WO2010105618A1

WO2010105618A1 - Cover device for covering a climate control enclosure and climate control enclosure

Info

Publication number: WO2010105618A1
Application number: PCT/DE2010/075026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd STEINKÜHLER
Original assignee: Correct Power Institute Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-03-20
Filing date: 2010-03-15
Publication date: 2010-09-23
Also published as: DE102009003652A1; EP2409555A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover device for covering a climate control enclosure (1), in particular a chilled enclosure for electronic components, and a climate control enclosure (1), wherein the cover device comprises a cover element (3) that can be displaced between an open state, wherein the climate control enclosure (1) is accessible from above, and a covered state, wherein the climate control enclosure (1) is substantially covered from above.

Description

Title:

Covering device for covering an air conditioning enclosure and air conditioning enclosure.

Description:

The invention is in the field of air conditioning enclosures, in particular of cold aisle enclosures for heat loads, for example in the form of electronic assemblies, servers or routers.

For more efficient cooling of electronic assemblies, such as information technology components (IT components) in data centers, so-called cold aisle containments are formed. These are enclosed areas (cold aisles) around which the assemblies are arranged in frames. The cold aisles are supplied by means of coolers with cold air, which is used by the assemblies for cooling and is heated as a result. The now warm air is blown out of the modules each on their cold run opposite side and discharged as exhaust air.

Mixing the heated air with the cold air in the cold aisle can be caused by turbulence. To avoid this, it is advantageous to enclose the cold aisle with the help of the cold aisle enclosure as completely as possible. In addition to lateral containment

Limitations, which are usually formed by the assembly frame, frontal Einhausungs- limitations and a cover for the cold aisle containment used.

In such a covered cold aisle enclosure, a significant disadvantage is that security systems of the room in which the cold aisle enclosure is installed, modified or supplemented, because the security systems otherwise necessary in an emergency access to the enclosed or covered cold aisle is denied. This is the case especially for retrofitted cold aisle enclosures. If, for example, a cold aisle enclosure is retrofitted in a data center with a pre-installed fire alarm system, it must be ensured that, in the event of a fire within the enclosed area, the fire is detected in good time and, on the other hand, extinguishing and smoke extraction takes place there.

One solution to this problem is to leave the cover of the cold aisle enclosure completely or partially open at the top so that the fire detection and extinguishing systems, usually mounted on a ceiling, also have access to the interior of the cold aisle containment. However, this reduces the efficiency of the cooling, since now at least a partial mixing of the heated air with the cold air in the cold aisle can take place.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cover device for covering an air conditioning enclosure and an air conditioning enclosure, with which an efficient cooling of electronic components is possible, while at the same time the maintenance of conventional security systems is ensured.

The object is achieved by a covering with the features of claim 1 and an air conditioning enclosure with the features of claim 12. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention is therefore based on the idea to construct the cover so that it covers the air conditioning enclosure and can be opened if necessary. In this open state, the security element cover provides access to the interior of the air conditioning enclosure. When using the cover to cover a cold aisle containment fire alarm and / or extinguishing systems in the open state in particular get the cover element access to the cold aisle to extinguish fires there in time. Although the invention is also useful for other types of air conditioning enclosures, it is often referred to hereinafter only as cold aisles and cold aisle containment, but without excluding other air conditioning enclosures, such as aisle containment enclosures and the like.

The fact that the cover element substantially covers the cold aisle enclosure in the covering state means that mixing of the atmosphere in the air conditioning enclosure with ambient air in the air conditioning enclosure is ensured

Is substantially prevented. In particular, the cold aisle should be substantially completely covered at the top. Alternatively, however, openings in the cold aisle, between a lateral and / or frontal containment boundary of the cover, may be tolerated due to design requirements, but ideally are to be substantially eliminated.

The cover is thus in the normal operation of the cold aisle enclosure and its associated electronic assemblies in Abdeckzustand and is transferred in case of emergency, for maintenance or the like in the open state.

