Rack mountable computer component fan cooling arrangement and method
According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided an arrangement for cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, the arrangement including a tray having a plurality of air moving devices such as fans. Members are used for helping mount removably the tray to the support in a generally horizontal disposition, and the air moving devices move air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components. The tray also has a series of connector ports for connecting electrically to outputs from individual ones of the computer components.
This application is a Divisional Patent Application under 37 C.F.R. § 1.53 (b) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No. 7719-112, application Ser. No. 10/449,608, “Rack Mountable Computer Component Fan Cooling Arrangement And Method”, filed on May 29, 2003, and is incorporated by reference.
RELATED APPLICATIONThis application claims priority to the following U.S. provisional applications: Application No. 60/384,996, titled “Rack Mountable Computer Component and Method of Making Same”, filed May 31, 2002; Application No. 60/384,987, titled “Rack Mountable Computer Component Cooling Method and Device”, filed May 31, 2002; Application No. 60/384,986, titled “Rack Mountable Computer Component Fan Cooling Arrangement and Method”, and Application No. 60/385,005, titled “Rack Mountable Computer Component Power Distribution Unit and Method”, which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
This application relates to the following U.S. non-provisional patent applications: application Ser. No. 10/449, 799, titled “Rack Mountable Computer Component and Method of Making Same,” filed May 28, 2003; application Ser. No. 10/448,691, titled “Rack Mountable Computer Component Cooling Method and Device,” filed May 28, 2003; and application Ser. No. 10/448,508, titled “Rack Mountable Component Power Distribution Unit and Method,” which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a new and improved method computer components adapted for rack mounting. It more particularly relates to such a method and apparatus for cooling computer components adapted to be mounted in a compact configuration.
2. Related Art
There have been a variety of different types and kinds of methods and systems for mounting computer components. For example, reference may be made to the following United States patents:
As a result of having available a large number of different types and kinds of mounting techniques, a standard has been adopted for mounting computer components in racks according to a certain modular configuration: In this regard, computer components such as computer processor units, and the like, are mounted one above the other in a column in standard size rack configurations. The standard is referred to as the EIA-310-D Standard, as clarified by the Server Rack Specification (SSI).
The housing for each computer device must have a certain height dimensions according to the Standard. The height dimension must be a multiple of a standard unit “U”. Thus, there can be computer components which are 1 “U” (standard unit) high or multiples thereof. Thus, there can also be standard rack mountable computer components which are 1 U, 2 U, 3 U, 4 U and so on.
Thus, according to the conventional currently-used standard, racks are provided for storage of computer components in tightly spaced, densely packed horizontal dispositions, and each computer component mounted in the rack is suitably dimensioned in multiples of standard unit U. The racks are movably mounted on casters or the like so that they can be readily positioned in, for example, a computer room having a tightly controlled air conditioning system to ensure proper cooling of the computer equipment.
It is highly desirable to configure the computer components in the rack in a compact and highly dense manner for some applications. Thus, it has been important for many applications to position in the computer room or other assigned space as many computer components as possible.
In order to compactly mount the computer components on the rack in a high density manner, they are closely positioned one above the other in a column. The data and power cables are positioned in a back plane area or space within the rack.
For cooling purposes, various techniques are employed. For example, individual fans have been mounted within the housing of each computer component. The interiors of the housing have been exhausted to a fan exhaust plenum chamber often times constructed within the rack at one side thereof.
Such conventional rack mounted systems have several drawbacks. The individual fans mounted in each component are expensive, and time-consuming to replace in case of malfunctions. Also, the back plane space and fan exhaust plenum chamber are wasted space in that they occupy spaces which could otherwise be filled with computer components.
Additionally, in order to assemble the rack mounted system for installation at the site, each component must be installed in place within the rack, and then the cabling for each unit is routed within the rack at its back plane space. Such an operation is time consuming, and therefore expensive since highly trained personnel are required to do such an installation. Furthermore, once installed, in order to replace a malfunctioning computer component, the entire system, or at least a substantial portion thereof, must be shut down so that the malfunctioning unit can be disassembled, and a replacement unit installed and reconnected electrically. This, too, is time consuming and expensive.
