WO2011072670A1

WO2011072670A1 - Climate control enclosure and rack

Info

Publication number: WO2011072670A1
Application number: PCT/DE2010/075143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd STEINKÜHLER
Original assignee: Correct Power Institute Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-12-14
Filing date: 2010-11-24
Publication date: 2011-06-23
Also published as: DE102009044875A1; DE102009044875B4

Abstract

The invention relates to climate control enclosure (1) and a rack (2) having a climate control enclosure (1) attached thereto, wherein the climate control enclosure (1) can be attached laterally to an EDP or electrical-device rack (2) in such a way that the rack (2) forms a rear boundary of a climate control chamber (3), and comprises a wall element (4), which can be moved between an open state, in which the rack (2) is laterally accessible through the climate control chamber (3), and a closed state, in which the climate control chamber (3) is laterally substantially completely enclosed between a lower edge (31) and an upper edge (32), characterized in that the wall element (4) comprises a roller blind.

Description

Title:

Air conditioning enclosure and rack Description:

The invention relates to an air conditioning enclosure and a

Rack. In computer rooms of modern computer centers, EDP subracks are lined up in several parallel rows. Typically, these are standardized 19-inch racks for receiving

Electronic or computer equipment with a width of about 60 cm. However, they can also be so-called freestanding systems, ie stand-alone systems, for example with band robots, or mainframe systems. The computer rooms are provided with double floors. Here, at any point in the computer room floor panels are removed to expose underlying cooling air inlets. To ensure efficient cooling of arranged in the racks electronics or computer equipment, the rows of

Subracks arranged side by side so that form gears between them. Within these aisles, the floor panels are replaced by grates so that cold air from the floor can flow through the corridors into the electronics or computer equipment to cool them. The courses thus formed are called cold aisles. For the formation of such cold aisles, however, sufficient racks and thus a sufficient number of computer equipment to be cooled are needed, which can also be arranged side by side. For individual, free-standing in the computer room rack, this solution is not. Another disadvantage is that when accessing a rack, the cooling of all computer equipment in the associated cold aisle has to suffer. An increase in efficiency can be achieved by placing a cabinet-like enclosure in front of each rack. Such enclosures are frame structures with square or rectangular base, which are arranged on a rack and a

Make air conditioning enclosure for this rack. For

Maintenance, the rack is accessible through a door of the housing. However, such frame structures are expensive and therefore expensive. Moreover, it is difficult to preinstalled them

Room security devices such as sprinkler systems / extinguishing systems adaptable, which require quick and direct access to the racks.

The object underlying the invention is to provide a

Air conditioning enclosure and a rack provide that allow for efficient cooling of electronic or computer equipment with less effort. In addition, they should be easy in

Security concepts of computer rooms of modern computer centers

be integrable. The object is achieved according to the invention by an air conditioning enclosure with the features of claim 1 and by a rack with the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments of

Invention are listed in the subclaims. The invention is based on the idea that the air conditioning enclosure by means of a wall element comprising a roller blind to close and to be able to open again. In the open state of the wall element is the

Subrack accessible from the side, in particular for access to arranged in the rack computer equipment or electrical appliances for

Maintenance purposes. Preferably, in this case forms the wall element in

Open state no obstacle to the lateral access by the

Air conditioning room through. On the other hand, in the closed state of the wall element of

Air conditioning space between a lower edge and an upper edge laterally substantially completely enclosed. With the qualification "essentially" it is expressed that in this case of columns and joints is to be regarded, which are unavoidable or acceptable due to the

Construction occur. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to provide customary openings for pressure equalization and / or sensor placement in the relevant field. The upper edge, up to which the enclosure of the air conditioning space is present, is preferably located at or above the upper boundary of the subrack. In this way, it can be ensured by means of a sufficiently strong supply of an air-conditioning medium from below into the air-conditioning space that all devices arranged in the rack are supplied with the air-conditioning medium. With the

Wall element can thus open an access to the rack and close again.

