CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[01] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/354,620, filed on June 24, 2016

Field of the Invention

[02] The present disclosure relates to high-density electronic equipment storage systems and electronic equipment storage management and more particularly relates to a system for removable storage units for electronic and non-electronic equipment that is placed in high-density electronic equipment racks.

Related Art

[03] Datacenters are designed and constructed to optimize power and cooling requirements for a plurality of electric components such as power supplies, memory units, network appliances and servers. Since their introduction into datacenters, most of these electric devices have been adapted to fit into rack mountable electronic equipment chassis. Rack mountable electric equipment chassis are typically constructed of steel sheet metal which adds considerable weight and mass to the overall electric component. In datacenters, the steel appliance chassis housing the electronic equipment are then mounted into standardized equipment racks.

[04] In general, equipment racks are produced in standard sizes such as "full height" that are approximately six feet in height, or "half high" racks that are approximately three feet in height. The equipment racks are designed to receive electronic appliances of variable height based upon a standardized scale referred to as the "Rack Unit", "RU" or "U", a unit of measure equal to 1.75 inches (44.45 mm). Thus, a standard full height 42U equipment rack could store forty-two 1 U, or twenty-one 2U electronic component appliance chassis. The 19" rack mounting fixture includes two parallel metal strips (commonly referred to as "posts", "panel mounts" and "rack rails") standing vertically. The posts are 0.625 inch (15.88 mm) wide, and are separated by a distance of 17.75 inches (450.85 mm) for the mounting of the electronic equipment chassis, thus providing a front plane appliance attachment width of 19 inches (482.6 mm) and effectively limiting the maximum width of equipment to 17.75" (450.85 mm) with a minimum height of 1 U or 1 .75 inches (44.45 mm).

[05] Known initially as "relay racks," electronic equipment racks were adapted by the computer industry from 19-inch switching and signaling equipment racks originally introduced by the telecommunications and railroad industry in the late 19th century. Electronic equipment racks initially included two posts and are, therefore, commonly known as "two-post racks." To accommodate larger electronic equipment, two sets of racks were implemented to support the front and back of larger electronic equipment chassis and are referred to as "four-post racks." Legacy datacenters were commonly constructed on a raised floor framework supporting 24" square removable floor tiles. Ultimately, four-post electronic equipment racks were integrated into steel box cabinets with a standardized width of 24" (600-610 mm) that also aligns with the layout of raised floor tiles. Legacy electronic equipment racks are typically 800 mm or 1000 mm in depth though specific depths vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The industry standard four-post racks commonly found in datacenters today are typically enclosed in a steel cabinet and positioned in rows on 24-inch centers.

[06] A difficulty of such a rack cabinet system is that the cabinet is typically shipped in assembled form with a significant cost of shipping at a fixed standard height to fit upright through the average door. This legacy equipment rack design effectively limits horizontal and vertical space utilization in the datacenter. It requires each 17.75-inch- wide stack of electronic equipment chassis to occupy a 24-inch width of horizontal floor space, and limits vertical space utilization to the height of the static equipment rack design, not the ceiling height or equipment density potential of the datacenter.

[07] Many other difficulties exist within current rack cabinet architectures. Although the typical rack cabinet is made of a steel or aluminum box frame construction for strength to handle the static loads of legacy rack mounted equipment, current design approaches add significant width and mass to the front profile and footprint of the rack cabinet without addressing the additional dynamic load requirements of modern high density equipment, specifically in potentially high-seismic-activity geographic regions. The current design limitations not only affect the size, but also the total mass of existing rack cabinet systems, significantly impacting material usage and floor space utilization while failing to meet the potential dynamic load requirements in seismically active areas. Inversely, the current seismically engineered and rated racks that are available to address modern dynamic load requirements extend the mass and material usage of steel or aluminum box construction even further. This adds even more weight, mass and cost to the rack cabinet system, without reducing the overall footprint, or increasing space utilization in the modern data center.

[08] An additional difficulty is that the electric equipment destined to be housed in the rack cabinet system is separately shipped to the data center where each individual component is unpacked and individually installed in the rack and electrically connected. This is very labor intensive and time consuming. Furthermore, revisions to the data center are equally labor intensive and time consuming because each individual electronic equipment must be unwired and uninstalled from the rack to upgrade or replace the rack equipment.