In order to help cool the electronic circuits within the computer component housing, intake and exhaust fans are employed. In this regard, typically there may be a plurality of intake fans located at the front of the component housing, and another set of fans for exhausting the air located typically at one side of the housing. Should one or more of the fans malfunction, the computer component must be taken out of service to either replace the entire computer component or replace the malfunctioning fan or fans. Such a delay in the functioning of the system is highly undesirable for many applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following is a brief description of the drawings:
According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided an arrangement for cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, the arrangement including a tray having a plurality of air moving devices such as fans. Members are used for helping mount removably the tray to the support in a generally horizontal disposition, and the air moving devices move air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components. The tray also has a series of connector ports for connecting electrically to outputs from individual ones of the computer components.
According to the other embodiments of the invention, the tray includes a front panel having the connector ports arranged in a row thereon. As disclosed herein, the front panel can be opened to permit access to the air moving devices or removing them for repair or replacement. The air moving devices can be removed from the support as a unit. Also, as disclosed herein, according to other embodiments of the invention, the air moving devices are arranged in separate sub groups and selected ones of the sub groups of air moving devices can be removed from the tray as a unit when the front panel is opened.
According to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, electrical cables connect the connector ports for conveying signals therefrom, and the cables have a sufficient slack portion to permit the front panel to be removed to an open position while maintaining the electrical connection to the connector ports. Thus, the air moving devices are “hot swappable” while the computer components remain in operation.
According to at least one of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a fan tray or unit which is adapted to be mounted horizontally within a rack to facilitate the movement of air vertically through computer components vertically mounted within the rack. In one example of the invention, a series of the fan trays are adapted to be disposed in a vertically-spaced apart manner within the rack. Each one is adapted to be removed and replaced, while permitting the computer components to continue to function normally.
General System Description
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Each bay 14 is divided into a front bay portion 16 and a rear bay portion 18 by an intermediate transversely-extending horizontal divider 19. The intermediate divider 19 is most clearly illustrated in
The rack housing 12 further includes a fan/LAN tray slot 23 above each bay 14. Each fan/LAN tray slot is configured to accommodate a fan/LAN tray such as tray 27.
The embodiment illustrated in the drawings provides a control bay 21 (
At the top portion of each bay 14, in the intermediate region between the front bay portion 16 and the rear bay portion 18, as best seen in
The bottom control bay 21 is adapted to accommodate various control components. These control components may include a circuit breaker junction box 34, as most clearly illustrated in
The embodiment of the rack system 10 illustrated in the figures includes four casters 41 for rollably supporting the system on the floor 26 (
Fan/LAN Tray
Referring now to
In the front portion of the fan/LAN tray 27, a series of LAN connector ports 45 (
For facilitating installation of the fan/LAN tray 27 into the fan/LAN tray slot 23 of the rack housing 12, as shown in
Referring now to
The fan tray 42 includes a generally rectangular flat hollow frame 46 having a series of guides such as guide 68 for helping to mount the fan tray 42 to a suitable support (not shown), which may be similar to the rack housing 12 of
Considering now the tray portion 44 in greater detail, it should be understood that all of the tray portions may be similar to one another. The tray portion 44 includes a front flange 59 to facilitate grasping by a user to pull it outwardly from the interior of the frame 46 as indicated in
Thus, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the group of air moving devices can be arranged in subgroups of tray portions so that some but not all of the air moving devices can be removed without interfering with the operation of the remaining devices. It should be noted that the subgroups can be any number of one or more of the air moving devices. Also, it should be noted that the individual tray portions such as the tray portion 44 can be positioned behind the front panel 51, and a similar set of tray portions (not shown) can be installed to the rear portion of the frame 46 and interconnect with the power distribution unit 62. A rear panel (not shown) is removable and is similar to the front panel 51 and serves the same purpose as the front
Computer Component Construction
Referring now to
All of the components are mounted on one side of a rigid plate or support 64, which is adapted to be supported vertically within its bay. Each blade 32 includes a cut-out corner portion or section 65 in its upper back portion. The cut-out portion 65 is sized to receive and accommodate the PDU 29 there between such that two opposing blades 32 and 32a (as shown in
As most clearly illustrated in
Once the blade 32 has been mounted onto the rack housing 12, a short blade/LAN connector cable such as a cable 45 (
Referring now to
Thus, 12 female AC connectors 76 are provided on each of a front side and a rear side of the PDU body 74. Each set of twelve female AC connectors 76 receives power through a pair of power cables 72. In one embodiment, the power cable 72 is a 15 amp power cable with strained relief near its junction with the PDU body 74. As described below, the power cables 72 are routed to the circuit breaker junction box 34 in the control bay 21. The PDU body 74 may also include a series of mounting studs 78 for installation of the PDU body 74 to the rack housing 12.
