IMPROVED DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMEi T ENCLOSURES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The substance of this invention is described in U.S. application Serial No. 282,708 filed July 13, 1981; which is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 119,816 filed February 8, 1980; which is, in turn, a con¬ tinuation of application Serial No. 1,254 filed January 5, 1979 (now abandoned). The present application is also a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 952,782 filed October 19, 1978, which is a divisional application of application Serial No. 327,593 filed August 25, 1977 (now U.S. patent 4,.121, 23); and which latter application is, in turn, a continuation-in-part of appli¬ cation Serial No. 602,404 filed August 7, 1975 and a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 825,174 filed August 16, 1977 (now abandoned); the latter a con¬ tinuation application of said application Serial No. 602,404.

SUBST ^/ TUTE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains to an enclosure providin a controlled- environment and access to equipment contained therein.

BACKGROUND ART Single or mult iple component el ectronic data pro cessing apparatus oτ other specialty equipment used separa or in support or cooperation with a manual transaction sys or automatic transaction equipment requires , norma lly, a 5 ^' closely controlled environment in which to function effi¬ ciently over a sustained period of time . This environment has been provi ded usually , heretofore , by placing al l of an organization s data processing apparatus except , for exampl remotely disposed terminals and the like , in a single large ^* room where overall conditions are maintained substantially uniform. To accomplish this is expensive, the location of equipment is often inconvenient and an ac commodation to nec sity rather than efficient utilization; and a power failure or the l ike will necessitate , in the absence of an auxiliary power supply, a shut— own of an organization-^ entire elec¬ tronic data processing system; and in modern terms where ban are concerned, for example, will cause a closing of the enti business enterprise, as well as other enterprises dependent upon it . This vulnerability exists as well with sensitive government installations and will ordinarily disconnect and disarm the protective systems and apparatus used to secure t electronic data processing system itself against inj ury .

Physical security of the electronic data processin apparatus or other transaction processing equipment against vandalism and misuse Is also a material concern. Resort has been had to automated equipment mounted In unprotected statio on building exteriors , for example, in the belief that they were invulnerable to harm or unauthorized exploitation. This assessment has proven to be in error as these devices have been frequently pum eled and damaged vrith expensive equipment replacement costs .

In addition, insofar as devices of this sort are automatic paying or receiving machines coming under the auth¬ ority of governmental regulati ons , such as those in the United States of America of the U . S. Federal Reserve Bosrd , they are required to I' e the several regulatory consti-uc ion -

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__:_ of Regulation P (12 CFR 216); and, once installed, have not been capable of ready removal or relocation.

Electronic data processing equipment has characte istically been disposed in cabinets about which snap-on meta panels are mounted that serve few functions other than aest tically covering the data processing components of the syst and, in some instances, protecting the contained equipment from incidental damage fro-} light or casual impact.

The shelves and support members within the cabine upon which the foregoing components rest is usually made of heavy gauge metal and adapted solely to support the compos nents within the cabinet. Cables attached to the components whether employed to deliver power or to transmit communica¬ tions signals to and from the components, have characteris- tically been partially ^" fastened in the cabinet Interior ^" with out any particular order or organization.

Further, the cabinet skin or covering tends to lea to undesired confinement at high ^" temperatures within limited areas about the equipment components, since these components of the cabinet characteristically generate a considerable amount of ^* heat during normal operation and require air flow from a variety of directions for cooling purposes and since air flow is usually and Inherently from the base -of the cabi net up through the components as a result ^" of whlch ^~ lt Is nor ally necessary-to allow large amounts! of open space above and beneath the components as well as furnishing small blowe to encourage the intake of temperature and humidity regulated air from the surrounding room or more frequently, from an air supply plenum under a raised floor system. The use of a transaction processing unit such as described in my U.S. patent 4,121,523 or one such -as describe In copendlng application Serial No. 102,552 filed November 11, 1979 and incorporate!! by reference herein ^" or application Serial No. ^" 912,37 filed June 5, 1978 and also ^" incorporated by reference herein to house data processing equipment, in¬ cluding banking data processing equipment and related devices obviates the need of. providing temperature and humidity

controlled air to an entire, large, specially built room o facility to supply and sustain a stable defined environmen about the data processing equipment contained therein. Temperature and humidity-controlled air or other atmosphere 5 may be provided to the data processing equipment using the air supply present in the facility or room in which said da processing equipment is housed or from an air conditioning unit dedicated to that purpose. Air circulation through th transaction processing unit or data processing equipment en 10 closure Is provided by perforation of the opposite ends or side walls of the enclosure housing using normally a blower or fan assembly to encourage the flow of air therethrough.

Even where a fan or blower ^' is used, however, the tendency Is for development of a gradient temperature to occ 5 within the housing; warm air at the top and cooler air at th bottom; and while the ^' limited space involved permits for rea adjustment, difficulty in making the adjustment uniform, or uniform over a sustained period throughout the unit still exists, an aspect significant particularly where the data pr 0 cessing equipment is tiered vertically within the enclosure. Such a tiered arrangement permits, however, a significantly more efficient use of the enclosure.

Rotation of data processing equipment either within or immediately outside the foregoing data processing equipmen enclosures to provide access to the various aspects thereof

. eliminates the need for access space about the entire periphe of the enclosure. The cables attached to the data processing or similar equipment within the enclosure, either for the purpose of supplying electrical power thereto or for the pur- pose of communication with and between ^' the various components of a data processing system, may be rotated with the equipmen ^* provided sufficient slack is permitted to allow rotation or movement without placing tension or stress upon the cables.

Rotation of the data processing equipment within the enclosure is described in the foregoing U.S. patent 4,121,523 and pending applications Serial Nos. 952,782 and 102,552 and is also, as indicated, particularly acva'ntaceous in permitting

access to the equipment for operation or servicing thereo through the same aperture, ^* or at least through a limited aspect of one side of the housing, accomplishing an econo of movable parts, function and space while limiting the communication between the exterior and interior of the en closure, consistent with its maximum and most advantageous utilization. Where rotation is unlimited and tiered data processing equipment or the like is contained In the enclo sure the utilization of this space becomes involved, by way of Illustration, when a plurality of cables are present, and Lhese will often number in .excess of about two hundred The identity and function of these cables may -become con¬ fused, and the cables entangled or twisted through careles or improper operation-of the data processing .equipment- en- closure housing said "equipment- - - — - -

However, if support neans for- electronic data pro cessing equipment could be -provided that serves as a ^" fluid distribution system, .alone or In combination- ith a further duct system, jwit iiij .-or within and exterior, to said enclo- sure for transmission and direction of a fluid, such as air the temperature and humidity or which Is controlled, to -the various aspects of the enclosed data processing equipment requiring a consistent and modulated environment, while ordering the distribution and controlling the slack length an tension of the cables-of the encl-bse ^' d data processing equipment, a significant advance in the state of the art - would be attained- Further, in ^" the event the-foregoing support and fluid distribution means could be-Integrated In the foregoing enclosure to rotate In a carefully defined ar and upon the axis of said -support and distribution -means so that ready access could be had to any aspect, and particu¬ larly any lateral aspect, of the data processing equipment or the like mounted upon the ^" foregoing,support-and distribu¬ tion means through a single ^* aperture -or a -plurality δf superimposed apertures at a single point in, or portion of, the periphery of said enclosure, a further material step forward in the state of the art would be affected.

Any material contraction in size of the enclosu accomplished at either end and circu ferentially permitt increased utilization of space with provision simultaneo for security against both fire and vandals, for uniform a phere conditions throughout the enclosure such as will pe incorporation thereof in conventional desks, clerical wor stations and areas for containment of terminals, microcom puters and data storage and retrieval devices, and permi ready movement and convenient location, will manifestly pr - vide a still further and significant advance in the relev art.

SUBSTITUTE HEET

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of this invention provide a rack assembly for use In an enclosure means ada to contain a variety of equipment, and particularly data processing equipment, in which the temperature and humidi throughout the enclosure may be maintained at a substanti uniform level or varied selectively to accommodate differe equipment disposed within disparate parts of the same encl sure. It Is a further object of this invention to provi ventilation, temperature and humidity control means as aforesaid, in combination with support means for said equi ment in a tiered assembly within said enclosure.

It is still a further object of this Invention to provide a fluid distribution and support system that inclu means for systematically distributing the cable systems of data processing equipment present in the foregoing enclosu with Integrated cable length and tension control means to avoid twisting and entangleneπt* of the various cables defini entry into the enclosure.

In accordance with the present invention, an im¬ proved enclosure is provided for the housing and maintenanc of apparatus,- an ^* d particularly electronic data processing equipment under selectively controlled environmental condi- tions in a physically secure state arid in a compact, effi¬ cient and yet readily accessible manner subject to convenie transport from one location to another. The enclosure or module of the invention is, In a particularly preferred em¬ bodiment, thermally insulated, and includes a stationary wa or housing, a ceiling and floor forming the opposite closed ends of said housing, at least one access means to the inte ior of the enclosure, closure means registrable with said access means; and a rack assembly disposed within said housi adapted- to receive a plurality of electronic data processing components in a multi-tiered manner therein and comprising a plurality of tubular legs a d affixed th-reto, a plurality of connecting tubular rib support ι-3-r±-ers, the Ini-.-rior of said leg and rib

_ Q_ support members, being selectively continuous with one another. The tubular members of the rack assembly are connected, normally through the ceiling and a supra modular housing disposed thereon or through the floor of 5 the enclosure to a ventilation, air-conditioning and humidity control system. The rack assembly in addition, to supporting a plurality of data processing components, for example, sensitive to contaminants, temperature, humidity and the like, receives the emissions of the Q foregoing systems for circulation throughtout the In¬ terior of the enclosure. The tubular elements of the rac assembly have a plurality of groups of spaced aperatures or vents having vent closure means adapted for emission of a controlled atmosphere at discretionary rates into ^" the interior of the module-or enclosure at various points and levels therein.

The tubular members may include resistance, heatin or ot ^" her ^~ "hea ing or cooling jackets- or elements along their interior passageways to affect the temperature and relative humidity ^• of particular zones o -the enclosure's interior. .At the same time several of the tubular elements may have separate access to separate ventilating and air-conditionin sources outside o-f the enclosure. In addition, the tubular conduit elements may serve solely for the transmission of fluid or atmosphere and non-transmitting structural elements may support said equipment, however, this embodiment is, in gener significantly less preferred. In one embodiment of the invent the module of the invention Includes turntable means, In the form of one or a plurality of -plates or platforms dis- ^' posed within the enclosure upon which the tubular rack assembly is mounted. In one such embodiment the turntable is disposed illustratively in contiguous relation to the inner circumference of the enclosures. Atmospheric venting and collection means are provided in the ceiling and supra module housing.

The turntable provides easy access to the rear or any other aspect of the data processing equipment mounted on

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the rack assembly of the module's interior, as it is readil rotated by manual rotation or suitable electrical or elec¬ tronic means or the ^' like well known to those skilled In the art, through a single access means In the enclosure wall or housing or, in an alternative less preferred embodiment, a plurality of access ^* means. Other embodiments, including in addition, although less preferred for a number of purposes, t entire apparatus may be extended out of the access means for service and, In addition, rotated while extended from the housing If required. . - — _

The distribution of cable and wiring entering the enclosure to operate the data processing apparatus component mounted within are controlled and integrated: ^* with the rack - by cable distribution.and -control means integrated with the . rack assembly^ . -

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The foregoing and additional objects, features an advantages of this Invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description 5 of the preferred embodiments of the invention when taken i conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the rack assembly enclosure of the Invention with a portion broken away.

