Information technology rack ambient temperature visualization
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsEric Michael Tunks, Daniel Alvarado
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rack assembly for physically supporting information technology (IT) devices is disclosed. The rack assembly includes a plurality of interconnected panels forming a volumetric space having a front access and a rear access with opposing side panels. The front access and the rear access extend from a bottom edge to a top edge. The plurality of interconnected panels allow air to flow in either direction between the front access and the rear access. An ambient temperature indicator is mounted adjacent to the front access or the rear access. The ambient temperature indicator is configured to visually indicate temperature values between the top edge and the bottom edge.
Claims15
A rack assembly comprising:
- a plurality of interconnected panels that form a volumetric space which has a front access and a rear access with opposite side panels, wherein the front access and the rear access extend from a bottom edge to a top edge;
- a door mounted in the front access, wherein the door comprises a vented grille configured to allow air to flow through the door and into the volumetric space;
- and
- an ambient temperature indicator comprising a sticker mounted to a hinge-side portion of the door, the ambient temperature indicator configured to visually indicate values of air temperatures between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the sticker comprises a temperature-sensitive ink or paint that changes color, shade, or tone at different temperatures and a plurality of holes in the sticker configured to align with holes in the vented grille.
A method to make a rack assembly, the method comprising:
- interconnecting a plurality of panels to form a volumetric space which has a front access and a rear access with opposite side panels, wherein the front access and the rear access extend from a bottom edge to a top edge;
- mounting a door in the front access, wherein the door comprises a vented grille configured to allow air to flow through the door and into the volumetric space;
- and
- mounting an ambient temperature indicator comprising a sticker to a hinge-side portion of the door, the ambient temperature indicator configured to visually indicate values of air temperatures between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the sticker comprises a temperature-sensitive ink or paint that changes color, shade, or tone at different temperatures and a plurality of holes in the sticker configured to align with holes in the vented grille.
A rack assembly kit comprising:
- a plurality of interconnectable panels configured to form a volumetric space which has a front access and a rear access with opposite side panels, wherein the front access and the rear access extend from a bottom edge to a top edge;
- a door configured to be mounted in the front access, wherein the door comprises a vented grille configured to allow air to flow through the door and into the volumetric space;
- and
- an ambient temperature indicator comprising a sticker configured to be mounted to a hinge-side portion of the door, the ambient temperature indicator configured to visually indicate values of air temperatures between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the sticker comprises a temperature-sensitive ink or paint that changes color, shade, or tone at different temperatures and a plurality of holes in the sticker configured to align with holes in the vented grille.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.