Referring now to
As also illustrated in
Once the rack system 10 is fully assembled with all the fan/LAN trays 27, PDUs 29 and the blades 32 in place, a fully assembled and efficient rack mounted system is provided. In such a system, networking of the various components provided on the blades 32 is also performed efficiently. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, eleven blades are accommodated at each of the front bay portion 16 and the rear bay portion 18 at each bay 14. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, 66 such blades 32 may be accommodated. However, some of the slots may be occupied by master computer components or blades such as the master blades indicated at 32a in
Each fan/LAN tray 27 is provided with twelve LAN connector ports such as the port 45 (
According to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, and as indicated diagrammatically in
In the embodiment illustrated in
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications and combinations are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract and disclosure herein presented.
Claims
1. A cooling arrangement for cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, comprising:
- a frame adapted to be mounted on the support;
- a tray having a plurality of air moving devices removably mounted within the frame;
- members for helping mount removably said tray within the frame in a generally horizontal disposition;
- said air moving devices for moving air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components; and
- an upstanding removable front panel on the frame for permitting the tray to be withdrawn from the frame when the front panel is removed therefrom.
2. A cooling arrangement according to claim 1, further including connector ports arranged in a row at the front panel.
3. A cooling arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said front panel can be opened to permit access to said air moving devices.
4. A cooling arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said tray is arranged in separately removable tray portions.
5. A method of cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, comprising:
- using a frame adapted to be mounted to the support;
- using a tray having a plurality of air moving devices and a series of connector ports for connecting electrically to outputs from individual ones of the computer components;
- mounting the frame to the support;
- mounting removably the tray within the frame behind a front panel in a generally horizontal disposition;
- utilizing the air moving devices to move air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components; and
- removing the front panel from the frame for permitting the tray to be withdrawn from the frame.
6. A method according to claim 5, further including arranging the tray in a plurality of separately removable subtrays, and removing individual ones of the subtrays.
7. A method according to claim 6, further including providing connector ports arranged on the openable front panel, and further including opening the front panel and removing at least one of the subtrays from the frame while maintaining the electrical connection to the connector ports.
8. A cooling tray for cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, comprising:
- a frame adapted to be mounted on the support;
- a tray having a plurality of air moving devices for mounting within the frame;
- a removable upstanding front panel over an access opening in the frame;
- guide mounted on the frame for helping mount removably said tray to the frame in a generally horizontal disposition;
- said air moving devices for moving air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components; and
- at least one signal conductor mounted on the back portion of the frame and electrically connected to the air moving devices.
9. A cooling arrangement according to claim 8, further including connector ports arranged in a row at the front panel.
10. A cooling arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said front panel can be opened to permit access to said air moving devices.
11. A cooling arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said tray is arranged in separately removable tray portions.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 27, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2005
Inventors: John Smith (Poway, CA), Victor P. Hester (El Cajon, CA), William Wylie (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 10/928,577