Fig.- 2 is -a horizontal sectional view taken along 0 the lines 2-2* of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view in vertical section along the lines 3-3 of Fig. -1 showing a modification of the closure and rack assembly of Fig. 1.integrated into an Illu trative building structure; and with elements depicted schematical 5 ^*" Fig. -4 Is a partially broken perspective view of a plurality of the enclosures incorporating the rack assembly components of the invention showing the Integration of the enclosures Into a building environmental control system, wherein certain of the elements are shown semi-diagrammati- cally.

Fig. 5 Is a perspective view showing the rack assem bly of Fig.-l removed from the enclosizre, with data process¬ ing components shown schematically positioned thereon.

_. Fig. 6- is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the isolated rack assembly component taken along the lines 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of th nexus of horizontal and vertical members of the rack assembl component of Fig. 5- Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. is a fragmentary perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention wherein a shelf bearing a data processing element depicted semi ciagrammati- cally is mounted upon the rack assembly means.

Fig. 10 Is a fragmentary perspective view of the enclosure of Fig. 1 Incorporating a ro atπble plarform adapted

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to receive the rack assembly components of Figs . 1 and 2 .

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cooperating drive shaft arid related means- disposed beneath the floor of the enclosure for rotating the rack assembly platform; and

Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of a further illustrative embodiment of apparatus- -Incorporating the practice of the invention.

Fig. _. 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 13-13 of Fig. 2 .. .

Fig. 1* is a vertical secti-onal view taken along the lines l4-l of Fig. 13-

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now in more, detail to the drawings, there is shown with particular reference to Figs. 1 to a unitary rack assembly enclosure 10 in which the inven tion is illustratively embodied, that comprises ^* a trans action processing enclosure 200 and rack assembly 201; the latter also shown illustratively in isolation ofFig 3 and 5 to 7. The enclosure 200, also described in de¬ tail in ^" U.S. ^' patent 4,121,523 and in copending applica- tion 952,782 filed October 19, 1978 by the applicant herein, and the entire disclosure of which is incorpora ted by reference herein, includes a housing 202, gene¬ rally cylindrical in conformation, although a variety of shapes or combinations of shapes may be employed, composed of a stationary vertical wall 222 and one or more access means 223.

In one embodiment, the enclosure 200 includes turntable means, plate or platform 244 disposed in in¬ dependently rotatable relationship with the housing 220 and disposed contiguously therewith in a preferred embo¬ diment. As will be evident in this context, the turn¬ table 244 is essentially flat usually and may have other supplemental turntables (not shown) independently super¬ imposed within the housing 200 each bearing, optionally and additional, rack units 201. The turntables are of any desired horizontal conformation, for example, poly¬ gonal, round or the like.

A rack assembly 201 for accommodating a plurality of environmentally sensitive apparatus in an efficient, environmentally controlling, multi-tiered relationship within the enclosure 200 is mounted upon the turntable 244 of the stationary floor of the enclosure.

The turntable 244 provides easy access to the rea or any other aspect of the electronic data processing apparatus, transaction processing machine and the like

present on the rack assembly 201 in the enclosure or module 200 for servicing or the like at the same site through the same access element used for other purposes, such as to one or more of the contained machines or appa- ^* 5 ratus for operation thereof, accomplishing a significant, economy of function and of space. The rotation of the turntable 244 can be integrated selectively through a standard control means, such as the panel 292 (shown in Fig. 4), ^' with opening of one or all of the segments of 10 the enclosure^ closure means described in greater de¬ tail hereinafter.

The rack assembly as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and in isolation of Figs. 5 to 9 comprises a plurality of legs or vertical tubular support elements 504 which are, In 15 a preferred embodiment, vertically adjustable. In the Illustrative embodiment of the drawings, the tubular legs 504 are four in number, although It will be evident that a fewer or greater number may be utilized, for example, but not by way of limitation, three to six or _20 more. The number of legs will vary with the leg diameter, the weight and volume of fluid to be transmitted through the legs, the size of the enclosure and the like. The legs ^" 504 are. preferably disposed In a vertical manner as in the drawing.or may be otherwise arranged, as for 25 example, pyr midally, so that they may form a nexus at their apex.

The legs 504 are complemented by a plurality of interconnecting tubular rings, ribs, legs or stretch bars 505. The tubular construction of the legs 504 and 30 ribs 05 provides a system of interconnecting conduits for transfer of fluids throughout the resulting rack assembly 201, and emission of these fluids into the enclosure 200. The ribs or stretch bars, while shown disposed horizontally in the drawing, may also be dis- . 35 posed at a variety of angles between the legs and Inter-

connect as well not only with an adjacent leg, but with a diagonally disposed leg or vertical support element 504, by way of further illustration. The leg and rib members may assume a variety of cross-sectional confor- 5. ^" nations, for example, hexagonal, rectangular, elliptical, circular, square, or the like. As the frame members of a support element, the ribs have preferably an angular, as opposed to a rounded, construction. It will be evi¬ dent, too, that the ribs 505 are preferable disposed 10 horizontally for this purpose as well.-

Accessory conduits ^" (not shown), may be employed for the transmission of fluid in combination with the legs serving. ^" a supportive function, ^" but this embodiment is normally significantly less preferred because-of the- 5 redundancy of elements involved. ^** " - - _ ^* -- .- _ The assembly ^~ of legs -504 and ^" rib 50 thus forms a rigid assembly. Alternatively, or complementing the . ^" free standing-capacity-cf the rack assembly--means-r—such_-. as struts, for securing the assembly at various inter- -0 vals in the interior wall of the housing 20G may also be incorporated. This -particular embodiment is not-con¬ venient or even desirable normally, for it prevents inter alia rotary movement- of the ^" assembly ^** 201 ^* within the enclo¬ sure 200. Therefore, the presence of a free-standing assembly mounted on the- o atable base or plat orm- ^' -is-. significantly preferred.

The selective distribution of a controlled atmos¬ phere free of contaminents, of a desired termerature and humidity at different points and at different flow rates - within the enclosure 200 enables the unit IC to accommo¬ date within Its close confines, a variety-of devices, such as electronic data- processing- pparatus," generating varying amounts' ^{* "} of heat, yet sensitive to excess-iieat- - -._ (or cold), dampness, pollutants and the like, -while uti- llzing all of the available vertical, as veil as horizon-

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

tal, space within the housing.

In the embodiment of Figs, 1 to 3 the transaction processing enclosure with its access means, housing 220 and provision for penetration by selected ducts to supply the distribution network of the rack assembly 201 includes closure means 224 (and 225, where an additional inner second closure means is desired and present), the lateral margins of which, in each instance, in the closed posi¬ tion, and thus occluding the access means, are in regis- try with the wall 222.

In the completely open position, "the closure means 224 and 225 are preferably disposed respectively within and outside the wall 222, in the open state the closure means 224 and 225 moving in a path defining an axis sub- stantially identical to that of the arcuate wall 222.. The. stationary wall 222 and secondary closure means elements 224 and 225, define arcs of up to 180° and in one preferred embodiment, define semicircular arcs each of about or precisely 180°, and, as Is evident, provide the enclosure or module 244 in the closed state.

The enclosure 200 composed of its foregoing mov¬ able and stationary components 222, and 224 and 225 res¬ pective!;/ may be formed of a variety of materials. Where a computer assembly requiring visual monitoring is to be contained in the enclosure 200, one secondary closure means 224 is desirably employed and is formed of a transparent, impact and normally, a projectile, and bullet-resistant material, and preferably in combination with one or more concentrically mounted secondary closure means 225, formed of a metallic material both fire and impact-resis¬ tant. Particularly preferred, however, for use particu¬ larly in the elements 224 and 225, however, are the re¬ fractory walls and enclosures of copending application Serial No. 921,974 filed June 5, 1978 and application . Serial No. 102,552 filed December 12, 1979; in both of

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

which applications the Inventor herein is one of the applicants.

For convenience of reference where two concentric closure means are used, the outer one Is identified by the designation 224 and the inner one by the reference numeral 225. Where they are segmented horizontally, as described in greater detail, hereinafter they are re- ferr ^' edϊto by their upper or lower disposition as 224a, the upper outer secondary closure means; 224b, the lower outer secondary closure means, 225c, the inner upper secondary closure means; and 225d, the inner lower secon¬ dary closure means.

The closure- eans _.. may be segmented vertically as -. well. In addition, a _. single closure means, for example— 255, may incorporate a secondary access means preferen¬ tially protected b .a_tertiary closure means (not shown), conforming in- size and shape with the secondary access means in lieu of dividing _. ,the entire closure means 225 horizontally. - This ^" embodiment is _^ particularly preferred when the enclosure 200 is used to house automatic banking or transaction equipment, to provide selective customer access to the-.customer terminal section of this equipment. In addition,- such a small access .means -may be incorpor¬ ated within- he stationary wall 222 of'the enclosure 200, also preferentially protected hj _a tert±ary. closure means. Illustratively, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, an outer: closure means 224, formed of.a transparent impact ^* (_e-.g. bullet or projectile) resistant-material is mounted conveniently-on a track 226a formed on rhe perimeter of the upper module partition- 7 and, additionally-or al¬ ternatively,__.Cshown_ ^" as 226b) -in the perimeter of the ^{* *} . ^' . module base 284 t-o- enclose or- provide access to the_ . _. ___: housed equipment 230 _^ —.An inner closure.-means-.225ris- -__ __- disposed within the outer closure means 224 and formed . of steel or other appropriate protective material,* pre-

SUBSTITUTE SHEE ^Q FΣ

ferably the refractory laminate of copending application Serial No. 102,552, and is mounted in either or preferably both upper and lower tracks 227a and 227b respectively. In the closed state these closure means are in registry

^■ 5 at their lateral borders with the stationary wall 222 by means of closure plates 202. The closure means 225 when opaque, as is normally the case, may also be seg¬ mented horizontally and the upper component thereof 225c moved to the open state to expose, or at least render

10 visible through the outer secondary closure means 224 . and 225a, the equipment face and its operation.

^" Where employed to house ^' an automatic banking machine, the vault portion 231 thereof will ordinarily be disposed within or outside the rack 201 and under the

15 transaction face 232. of the automatic banking machine 230. In this event, as shown in enclosure 200d of. ig. 4, for example, and discussed hereinabove, the inner secondary closure-means 224 and 225~respectively, which may otherwise_be single units, ar horizontally segmented

.20 to provide jtwo separately rotatable components, an outer upper component 224a (shown In Fig. 4) and an outer upper component 22itθ_and an- inner upper component, 225c and inner lower component 225d of approximately equivalent vertical as-well as Identical lateral dimensions. The

25 upper secondary closure means 224a and 225c may be per¬ mitted to remain open during banking hours, for example, and closed.at other times, or adapted to open when the first or other booth closure means 224 passes from the - . first to second position. . .__ - .

