# US 2009/0260874 A1 · Biased Air Baffle For Computer Rack > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260874 A1 - Document ID: US20090260874A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/107,026 - Filed: 2008-04-21 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-21 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Eric Alan Eckberg; James Dorance Gerken; John Theodore Gullicksrud; Stephen Peter Mroz; Scott Alan Shruson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260874A1 ## CPC - H05K 7/20736: {within cabinets for removing heat from server blades} - H05K 7/1491: {having cable management arrangements (management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06)} - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract One embodiment provides an air baffle assembly for controlling airflow through a cable opening in a rack. The rack is configured for removably supporting a plurality of modular electronic components. The cable opening on the rack receives a plurality of cables connected to the modular electronic components. The air baffle assembly includes a track secured to the rack adjacent to the cable opening and an air baffle movably supported on the track over the cable opening. The track includes a rail guideway. The air baffle includes at least a flexible first rail movably received by the first rail guideway. The first rail flares laterally along a range of engagement of the first rail with the first rail guideway, to bias the air baffle in one longitudinal direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a rack configured for removably supporting a plurality of modular electronic components, the rack including a cable opening for receiving a plurality of cables for connecting to the modular electronic components; a track secured to the rack adjacent to the cable opening, the track including at least a first rail guideway; and an air baffle movably supported on the track over the cable opening, the air baffle including at least a flexible first rail movably received by the first rail guideway, the first rail flared laterally along a range of engagement of the first rail with the first rail guideway. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the track including a second rail guideway laterally spaced from the first rail guideway; and the air baffle including a flexible second rail laterally spaced from the first rail, the second rail movably received by the second rail guideway and flared laterally along a range of engagement of the second rail with the second rail guideway. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second rail laterally flare in opposite directions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second rail guideways and the first and second rails cooperatively support the air baffle on the track. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the air baffle further comprises a web connecting the first and second rails, and wherein an angle between the first rail and the web and an angle between the second rail and the web both increase in one longitudinal direction over the range of contact of the first and second rails with the first and second rail guideways. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the angle between the first rail and the web varies continuously between about ninety degrees and one hundred thirty-five degrees along the range of engagement of the first rail with the first rail guideway and the angle between the second rail and the web varies continuously between about ninety degrees and one hundred thirty-five degrees along the range of engagement of the second rail with the second rail guideway. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: the air baffle including a web connecting the first and second rails; and the track including a web support surface connecting the first and second rail guideway, wherein the web is in sliding contact with the web support surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the web is in substantially sealing contact with the web support surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first rail flares laterally inwardly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first rail flares laterally outwardly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first rail guideway comprises a groove and the first rail is received within the groove. ### Claim 12 An apparatus, comprising: a rack configured for removably supporting a plurality of modular electronic components, the rack including a cable opening for receiving a plurality of cables connected to the modular electronic components; a track secured to the rack adjacent to the cable opening, the track including first and second laterally spaced rail guideways; and first and second air baffles movably supported on the track at opposing ends of the cable opening, the first and second air baffles each including a first flexible rail received by the first and rail guideway and a second flexible rail received by the second rail guideway, the first and second rails flared laterally along a range of engagement of the first and second rails with the first and second rail guideways, the first and second air baffles being movable along the track alternately toward or away from one another to selectively cover at least a portion of the cable opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second rail flare laterally outwardly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second rail flare laterally inwardly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first rail guideway comprises a first groove slidingly receiving the first rail and the second rail guideway comprises a second groove slidingly receiving the second rail. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a first protuberance disposed in the first rail guideway and in sliding contact with a flared portion of the first rail and a second protuberance disposed in the second rail guideway and in sliding contact with a flared portion of the second rail. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the air baffle further comprises a web connecting the first and second rails, and wherein an angle between the first rail and the web and an angle between the second rail and the web both increase in one longitudinal direction over the range of contact of the first and second rails with the first and second rail guideways. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the angle between the first rail and the web varies continuously between about ninety degrees and one hundred thirty-five degrees along the range of engagement of the first rail with the first rail guideway and the angle between the second rail and the web varies continuously between about ninety degrees and one hundred thirty-five degrees along the range of engagement of the second rail with the second rail guideway. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a foam member secured to a distal end of the air baffle over the cable opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: a mounting plate for removably securing the foam member to the air baffle.