High density computer equipment storage system
AssigneeSilicon Graphics International Corp.
InventorsGiovanni Coglitore, Nikolai Gallo, Jack Randall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This relates to the manner in which computers are configured in a given area in order to conserve space and to deal with cooling issues associated with the close housing of a large number of computers. Efficient arrangements for efficiently increasing the density of computer configurations are shown, particularly when used in a network server or host environment.
Claims51
A set of computers comprising:
- at least two computers, each computer comprising at least one heat-generating component, each computer adapted to permit air to flow in the computer such that airflow goes through, over, or adjacent to the at least one heat-generating component to cool the at least one heat-generating component;
- and
- a rack configured for the at least two computers to be placed in a back-to-back configuration such that the rack and computers will cooperate to direct air that flows through the computers (1) up to exit the rack through an upper section of the rack, (2) down to exit the rack through a lower section of the rack, or (3) both.
A set of computers comprising:
- at least two computers, each computer comprising at least one heat-generating component, each computer adapted to permit air to flow through, over, or adjacent to the at least one heat-generating component to cool the at least one heat-generating component;
- and
- a rack configured for the at least two computers to be placed in a back-to-back configuration such that the rack and computers will cooperate to direct air such that the air (1) flows up to enter the rack through a lower section of the rack, (2) flows down to enter the rack through an upper section of the rack, or (3) both, and exits through the computers.
A set of computers comprising:
- a rack;
- and
- at least two computers, each computer comprising at least one heat-generating component, each computer adapted to permit air to flow through, over, or adjacent to the at least one heat-generating component to cool the at least one heat-generating component;
- wherein the computers are positioned in the rack in a back-to-back configuration such that the rack and computers cooperate to direct air that flows through the computers (1) up to exit the rack through an upper section of the rack, (2) down to exit the rack through a lower section of the rack, or (3) both.
A set of computers comprising:
- a rack;
- and
- at least two computers, each computer comprising at least one heat-generating component, each computer adapted to permit air to flow through, over, or adjacent to the at least one heat-generating component to cool the at least one heat-generating component;
- wherein the computers are positioned in the rack in a back-to-back configuration such that the rack and computers cooperate to direct air (1) up to enter the rack through a lower section of the rack, (2) down to enter the rack through an upper section of the rack, or (3) both, and exits through the computers.
A method of cooling one or more heat-generating components in two or more computers, where such computers are mounted back-to-back in a rack, the method comprising:
- directing air into and through each of the computers to cool at least one heat-generating component;
- and
- directing the air (1) up to exit the rack through an upper section of the rack, (2) down to exit the rack through a lower section of the rack, or (3) both.
A method of cooling one or more heat-generating components in two or more computers, where such computers are mounted back-to-back in a rack, the method comprising:
- directing air to cool the one or more heat-generating components (1) up to enter the rack through a lower section of the rack, (2) down to enter the rack through an upper section of the rack, or (3) both;
- and
- directing the air through the computers such that the air flows through, over, or adjacent to the at least one heat-generating component.
A set of computers, comprising:
- at least two computers, each computer comprising at least one heat-generating component, each computer adapted to permit air to flow through the computer such that airflow goes through, over, or adjacent to the at least one heat-generating component to cool the at least one heat-generating component;
- a rack configured for the at least two computers to be placed in a back-to-back configuration such that air to cool the at least one heat-generating component flows through the back-to-back computers and the rack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.