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US 8,708,788 B2Granted
System to route airflow through dynamically changing ducts
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsChristopher J. Dawson, Vincenzo V. Diluoffo, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Michael D. Kendzierski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention generally relates to ventilation systems, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the partitions.
Claims18
A dynamic duct system, comprising:
- a plurality of partitions selectively extendable in a space between first and second structural members to create airflow diversions between the first and second structural members;
- a controller that controls movement of the plurality of partitions to create ducts between the first and second structural members;
- and
- at least one duct comprised of two or more of the plurality of partitions,
- wherein each of the plurality of partitions is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position;
- in the extended position a respective one of the plurality of partitions spans substantially an entire distance between the first and second structural members;
- and
- the retracted position is outside the space between the first and second structural members;
- the plurality of partitions move between the extended and retracted positions by translating perpendicularly to a plane of the first structural member;
- a respective actuator associated with each of the plurality of partitions for causing movement between the extended and retracted positions is outside the space between the first and second structural members;
- the actuator comprises an electric motor with a gear attached to a rotatable drive shaft;
- and
- the gear operatively engages a gear affixed to a respective one of the plurality of partitions such that rotation of the drive shaft causes up or down movement of the respective one of the plurality of partitions.
10 more elements
A computing infrastructure comprising a controller structured and arranged to:
- actuate a first subset of a plurality of partitions to extended positions between first and second structural members to create a first duct between the first and second structural members;
- and
- actuate a second subset of the plurality of partitions to extended positions between the first and second structural members to create a second duct between the first and second structural members,
- wherein each of the plurality of partitions is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position by a respective actuator associated with each of the plurality of partitions;
- in the extended position a respective one of the plurality of partitions spans substantially an entire distance between the first and second structural members;
- the retracted position is one of:
- (i) outside a space between the first and second structural members, and (ii) pivoted from the extended position to lie near or against the first structural member;
- when the retracted position is outside the space between the first and second structural members:
- a respective one of the plurality of partitions does not extend between the first and second structural members in the retracted position;
- the plurality of partitions move between the extended and retracted positions by translating perpendicularly to a plane of the first structural member;
- each said actuator is outside the space between the first and second structural members and comprises an electric motor with a pinion gear attached to a rotatable drive shaft;
- and the pinion gear operatively engages a rack gear affixed to a respective one of the plurality of partitions such that rotation of the drive shaft causes up or down movement of the respective one of the plurality of partitions;
- and
- when the retracted position is pivoted from the extended position to lie near or against the first structural member:
- a respective one of the plurality of partitions pivots about a hinge axis when moving between the extended and retracted positions;
- each said actuator comprises an electric motor with a gear attached to a rotatable drive shaft;
- and the gear operatively engages another gear on the hinge axis such that rotation of the drive shaft causes pivoting of the partition.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.