GB2520256A

GB2520256A - Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2520256A
Application number: GB1319954.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Andrew Warren; Peter David Wilson
Original assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Current assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Priority date: 2013-11-12
Filing date: 2013-11-12
Publication date: 2015-05-20
Also published as: GB201319954D0

Abstract

An outdoor equipment cabinet suitable for housing electrical equipment, such as telecommunications line cards, has vents (as figures 6, 7 show) for cooling. The ventilation may be too high depending on outside climatic conditions and thus the invention provides an adjustable baffle that can be moved adjacent to the vents to reduce the air flow of ventilation. The figure shows a schematic internal layout of the cabinet with baffle 200 having been moved to an intermediate position (as in fig 7) Figure 5 shows a schematic of the control system with motor (206) and controller (22)). The required position of the baffle may be determined according to internal conditions such as sensed temperature 222 and humidity 224 or the power consumption and thus heat production of the electronics. Alternatively, external (remote) data may be received about weather forecasts and likely electrical load and used to position the baffle and thus alter the ventilation. By restricting the flow of ventilation then the environment of the interior of the cabinet can be controlled such that damp cool conditions within the cabinet can be avoided.

Description

APPARATUS

The present invention relates to equipment cabinets of the kind used in outdoor locations to house electrical equipment such as telecommunications connection points.

Such equipment cabinets are provided primarily in order to protect the equipment from the weather, but also to prevent unauthorised interference. A typical telecommunications cubicle is designed to hold a number of line cards (typically between four and six), each having 48 or 64 ports The ports may be simple electrical connections but in modern Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) installations are the interface between the network-side optical fibre network and the "legacy" electrical connections to individual customer premises, and thus include optoelectronic equipment.

Each line card generates a significant amount of heat, typically 100W-150W. In addition typical maximum solar gain in the United Kingdom is between 1OC -15°C.

The ventilation arrangements for a standard roadside cabinet are designed to maintain the temperature within working limits when the maximum number of line cards are present. Consequently, the cabinets require a ventilation system with louvres suitably sized in order to maintain the temperature inside the cabinet within the working limits of the equipment housed therein. In many environments, a thermostatically controlled electric fan is also provided to augment the natural ventilation. The ventilation system is, of course, optimised for the climatic conditions of the location at which the cabinet is to be installed.

It is common practice to install a cabinet that is bigger than is necessary to meet the immediate requirement, in anticipation that additional line cards can be readily installed, or dormant ones brought into use, as local demand for the services available through that cabinet increases. Consequently, if the cabinet has fewer line cards installed than the number for which it is designed, less heat will be generated. This results in temperatures being too low if fewer cards have been installed. In cold weather, the heat from the few line cards installed or commissioned may not be sufficient to prevent condensation, which could damage the electronic equipment inside the cubicle, as cold moist air enters through the louvres.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for installation within an equipment enclosure, the equipment enclosure comprising one or more ventilation apertures, the apparatus comprising a baffle and a control unit, the control unit, in use, determining the position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures.

The control unit may comprise one or more temperature sensors and one or more humidity sensors. The position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures is determined in accordance with the measurements from the one or more sensors.

The position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures may be determined in accordance with data received from an operational support system. The data received from the operational support system may comprise meteorological data or data relating to the power consumption of the equipment housed within the enclosure.

The position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures may be determined in accordance with the measured power consumption of the equipment housed within the enclosure. Alternatively, the position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures may be determined in accordance with the number of linecards inserted into the equipment housed within the enclosure.

The baffle may be moved to cover substantially all of the vent apertures. Alternatively, the baffle is moved to cover a proportion of the vent apertures.

The baffle may have a fixed size and, in use, is moved relative to the one or more ventilation apertures. Alternatively, the baffle can be varied from a first size to a second size such that it moves relative to the one or more ventilation apertures. The baffle may comprise a flexible material which is wound around a spindle. In a further alternative the baffle may comprise a concertina-like structure which can be compressed or extended.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an equipment enclosure comprising an apparatus as described above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of: a) determining the environmental conditions within an equipment enclosure; b) automatically activating a baffle element so as to move the baffle element relative to one or more ventilation apertures formed within the equipment enclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a schematic depiction of a conventional equipment cabinet for use in a FTTC network; Figure 2 shows a schematic depiction of an equipment cabinet for use in a FTTC network which incorporates the present invention.