In an expedient development it is provided that the cover device comprises fastening means for fastening the cover element to the air conditioning enclosure. Suitable fastening means include, for example, screw, plug and / or snap-in connections, with more permanent connection methods such as gluing, soldering or welding may be suitable. In particular, such fastening means are expedient which leave the mobility of the cover element between the open state and the covering state substantially unaffected.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the fastening means comprise a housing in which the cover in the - A -

Open state is stowable. In such a housing, the cover can be stored in a space-saving and safe. In addition, the cover can be purchased as a handy kit or kit and conveniently used.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the cover element is movable between the open state and the covering state along a longitudinal direction of the air conditioning enclosure. That is, a moving direction of the cover member is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the air conditioning enclosure. The longitudinal direction in this case means a direction along which the air conditioning enclosure has its greatest extent. It should be noted that even in this case, the cover must not be movable in its entirety. In particular, fastening areas may be provided, to which the cover element is fastened to the air conditioning enclosure, and which therefore do not perform any translatory movement, but if at all, then only a rotational movement about a fixing point or a fixing axis.

Preferably, the cover device comprises guide elements for guiding the cover element when moving between the open state and the cover state. These are, for example, guide rails which are arranged along a lateral enclosure boundary. These may be formed as two spaced rails, between which an edge region of the cover can slide. Alternatively, the guide element may comprise a single support rail.

In an advantageous development, the covering device comprises a movement mechanism with which the covering element can be moved automatically from the open state into the covering state and / or from the covering state into the open state. The movement mechanism may be, for example, an electric drive. Alternatively, a spring drive may be provided in which a cocked spring, a torsion bar or the like causes the automatic movement. This needs the Movement by means of the movement mechanism is not completely automatic. Rather, it is sufficient if the movement mechanism moves the cover, for example, from the Abdeckzustand to an open state in which the cold aisle is at least partially accessible from above.

In an expedient embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided, which is displaceable between an active state in which the cover element is fixed in the covering state and an inactive state in which the covering element is released for moving into the open state. For example, the shutter mechanism may be a releasable connection between an end of the cover member and an edge portion of the cold aisle containment. Additionally or alternatively, the closure mechanism may comprise a releasable connection between two cover elements. The closure mechanism may comprise a magnetic element, for example an electromagnet, and / or a latching connection. In the case of an electromagnet, the active state then corresponds to a current-carrying state, while the inactive state corresponds to a de-energized state. As a result, the cover fulfills the requirements for functional safety.

According to a preferred embodiment, an emergency condition sensor which can be attached inside or outside the air conditioning enclosure is provided, which is coupled to the movement mechanism and / or closure mechanism and actuates the movement mechanism and / or closure mechanism upon detection of an emergency condition to move the cover member into the open condition. The emergency condition sensor may be, for example, a smoke or fire detector. This feature serves the purpose of making available in the presence of an emergency, the cold aisle also for outside the cold aisle mounted protection mechanisms, such as installed on the ceiling extinguishing devices. However, it may also be appropriate additional protection mechanisms within the cold aisle containment, for example, mounted below the cover extinguishing devices. Similarly, it may be at the Emergency state sensor to already in the room, for example, on a ceiling, installed sensors act.

In an embodiment in which the emergency status sensor is coupled to the closure mechanism, for example via an additional control unit, the closure mechanism can be switched from the active to the inactive state when an emergency condition occurs. In this case, the movement mechanism can be a pretensioning mechanism which, when the locking mechanism is unlocked or inactive, sets the cover element in the open state without additional energy supply. Since such a movement mechanism requires at least for opening the cover no additional power supply, can be dispensed with an otherwise necessary emergency. If the locking mechanism is an electromagnet, it can be switched on or off in response to a corresponding signal from the emergency status sensor.

Appropriately, it is provided that the cover is formed of a translucent and / or non-combustible material. A translucent material has the advantage that the cold aisle remains visible from above and, for example, can be observed and monitored by means of a camera. The material used for the cover member may include a variety of materials. In question, for example, come fabrics, for example in the form of fabric, plastics, wood, metal and the like. In addition, the cover may be partially or completely coated, for example, with a metal or plastic coating to optimize its properties according to the application.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the cover comprises a roller blind. It should be noted that the term blind only to the construction and operation of the cover and not on his material. In question are, for example, Roman blinds, Roman blinds, slat blinds (blinds) and the like. When using slatted blinds, a folding over of the slats of the slatted blinds can be regarded as a movement between the open state and the covering state in the sense of the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of cover elements are provided, which are each movable between an open state in which the air conditioning enclosure is accessible from above, and a cover state, wherein the air conditioning enclosure is substantially covered at the top, when all cover elements are in the Abdeckzustand. In other words, each cover serves to cover a portion of the cold aisle. In this case, each cover element in the open state can be stowed in a separate housing. Alternatively, two cover members may be housed in a common housing and may be pulled out in opposite directions. As explained above, two cover members can fix each other in the covering state by means of a shutter mechanism connecting the cover members with each other.