30 Alternatively, where access is desired for servi¬ cing of the machine or vault positioned under the auto¬ matic teller or -banking machine face 232, shown sche¬ matically, -the lower closure means_224b and-225d are- rotated alone or in conjunction with the upper closure

35 means 224a and 225c

SUBSTITUT

The internally disposed secondary closure means 225 and the sum of any horizontally segmented subdivision thereof 225c and 225d, such as seen in Fig. 4, will nor¬ mally terminate below the periphery of the platform 284 at its lower margin and In the margin of the rotation plate 280 with which It is in fixed engagement at Its upper end. Where a banking machine such as an automatic paying or receiving machine is enclosed within the module, the inner secondary closure means or access element 225 will extend, preferably, from the upper module partition 274 by means of a flange (not shown) to the base 284 to comply with the requirements of the Federal Reserve Board as expressed, for example, In Regulation P.

The rack assembly enclosure or transaction proces- sing enclosure 10 may be encapsulated for many purposes. ^" in an exterior protective booth and employ ^specialized, and specially ntegrated, entry means in the manner described in the present Inventor's. U.S. patent 4,121,523, Incorporated by reference herein. The single access means for operation or repair of one or more of the pieces of equipment ledged in the rack 201 is _. ,-in any event, made possible by use of one or more turntables 224 providing-easy access to the rear or any other-aspect of the transaction processing machine or electronic data processing apparatus present in the module for servicing or'the like at the -same site through the same access element used -for all other purposes; accomplishing an economy of function and ulilization of space unknow heretofore; particularly In combination with the tiered construction provided by the rack 201.

Rotation Is., in one embodiment of the turntable, integra¬ ted selectively through a standard control panel (not shown), with opening of one or all segments of the various closure means provided. All of the functions thus far described, ^* as well

-f ^L l

SUBSTITUTE SHEET -≤lgL,

as securing and latching and unlatching of the rack assembly enclosure or module are accomplished manually or conveniently by means of conventional electrical circui¬ try well known to one skilled In the art. The control_ means Is similar to that described in U.S. patent 4,121, 523, Incorporated by reference herein.

A turntable and the means for rotation thereof applicable for use in the free-standing module of Figs. 1 to 4 hereof particularly, Is shown .and described in U.S. patent 4,12Ϊ ^~ 523 with particular reference to Fig. 13 thereof and is Incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the rotation of the turntable may be accomplished by a_ variety of mechanical means known to those skilled In the art or, Indeed, manually. _ A drive mechanism for rotation of the closure means 225 may be mounted atop the"upper module partition 274 and disposed within the supra module housing 275 as shown in Figs. l__and _2, in the anner described in U.S. patent 4,121,523, again with particular reference to Fig. 13 thereof, and incorporated by reference herein.

Standard drive mechanisms may be integrated into a variety of drive trains and positions In relation to_the_closure^ means 225-

The inner protective secondary closure means 225 of the module 200 .s preferably In eontinuous_contact or registry with the periphery of the rotatable upper module plate 280, as noted hereinabove, and may _. be operated manually as well as mechanically. When Inner secondary closure means 225 are divided horizontally Into 225c and 225d respectively, the support and'-drive mechanism for 225c shall _, be _. Identical to that described hereinabove for 225 2*s_a _. single_unit. The support and drive mechanism for closure, eans 22J5d shall _^ consist _^ _of an arcuate track on the base 284, of generally circular shape with inter- nal drive ring Cnot shown) and a drive motor_(not shown).

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Alternatively, a variety of other methods can be employed as is obvious to one skilled in the- art. Of course, manual operation in conjunction with an electrical con¬ trol means or as an override method of operation of said secondary closure means In event of failure of said drive mechanism"Is also an alternative, but is less pre¬ ferred. While described with respect to the inner secon- • dary closure means 225, it will be evident that the outer closure means 224 can be similarly segmented and the modes of operation ^" enunciated hereinabove with respect to the inner secondary closure means 225 applied to the outer secondary closure means 224 will be made registrable with the stationary wall 222 ^' in the open state and ^" its ^" lower edges with the ^' base 284 in- preferred embodiment as -also described hereinabove. The upper margins may also be in registry with the supra module partition 274 through ^" an extended closure flange, as also earlier described hereinabove, with respect to the ^" turntable ^" 244. The stationary wall 222 Is, in turn, secured within the outer margin of the upper or supra modύie partition 274 exterior- o the ^" outer periphery of the closure means 225 and extends _, o- he floor or base 284 upon which the unit or module is ^r located. As noted, -the upper end of the rotatable protective secondary closure means 225 is, in a preferred embodiment,.in contiguous ^" , slideable .and sealed relationship by means of a flange ^" (not shown) with the upper module partition 27 and -it is where the module and rack ^" encapsulate and support a banking machine, particularly ^" that the lower end of the closure means 224 and 225 may also be segmented vertically, but this alternative Is normally significantly ^" less preferred.

Rotation ^{" "} guide ^" means composed of struts ^" 285 ^" serve ^~ to support the turntable of platform 244. These ^* guides may be telescoped and thus extensible to support the platform or turntable 244 at any desired level above the

module base 284 and, of course, under the partition 274. At the same time, a flange may serve to level, in a simi¬ lar manner, the rotation plate of the inner secondary closure means-225 _* w ^τ hen present. _ _. _.. _.. In accordance further--with the practice of the invention, the system thus described may also be respon¬ sive to an alarm and over-ride control in the manner generally 6f that described with respect to the booths of Fig. 1 and 4 of U.S _. . patent 4,121,523 so that in re-^ sponse to seismic shock from a physical.attack of unau¬ thorized or-unprogrammed attempt to gain access thereto,- experienced,by., for example, the banking machine as the result of attempted burglary or other tampering, the inner secondary. closure means 225 or its components 225(c) or 225(d) will lose while the closure means 22 will be retained in_place., securing the miscreant within the _ ._ booth 10 in one preferred embodiment. — -- - - .

With -continueάV _. -reference to -the -enclosure or trans¬ action processing module or enclosure 200.and," more par- ticularly, to J;he free-standing manifestation or embodi¬ ment of Figs. _1. to 4, it will be seen.that the _^ upper or supra module, housing_275 is continuous with or defines entry into _. hung ceiling 286, which contains, as shown diagrammatically in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the conventional heat, ventilation and- air conditioning systems as well as electrical and coimiiunlcatlon lines into which the module may be grafted to provide, where electronic data process¬ ing units are encapsulated by the module, for example, the controlled environment necessary to its operation. A riser duct Cnot shown) may effect transmission of the foregoing environmental components to the interior of the module 2G0 and ^" , more_immediately,the rack assembly 2.01,-,._ in the manner.described, hereinafter. -Means-of_ . £Ire detec¬ tion 29.4, fire suppression 295, and motor or system con-- ^* - ^' trol unit 297 and a source of emergency power 299 for

SUBS

•these systems are placed in the supra modular housing as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 without affecting materially the ease of assembly, disassembly or mobility of the module 200. Alternatively, these elements may be located on the base 284 of the module 200 or under the floor 18 of the unit 10 and,respectively, below ^' the turn¬ table of said module 200 or under a raised or flooring system in said booth 10.

With particular reference to Fig. 4, ^' .there are shown a plurality of free-standing transaction processing rack assembly enclosure units 10 integrating for purposes of illustration with a hung ceiling above, or alterna- ^' " tively, one below or a combination thereof. The trans¬ action processing-units 10 Include the supra module hous- ing 275, a stationary wall or housing 222, an access element and_the -secondary closure means or shield 224. of a transparent character so-that the operator of the computer apparatus 230, ^* 'Incorporateά_.In:-. e. rac -assem¬ blies 201 of the modules 200, may observe their perfor- mance without opening the secondary closure, means 225 in each Instance, -while stationed.at the console or panel 292. However.,, -a. second inner Cor outer-), reinforc¬ ing protective secondary closure. eans -225, as noted - hereinabove,_ composed-, illustratively, 'of fire resistant and impact resistant material, such as -steel,- or prefer¬ ably the refractory materials described elsewhere herein may be used to guard the-access opening, and maintain the requisite internal environment of the enclosure 10, remaining open and retracted within -the housing as shown, illustratively, in the module 200(c) of Fig, 4 normally for brief periods of observation where -minimal use of the rack assemblylenvironmental.control ^" .syste is desired-" ^* ----

The normally.- light transparent outer.concentrically dis¬ posed secondary closure means- 224, as noted -elsewhere --- - - - herein, serves to protect the environment primarily

S

--w'ithin the module 200 while permitting observation of the housed equipment during use. The opaque secondary closure means 225 is thus desirably closed when the data processing equipment is or is not in operation or may be manually or automatically closed ^' in the event of fire, flood, or attempted vandalism or inappropriate use of the housed equipment.

Thus, as illustrated further by module 200(a) of Fig. 4, the transparent secondary closure means 224 is closed to maintain a controlled environment in the module. In module 200(b).of Fig. 4, the outer transparent -closure means 224, as well as the internal protective closure means 225, are ^"" shown in the open state with "the rear of the data processing equipment 230 exposed, having been rotated on "the-turntable 244 for servicing. -Module 200(c) of this same drawing is Identical in the operative state it presents to that of the module 200(a). Module 200(d) is shown with---both the outer secondary and inner closure. means and their segmented components, 224a, 224b, 225c, and 225d inr-the closed state. The rack assembly enclo¬ sure 200c shown the ^! bank component and transaction com-*- ponent 232 sho ^* wn diagrammatlcally, disposed In a rack ^* assembly 201:, In the manner described elsewhere herein. A particular advantage of the present ^' invention is apparent _^ fro the embodiment of-Fig, 4 In that, as shown, the entire environment of the room In which the transaction processing centers are disposed need not be subject to the rigorous controlled conditions required - ^' within the transaction processing centers where electro¬ nic data processing equipment is housed. Ingress and egress from the_computer containing room can take place, freely and-_ et-_each module is also protected against vandalism; -"Each ^* -secondary closure means 224-beln-g_sub-=.__ ject to latching in the manner of the booth 10 as-described elsewhere herein. At the same time, any unit 10 and

any desired piece of electronic data processing equipmen can be readily removed from one location and installed immediately, and normally, in a second location by "plugging" of-the unit 10 into existing heat, ventilatio and air-conditioning lines in the second location.