Figures 3 & 4 show further schematic depictions of the cabinet shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a schematic depiction of a control unit in combination with an baffle element; and Figures 6 & 7 show schematic depictions of the exterior of a cabinet which comprises an apparatus according to the present invention Figure 1 shows a schematic depiction of a conventional equipment cabinet 100 for use in a FTTC network. The equipment cabinet 100 comprises power module 110, interconnect module 120 and equipment module 130. The power module 120 comprises a power supply 112 which receives an electrical cable 114 connected to the electrical mains supply. The power supply will rectify and smooth the incoming ac signal and provide dc power to the equipment module at an appropriate power and voltage. The interconnect module 120 comprises a cross connect 122 which is connected to an optical fibre cable 126 and a copper cable 124. The equipment module comprises a plurality of interfaces 132 which can receive a linecard 134: Figure 1 shows that the two interfaces on the left-hand side of the cabinet have had a linecard inserted. In use, data from a communications network will be routed over the optical fibre cable to a linecard via the cross connect. The optical signal is converted into an electrical signal and is then transmitted to a customer over the copper cable 124 via the cross connect. The cabinet 100 comprises lockable doors (not shown in Figure 1) to allow access to the equipment located within the cabinet to be controlled. The cabinet will also comprise ventilation apertures or louvres to allow air to enter into the cabinet from the external environment. Furthermore, the cabinet may comprise an electrically powered fan to draw air into the cabinet. The operation of the fan may be controlled in accordance with the temperature within the cabinet.

Figure 2 shows a schematic depiction of an equipment cabinet 100' for use in a FTTC network which incorporates the present invention. The cabinet further comprises an baffle element 200. The baffle element may be extended so as to cover some or all of the area of the ventilation louvres. Figure 2 shows the baffle element in a substantially unextended state. Figures 3 & 4 show further schematic depictions of the cabinet 100' shown in Figure 2 with the baffle element partially extended (Figure 3) and the baffle element fully extended (Figure 4).

The extent that the baffle element 200 is extended may be controlled in accordance with the environmental conditions within the cabinet. The baffle element 200 is determined by a control unit 220.

Figure 5 shows a schematic depiction of a control unit 220 in combination with an baffle element 200. For the sake of clarity the other aspects of the cabinet described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4 are not shown. The control unit 220 comprises a motor 206 and connecting element 208, which connects the motor to the baffle element. The control unit further comprises a first input 226 which is connected to the power module and a second input 228 which is connected to the interconnect module 120, The control unit receives power to operate the motor 206 from the power module via the first input.

In one mode of operation, the control unit receives control data from the second input.

Operational support systems (OSSs) may use weather forecast data (and/or other meteorological data) along with information regarding the electrical load being generated within the cabinet to infer the likely environmental conditions within the cabinet. The electrical load may be determined on the basis of the power used by the cabinet or it may be inferred on the basis of the number of linecards which have been installed within the cabinet.

If these conditions are likely to lead to unwanted consequences such as excessive condensation forming within the cabinet, then the ass may instruct the cabinet to move the baffle element to reduce the amount of airflow into the cabinet, so as to allow the environmental conditions within the cabinet to improve. Conversely, if the temperature of the cabinet is determined to above a suitable threshold then the baffle element can be moved to increase the flow of air into the cabinet. Such activation of the baffle element may be controlled in accordance with the activation of a ventilation fan.

In an alternative mode of operation, the control unit may further comprise one or more temperature sensors 222 and/or one or more humidity sensors 224. The data generated by these sensors can be interpreted by the control unit to measure the environmental conditions within the cabinet. If these environmental conditions are likely to lead to unwanted consequences, such as excessive condensation forming within the cabinet, then the baffle element may be moved to reduce the amount of airflow into the cabinet, so as to allow the environmental conditions within the cabinet to improve.

