System and method for modular data center

A modular data center system, comprising:

• a plurality of unit structures for channeling at least one of cold air or hot air from data center components located within the modular data center system when the modular data center system is fully assembled;
• a plurality of structural support columns independent from a plurality of equipment racks for supporting the plurality of unit structures above the plurality of equipment racks at a desired height relative to a floor surface;
• a plurality of elongated support rails, coupled perpendicularly to the plurality of structural support columns at the desired height, to form a plurality of parallel, horizontally spaced apart tracks, the plurality of structural support columns and the plurality of elongated support rails being fixedly interconnected to form a rigid supporting structure;
• the plurality of unit structures are installed on the rigid supporting structure, co-planar to one another and in a grid formation extending in both X and Y perpendicular directions;
• each said unit structure including:
• a plurality of carriage assemblies, each said carriage assembly including a wheel and being configured such that the wheels of the carriage assemblies are positioned adjacent each one of four corners of the unit structure;
• and
• wherein the wheels of the carriage assemblies enable the unit structures to be rolled horizontally into a desired position on the plurality of elongated support rails when constructing a modular data center building, and to enable the unit structures to be positioned in longitudinal alignment with one another along a common longitudinal axis.

A method for forming a modular data center, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of unit structures for channeling at least one of cold air or hot air from data center components located within the modular data center when the modular data center is fully assembled;
• installing a plurality of first structural support columns independent from a plurality of equipment racks for supporting the plurality of unit structures above the plurality of equipment racks at a desired height relative to a floor surface;
• installing a pair of elongated support rails, coupled perpendicularly to the plurality of first structural support columns at the desired height, to form two parallel, horizontal, spaced apart tracks, the plurality of structural support columns and the pair of elongated support rails being fixedly interconnected to form a rigid supporting structure;
• installing the plurality of unit structures on the rigid supporting structure, co-planar to one another and in a grid formation extending in both X and Y perpendicular directions;
• installing a plurality of carriage assemblies, each of the carriage assemblies including a wheel, to support each of the unit structures on the elongated support rails;
• and
• installing the wheels of the carriage assemblies to horizontally roll each of the unit structures along the elongated support rails into a desired position on the pair of elongated support rails when constructing the modular data center, and wherein the plurality of unit structures is able to be positioned in longitudinal alignment with one another and along a common longitudinal axis.