[09] Though much has changed in computing and telecommunications equipment over the past decades, there has been relatively little change in equipment rack design and to better address the densities and efficiencies of modern electronic equipment and how they are utilized. This not only affects the size, but also the total mass of existing rack cabinet systems, significantly impacting material usage and floor space utilization. As data centers adopt virtuahzation and cloud computing to achieve higher levels of efficiencies utilizing large arrays of dense homogeneous power-efficient equipment, the current art of rack cabinet equipment significantly limits more efficient datacenter designs as well as the utilization of space in existing facilities.

[10] Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that overcomes these significant problems found in the conventional systems as described above.

SUMMARY

[11] In order to solve the problems with the conventional systems, described herein is an integration cell that houses plural electronic equipment and can be inserted and removed from a modular electronic equipment storage rack. The integration cell is configured to support a plurality of electronic equipment units and provide a secure housing within which the electronic equipment units are secured. The housing additionally serves to protect the electronic equipment during shipment and provides a stable structure that is appropriately sized and shaped to be placed directly on a standard palette for shipping. This advantageously allows the data center to receive a pre-installed integration cell housing the desired number of electronic and nonelectronic equipment units that can efficiently be installed in the rack to allow for bulk installation of additional and/or replacement electronic equipment units.

[12] In one embodiment, the integration cell provides an improved and scalable datacenter configuration and allows plural electronic equipment units to be pre-installed in an integration cell by the electronic equipment provider and then shipped on a standard shipping palette to the datacenter. A significant advantage of the integration cell is the remote configuration and installation of electronic equipment units by the electronic equipment provider, which cannot be accomplished with conventional electronic equipment storage rack solutions. Advantageously, the integration cell is sized such that two integration cells can be secured on a single standard shipping palette. Additionally, the housing of the integration cell serves to align, anchor and position the electronic equipment units inside the integration cell and also serves to protect the electronic equipment units during transportation by land, sea or air.

[13] When an integration cell arrives at the datacenter site, the integration cell can be easily moved into the datacenter using standard doorways and/or elevators so that it can be installed into an electronic equipment storage rack. Integration cells can advantageously be stacked in an electronic equipment storage rack to allow for higher density of the electronic equipment units. When the integration cell is installed into an electronic equipment storage rack, it can be secured to the vertical and/or horizontal components of the storage rack with screws or other fasteners. Additionally, installation of the integration cell into the storage rack may be accomplished by a lifting mechanism (mechanical or electronic or some combination) that elevates the integration cell to the appropriate height and inserts the integration cell into an opening in the modular electronic equipment storage rack. [14] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[15] The structure and operation of the present invention will be understood from a review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[16] FIG. 1 is a front view diagram illustrating an example integration cell according to an embodiment of the invention;

[17] FIG. 2 is a side view diagram illustrating an example integration cell according to an embodiment of the invention;

[18] FIG. 3 is a top view diagram illustrating an example integration cell according to an embodiment of the invention;

[19] FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example integration cell according to an embodiment of the invention;

[20] FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example integration cell with an electronic equipment chassis according to an embodiment of the invention;

[21] FIG. 6 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example integration cell with plural electronic equipment chassis according to an embodiment of the invention;

[22] FIG. 7 is a front view diagram illustrating an example integration cell with plural electronic equipment chassis according to an embodiment of the invention;

[23] FIG. 8 is a front view diagram illustrating an example standard shipping palette that is an exemplary multimodal shipping unit loaded with plural integration cells with plural electronic equipment chassis according to an embodiment of the invention;

[24] FIG. 9 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack, which is an example of a high-density electronic equipment rack, according to an embodiment of the invention, having no integration cells;

[25] FIG. 10 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack partially filled with a single integration cell according to an embodiment of the invention;

[26] FIG. 1 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack completely filled with plural integration cells according to an embodiment of the invention; [27] FIG. 12A is a front view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack completely filled with plural integration cells according to an embodiment of the invention;

[28] FIG. 12B is a front view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack system completely filled with plural integration cells according to an embodiment of the invention;