An extensible ramp may be employed for installati and removal of any data or transaction processing equip¬ ment from a module or booth where the support system or turntable upon which the equipment is placed* is above the level of the floor. -

The legs- 504, and ribs 505, vertically and hori¬ zontally disposed in the rack assembly 201, as shown In Figs. 1, 3,- 4,--5, ^" -6, 7 and"8 ^" of the drawing are hollow, thereby forming the conduits that are jointed or ^" inter- ^" connected as shown Illustratively in ^" Figs.--1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 to permit the fluid flow, illustratively, or temperature and humidity controlled air or other atmosphere -fcr-_circulation In the rack assembly 201 for distribution-at a .predetermined rate and volume through patterns ^" of vents, distribution ducts or open¬ ings 506.formed ^" in the legs and ribs of the rack assembly and by this means into the enclosure.-200 and to the specific processing components illustrated by the sche¬ matically represented unit 230 mounted ^' upon and within the rack 201. --- - - _

The gaseous fluid distribution system of the rack assembly 201 is connected in a convenient and conventiona illustrative embodiment to the riser of supply -connector duct or ducts ^" 290 of Fig. 3 in the supra module, housing 275 of the enclosure 200; which ducts 290 are In turn connected to a supply duct 507 in the hung ceiling 286 or to an exposed" supply duct 507 by-passing through an intermediate- housing 507 disposed between the supra module housing 275 and the ^" duct ^" 290 as shown in Fig. 4, as-a source of temperature and ^' humidity controlled air. The

rack -assembly Is connected to the ducts 290 by means of the rack assembly supply conduit 509. A plurality of these supply conduits may pass between the rack assembly and one or more supply sources. The supply conduit ^• 5 or conduits may be Integrated with the rack assembly 201 at one or more positions. In general, It Is of particu¬ lar utility to connect two such conduits 509 to the upper or terminal ends of diagonally disposed vertically arrayed legs 504 of the rack 201. The rack assembly 10 conduits 50 are preferably flexible and extensible, a hose, for example, containing sufficient slack length to permit rotary motion of the rack upon the rack assem¬ bly mounting means or turntable 244. ^" The connection of the conduits 509 _to.a manifold 521 which connects to 15 the risers 90: at one end and to the- rack 201 at the other may be detachable for more significant rotation of the rack or removal and disassembly, If desired; the connection,- hether "fixed or detachable., being affected by means well-known to those skilled In the art. 20 As shown in Fig. 3, the riser duct 290 is cen¬ trally positioned ^"" in ^" the supra module housing 275 and the rack assembly conduits 509. communicate with the sup¬ ply ducts 2 0 by means of the foregoing Intervening manifold, plenum or mixing box 521 mounted-on the supra 25 modular partition 274, as, for example, by lateral flanges 524 mounted"in tracks or hearing surfaces 525 mounted on the under surface of the upper module or enclosure par¬ tition 27 for ready removal or repair or replacement. The riser ducts 290 terminate at the partition 274 and 30 are normally coextensive with the lateral borders of the manifold 521 ^* . The manifold 521, as.Indeed the riser duct 29.0, may assume a variety of constructions. To effect the .transmission "of- -gases ^* --through the riser supply duct 290 or to the manifold 521, a communi- 35 cation orifice or series of orifices (not shown) is pro-

vided in the upper or supra module partition 274. This latter partition Is perforated as well (although not ^* shown in the drawing) about the exterior periphery of the manifold 520 to provide passage for warm exiting gases leaving the interior of the enclosure 200 and passing into the recovery conduit 527 and from thence into the building return duct 528. The riser duct and return conduit 527 may, even If a plurality of each is present, be enclosed in the intermediate housing 508 in the embodiment of Fig. 4. The turntable 244 or support platform is perforated as well, to assure passage for the rising heated_-gases ^* formed in contact with the heat producing _. apparatus maintained on the rack assembly

201. _ ^' _ ^' _ _ _ _. _. - - - ___ _ . _ ^' _. - _. The .turntable 244 or support platform.may be per¬ forated, particularly, _.. to prevent pockets of cold air, for example, from accumulating In the bottom of the unit 200, so that_jnonitoring and naintenance of a uniform atmosphere _. .within the_ enclosure 200 _would_be more diffi- cult.

Orifices are further provided about the rotation plate 280 of a diameter and number- sufficient to accom¬ modate the ^" rack assembly supply conduits 0 In their passage from the legs 504 Cor the ribs.505 or indeed a combination thereof) to the manifold or mixing box 521. To accom odate or rotation of the rotatable_ module plate 280, _the supply conduits 509. are made of a flexible material, and have a length sufficient to_ provide slack, or are otherwise extensible, such as where they are made of a resilient or stretchable materia _. ϊ or ^' of an accor- dian construction.

It l also within the contemplation f his In¬ vention that a duct system Identical or _simil_ar to that provided through the..supra modular housing 275 _. may trans- mit in like manner from supply ducts, illustratively, a

OMPI ^"

heat, ventilation and air-conditioning system In the floor below that on which the module or enclosure 200 and rack assembly 201 is located as illustrated semi- diagrammatically in Fig. 4 through the module base 284. It Is also consistent with the foregoing description, as noted elsewhere herein, that individual heat, ven¬ tilation, and atmosphere control systems such as air- conditloning units, for example, suitable for securing the necessary atmospheric control be placed within the supra module housing 275 for delivery to the module interior or"chamber optionally, by means of the supply ducts 290, or directly through orifices in the supra modular partItIon, ^" manifold 521, raek ^~ assembly supply conduits 509, rack assembly 201 wherein the apparatus " _ 230,and, most advantageously, electronic data processing ^" apparatus Is-located ^" . "

Where a dedicated atmospheric unit 599, for ^" a single enclosure 20 such as shown in Fig. ^" 1 or ^" a unit 602, for control of the atmosphere in several enclosures 10, as shown in Fig. 4, Is employed, they may also be used In combination ^" with existing building heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. In one embo¬ diment, the dedicated atmospheric control ^" unit functions as a heat pump.or exchanger, cooling the data processing components housed upon the rack 201 with air ^" or other fluid atmosphere contained within the enclosure 10 and, in some embodiments, within said rack 201. ^~~ The ^" heat generated by the contained equipment 230 ^" is then released by the atmospheric control unit, 599 or 602, to the exterior of the enclosure, or Into the return air system of the facility using a return riser duct connector,

In an alternative embodiment, primary environmen¬ tal control ^" may be accomplished by connection to the central facility heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system of the building in ^" which the enclosures are housed

O PI

and the dedicated atmospheric control unit, 599 or 602, may be used in the event that the remotely treated or central facility Is In an operative state. In addition, the use of multiple dedicated atmospheric control units provide redundancy or back-up capability in the event of failure of one unit when critical or important electronic equipment is housed within the enclosure 200.

The ^' perforation of the turntable 2-44 is also appro¬ priate if the supply duct 507 and return _ducts are dis- posed beneath the base 284 of the enclosure unit 200, and the duct system-shown In the supra module housing and communicating therefrom to"the rack 201 were transposed to the bottom of "the enclosure 200, - -•- --

In a-_further ^" and often preferred embodimentj-as shown in Fig,-- , the-manifold 521 is connected to a plu¬ rality, and_ specifically,, a pair of rack assembly supply conduits 509 that pass to a-plurality--o -supply riser ducts 29Q (as—shown-in-Fig. 3) .— he_riser_rducts 2.90 may be of a rigid construction but the hose-connections or alternative riser ducts or supply connection ducts 290 are also, and-more frequently made-of a ^" -flexible material. The supply r-iser .ducts 2 0 may, -for example, be of accor- diarf construction, as well, to integrate with supply - - ducts disposed.at. varying heights and- whether within a hung celling^86^_or not. The manifold 521 may have . baffles Cnot-shown) to separate the air supply and return.

While the supply riser ducts 29j0.are often con¬ veniently connected to supply ^' .ducts as aforesaid, which are, in return, .connected to a source of temperature and humidity controlled air or atmosphere such as a building air-conditioning system, ^" the manifold or mixing hox 520 may be connected directly to temperature^;.-ventilation and humidity-sources.mounted-with the ^** supra.. odular- housing 275 itself, as noted hereinabove and shown in. _-- Fig. 1. ^" It. will be evident, too, that fluid intake

_ ^~3 ° ^~

or supply means of like character may be incorporated at the base of the enclosure 200, and conveniently be¬ tween the enclosure floor or base 284 and the turntable 244 or alternative platform or raised floor similar to

^• 5 the supra module partition 274; together with, if desired, and, as noted above, fire detection means 294, fire suppression means 295, a motor or system control unit 297 and a source of emergency power 299 and the like. In addition,"the ,sides or walls of the enclosure may be

10 employed to ^" mount these systems.

At the nexus of the riser or supply ducts 290 and manifold 521, ^*'** there'.ls Interposed, in a preferred embodiment, ^" one ^" or ^" ore-fire damper assembly units 530, containing, ^" desirably, air filters Cnot shown ^* ), ^~ and ^~ a -

15 varied speed-blower Cnot shown}, the latter employed ^" to augment the ^~ - low on ^" controlled atmosphere or like-fluid into the mixing box assembly or manifold 521 and thence into the ra ^" cl ^" assembly 201 and enclosure 20G^In-the manner described herein ^" . The fire damper assembly In- ^~ "

20 eludes, as well ^" , means to ^" automatically Interrupt and disconnect T;he ^" gaseous fluid flow ^* -e.g. , ^" -air or atmos¬ pherej that _, ould ^" otherwise pass into the manifold 521 and the one or ^" more rack assembly--supply ducts 509 or from the manifold to-the return system. - -

25 The fire damper ^' assembly 530, as shown in Figs. ^' l and 3, further includes, accordingly, a fire damper clo¬ sure means 532 and actuating mechanism 534 -(shown dia- grammatically), adapted to react automatically to ^" adverse environmental conditions and to seal off-that portion of

30 the encϊosure ^" 200 containing the rack assembly 201 and ^' associated data processing equipment from intake of fur¬ ther gaseous fluid'from- he -fluid supply means, such as- : ,- ^' : the supply -Suet ^' s -entering the riser ^" duct ^' 290. ^" Pollutants, including combustion products, flame elevated temperatures

35 and the like,- are thus prevented from passing through the

O ?I

manifold 521 into the rack assembly supply conduits 509, and thus into the rack assembly 201 and enclosure 200 by virtue of the fire damper closure door 525 of the closure means 523- The fire damper assembly 530 is of special utility when air is drawn from the heating, ventilating and air- conditioning system of a surrounding facility so that, In the event of fire, or even flood or similar occurrence where heat of noxious elements such as smoke particles or water may be present, these elements may be prevented from entering the manifold assembly or mixing box 521 by the rpompt closure of the fire damper assembly 530. The operation of the-fire ^' damper assembly 530 is pre¬ ferably actuated by. a motor or system control center of the data processing equipment enclosure responding to environmental-conditions _, monitored, by.the fire detection- and security systems,-shown diagrammatically, of data processing equipment-enclosure. In order to completely _. seal the enclosure in_j_he event of fire or the develop- ment of other-hostile conditions, both the supply and exhaust nvironmental system should be sealed by the-- fire damper..system.._ -In _. ig. 1, a sliding configuration - - of the damper 532 with activation means 534 is shown. In ^" Fig. 3, a.hinged flap closure arrangement is shown. -The fire.dampers _, may be actuated, for example, by electrical pneumatic, mechanical or manual means. The exhaust fire damper system 500 Is.shown in Fig. -3 and described hereinbelow.