It will be understood that these modes of operation may be combined with weather forecast data being used to determine an initial baffle element position for a number of cabinets which have similar weather forecasts. This initial position may then be varied locally in accordance with the measured environmental conditions.

Referring to Figure 5, the baffle element can be moved from an open position by the activation of the motor 206 such that the connecting element is shortened, for example by causing the connecting element to be wound around a rod (not shown). In this example the baffle element may comprise a flexible sheet which can be unwound from a spindle as the connecting element is shortened. Preferably, the spindle comprises a retracting mechanism such that if the connecting element is unwound from the rod then the baffle element is retracted such that it is wound around the spindle.

Alternatively, the baffle element may have a concertina-like structure, with the control unit extending or compressing the baffle element as required. In a yet further alternative, the baffle element may have a fixed size and in use is moved so as to cover a part or all of the ventilation apertures.

Figures 6 & 7 show schematic depictions of the exterior of a cabinet which comprises an apparatus according to the present invention. The cabinet comprises doors 102 which can be secured together using lock 104. The ventilation apertures 106 are formed within the cabinet; Figures 6 & 7 show the ventilation apertures formed in both doors but it will be understood that the apertures may be formed in one of the doors and/or one or more other exterior surfaces of the cabinet. In the event that the louvres are formed in different exterior surfaces of the cabinet then it may be necessary to provide multiple baffle elements. Preferably a single control unit will control the multiple baffle elements.

Figure 6 shows the baffle element in a first position which only blocks a small fraction of the louvres. Figure 7 shows the baffle element in a second position in which the majority of the louvres are blocked.

It will be understood that the baffle element may take different forms and that it may be moved in different ways in order to partially obstruct the ventilation louvres to provide the required control of the environmental conditions. Such variations in form and movement should be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

As will be apparent from the foregoing discussion, the specific nature of the equipment in the cabinet and the manner in which it is operated is not relevant to the present invention. As well as cabinets for us in FTTC networks, the present invention may be used in any cabinet which comprises powered equipment and for which condensation may be problematic.

The present invention provides an apparatus, which comprises a baffle, that can partially, or wholly, prevent the flow of ventilation into an equipment cabinet. By restricting the flow of ventilation then the environment of the interior of the cabinet can be controlled such that damp cool conditions within the cabinet can be avoided.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for instaflation within an equipment enclosure, the equipment enclosure comprising one or more ventilation apertures, the apparatus comprising a baffle and a control unit, the control unit, in use, determining the position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises one or more temperature sensors and one or mare humidity sensors.
3. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein, in use, the position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures is determined in accordance with the measurements from the one or more sensors.
4. An apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein, in use, the position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures is determined in accordance with data received from an operational support system.
5. An apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the data received from the operational support system comprises meteorological data.
6. An apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the data received from the operational support system comprises data relating to the power consumption of the equipment housed within the enclosure.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein, in use, the position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures is determined in accordance with the measured power consumption of the equipment housed within the enclosure.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein, in use, the position of the baffle relative to the one or more ventilation apertures is determined in accordance with the number of linecards inserted into the equipment housed within the enclosure.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the control unit further comprises a motor, the control unit, in use, activating the motor to move the baffle.
10. An apparatus according to any of claims ito 9 wherein the baffle is moved to cover substantially all of the vent apertures.
11. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the baffle is moved to cover a proportion of the vent apertures.
12 An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the baffle has a fixed size and, in use, is moved relative to the one or more ventilation apertures.
13. An apparatus according to any of Claims i-li, wherein the baffle can, in use, be varied from a first size to a second size such that it moves relative to the one or more ventilation apertures.
14. An apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the baffle comprises a flexible material which is wrapped around a spindle.
15. An apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the baffle comprises concertina-like structure which can be, in use, compressed or extended.
16. An equipment enclosure comprising an apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1-15.
17. A method of: a) determining the environmental conditions within an equipment enclosure; b) automatically activating a baffle element so as to move the baffle element relative to one or more ventilation apertures formed within the equipment enclosure.