[29] FIG. 12C is a front view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack system partially filled with plural integration cells according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[30] FIG. 13 is a side view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack completely filled with plural integration cells according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[31] Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide for an integration cell that can be pre-installed with plural electronic equipment remote from a datacenter and can be shipped on standard shipping palettes to the datacenter and inserted into a seismic electronic equipment storage rack. After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[32] FIG. 1 is a front view diagram illustrating an example integration cell 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the integration cell 10 comprises a housing 15 that includes a stopper flange 20A and 20B, wherein the stopper flange 20A and 20B contains a front planar surface referred to herein as an electronic equipment chassis mounting flange 21 A and 21 B. Each stopper flange 20A and 20B is positioned on the front of the integration cell 10. [33] The housing 15 has a plurality of functions. A first function may be to provide a structure within which one or more electronic or non-electronic equipment chassis can be inserted and secured to the electronic equipment chassis mounting flange 21 A and 21 B. An electronic or non-electronic equipment chassis can be secured to the electronic equipment chassis mounting flange 21 A and 21 B by one or more methods, including, but not limited to, mechanical and/or magnetic fasteners. A second function is to facilitate installation into a seismic electronic equipment storage rack. A third function may be to facilitate modality and to protect the contents of the one or more electronic equipment chassis during land, sea or air transportation from the location where the integration cell 10 is pre-installed with the one or more electronic equipment chassis to the datacenter location.

[34] Advantages of the integration cell 10 is that it allows remote installation and configuration (e.g., wiring) of plural electronic equipment by the provider of the electronic equipment and it allows bulk insertion and removal of plural pre-configured electronic equipment in a datacenter. Additionally, a plurality of optional fitments including, but not limited to, equipment mounting rails, shelf systems, wire management systems, cooling units, security doors and other sheet metal, extruded or molded fixtures can also be attached or otherwise coupled to meet the special requirements of any given implementation.

[35] The electronic equipment chassis mounting flange 21 A and 21 B provides a surface to engage a corresponding surface of an electronic equipment chassis when the electronic equipment chassis is installed in the integration cell 10 and allows the electronic equipment chassis to be secured to the integration cell 10.

[36] The stopper flanges 20A and 20B function to provide a surface to engage and secure a corresponding surface on an electronic equipment storage rack when the integration cell 10 is inserted into the electronic equipment storage rack.

[37] FIG. 2 is a side view diagram illustrating an example integration cell 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the integration cell 10 comprises a housing 15 and stopper flange 20, having an electronic equipment chassis mounting flange 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 15 optionally has one or more cutouts 25 in the side wall. The cutouts 25 provide weight reduction of the integration cell 10 without compromising the structural integrity of the integration cell 10 or its ability to protect the contents of the one or more electronic equipment chassis that are installed in the integration cell 10. Additionally, the optional cutouts 25 provide for ventilation and cooling of the electronic equipment during operation in the datacenter.

[38] FIG. 3 is a top view diagram illustrating an example integration cell 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the integration cell 10 comprises stopper flanges 20A and 20B, having an electronic equipment chassis mounting flanges 21 A and 21 B, and one or more optional cutouts 25 in the top wall or the integration cell 10.

[39] FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example integration cell 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the integration cell 10 comprises stopper flanges 20A and 20B, having electronic equipment chassis mounting flanges 21 A and 21 B and one or more optional cutouts 25 in each wall of the housing 15. The housing 15 includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. As illustrated, each of the walls includes one or more cutouts 25 to provide weight reduction and cooling ventilation while retaining the structural integrity of the integration cell.

[40] FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example integration cell 10 with an electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic equipment chassis 30 comprises a first chassis flange 22A and a second chassis flange 22B. Each chassis flange 22A and 22B comprises a surface designed to engage and couple to a respective surface of the electronic equipment chassis mounting flanges 21 A and 21 B. Accordingly, the electronic equipment chassis 30 can be pre-installed with electronic equipment and prewired and then inserted into the housing 15 of the integration cell 10 and secured. The housing 15 of the integration cell 10 includes one more optional cutouts 25 for weight reduction and ventilation.

