The vertically slideable support member is coupled to an electrically-driven positioning device. When the user desires to lift the monitor onto the top of the desk, the user pushes a switch, which enables the positioning device to drive the vertically slideable support member upward along the linear slide, through an aperture in the desk, until the computer monitor rests on or just above the desktop. Monitor retraction to the stored position is accomplished by the push of another switch.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for selectively lifting a computer monitor, and particularly a flat screen computer monitor, from below a desktop to a position on the desktop includes a stationary member including a linear slide mechanism, a vertically slideable support member sized and dimensioned to receive a computer display monitor and coupled to the linear slide mechanism, and a latch member. The vertically slideable support member is further coupled to a stored mechanical energy source such as a constant force compression spring, and is retained in a position below the desk by application of the latch member. When the latch member is released, the stored mechanical energy source causes the vertically slideable support member to move upward along the linear slide, through an aperture in a desk, until the computer monitor rests on a plane equivalent with the desktop.