As Indicated, the vertically disposed legs 504... and ribs 505, the latter the horizontal supporting mem¬ bers of Figs.-l, 3, _. -5, 6, 7 and 8 particularly^ are hollow, ^' thereby ^" orming the-eonduit-s- _^ that-are- joined .. . as shown In FIg-, .6-,-to-permit the fluid flow of temper¬ ature and humidity controlled air or other atmosphere or fluid from the manifold 521 into the rack assembly 201 for circulation selectively to the data processing

^E

OΪ._PI

^SUB STITUT

components, illustrated by the diagrammitically defined unit 230, mounted within the rack 201 in Fig. 1, to dissipate the heat generated by the equipment. To per¬ mit the distribution of fluid within the housing 220 and to the components 230, the legs 505 and preferably, albeit optionally, the horizontal supporting members are provided with air distribution vents, ducts or openings 5θ6, at intervals as shown along the legs or ribs in Fig. 3, where the surfaces of said ducts-are In proximity to any contained data ^' processing component 230. ^""

The vent openings 506 are normally disposed as a plurality of longitudinally aligned aperatures or flow damper regulatory ^* apertures 506, positioned in varying positions along the ^" tubular leg or rib members. It will be evident that the number and size-of these apertures may"be ^* varied to-accommodate, for example ^_ a ^"" standardized distribution of components within the rack assembly 201, as, for example,-"where the components of a computer- system or other electronic equipment or ^" the like-is distributed thereon, preferably with removal of ^" Its ^" outer surface ^" or ^" "skin". The assembly 201 of ^" the in¬ vention, to_have -a multi-faceted utility, however, em¬ ploys means for varying fluid egress or flow from the ^"* leg and rib members, -In addition, or as an alternative, to varying the permanent location; dimensions and con¬ centration -of the vents or aperatures. ^" This additional means, which ^" can- also be varied to accommodate-the need of a particular-component, depending on Its heat pro¬ duction or other environmental control requirements at different times, comprises, In one embodiment shown illustratively in Fig. 7, one or a plurality of fluid flow dampers-560-formed of a longitudinal shaft or plate member-tha - ^" abu s the aperture- ^" cόhtaining portion of the interior wall or walls of the leg and rib members. The damper plate -560 ^"" contains a plurality of apertures

562 corresponding to those of the leg, for example, upon which the plate Is mounted. The plate 560 us mounted to avoid transverse movement of "play" normally but to facilitate movement- slidably in a longitudinal manner

^{• '} 5 along the leg member and is adapted to facilitate fas¬ tening at a plurality of points so that the apertures of leg and plate can correspond completely or result in partially or completely occluded vents. The flor damper may also be- polygonal so as to operate with respect to 10 two, three,-for or, -if-present, more sllde ^' s ^' -of the leg,- - ^* or rib In which it is.lodged.- A guide may be provided for this purpose. - The plate may also be I perforate along a substantial portion of its length so that only a number of perforations, of the leg and plate actually

15 integrate and a ^* portion -or all of the vents- In the leg may be sealed-_-by_ an _: imperforate portion.of the plate by slidable displacement of the plate in the appropriate direction .._a_r ^** -— _^__- _- - -=- ^* - "—==- ----- .- -

To maintain the.plate or flow damper and preforate

20 leg in fixed-position with respect to each other, a bolt or seal screw__564.or-a plurality thereof, normally two for convenience.-^, is-inserted through,the apertures of leg _. and plate,- which are adapted.to receive the set screw 564 in threaded engagement, -although to secure a varying. 25 degree of partial occlusion of cooperating leg and .. plate apertures, the plate may contain apertures of in¬ creased length in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the alignment of the apertures in leg and plate. ^** These elongate- plate apertures 568 are-intended to receive 0 the set. screws which are .then threadedly engaged only .. within the corresponding leg or.rib apertures used for producing arfixed.relationship-of plate an -leg; and _-- - ^* - because of the-elongate -conformation-o -the palte aper- ^" ture, the palte may be set In a variety of positions 5 along Its length corresponding to phases extending from

Oλ-TPI

complete or partial cooperation of the remaining aper¬ tures 506 to complete occlusion thereof,

A second damping means employed in the practice of the invention is.one having particular utility at the ^• 5 junction of horizontal and vertical support members, 504 and 505 respectively, and referred to as a junction flow damper 57Q. This damper may be employed to adjust or stop the flow or air from one rib or leg support mem¬ ber to the other, as shown In Figs, 7 and 8 or from a 10 rack assembly supply conduit 509. into the rack assembly 201. The junciton flow damper 570 conforms In general size and shape with the interior cross-section"δf the conduit in -which ^" it is disposed..

The Junction flow damper -570 may_be mounted in 15 the interior O rthe leg or rib using a.small standard hinge or similar ele.ment 562, as well as means to control and ^' activate the movement of said junction flow damper, such as thε-rassembly 576, shown in Figs. 6 and 8, which may be manually, mechanically or electrically operated 20 by standard means well-known to those skilled In the art. The junction flow damper control 578, comprising the flow damper connection element 58G ^{^} and the flow _ damper position adjustment element or rod 582, may be fixedly engaged in an open, closed, or ^' partially open 25 position within _the ^" tubular conduit of the leg or rib 504 or 505 respectively, from which the rod extends - through the assembly leg or rib to the rack exterior, as shown in Fig. 8.

In one preferred embodiment, the junction low 30 damper position -adjustment element or rod 582, generally round In cross-section, ^" is threaded within the orifice 584 through which it defines entry into the tubular conduit of--the ..rib, as shown in Fig. 8, so that rotation of said flow damper position adjustment element 582 35 will affect linear movement of said element relative to

said opening or orifice 584 and move the damper 570 to an open o -closed position. In this embodiment, the position adjustment element 482 may be joined to the junction flow damper connection element 582, using a universal bearing ^* 5 joint or similar device adapted to permit the rotation of the junction flow damper position element 580, while trans¬ mitting the linear movement of the element 580 directly ' to the junction flow damper connection element 580,

To further circulate or-selectlvely force the clr- 10 culation of temperature and humidity-controlled air_ or- atmosphere through"the data processing components rack 201, auxiliary means 592 :(shown dlagrammatically in Fig. 5) of augmenting the . low of atmosphere may be contained within the rack or attached-to said leg (504)- or-rlh ^" C5U5) support 15 members. - Thes -auxiliary atmosphere flow means 592 may -. . include, Illustratively, a variable speed van of fluid i - - pelling assembly .in which the fan motor ^" is capable of ope¬ rating at varied -speeds-.-so that the-flow o --air -or other fluid through the support members-may be selectively... . 2.0 regulated _^ — ^* _ ; -.-_ ^■ -_.

The rate of flow- of- air or-other atmosphere from the leg and ^" rib. support.members 50 and_5Q of the .rack 2Q1 may be controlled, additionally,- using a variety of means including..flow valves or nozzles ^' 590. Cas shown-in . 5 Fig. 7) _. on all--or-.selected apertures.50 . - ^" ;

Recapitulating the practice and process here in¬ volved, fluid, a gaseous fluid such as air, -is directed from the riser ducts-or ducts 290 C29 a and 29 b) whether supplied thereto from _ dedicated air-conditioning system 0 in the supra module housing 275 or, illustratively, the supply duct_50.7__of_ a building system. The fluid is then fire damper closure- assembly - means 53Q-, through orifices- in the supra .module partition . . _ 274 to the manifold 521 and into the rack assembly supply 5 conduits or connecting rack assembly-conduits 509. to the _

O H

legs ^' 504 and ribs 505 subject to opening of the junction flow dampers 570 arrayed desirably at each interconnection of rib and leg, and normally at the entry* from the. leg in-r to the rib, so that _. no-junction flow dampers _are present ^* 5 along the more or less vertical length of the rack legs, although provision therefor may be made as desired and emission of fluid therefrom through the apertures 506 con-s¬ trolled and ^' modified-by the flow dampers or.damper plates in or optionally on the exterior of the leg and rib walls, 10 The flow valves-or nozzles 59.Q may also -be employed for fluid emission control-from the-orifices 506 ^" . In addition, the rack may be sealed and provide a continuous closed fluid system, —----- -- ^{■ '} - .- -

The fluid gas-or -air emitted -to the_interior of _ 15 the transaction processing enclosure 200.moves about and contacts the apparatus- 230 resident i nthe enclosure which normally generates heat, when in use, at a substantial . rate. The-remitted.,fluid _. provides the ventilatIon_and ... ... environmental conditions essential to proper maintenance _20 and performance of electronic apparatus particularly when maintained In a relatively confined space.-- As the equip¬ ment in the. enclosure generates heat, and the temperature outside of the -rack -201 and within the. enclosure 200 is generally above, that of the rack, ^' :the "flow-or air once 25 disseminated ^* from the rack into the enclosure is-upward.

The circulation and upward flow of the gaseous ^{'" '} . fluid atmosphere, warmed and rising, may. be accelerated by-a vacuum pump or suction blower 601 disposed, illus¬ tratively, in the supra-modular housing 2.75. In any event, 30 the air is withdrawn from the enclosure 201 through the apertures of.the upper module of rotation plate 280 and the upper modul .partition 224 at a point- JE points In -„ _. . the latter----where-gases:.pass into and _. through an exhaus fire damper assembly 600 and exhaust conduit 527 and thence 35out of the enclosure 2Q0, or, alternatively, recycled

through the dedicated environmental control unit 599, The exhaust fire damper assembly 6Q0 Is operated in a manner similar to those assemblies 524 described with respect to gas or air Intake into the rack assembly 201 from the riser ducts 290. The exhaust fire damper is open, nor¬ mally, and is activated to a closed position ordinarily* in the event of fire or other emergency adversely affect¬ ing the flow, content and temperature of gases to or -from the enclosure 20.0, The fire damper assemblies, of which that shown dlagrammatically and designated ^* 6 ^" Q0 -is IHUST- - trative, .may also-include variable speed fans to assure the proper flow* of air, to accelerate the flow- thereof in the exhaust ^' -direction ^" and to obviate reverse flow-.

As noted, the exhaust flow dampers ^" 600 are ^' connec- ted to a ^" duct system ^" similar to that employed ^" In ^'' moving ^* the gaseous fluids into -the supra-modular housing ^" 275, ^" that is, a ^" riser duct or return connection duct 7 or a plurality σf-such ducts and Into -the-return duct 528-of,- for example, a return air system In a central building or room air-conditioning system, or alternatively, from the return duct or-a plenum ^" directly into ^" a-small, dedicated air-conditioning and humidity control unit, as discussed elsewhere herein or, Indeed, simply lnt ^* o ^" the atmosphere surrounding the-enclosure 2Q0. - ^' - ^" - ^" A pluralit^ ^' όf transaciton processing rack ^" assembly enclosures 1Q, such as shown in Fig, 4, may ^' be supplied with a controlled atmosphere by one or more small dedi¬ cated heat, ventilation and air-conditioning units 602. Using a plurality of rack assembly supply conduits 509 connected at ^" different points to a rack assembly 201, several air-conditioning or other fluid supply units may also suppl ^"r several- portions of one"Or-several ile-gs or ribs of a rack ^" witϊπdi fe ^' ring atmospheres-td ^" -b ^" e distributed Into different pieces of equipment ^" in the -several ^" dif er- ent areas, segments or compartments of the enclosure 2QQ.

OMFI

and the plurality of data processing components distrlr buted throughout the rack. To effect this tiered or seg¬ mented aeration or gaseous fluid flow, the junction flow dampers 570 are desirably mounted to effect selective clo-

' 5 sure at a variety of points along the legs and ribs of the rack.

To the extent that there is no access to the am-*- bient atmosphere surrounding the transaction processing enclosures -10, the atmosphere, where a-dedicated air-

10 conditioning- and humidifying ujit Is Involved, may simply be recirculated for indefinite periods of time, - This

7 system of recycling is preferred for many purposes, since the use of fresh.ari, that is available from the ambient atmosphere, requires .use. of additional energy--supplies for

15 filtration and adjustment of the temperature and humidity of the incoming-ambient, atmosphere, - _ -

Of advantage in using a dedicated air-conditioning apparatus* is ^* that it may be made to-respond to -the -parti¬ cular needs of an enclosure most efficiently and economi-

2D cally. _ Thus_,_an enclosure so.equipped will thus respond ^* to, and need_qnly be sufficient to meet,' the requirement engendered hy__£he heat of the particular data processing components 230., for-exa ple, and .other -support equipment within the enclosure within the enclosure 20Q together

25 with any temporary changes In temperature or humidity In- . troduced b -air fronthe exterior when said data processing equipment enclosure is opened as well as those usually minimal or gradual in temperature caused by heat exchange through the housing member partitions.and-closure means of 0 the rack, enclosure 20.0., .This latte _source of heat exr- ehange ^* Is- significantly reduced or eliminated-through use of refractory _L ComposIte panels, as- escribed-;In -a copending applicatlon-o -.which the applicant herein Is one of-the inventors, entitled "Refractory Composite Panels and Panel 5 Systems", U.S. Patent Application Serial No. £12,974, filed

-32.-

June 5, 1978, the disclosure of which is incorporated by- reference herein. This latter application- discloses a preferred enclosure housing formed of a composite laminate with thermal and humidity barrier properties and the like ^' for use in the enclosures of the invention.

