Overhead electrical grounding mesh and mechanical grid structure
AssigneeLeviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
InventorsBryan Sparrowhawk, Jeffrey P. Seefried
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An overhead electrical grounding mesh and mechanical grid structure for a data center includes a plurality of orthogonally arranged grid beams. Each of the grid beams is a rigid and electrically conductive grid beam to provide an overhead structure configured to be positioned over electronic equipment in the data center. The grid structure is configured to provide support for electronic equipment connected to the grid structure and to provide support for mechanical equipment in the data center that is connected to the grid structure. The grid structure is further adapted to be electrically coupled to the electronic equipment to provide an electrically conductive ground mesh for the electronic equipment in the data center.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a conductive mesh and mechanical grid structure comprising a plurality of orthogonally arranged grid beams, wherein a first grid beam and a second grid beam of the plurality of orthogonally arranged grid beams are rigid and electrically conductive grid beams disposed above a plurality of electronic equipment in a data center, wherein the second grid beam is arranged orthogonal to the first grid beam via a hinged portion of the second grid beam adapted to enable a collapsible connection of the second grid beam to the first grid beam, wherein the hinged portion comprises an open-loop spring to facilitate the collapsible connection, wherein the hinged portion enables electrical connectivity between the first grid beam and the second grid beam, and wherein the conductive mesh and mechanical grid structure are configured to provide:
- support for an electronic equipment of the plurality of electronic equipment in the data center, and
- support for a mechanical equipment of a plurality of mechanical equipment in the data center;
- and wherein the conductive mesh and mechanical grid structure is adapted to provide shielding from electrical interference to another electronic equipment of the plurality of electronic equipment in the data center.
A method, comprising:
- positioning a conductive grounding mesh and a mechanical grid structure above an equipment rack in a data center, wherein the mechanical grid structure provides support for electronic equipment and mechanical equipment in the data center, wherein the conductive ground mesh provides electromagnetic shielding for the electronic equipment in the data center, wherein the mechanical grid structure comprises a first grid beam collapsibly connected to a second grid beam via a hinged portion of the second grid beam, wherein the hinged portion comprises an open-loop spring biasing actuation of the hinged portion, and wherein the hinged portion enables electrical connectivity between the first grid beam and the second grid beam;
- and
- attaching a signal cable or a power cable to the mechanical grid structure to route the signal cable or the power cable above the electronic and mechanical equipment in the data center to reduce an electromagnetic susceptibility of the electronic equipment and emissions of the electronic equipment.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first grid beam and a second grid beam arranged substantially parallel and that are electrically conductive;
- a cross-beam that is electrically conductive and disposed substantially orthogonal to, and between, the first grid beam and the second grid beam, wherein the cross-beam comprises a hinged portion that enables a collapsible electrical connection to the first grid bream by overcoming a spring force resulting from a disposition of an open-loop spring structure of the hinged portion;
- and
- an electrically conductive mesh adapted to provide electromagnetic shielding to a device of a data center, wherein:
- the cross-beam, first grid beam, and second grid beam are oriented above devices, including the device, of the data center,
- the cross-beam is repositionable to another position substantially orthogonal to, and between, the first grid beam and the second grid beam, and
- the cross-beam is electrically connected to the first grid beam and the second grid beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.