According to an expedient embodiment, edge regions are provided on the air-conditioning surround, to which the housing and / or the guide elements are attached. Such edge regions may be formed, for example, by frames which serve to accommodate electronic assemblies.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of an air conditioning enclosure; FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioning enclosure of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the air conditioning enclosure of FIG. 1 with details exposed; FIG. and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cover device with a cover.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial view of an air conditioning enclosure 1. The air conditioning enclosure 1 described here is a cold aisle enclosure 1. The cold aisle enclosure 1 includes a cold aisle 10, which are supplied with cold air by means of cooling devices (not shown) can, for example, are located below the cold aisle 10.

The cold aisle 10 is surrounded by assembly frames 13, which may comprise IT components and other electronic assemblies. The adjoining erected assembly frame 13 form lateral Einhausungs boundaries 5. End-side compliance limits 7 are formed in the present embodiment by sliding doors with built-in viewing windows 71. These compliance limits 7 open automatically in the event of a fire alarm. Due to such frontal Einhausungs- boundaries 7 of the cold aisle 10 can be effectively completed during operation, while at the same time, for example, remains accessible for repair work. The viewing windows 71 allow visual inspection of the cold aisle 10 during operation.

The cold aisle 10 is bounded at the top by a cover 3. The cover 3 is formed as a roller blind and by train in a direction of movement (shown by a dashed arrow B) of an open state in which the cold aisle 10 is accessible from above, movable in a covering state in which the cold aisle 10 upwards in Is essentially covered. In the open state, the roller blind is wound around a roller blind shaft 151 and accommodated in a housing 15. Such a housing 15 can be mounted even after completion of a conventional cold aisle enclosure 1. The cover 3 is further provided with stiffening elements 31 in the form of rods to prevent sagging of a central region of the cover 3 in the cold aisle 10. Alternatively, the covering element 3 can also be formed from a material which is stiff transversely to the direction of movement B or stiffened by means of suitable shaping. For example, it may comprise curved metallic lamellae.

Along the lateral enclosure boundaries 5 and thus on the assembly frame 13 guide elements 17 are mounted on an upper edge, which serve to guide the cover 3 along the direction of movement B. The guide elements 17 can be mounted, for example, by means of screw connections to the assembly frame 13.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cold aisle enclosure 1 comprises a further cover element 3 ', which covers the cold aisle 10 upwards together with the cover element 3, when both cover elements 3, 3' are each in their covering state. As shown in Fig. 1 by a further dashed arrow (B '), the direction of movement B' for closing the other cover 3 'opposite to the direction of movement B for closing the cover 3 is directed. The cover elements 3, 3 'each have a closing mechanism 19 at a leading end, which comprises, for example, an electromagnet. When the shutter members 19 are in an active state, they interact with each other so as to fix both cover members 3, 3 'in their capping state.

As soon as one or both closure elements 19 are transferred to an inactive state, for example by switching off a current flowing through the electromagnets, the cover elements 3, 3 'are released and can be transferred into their respective open state. In the present case, this is done automatically by means of a driven rotation of Roller blind 151 in the housing 15. The roller blind 151 may be driven by an electric motor, a tensioned spring or the like.

Such deactivation of the closure elements 19 is particularly useful when an opening of the cold aisle 1 is necessary upwards. An example of this is the case of a fire which breaks out in cold aisle 1 and is to be extinguished by extinguishing devices installed on a ceiling. This eliminates a need to install more extinguishing devices within the cold aisle 10. The presence of the fire is detected by means of a smoke or fire alarm system which sends a corresponding signal to a control unit. The control unit in turn controls the shutter mechanism 19 and / or a movement mechanism which, for example, drives the roller blind 151 shown in FIG. 1 in order to set at least one of the cover elements 3, 3 'in its open state.