The rack itself is usually contructed of steel, alu minum, alloys thereof other conventional relatively inflex ible tubing materials or; indeed, of the foregoing laminat To support and maintain the electronic data process ing components at various positions within the rack 201, a variety of attachment and support means are employed, In¬ cluding, for example, trays, platforms or receptacles. Means for supporting electronic data processing equipment 230 components or valuable documents and the like may be disposed on the legs 504 as well as on the ribs 505 of the rack 201. An illustrative equipment support unit 6l0 is shown in Fig. 9 wherein the unit 610 comprises the suport base or tray 612, side walls 6l4 and flanges 6l6. The unit 610 is mounted at its opposite ends by means of terminal flanges or tongues 606 horizontally disposed tracks 618 formed on the horizontal ribs 505 to which they may be affixed ^' -by clips or stop elements 620 or confined at the opposite ends of each .flange 6θ6 ^" by the adjacent vertical legs. - The tray may also be mounted on the rack by simply placing the flanges over the horizontal ribs or reach bars 05 of the rack 201, as well as abutting thelegs 505 at either end as described hereinabove. The tray 612 may also have upwardly extending protuberances Cnot shown) on its sufrace to support a piece of equipment such.as.data processing component 230 Cshown dlagrammatlcally) ^" in spaced relation to the tray surface. The entire tray is perforated in a ^" preferred embodiment, ^" in ^" any event, to allow access to circulating gases emitted from-'the rack and to better en- ^' able the heated atmosphere about the component 503 to be removed from the enclosure 200.. The foregoing protuberances

SUBSTITUTE SH

facilitate circulation through the perforate tray 612.

Shelves 630 attached to only one margin or rib 505 may also be employed such as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Thes shelves may be conveniently bolted or-threadedly engaged als

' 5 by means of screws through certain of the apertures pro¬ vided in the ribs 505. The shelves 630 may be telescoped to accommodate a variety of sizes of equipment while pro¬ viding the minimally required shelf space and thus minimal obstruction to the movement of gases in the enclosure.

10 These shelves.63Q are normally perforated as well for this. purpose.. - ^* - _ _ ■ _-_ -- - ^. . -. .

It is also within the -scope of this invention to in clude carrousel or-turntable rack_201_to conveniently _^ st r-e_ _r an_d__catalogue suc valuable documents ^* 5 and information as computer, disks and tapes, and solid- state memory: devices -including R.0.M__ and "bubble" memory storage devices as well as_critical files, securities .and th -like.- _- _ ~ ;-=-_-,_ ___. - __- -

Control means may-=-be- integrated- ith said rack to D effect the categorizing of the Information -or documents contained therein and adapted,with means to automatically store or retrieve said information -or -documents,. -

The cables 634 that occur.as a necessary incident to electronic data processing equipment and the like _ 5 stored for operation within the rack enc-losure__10 includ¬ ing those components supplying power to the-data process¬ ing apparatus In the rack- 2Q1 and those adapted to communi¬ cate between the component≤..present In the rack are accom¬ modated In _. accordance with-the .Invention_-by means .of the 0 cable retention and _. control means 638 Illustrated parti¬ cularly In Figs. l,r3,-5 and-6, ._- _ - - ---. _- -- - - _. -

The-foregoing—equipment cables_634_are.adapted in a preferred embodiment-tc^pass .between.the -interior.o ^-the -— enclosure 10.where it _. Is _. connected to the contained equip- 5 ent components and the booth exterior, for example, to a

n xrrr

power source through one or more axially disposed conduits an upper or lower conduit, 642 and 644 respectively. The upper cable conduit 640 defines a path through the supra module partition 274 and housing 275 emerging into a hung ^• 5 ceiling or other environment exterior to the enclosure 10. The equipment cables 63 contained in the hung ceiling, fo example, through which they pass or from a power source 60 or communication center, -enter the outer open end 642 of the conduit 640 and emerge at the inner end thereof 644 10 into the enclosure ^' -200 passing directly to and thorugh the cable retention means or holding ring 636 of the calbe re¬ tention and control means 638. The retention means 636 is mounted upon a leg 5Q4, or preferabl -for many purposes a rib 505', and.serve to orient the entering cables in a slac 5 clustered engagement from which they pass to the cable ^{' '} . binding ring 646 having preferable an adjustable diameter and formed of a smooth, strong material of generally non- eroding character, which may be firm or a resilient, or _ soft, pliant material such as rubber, or the like. The _ ^Q cable binding ring 646 is secured to a spring or other ten¬ sion control device 65 and the latter, in one embodiment is attached to._a connecting or tension cable cord 648, -„ ^• __. The cord is desirably mounted metered out of an automated tension control means 652 and a spring ^" 654 to assure the 5 desired tension on the calbe 63 in the- cable binding ring 646. A spring alone 654, or,' ^' .indeed, a motor device, may be employed eliminating use of the tension control means 652 and tension cable or cord 648. The tension control means 652 is mounted or a rib 505 and disposed vertically below- that to which the calbe retention menas 638 is se- _* - cured. The equipment cables 634 are next routed to a yoke assembly ^" 660 mounted convenientely adjacent the holding - ring 636 on the same rib-- ^~ CL5 or one disposed at the same level, although the particular level Is-not narrowly cri- tical, so long as it is on the same side of the cable

binding ring or hook 646 as the holding ring 636 so that the cables 634 in passing to the yoke-assembly will pass through the holding ring 636 and through or over the bind¬ ing or hook 6 _,_ back through the holding ring in a direc- tion opposite to that in which the cables passed through the ring 636 in their initial passage from the conduit 640 and thence to the yoke 660.

It will be evident that a second holding ring 636 may be used to contain the cables in their return from the binding ring or iool 636 enroute to the _. _yoke assembly 660, and thence through which the cables pass to the Individual equipment components 230. The clustered cables are sepa¬ rated and held in- fixed engagement..by the _. yoke 660,

The controlled metering and,orderly distribution of the cables within_the rack assembly enclosure_.ΪQ_is signi¬ ficant in preservation of the_cable,_prevention_qf.the tangling thereof,_and, ^~ _with itS_concomitant efficiency,_ is particularly_important__in jpermittIng use of a reduced area for distribution and maintenance of a.maximum number of data,processing or other, equipment components, within the enclosure _. -:10. _ This facet of the_present invention is particularly significant In_ order._to_provide limited or a- single ^" access means to ^" the enclo_sure_whic is accom¬ plished in a preferred embodiment by means of a turntable 244 such as described elsewhere.herein, _ _

The metering and distribution of equipment cables as described hereinabove has particular reference to those cables 63 entering the rack enclosure 10 through the upper cable conduit 640. _

S W.I11 be evident that the equipment .cables 634 may be fed alternatively or.simultaneously- from a power source or the-l.Ike through a building -floor, underneath-. the enclosure.1Q as jshown-inrrFIg.- _f 3.-and enter the__enclo- sure through the lower cable .conduit 642 passing in like manner ^" to that described hereinabove and sequentially to

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

a retention means or holder 636 binding ring 660 and back through the holder after forming a cable loop and passing thence to the yoke assembly 660 and equipment ocmponents 230. The use of cable distribution means and entry there into of cable at both ends of the enclosure 10 Is useful where a large number of cables 634 and components 230 are introduced into the enclosure ^' 10,

The yoke. assemblies 660 are panels containing a plurality of orifices 662 of adjustable diameter. The panel is, in each instance, .constructed of firm,- resilient material having -high dielectric strength such as rubber or plastics. The diameter of the panel orifices 662 may be fixed and- ^" Of-standard size in which--case, however,- -- - caulking compound,---such ^" -as- sill-cone--rubbery.may -ber-.s cur-ed about the surfaee ^* "-of theycable--63 -a -the ^' orifIce-^6-2 to - ^* assure fixed ^" engagement of- he cable therein.

The -αse-όf the automated tension -control means 652 is particularly-preferred, where the rack is..mounted, on a turntable 244_--so ^" that ready adjustment to th -variations in tension on the cable -634 and the!need for increased lengths of cable 63 - Cor diminution ^" thereof)' ay-be- eadil accommodated:. _. For- his purpose, sensor means- (not shown) are conveniently incorporated in-the tension ^" - control -means ^* 652, which may he- adjustable. — ^* - - . _-. - - - The foregoing-sensor or detector means -comprises, desirable, an electrical circuit or mechanical trans- ^■ -- ^* - mission known to those skilled in this-art. The control tension metering bf the devide 654 is integrated with means to extend and retract the spring 6 4 and tension cable 648 or other appropriate means known to those skilled In the _art to release or take up- the slack, of the cable loops in _. response to the rotation- of the rack... 2Q1, or where_ >o adapted movement, of the. rack assembly laterally on an extensible ramp of the turntable 244 o the enclosure floor or base 284 through the enclosure

₁ ____£? _

access means to the enclosure exterior. It is also feasr-* ible to raise and lower the turntable 244 and rack 2Q1 if desired and described elsewhere herein,

A rack assembly mount or turntable 244 adjusted to vertical movement and Incorporating a slidable extension component 680 upon which the rack 201 is disposed is shown particularly in Figs. 3_ 10 and 11.

The enclosure for containment of the rack assembly 201 may also be constructed in the manner shown in Fig. 13 of United States patent 4,121,523 and described -therein. nd. incorporated by reference herein in which the upper module rotation plate 280 of the patent Crendered perforate) is present and the rotatable shaft 276, also of the patent, is made hol ow for the-purpose of serving as a cable con¬ duit 640 in the manner shown, for example, in Fig. 3 of ^~ the drawings herein. Arcuately shaped orifices Cnot shown) - may, in this instance, usually of up to 180° may be formed in the rotation plate 280 to accommodate rotation of the plate 280 of the patent, without -toinging upon the rack assem- bly supply ducts 509-or the like, as shown in Fig. 3 hereof.