[41] In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic equipment chassis 30 comprises one or more electronic equipment bays 35. Each of the one or more electronic equipment bays 35 is configured to house one or more electronic equipment (not shown). [42] FIG. 6 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example integration cell 10 with plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, when the plural electronic equipment chassis 30 are secured to the housing 15, a back end of the plural electronic equipment chassis 30 do not extend all the way to a back end of the integration cell housing 15. Additionally, one or more optional cutouts 25 are positioned in the back end portion of the housing 15 that is not adjacent to a surface of the plural electronic equipment chassis 30. Advantageously, the open space at the back end of the housing 15 allows for cooling ventilation and air circulation and also defines an area within the housing 15 to accommodate installation of close coupled cooling equipment and/or power distribution equipment, which may be fastened to the integration cell 10 or to the electronic equipment storage rack in the datacenter. In one embodiment, the cooling equipment may include a fan, a coil, or some combination of a fan and a coil. In one embodiment, the power distribution equipment may include a power strip with plug receptacles or a power busway.

[43] FIG. 7 is a front view diagram illustrating an example integration cell 10 with plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[44] FIG. 8 is a front view diagram of a standard shipping palette 40 illustrating an exemplary multimodal shipping unit loaded with plural integration cells 10 with plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. Advantageously, the integration cell 10 is sized such that two integration cells 10 can be placed side by side on a standard forty (40) inch shipping palette 40 or comparable sized shipping crate (not shown) and wrapped, coupled, or otherwise secured to the palette 40 or comparable sized shipping crate (not shown) without requiring individual packaging of the individual electronic equipment (not shown) and without individual packaging of the individual electronic equipment chassis 30, substantially decreasing shipping cost and packing material waste. Alternative multimodal shipping units of comparable size may also be utilized to attain the benefits of this consolidated platform that are not shown including shipping crates, shipping frames and other shipping apparatus. [45] FIG. 9 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack 50 according to an embodiment of the invention, which is an example of a high-density electronic equipment rack. It is noted that while FIG. 9 provides the example of using a seismic electronic equipment storage rack, the present invention is not limited to use of only seismic racks. In the illustrated embodiment, the rack 50 comprises four vertical members 55 that are each secured to a base 60, a shelf 65 and a top 70. When the components of the rack 50 are secured together, they form a seism ically stable structure into which one or more integration cells can be inserted and secured. Although the rack 50 is illustrated in a "two high" configuration, alternative configurations are also possible such as a "two wide" or a "three high" and the like. Advantageously, each rack 50 is configured to be secured to additional racks 50 to provide a modular seismic electronic equipment storage rack system that is variable in both height and width. Additionally advantageous is that the modular seismic electronic equipment storage rack system is also variable in density of electronic equipment by selective insertion of integrations cells into the rack system.

[46] FIG. 9 also illustrates alignment and coupling holes 71 that are used in the securing of individual storage racks 50 to each other by one or more rack connectors 75, as illustrated hereafter, and as is described in additional detail in United States patent number 9,532,484, which has been incorporate by reference herein in its entirety.

[47] FIG. 10 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack 50 that is partially filled with a single integration cell 10 having plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[48] FIG. 1 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack 50 that is completely filled with plural integration cells 10, where each integration cell 10 has plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[49] FIG. 12A is a front view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack that is completely filled with plural integration cells 10, where each integration cell 10 has plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. [50] FIG. 12B is a front view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack system 80 comprising a plurality of individual seismic electronic equipment storage racks 50 that are each completely filled with plural integration cells 10, where each integration cell 10 has plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the individual storage racks 50 are secured to each other via the coupling holes 71 and associated coupling means, which may comprise screws or some alternative form of fastener.

[51] FIG. 12C is a front view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack system 80 comprising a plurality of individual seismic electronic equipment storage racks 50 according to an embodiment of the invention. Each of the individual seismic electronic equipment storage racks 50 are either completely filled or partially filled with one or more integration cells 10, where each integration cell 10 has one or more electronic equipment chassis 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the individual storage racks 50 are secured to each other by one or more rack connectors 75, which may comprise screws or some alternative form of fastener.

[52] FIG. 13 is a side view diagram illustrating an example seismic electronic equipment storage rack 50 that is completely filled with plural integration cells 10, where each integration cell 10 has plural electronic equipment chassis 30 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[53] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.