The lower edge is preferably a floor of a computer room in which the rack is set up. Preferably, the air conditioning space is also enclosed in such downward direction by the air conditioning enclosure, that from there the air conditioning medium does not pass from the air conditioning space into the computer room. The rack provided here is preferably used in computer rooms and known by the term "rack"

Racks for computer or electronic devices. It can also racks for

Band-changing robots for security cartridges meant. In particular, here is the standard 19-inch racks, the subrack itself may have a width of about 60 cm or about 80 cm. Preferably, the air conditioning enclosure has the same width as the

Subrack to which it is attached. Preferably, the air conditioning enclosure can be fastened to the rack, for example by means of screws. This will however

preferably no force exerted on the rack, in particular no horizontal force. Additionally or alternatively, too

Sealing elements between the air conditioning enclosure and rack to be provided to prevent or reduce the escape of the air conditioning medium.

The roller blind of the wall element is preferably formed from a translucent and / or non-combustible material. Preferably, the material of the roller blind is also heat resistant. It may be formed of a plastic or a metal, for example aluminum. Furthermore, non-combustible textiles may be suitable for the production of the blinds. The wall element preferably has a single roller blind, which during the

Move from the open state to the closed state from the bottom to the top or in the opposite direction. Alternatively, however, two blinds may be provided as wall element, which extend from the upper or from the lower edge in each case to an intermediate point where they come to rest on each other.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the

Air conditioning space in the closed state of the wall element side and upwards is substantially completely enclosed. For this purpose, a fixed boundary in the form of a roof element may be provided, which is independent of the state of the wall element at the top of the

Air conditioning space is arranged. Additionally or alternatively, the wall element may be formed so that it simultaneously to the side

Limiting at least partially an upper limit of

Air conditioning room forms. In the latter case, in the closed state, the wall element may bend around or near the top edge. Alternatively, the wall element can be inclined or at an angle to the

Subracks run. In an advantageous development, one or more guide elements are provided, along or along which the wall element between the open state and the closed state is movable. The guide elements may include rails or wire ropes. Along the guide elements may be a first roller blind segment or all

Roller blind segments of the wall element are guided, wherein in the former case the other roller blind segments are merely pulled by the first roller blind segment. According to an expedient embodiment, a laterally on the

Subrack mountable frame provided on which the wall element and / or the guide element are attached. Preferably, the frame is attached to the rack, for example by means of screw or snap connections. The frame can be formed of four struts that can be arranged along the four edges of a back of the rack. However, there may be a lesser number of efforts to form the framework, or additional ones may be required

Reinforcing struts be provided. Other frame configurations are also suitable, for example a T- or H-shaped frame.

The lateral enclosure of the air conditioning space can be done completely by the rack and the wall element. For example, in one embodiment, the wall element may be formed in the form of a semi-tubular roller blind. Alternatively or additionally, however, preferably at least one side wall attached to the frame is provided, which in the closed state of the wall element has a lateral boundary of the wall

Air conditioning room forms. Preferably, the side wall is triangular or trapezoidal and tapers to the upper edge of the

Air conditioning room down. Preferably, two side walls arranged on opposite sides of the subrack are provided, between which the air conditioning space extends. If guide elements are provided for the wall element, these may be attached to one or both side walls. Preferably, the side walls have windows or are formed of transparent material. At least they should be non-flammable and

optionally be formed heat-resistant material. Because in the

Air conditioning space preferably no or very little overpressure prevails, the side wall may be formed of flexible material, for example of a similar material, such as conventional tarpaulins or sailing. In an expedient embodiment it is provided that the side wall is pivotally mounted on the frame. As a result, the side wall or can be the side walls pivot with the wall element open laterally to facilitate access to the rack, for example, during maintenance. For this purpose, the pivot axis preferably runs along the rack from the upper edge to the lower edge of the rack

Conditioning space.

In an advantageous embodiment, a bottom element is provided, which in the closed state of the wall element, a lower boundary of the

Air conditioning space forms and inlet openings for supplying a

Having air conditioning medium in the air conditioning space. The

Inlet openings are for example part of a floor grid, which in

Floor element is installed. The bottom element may itself be part of the frame described above. In the installation of the air conditioning enclosure is preferably one or more floor panels in the

Computer room taken out and through the floor element of

Air conditioning enclosure replaced.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the wall element in the open state partially or substantially completely in one

Stowage housing is stowed. This has the advantage that the wall element in the open state is no obstacle to accessing the rack. An essentially complete stowage means that For example, a for pulling out the wall element from the

Stowage housing required handle element from the stowage housing

may look out. The stowage housing is preferably formed on the bottom element or even part of the bottom element. In this case, that can

Wall element having an initial piece, which during storage of the

Wall element in the stowage housing forms a bottom bar, with a gapless transition between the bottom element and the floor or other floor elements or plates in the computer room is created. The wall element may comprise a roll-up tarpaulin. Advantageously, however, it is provided that the wall element comprises a folding blind, a Roman blind and / or a slatted blind. In these cases, it is not necessary that the roller blind comprises a rollable device. Instead come when moving the wall element in the closed state individual sections or parts of the wall element surface to each other to concern. Alternatively or additionally, however, the roller blind can also be rolled up on a roller which, for example, is optionally located in the storage housing.

