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US 12,733,124 B2Granted
Device and method for the automated positional interchange of IT hardware at an IT hardware rack
AssigneeSubmer Technologies, S.L.
InventorsJonathan Huet, Julia Marsal Perendreu, Scott Noteboom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for the positional interchange of IT hardware nodes at an IT hardware rack. The present apparatus and method is particularly suitable for use with a variety of different IT hardware rack configurations. The present apparatus comprises a mount, a body supported at the mount, grippers movably attached to the body and engagers provided at the grippers configured to enable insertion and/or withdrawal of IT hardware nodes at an IT hardware rack.
Claims25
A device for the automated positional interchange of IT hardware nodes at an IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath comprising:
- a mount attachable to a primary articulator for a positional interchange of an IT hardware node of a plurality of IT hardware nodes, the mount having a forward position and the rearward position;
- a body supported at the mount and capable of movement in a first direction relative to the mount, the body via the movement in the first direction configured to insert and/or withdraw the IT hardware node at the IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath;
- at least one first rail extending along the mount in the first direction (Z axis) between the forward position and the rearward position of the mount and positioned between the mount and the body to support movement of the body in the first direction (Z axis) between the forward and rearward positions for insertion and withdrawal of the IT hardware nodes at the IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath;
- a plurality of grippers extending from the body in the first direction (Z axis) movably attached to the body and capable of at least movement in a second direction (X axis) laterally relative to the body and the first direction (Z axis);
- at least one at least one second rail extending laterally across the body in the second direction and positioned between the grippers and the body to support the movement of the grippers laterally across the body in the second direction;
- and
- engagers provided respectively at the grippers to releasably engage one or a plurality tabs provided at the IT hardware nodes via the lateral movement of the grippers;
- wherein the engagers are positioned generally opposite one another and are capable of being moved laterally in the second direction via the rail and the grippers to close together and into engaging contact with said one or a plurality tabs provided at the IT hardware nodes.
5 more elements
A method of automated positional interchange of IT hardware nodes at an IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath comprising:
- moving a body in a first direction towards an IT hardware node supported within an IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath via a mount attachable to a primary articulator for the positional interchange of the IT hardware nodes, the mount having a forward position and the rearward position and the body supported at the mount and capable of movement in a first direction (Z axis) relative to the mount to driveably transport the body in the first direction between the forward and rearward positions of support;
- providing grippers extending from the body in the first direction (Z axis) movably attached to the body and capable of at least movement in a second direction (X axis) laterally relative to the body and the first direction via at least one second rail extending laterally across the body in the second direction and positioned between the grippers and the body to support the movement of the grippers laterally across the body in the second direction;
- moving the grippers in the second direction laterally relative to the body and/or the first direction to engage and grip the IT hardware node via respective engagers positioned at the grippers;
- withdrawing the IT hardware node from the IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath by movement of the body in the first direction
- wherein the engagers are positioned generally opposite one another and are capable of being moved laterally in the second direction via the rail and the grippers to close together and into engaging contact with said one or a plurality tabs provided at the IT hardware nodes.
2 more elements
A method of automated positional interchange of IT hardware nodes at an IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath comprising:
- moving a body towards an IT hardware node via a mount attachable to a primary articulator for the positional interchange of the IT hardware nodes, the mount having a forward position and the rearward position and the body supported at the mount and capable of movement in a first direction (Z axis) relative to the mount to driveably transport the body in the first direction between the forward and rearward positions of support;
- providing grippers extending from the body in the first direction (Z axis) movably attached to the body and capable of at least movement in a second direction (X axis) laterally relative to the body and the first direction via at least one rail second extending laterally across the body in the second direction and positioned between the grippers and the body to support the movement of the grippers laterally across the body in the second direction;
- moving the grippers in the second direction laterally relative to the body to engage and grip the IT hardware node via respective engagers positioned at the grippers;
- inserting the IT hardware node into an IT hardware rack or immersion cooling bath by movement of the body in a first direction;
- wherein the engagers are positioned generally opposite one another and are capable of being moved laterally in the second direction via the rail and the grippers to close together and into engaging contact with said one or a plurality tabs provided at the IT hardware nodes.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.