A front view of the cold aisle enclosure 1 of FIG. 1 is shown schematically in FIG. Herein are two front side arranged assembly frame 13 visible, between which the cold aisle 10 is formed. This is behind the front housing enclosure limit 7 formed as sliding doors. Furthermore, the housing 15, in which the roller blind shaft 151 of the cover element 3 designed as a roller blind is arranged, can be seen here.

FIG. 3 shows a section of the front view from FIG. 2, wherein the frontal enclosure boundary 7 has been removed, so that the view of the cold aisle 10 is exposed. Also missing is the housing 15, the outlines of which are shown by dashed lines in FIG. As a result, the guide element 17 is visible according to one of the possible embodiments. This is a mounted on the assembly frame 13 bar with an L-shaped cross section, on the free arm two spaced guide rails are attached. The cover 3 is threaded between these two guide rails, so that it in the direction of movement B to be led. In a simpler embodiment, the guide element 17 may also have, for example, a single guide rail.

Finally, in FIG. 4, a covering element 3 is reproduced in the form of a roller blind, which is accommodated around a roller blind shaft 151 accommodated in a housing 15. Such a cover member 3 may be sold as a kit or kit to retrofit existing cold aisle enclosures 1. On the housing 15, a guide roller 152 is mounted, which serves to hold the cover 3 at a certain height relative to the housing 15, for example, to facilitate threading into the guide member 17.

At a leading end of the cover 3 also the shutter mechanism 19 can be seen. This may be, for example, an electromagnet or a mechanically acting locking mechanism. An electromagnetically operated shutter mechanism 19 also preferably has an integrated battery or a rechargeable battery, whereby additional supply cables are avoided and the shutter mechanism 19 is made independent of any power outages. Alternatively, the shutter mechanism 19 to a

Mains power to be connected, so that in an emergency, in which this power supply collapses, the shutter mechanism 19 is disabled.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 air conditioning enclosure (cold aisle

10 cold aisle

3 cover element

31 stiffening element

3 'further cover

B, B 'directions of movement

5 lateral enclosure limit

7 frontal enclosure limit

71 viewing window

13 assembly frame

15 housing

151 roller blind

152 leadership role

17 guide element

19 locking mechanism

Claims

claims:

A cover device for covering an air conditioning enclosure (1), in particular a cold aisle enclosure for electronic assemblies, the cover device comprising a cover element (3), which is accessible between an open state in which the air conditioning enclosure (1) from above, and a Abdeckzustand is movable, wherein the air conditioning enclosure (1) is substantially covered at the top.

2. Covering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering device comprises fastening means for fastening the cover element (3) to the air conditioning enclosure (1).

3. Covering device according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening means comprise a housing (15) in which the cover element (3) is stowable in the open state.

4. Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (3) between the open state and the Abdeckzustand along a longitudinal direction of the air conditioning enclosure (1) is movable.

5. Covering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by guide elements for guiding the cover element (3) in a movement between the open state and the Abdeckzustand.

6. Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a movement mechanism with which the cover member (3) is automatically moved from the open state in the Abdeckzustand and / or from the Abdeckzustand in the open state.

7. Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a shutter mechanism (19) which is displaceable between an active state in which the cover member is fixed in the Abdeckzustand and an inactive state in which the cover member (3) for moving in the open state is released.

8. Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an inside or outside of the air conditioning enclosure (1) attachable emergency condition sensor, which is coupled to the movement mechanism and / or shutter mechanism (19) and upon detection of an emergency condition, the movement mechanism and / or shutter mechanism (19) operated to move the cover member (3) in the open state.

9. Covering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (3) is formed of a translucent and / or non-combustible material.

10. Covering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (3) comprises a roller blind.

11. Covering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of cover elements (3, 3 '), each between an open state in which the air conditioning enclosure (1) is accessible from above, and a Abdeckzustand are movable, the Klimatisierungsumfassung upwards is substantially covered when all cover elements (3, 3 ') are in the Abdeckzustand.

12. air conditioning enclosure (1), in particular cold aisle enclosure for electronic assemblies, with a covering device according to one of the preceding claims.

13. climatization enclosure (1) according to claim 13, characterized by edge regions on which the housing (15) and / or the guide elements (17) are attached.