The- rack assembly mount or turntable 244 is composed of a statIonary_platform component 690 and a slidable plat- - form component 692; the two components -having a coplanar horizontal alignment. The stationary platform 69O is fbimsd of two lateral wings 694 ^" forming opposite borders of the rack assembly mount 244 and an intermediate ^" tongue 696 ex¬ tending outwardly from a common base 6 8 in parallel align¬ ment with the two foregoing wings 6 4. The common base 698 of the stationary platform 690 forms a third margin of the turntable connecting those provided by the two wings 6£4. ^" The tongue 696 extends forward sufficiently to encompass the orifice 696 which defines passage for the lower cable conduit 700 and the axle.702 for support, and optional rotation of the assembly mount or turntable 244 thus preventing occlusion of the axle or centrally positioned assembly mount support means 702 or shearing of the cables

634 entrained within the cable conduit 700 at their point of entry Into the enclosure 10. Irone embodiment, as show in Fig 11, the base member 698, wings 6£4 and tongue 696 are interconnected on the bottom surface of the platform 690 to provide a supporting tray 708 for the extensible paltform 692. The ovalbe or extensible platform 692 com¬ prises a body 710 and two lateral arms 712 adapted for fitted engagement on and about the tongue 696 and between the offsets or recesses of the wings 6 of the stationary platform. The two arms 712 and the body 710 of the exten¬ sible platform 692 are adapted to seat the rack assembly 201, as shown illustratively in ^' Fig. 3, where the ribs 505 and legs 50.4 are mounted along the length of the arms 712 and the body 71Q. As shown in Fig, 3 the rack 201 omits an interconnecting leg across the base 698 of the assembly mount or turntable, although one may be present so long as it is removed from contact with the surface of the base 698 or tongue 6_l6 so that the rack 201 can move freely on the extensible platform 6£2 as it is moved laterally away from its fitting aburment with the stationary platform 690. The. lateral or outer margins o ^" the body 710 and arms 712 are adapted_for slidable engagement illustratively by provision of a track or channel on the inner abutting mar¬ gins of the wings .694. ^" The outer margins of the body and arms are provided witn continuous shoulders or flanges 720 that fit in the foregoing channels to provide the extens¬ ible interaction between the stationary £Q) and movable C6 2I platform components.

The extension of the slidable platform 692 of the rack assembly mount or turntable 244 laterally is controlle by manual, mechanical or electrical means or combinations thereof.

Offsets or recesses 693 are conveniently provided along the channels or tracks of the arms 6£4 of the inex- tensible or stationary platform 6 0 to abut with stop ele¬ ments or detents 6£5 provided along the lateral margins of

the wings 712 of the laterally movable platform 692 to pre¬ vent uncontrolled movement or separation of the segments 690 and 692 of the assembly mount 244 from one another. This arrangement is most effective where the platform seg- ments are formed of a resilient material.

The free outlet margin 722 of the body 710 of the ex¬ tensible platform 692 may be constructed to register with the terminal borders 726 of the wings 694 of the stationary platform component 690, and support tray 708. The exten- slble paltform may be secured in registry with the support tray 708 and wings 6£4 by any standard means, such as a hinged spring steel clip 730. shown In Fig. 11 or by locking the drive engagement means of the extensible platform 69.2, As described elsewhere herein, the turntable 244 is perform ated to provide for free flow of gaseous fluids within the rack assembly enclosure 10. This Is accomplished where ex¬ tensible 6£2 and inestensible 6£Q components are present by having the perforations 697 Cshown illustratively in Figs, 1 and 31 of the two platforms in registry when the extensible platform 6£2 is in enclosed abutting relation to the inextensible platform 6£Q the normal state except during repair.or maintenance of equipment 23Q in one embodiment of. the invention.

The rack assembly mount or turntable 244 is mounted upon the axle 702 by means of the intermediate tongue 696 of the laterally Inextensible or stationary platform 690. The tongue Is mounted about the upper terminal periphery of the axle 702 and provides the orifice 699 for the lower conduit 700 contained within and formed by the axle 702 as described elsewhere herein.

The axle 702 which forms part of a platform or turn¬ table support assembly 739 is adapted for rotation by stan¬ dard mechanical or ^' electrical means, or even manually, or a combination of the foregoing, that will Include provision for adjustment of the height of the turntable 244, as well, in a preferred embodiment. The axle 702 may be formed of a

1 01091

- 7-

plurallty of telescoping tubular components for this pur¬ pose. The axle and ^" its components are sufficiently stron in any event, to support the equipment likely to be mount upon the rack assembly 201 seated on the turntable 244, i •5 eluding, illustratively, one or more electronic equipment components or mainframe computer apparatus with the outer sheath removed, ranging in weight up to five hundred to six hundred pounds and indeed several thousand pounds or m In a preferred embodiment, shown seml-diagrammatical 10. in Fig. 10, vertical adjustment of the support axle 702, a the rack assembly 201 and turntable 244, is secured by mea of a hydraulic jack assembly 740, This assembly includes standard hydraulic cylinder 1 mounted about the axle 702 The hudraulic cylinder 7 l is connected to a pressure tran 5 ducer 742 by means of the calbe 743. The transducer may include, for example, a hydraulic or gas actuating cylinde and pressure release assembly and may be operated manually, by means of the foot pedal 7 4 as shown illustratively in Fig. 10, Where manual operation of the jack assembly is 0 contemplated, particularly, the actuating means, such as the pedal 744 and associated hydraulic and pressure releas system are mounted conveniently on the floor 284 of the en closure 20Q ^" in proximity to the enclosure access means. Electrical, electromechanical or other standard means of operation may be integrated to effect not only vertical adjustment but rotation of the axle 702 and turntable 244 may be provided exclusively within the enclosure 200 or adapted to operate by a control means disposed outside of and remote from the enclosure 2Q0, The rotation of the turntable may, when present, be effected by means completely severed from those used for vertical adjustment of the rack assembly 2Q1,

Keans for securing the rack assembly 2Q1 and the turntable 244 and axle 702 on which they are disposed in turntable 244 and axle 702 on which they are disposed in fixed position with respect to rotary movement thereof is

∞CT

also incorporated in the practice of the present Invention, Thus, as shown with particular reference to Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings, there is disposed in spaced relatio to the under surface of the inextensible platform 690 and about the axle 702, but In a fixed position free of engage¬ ment therewith, a rotary control plate 750 Incorporating a spring biased bolt 752 mounted, in the upper surface of the plate 750 and adapted to be received In the recesses 754 mounted radially about and at a like distance from, the axle 7Q2. ^* This ^" arrangement permits the bolt 752 to be re¬ leased and received in any predetermined recess 754 in the course of rotation of the plate 750, staying the rotation of the turntable 244 together with the rotary ^"" movement of the axle 7Q27 ^{" "} When ^" the bolt 752 is withdrawn ^" from a recess 754 against the orce ^~ of the spring"7 the turntaDle-24 ^* 4 will rotate In response to "the rotary movement of the axle 702. The holt 752 is retracted in the embodiment shown in- Fig, 10 by manual activation of the foot pedal 758 which communicates -with the plate 750 and bolt 75 oy means of the cable contained in the structural support member 760 using conventional electrical circuitry although a variety of other mechanical and- electromechanical means may- be supplied. The ^" plate Is maintained in position by a-plural¬ ity of structural members, two of which-770, 771 appear in Fig, 1Q, Normally three or four generally evenly spaced legs or members secured to the floor 284 at one end and to the sides of the plate assembly 75Q are employed.

To otherwise prevent ^" rotation of the turntable 244 in excess of l8θ° which is ordinarily unnecessary and tends to induce tangling and undue extension of equipment cables ^' and damage or at ^' least significantly less ef ective utilization of the suppl ^ cts 507 snd return ducts 5Q9 and the like, in any event, the plate 7 0 -±s -provided with rotary control arms 7 ^β Q as shown In Fig. 11, These arms 76Q radiate from the rotary control plate 750 and terminate Inupwardly directed fingers or stops 762 adapted to interrupt downwardly dis- -

posed stops or detents 764 projecting at suitable intervals from the bottom of the platform 690. In one embodiment, the control arms 760 are attached to the palte 750 or about the axle in such a manner as to provide for rotation to a variety of fixed positions so that, for example, arcs of less than 180° in rotation of the turntable 244 can be secured as desired.

A further and modified embodiment of the rack assem¬ bly enclosure _^ 10 of the invention is shown in Fig. 12. In the assembly of this latter embodiment, the rack enclosure 10 or a plurality thereof are incorporated in an article of furniture constituting, in the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 12, a tiered work station 770 -incorporating a plu¬ rality of enclosures 200 of reduced size in ^" each of which is mounted a rack .201 slidably mounted on an extensible perforate (697) table or platform 244a. -

The rack enclosures 10 or enclosures 200 and at least one compartment -containing at least one enclosure are dis¬ tributed in _plurallty of tiers; for example, at least one upper tier 77 recessed from the work surface or table top 778; and, illustratively, at least one lower tier 780, usually one tier,-disposed beneath the table top. Compart¬ ments ^" and the _. like for retention qf ^' boods ^" , papers and the like may also _. be provided, Attached to the work station 770,--at its sides and along its tack preferably where they do not impair access to the various enclosures 10 and 20Q are the posts 782 at least one and usually several of which are hollow and serve generally the purposes accomplished by the supra mo- dular housing 275, and the riser ducts 2£0 and cable conduit 640 disposed therein, of the rack assembly enclosure 10 of Fig. 3. The osts are attached to the ^" ceiling where used for this purpose and -to define entry into the -ceiling, for example, a conventional hung ceiling, of the facility where the transaction work table 770 is installed to permit inter¬ connection with the heat, ventilation and air-conditioning

system and supply and return ducts therein or a dedicated system directed to _. the needs of the unit 770 or a plurality ^; thereof. The_unit 770:, in the manner, provided with respect to the rack assembly enclosure 10 of Figs, l to 11 may in- - 5 corporate safety and security systems such as fire detectio and fire supression means and the like; and will incorporat emergency access to alternate sources of power and access.

It will ^' be evident that the number of such posts isnot critical nor is the number of recesses or the length and 10 number of the tiers in the work station 770.

Computer terminals 230 are, in one embodiment, conven¬ iently maintained for ready access in the enclosures 200 of the upper tier of console section 774 of the unit 770 where¬ as other data processing components not providing readouts 15 or the like are to be maintained in the rack assemblies 201. incorporated, generally, in the lower tier 780.

Either or indeed additional tiers may, however, contain the computer terminals, diminutive computers or micro-com¬ puters or the other and well-known components, illustratively, ^" 2_0 of a microcomputer system. The enclosures of the unit 7 0 are, generally, more diminutive, in any event, where used in the work station 770 than those comtemplated herein with respeet to the rack enclosure.1Q of Figs, 1 to 11 and have, additionally and usually, a modified closure means 224 Cand 25225 where present), to occlude the access means 786,

The closure means 224 may be slidable, flexible and - segmented and paired to meet at or near the center of the access means or be formed of a single element that closes at the side. The components of the closure means are most 30 desirably adapted to recede into slideways Cnot shown) arrayed on each, or one side or above each enclosure depend¬ ing, illustratively, whether, respectively, apaired or single closure means is employed. A closure means 224 may also be adapted to encompass several enclosures in a single tier -or 5 multiple tiers inwhieh the access means of the several tiers are in vertical alignment but this approach is ordinarily

-51-

significantly less preferred in that while it permits a certain economy of construction it will permit unnecessary exposure to the atmosphere of equipment contained In en¬ closures to which access Is not required. It Is of course 5 feasible to provide an over-all closure means 225 for each enclosure 2QQ and, in addition, provide a removable Inspectio plate to access means requiring infrequent use.