In the case of a slat roller blinds as a wall element in addition to the states mentioned open state and closed state and the

Be folded states of the slats divided in the unfolded and folded state. If necessary, for example in the case of a fire, the slats can then be moved from the closed state to the unfolded state by an automatic folding device to allow access to the air conditioning space through the wall element, for example for fire extinguishing devices such as sprinkler systems.

According to a preferred embodiment, a roof projection is provided, which extends from the rack above the air conditioning space when mounted on the rack air conditioning enclosure and forms an upper boundary of the air conditioning space in the closed state of the wall element. The roof projection thus extends substantially horizontally away from the rack. If present, the roof overhang is attached to the frame, or it forms part of the frame. Preferably, the roof projection has a depth of about 5 to about 20 cm.

Preferably, it is provided that in the roof projection a passage for pressure equalization is formed. In the passage can also be a

Temperature sensor to be closed with its help

Wall element to be able to regulate the pressure in the air conditioning space.

In an expedient development, a movement mechanism is provided with which the wall element of the open state in the

Closed state and / or closed state in the

Open state is automatically movable. The movement mechanism may be a mechanical, pneumatic and / or electrical device. When the shade is moved from the closed condition to the open condition by rotation of a roller, for example by rolling up one strand of the shade or the shade as a whole, the movement mechanism may comprise a torsion bar disposed in the roller. The movement mechanism may alternatively be made more complex and include, for example, an electric motor with a motor control.

Conveniently, a closure mechanism is provided, which between an active state in which the wall element in the

Closed state is fixed, and is set in an inactive state in which the wall element is released for moving to the open state. The locking mechanism may be, for example, a mechanical lock. Alternatively, the locking mechanism a

Permanent or electromagnets include. In the case of the electromagnet, the latter can be connected in such a way that its power supply is interrupted in the event of a fire, in order to shift the locking mechanism from the active state to the inactive state. This can each be an electromagnet

fixed and another electromagnet attached to the wall element. Preferably, however, a solenoid instead of the other

magnetic element attached to the wall element. Preferably, such is one Electromagnet connected to a controller, such as a

so-called SIL3 control (SIL - Safety Integrity Level).

Preferably, it is provided that once the shutter mechanism is in the inactive state, the wall element is automatically moved from the closed state to the open state to allow access to the rack through the air conditioning space, for example for sprinkler devices. In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of wall elements are provided, lined up in the closed state of segments segmented

Air conditioning rooms are each partially completely enclosed laterally between a lower edge and an upper edge. Different

In other words, a plurality of air conditioning spaces are arranged adjacently in a row, wherein each air conditioning space is separately accessible by offsetting a separate wall element in the open state. The side walls described above can occur in this embodiment as partitions to the individual segments of the

Separate air conditioning space from each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the air conditioning enclosure has a rear frame on which two opposite side walls are optionally pivotally connected. At a lower edge of the frame, a bottom element is provided, from which the wall element can be pulled out as a roller blind. The roller blind of the wall element can be moved along an oblique edge of the side walls in the closed state, wherein the two inclined edges parallel to each other. The side walls taper from the floor element upwards to the upper edge of the frame, so that the roller blind of the wall element in the closed state comes to rest against the frame and is locked there. In this way, an air conditioning space is enclosed adjacent to the rack, wherein through the bottom element an air conditioning medium, in particular cooled air, flow into the air conditioning room and through the

Subrack can flow.

The invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments with reference to the figures. Hereby show:

Fig. 1 is a rack with a thereto arranged

Klimatisierungsumfassung;

Fig. 2a is a side view of a arranged on a rack

Air conditioning enclosure according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2b is a side view of a arranged on a rack

Air conditioning enclosure according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a segmental

Klimatisierungsumfassung.

FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of an air conditioning enclosure 1

(solid lines) and a rack 2 (dashed lines). The air conditioning enclosure 1 comprises an air conditioning space 3 and is arranged on the rack 2 such that the rack 2 forms a lateral boundary of the air conditioning space 3. For example, this may be a standard 19-inch rack

Take up electronics housings and / or computer equipment. The rack 2 (not shown) can be placed next to other racks and connected to these, or it is a freestanding rack 2. The air conditioning enclosure 1 is preferably attached to the rack 2 and optionally the

Air conditioning room 3 along the connection between

Air conditioning enclosure 1 and subrack 2 sealed,

for example by means of plastic strips (not shown in Fig. 1).

In the embodiment illustrated here, the

Air conditioning enclosure 1 a rectangular frame 10, with which the attachment to the rack 2 is made. The frame 10 can be formed for example of aluminum struts or profiles. The frame extends from a lower edge 31 to an upper edge 32 of the air conditioning space 3. Further lateral boundaries of the air conditioning space 3 form two

Side walls 6, which are triangular in the present case. The side walls 6 are attached to the frame 10. In a preferred embodiment, the

Sidewalls 6 pivotally mounted on the frame 10 so that they can be swung sideways. Along the longest edge of each side wall 6, a guide element 5 is arranged, for example a rail, along which a wall element 4 formed as a roller blind between a

Closed state and an open state is movable. Due to the shape of the side walls 6 extends in Fig. 1, the wall element 4 obliquely to

Subrack 2.

In Fig. 1, the wall element 4 is shown in an intermediate state in which access to an upper region of the air conditioning space 3 is possible, while a lower portion of the air conditioning space 3 of the

Wall element 4, the side walls 6 and the rack 2 completely enclosed laterally and is open only upwards. The roller blind of the

Wall element 4 can be rolled up on a roll, not shown here. For example, the wall element 4 may be formed from a roll-up tarpaulin made of plastic. However, it can also be a Roman blind, a

Lammelenrollo, a Faltrollo or the like act.

The wall element 4 is stowed in its open position below or within a bottom element 7. In a computer room, the bottom element 7 replaces a bottom plate, so that laid below the bottom plate

Cold air supply openings can be used. The bottom element 7 comprises inlet openings 71, for example in the form of a grid, through which a

Air conditioning medium, in particular cold or hot air, in the

Air conditioning room 3 passes. From there, the air conditioning medium of cooling devices, which are mounted in the rack 2 assemblies are sucked out of the air conditioning room 3 through the rack 2. The bottom element 7 preferably has a standard size of about 60 x 60 cm. Also shown in Fig. 1, is a shutter mechanism 9, which is partially formed on the frame 10 and partially on the wall element 4. It serves to keep the wall element 4 in the closed state. The locking mechanism 9 may be a mechanical locking or locking device. Alternatively, it is also possible to use pneumatic and / or electrical components for constructing the closure mechanism 9, for example one or more electromagnets. Preferably, the shutter mechanism 9 is automatically moved from an active state to an inactive state in which the wall element 4 is released for moving to the open state.

For example, the shutter mechanism 9 may communicate with an alarm device of the computer room, for example with a fire or smoke sensor. If an alarm is triggered, then the

Locking mechanism 9 are automatically placed in the inactive state. If a corresponding automatic movement mechanism is provided for moving the wall element 4 in the open state, this automatic movement mechanism can be activated as a result of the alarm signal or due to the inactive state of the shutter mechanism 9 to allow access to the rack 2 from the air conditioning space 3 in an emergency, for example for a sprinkler system.

Figs. 2a and 2b show two different embodiments of

Air conditioning enclosures 1 in side view. The shape of the side walls 6 in Fig. 2a correspond to those in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2a is also a

Stowage housing 72 visible in which the wall element 4 in his

Open state can be stowed and which is designed as part of the bottom element 7. Differently, the side walls 6 in FIG. 2b look. Here, the side walls 6 are trapezoidal. The air conditioning space 3 is closed at the top by a roof element 8, which extends horizontally from the

Frame member 10 and extends away from the rack 2 away. Preferably, the roof element 8 has a passage (not shown in the figures), which ensures that when closed

Wall element 4, a pressure equalization between the air conditioning space 3 and the environment of the air conditioning enclosure 1 can take place. Preferably, a temperature sensor is arranged in the passage.