An outer transparent closure means 224 and inner impac resistant, opaque heat refractive closure means 225 is also desirable so that by retraction of the Inner closure means 225 the necessary observations can be made of the equipment housed In the rack assembly enclosure 1Q or enclosure 200 without opening ^* the enclosure to the ambient atmosphere. The closure means 224, and where present 225, may be opened and closed manually using conventional handles 800 or be monitored and controlled mechanically or electrically. The closure means, and indeed the housing and construc¬ tion of each enclosure 2Q0 is that described elsewhere here¬ in with reference to Figs, 1 to 11 hereof and as described in U.S. patent 4,121,523 and In copending application Serial No. 952,782 filed October 1£, 1978 of which this application Is a continuation—in-partj In copending appll-r cation Serial ^" No, £12,£74 filed June 5, 1978 and copending application Serial No,- 102,552 filed December 12, ^' 197£ by the inventor herein and another, all of which are in¬ corporated by reference herein.

Similarly, the rack 201 with its generally vertical legs 504 and usually horizontal reach bars or ribs 50 are arrayed, as well, in the manner and with the possible vari- ations, and using the materials described above with reference to the embodiments of the invention of Figs, 1 to 11 hereof.

The duct system including the rack assembly supply ducts 50 shown in Fig, 12_are in like manner included into a system incorporating supply connector ducts 2£Q, The enclosure Includes return conduits 527 as, and in the man- : ner described, in Figs, 1 to 11 and including the components

SUSSTlTU i E on- ^f c ⁱ TWΪ _F Q ^** & ^/ DN» ,A. .T _^

of the supra modular housing 275 mounted on or through the perforate housing partition 27 thereof.

The work station 770 may include cable retention con¬ trol and metering means as well (not whocn) which with the fluid supply and return means are integrated in each tier into a generally horizontal collection conduit 790 which connects with the vertical collection ducts 792 formed in certain or all of the posts 782 mounted on the unit 770. These latter ducts 792 join collection ducts 527 to define passage into ^" the hung ^" ceiling 286 and are distributed there through in the manner shown, for example, in Fig, 4 hereof, in one embodiment of the ^* invention.

The rack assemblies—201 and- contained equipmen -230 shown illustratively in- the lower tier 78O ^~ Of Fig, 12 or ': the contaIned ^"~ eqιιipment Itself as shown -again ^" illustrat-" ^" ively and seml-diagrammatically, in the upper tier 774 of the unit 770 are ^" ad apted ^~ to ^~ linear--extentlόή through the access means 786 of each enclosure for maintenance, inspec¬ tion, repair and the like on the laterally extensible ^""" plat- form 224a, an operation made possibleb^ the flexible charac ter of the duct ^' s 509, and the tracks 794 or other means of transport such as ball bearings mounted upon the enclosure _b ase 284. ^~ ^~ - - - --- ^* - -_ _ _ - . - -

^* It is noted that, ^" as with the embodiments ^" of Figs. 1 to 11 the ^" system ^" _of fluid supply and" cable ^" management In¬ volved in retention-andoperation of the electronic data processing equipment 230-within the several enclosures 10 can be transmitted through the ^" conduits 790 and 782 to the space provided ^" underneath the floor of the facility or building in which the work station is located; and to power supply and fluid, for example, heat, ventilation, and air- conditioning ducts or dedicated air-conditioning units lo¬ cated therein ^" ,-or ^' adjacHht thereto, — - —

A dedicated heating, ventilating ^" and air-conditioning or other atmospheric control unit 59£ such as shown seml- diagrammatically In Fig, ^" 1 incorporated within the rack

assembly enclosure 10 may also be included in the work station 770 of Fig. 12.

As previously described, the flow of air or other at¬ mosphereito the rack assemblies 201 -of the various rack 5 assembly enclosures 10 is provided through supply connec¬ tion ducts or plenums 290 as shown in Fig, 12 to rack as¬ sembly supply ducts 509. The air or other atmosphere cir¬ culated through the legs 504 and ribs 505 of the rack 2 ^Q 1 in each instance and exposed to the various data pro-* 0 cessing equipment- components 230, is returned to the atmos- ^* - phereic control unit 599 through return conduits or ple¬ nums 527, Integrated within the work station housing 770 and connected to -the atmospheric control-uniti

In a preferred ^" embodiment, the ^" atmospheric ^" control 5 unit Is adapted to function as a heat exchange unit, ^" re¬ moving the heat generated by-the electronic equipment 230. returned in-the-atmosphere flowing through ^" the return- con¬ duits or plenums ^~ -5 7- nd reconditioning it- or -flow return through ducts or plenums 290. No "fresh ^*1 or external air Q i _s required within this system because no human occupant is required within the -closed- system of the word station 770 or enclosure 10, .-Only heat loads generated by the equipment 230 housed therein need be removed by the atmos¬ pheric control unit'599, achieving a significant advantage in the efficient.use of energy. As described elsewhere ^' - ^* - herein, the heat so generated may be released to the sur¬ rounding room environment or Into the central building return system. —

Also, as described hereinabove, the recycled heat received by the atmospheric control unit 599 Is released into the surrounding room environment or into the central building return system. . _--- - -. ^" .

The enclosures IQ may have, a plurality-of access and closure means, such as shown in Fig, 4, some of which are adapted to provide optimal access -for operation thereof and others to--prσvide optimal service access to the data

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

processing components 230 disposed therein.

Due to the requirements for prevention of the trans¬ mission of electromagnetic energy from data processing system components disposed within the work station 770 and indeed the free standing enclosure 10, especially in the radio frequency band, the use of adequate shielding and attenuation sustems within these modules is of great im¬ portance as described in copending United States applica¬ tion Serial No. 102,552 filed December 11, 1979 by the in- ventor herein and application Serial No. filed on even date herewith by the same inventor as a continuation- in-part of application Serial No. 102,552. The use of the composite panel system described therein, to ^* -form the housing members of the work station 7 0 and the enclosure 10, aas the desirable properties of providing a barrier to the transmission of electromagnetic energy as well as to insulate and protect the interior of the enclosure against high temperature conditions. In addition, the insulating properties of the composite panel still further Improves the energy efficiency of the rack enclosure 10 described herein.

The transmission of computer or electronic communi-r cations, signal and power cables in and out of the enclo- sure ^' .lQ and work station 770. is of special importance since the conduit or cable entry areas providedin these enclo¬ sures are otherwise very vulnerable to penetration by hos¬ tile environmental pollutants such as hot gases, smoke par¬ ticles, flames and water. The -means to protect these inter¬ faces, using intumescent gasket materials is described in the aforesaid copending application Serial No, 102,552 filed December 11, 1979, and the foregoing continuation- in-part application thereof filed on even date herewith, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, It will be evident that In addition, or as an alter¬ native to electronic data processing equipment, all manner

OMPI π>o

of other sensitive equipment and valuable documents and records may be retained inteh enclosures 10 and work stations 770 incorporating these enclosures.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there ^' Is 5 mounted about the periphery of the under surface of the - , supra modular partition 274 a plurality of folded shrouds 850 made of a flame retardant fabric encased In a release capsule (not. shown) or simply retained by a latch assembly 852 adapted to retain the shroud or shrouds in a compact 0 and folded state ready for release in response to security or environmental needs, as .shown, more particularly, In Figs. 1, 13 and 14. The shroud Is adapted for release from the capsule or latch assembly 852 to form a curtain (not shown) in response to a monitored control remote from the enclosure 10 or automatically in response to, for example, a sudden or significant rise in temperature or as the re- . ^' - suit of impinging liquid or contaminating particulate matter In the air such as in the case of smoke. The shrouds are adapted to fall about the outside of the rack assembly 201 and within the enclosing walls and closure means of the enclosure 200, The shrouds, where a plurality are ^* used, are ^" so-positioned that the lateral borders of the released shrouds will be in contiguous or overlapping relation. ^" " The latch assembly 852 is adapted to release the shroud cover 850 to fall around the rack 201 under the con¬ ditions described hereinabove. ^" The latch assembly 852 may be actuated by a variety of means apparent to one skilled in the art including manual, mechanical, pneumatic, elec- trlcal means, or combinations thereof In one preferred e - bdlment of which, the latch would incorporate a solenoid system adapted to pull the shroud holding element or latch 852 from a friction catch fastener Cnot shown) on the op¬ posite end of the latch of holding element assembly 852, In any event, the holding element may be fitted eith end ^' fasteners which are adapted to attach it to the friction catch and solenoid.

-56-

The shroud may be composed of a variety of materials adapted to resist the penetration of heat, water and the like, Including but not limited to a mylar film, alone or in -a.significantly preferred combination In a bonded lami- nate with a furtehr insulating ply formed of a flexible bonded ceramic fibrous material such as described in the copending applications of one of the Inventors herein and another, application Serial No. £12,974 filed June 5, 1978, application Serial No, 102,552 filed December 12, 1979, and the continuation-in-part of this later application filed on even date herewith, and incorporated by reference herein.

Teh shroud cover 850 may he left covering the equipment in one embodiment and folded away to provide service access or automatically released from a compact, folded or rolled state to cover the rack 201 in the event of an abnormal or emergency condition such as fire or flood.

The shroud retaining element, or tetaining bond, or latch.852 is adapted to hold the shroud in its compact state for emergency release as described above. The shroud retaining latch means 852 further comprises a retainingbank which may be a continuous member of intermittant bond or strap 854, holding the shroud cover 85Q at intervals. It may further comprise means for the release of saidretaining band 852 such as shown- in Figs, 13 and 14. The retaining bank may be fastened at one end to a spring loaded or fric¬ tion latch 856 adapted to release the end 85 of the retain¬ ing bank upon exertion of the appropriate force, The band 854, thus free, permits the shroud cover 850 to fall about the rack 201, A means of applying the appropriate force to the friction latch 856 may be provided, illustratively, by means of a solenoid 858, shown diagrammatically, attached to the opposite end 860 of the bank 854, Retraction of the solenoid 858 will thus exert a force upon the end fasteners or friction latch 825, transmitted through the bank 854. The solenoid can be replaced with an equivalent force- generating apparatus activated by electrical, hydraulic,

"gu SE

OMH

SUBSTITUTE SHEET ^ ^" ^ ro

mechanical or manual means obvious to one skilled in the art, The shroud cover 850 is preferebly made of a ^~ I1gfc weig_S pliable material which is water resistant and reflective - ^' of thermal energy. Among the materials which may be used include multiple ply composites or laminates , non-bonded multiple ply composites and single coπpαneπt fabrics of films as described in copending application Serial No. 102,552 filed Decem¬ ber 12, 1979 by the applicant herein and another and the copending application-in-part thereof filed on even date herewith. A signifl- cantly preferred material -is ^" a composite - comprisin -an outer, reflective foil ply - continuously or intermittantly bonded to at least one ply of ce amic fiber material preferably in a corss-woven-blanket"-fabric--or paper - form. - -The outer reflective =ply-=may -be-elght guage-r-alύmlnum or ^~ mylar sheet . In addition, the shroud cover may -be adapted ^" in two fluid-tight components which may be inflated to provide a tight seal against the -interior ^" of ^_ the houslng-2Q0 to resist ^¬ or prevent the entry of contaminates therein. In this em¬ bodiment , a rubberized., inflatable inner member may be added to ^" the significantly preferred embodiment described above. ^' A small ^{^} dedlcated source ^~ o gas such as air or nitro¬ gen may be self-contained within the enclosure to provide the requisite.- Inflation,- illustrated by ^"" the pneumatic resevoir 534-In ^" Fig. -! ^* ; ^~ - It will -he evident that the -ter s and expression- which - have been employed are ^" used as terms of description and not of limitation. " There-is no intention In the use of such terms ^"" and expressions of - excluding ^" equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed .

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_S U _BS TITUTE SHEET