In the presently described embodiments without roof element 8, such a passage between the air conditioning space 3 and the surroundings of the air conditioning enclosure 1 should nevertheless advantageously be provided, preferably also there with a temperature sensor. By regularly detecting the temperature in the passage, it can be determined whether the pressure in the air conditioning space 3 is smaller or larger than the ambient pressure outside the air conditioning enclosure 1. In this case, the pressure in the air conditioning space 3 can be regulated accordingly to maintain the same pressure as outside the air conditioning enclosure 1 there.

Between the air conditioning enclosure 1 and the rack 2, a gap is shown in Figs. 2a and 2b. Preferably, however, touch the air conditioning enclosure 1 and the rack 2, wherein the

Air conditioning enclosure 1 can be conveniently attached to the rack 2. In this case, however, advantageously care must be taken that the air conditioning enclosure 1 exerts only a minimal or no vertical and / or horizontal force on the rack 2.

Finally, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a segmented air conditioning enclosure 1

Air conditioning enclosure 1 is arranged by means of several parallel

Sidewalls 6 divided into segmented juxtaposed air conditioning rooms 3, which each have their own designed as a roller blind wall element. 4 can have. Alternatively, two or more

Air conditioning rooms 3 share a single wall element 4. In Fig. 3, the wall elements 4 are all in their respective open state and are not visible here. However, it is preferably about

Wall elements 4 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 air conditioning enclosure 10 frames

2 subracks

3 air conditioning room

31 lower edge

32 upper edge

4 wall element

5 guide element

6 side wall

7 floor element

71 inlet openings

72 storage housing 8 roof element

9 locking mechanism

Claims

claims:

1 . Air conditioning enclosure (1), which in such a way laterally on a computer or electrical appliance rack (2) can be attached, that the

Subrack (2) a back border of a

Air conditioning space (3), and a wall element (4) comprises, which between an open state in which the rack (2) through the air conditioning space (3) is laterally accessible and a closed state is movable, in which the air conditioning space (3) between a lower edge (31) and an upper edge (32) is laterally substantially completely enclosed thereby

in that the wall element (4) comprises a roller blind.

2. air conditioning enclosure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air conditioning space (3) in the closed state of

Wall element (4) laterally and upwardly substantially

is completely enclosed.

3. air conditioning enclosure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by one or more guide elements (5), along which the wall element (4) between the open state and the

Closed state is movable.

4. Klimatisierungsumfassung (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a laterally on the rack (2) attachable frame (10) on which the wall element (4) and / or the guide element (5) are attached.

5. air conditioning enclosure (1) according to claim 4, characterized by a frame attached to the side wall (6), which forms a lateral boundary of the air conditioning space (3) in the closed state of the wall element (4).

6. air conditioning enclosure (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the side wall (6) is pivotally mounted on the frame (10).

7. air conditioning enclosure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a bottom element (7), which in

Closed state of the wall element (4) forms a lower boundary of the air conditioning space (3) and inlet openings (71) for supplying an air conditioning medium in the air conditioning space (3).

8. air conditioning enclosure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (4) in the open state partially or substantially completely stowed in a storage housing (72).

9. Klimatisierungsumfassung (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (4) comprises a Faltrollo, a Roman shade and / or a slatted blind.

10. Air conditioning enclosure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a roof projection (8) mounted on the rack (2) Klimatisierungsumfassung (1) starting from the rack (2) on the air conditioning space (3) and in Closed state of the wall element (4) forms an upper boundary of the air conditioning space (3).

1 1. Air conditioning enclosure (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that in the roof projection (8) a passage for pressure equalization is formed.

12. Air conditioning enclosure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a movement mechanism, with which the wall element (4) from the open state to the closed state and / or is automatically movable from the closed state to the open state.

An air conditioning enclosure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a shutter mechanism which switches between an active state in which the wall element (4) in the

Closed state is fixed, and is set in an inactive state in which the wall element (4) is released for moving to the open state.

14. air conditioning enclosure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of wall elements (4), in whose

Closed states segmented together in segments

Air conditioning spaces (3) are each partially substantially enclosed laterally between a lower edge (31) and an upper edge (32).

15. rack (2), in particular computer or electrical appliance rack, with a laterally mounted air conditioning enclosure (1) according to one of the preceding claims.