U.S. patent application number 11/251587 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for mobile data center.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Power Conversion Corporation. Invention is credited to Neil Rasmussen, Barry Rimler.
Application Number | 20060082263 11/251587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36180052 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060082263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rimler; Barry ; et
al. |
April 20, 2006 |
Mobile data center
Abstract
At least one version is directed to a mobile data center that
includes a trailer having a length greater than a width and having
an interior, the trailer being configured to be transported in a
direction generally parallel to the length, and a plurality of
equipment enclosures installed in the interior of the trailer to
form a row, with the row being parallel to the length of the
trailer, wherein the row is positioned in the interior such that a
first aisle is on a front side of the row and a second aisle is on
a back side of the row. The mobile data center also includes at
least one cooling unit constructed and arranged to draw warm air
from the second aisle and provide cool air to the first aisle to
cool equipment contained in the plurality of equipment
enclosures.
Inventors: |
Rimler; Barry; (Rockville,
CT) ; Rasmussen; Neil; (Concord, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWRIE, LANDO & ANASTASI
RIVERFRONT OFFICE
ONE MAIN STREET, ELEVENTH FLOOR
CAMBRIDGE
MA
02142
US
|
Assignee: |
American Power Conversion
Corporation
West Kingston
RI
|
Family ID: |
36180052 |
Appl. No.: |
11/251587 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60619389 |
Oct 15, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 3/14 20130101; G06F
1/20 20130101; H05K 7/1497 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/201 |
International
Class: |
A47B 53/00 20060101
A47B053/00 |
Claims
1. A mobile data center comprising: a trailer having a length
greater than a width and having an interior, the trailer being
configured to be transported in a direction generally parallel to
the length; a plurality of equipment enclosures installed in the
interior of the trailer to form a row, with the row being parallel
to the length of the trailer, wherein the row is positioned in the
interior such that a first aisle is on a front side of the row and
a second aisle is on a back side of the row; and at least one
cooling unit constructed and arranged to draw warm air from the
second aisle and provide cool air to the first aisle to cool
equipment contained in the plurality of equipment enclosures.
2. The mobile data center of claim 1, wherein the first aisle is
substantially isolated from the second aisle to prevent air flow
between the first aisle and the second aisle other than through the
at least one air cooling unit.
3. The mobile data center of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
equipment enclosures includes a first group of enclosures and a
second group of enclosures with the at least one cooling unit
disposed in the row between the first group of enclosures and the
second group of enclosures.
4. The mobile data center of claim 2, further comprising a
plurality of cooling units disposed above the plurality of
equipment enclosures and configured to draw warm air from the
second aisle and to provide cool air to the first aisle.
5. The mobile data center of claim 3, further comprising a first
uninterruptible power supply disposed adjacent the first group of
enclosures and a second uninterruptible power supply disposed
adjacent the second group of enclosures.
6. The mobile data center of claim 1, further comprising a raised
floor disposed under the plurality of equipment enclosures and
having removable tiles disposed in the first aisle.
7. The mobile data center of claim 2, further comprising a console
area having a user console, wherein the console area is isolated
from the first aisle and the second aisle to prevent air flow
between the first aisle and the console area and between the second
aisle and the console area.
8. The mobile data center of claim 5, further comprising a
generator for generating electrical power, wherein the generator is
electrically coupled to the first uninterruptible power supply and
the second uninterruptible power supply.
9. The mobile data center of claim 8, further comprising a transfer
switch electrically coupled to the generator, the first
uninterruptible power supply and the second uninterruptible power
supply and having an input to couple to a utility source of power,
and wherein the transfer switch is configured to provide power from
one of the generator and the utility source to the first
uninterruptible power supply and the second uninterruptible power
supply.
10. The mobile data center of claim 1, wherein the row is
substantially centered in the trailer with a width of the first
aisle being substantially equal to a width of the second aisle.
11. A method of providing air flow in a mobile data center having
at least one row of equipment racks disposed in the data center and
arranged to provide a first aisle along a front side of the row of
equipment racks and a second aisle along a second side of the row
of equipment racks, the method comprising: drawing warm air from
the second aisle into a cooling device; providing cool air from the
cooling device to the first aisle; drawing cool air into at least
one equipment rack of the row of equipment racks to cool data
processing equipment in the at least one equipment rack; and
exhausting warm air from the at least one equipment rack into the
second aisle.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing cool air includes
providing cool air from at least one cooling device, and wherein
the method further includes isolating the first aisle from the
second aisle to prevent flow of air from the first aisle to the
second aisle other than through the at least one cooling
device.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein providing cool air includes
providing cool air from at least one cooling device located in the
at least one row of equipment racks.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein providing cool air includes
providing cool air from a plurality of cooling units located above
the at least one row of equipment racks.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing
uninterruptible power to equipment in the at least one row of
equipment racks.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the data center includes a
console area, and wherein the method further includes providing a
separate cooling device for the console area.
17. A mobile data center comprising: a trailer having a length
greater than a width and having an interior, the trailer being
configured to be transported in a direction generally parallel to
the length; a plurality of equipment enclosures installed in the
interior of the trailer to form a row, with the row being parallel
to the length of the trailer, wherein the row is positioned in the
interior such that a first aisle is on a front side of the row and
a second aisle is on a back side of the row; and means for drawing
warm air from the second aisle and providing cool air to the first
aisle to cool equipment contained in the plurality of equipment
enclosures.
18. The mobile data center of claim 17, further comprising means
for isolating the first aisle from the second aisle to prevent air
flow between the first aisle and the second aisle other than
through the means for drawing warm air.
19. The mobile data center of claim 17, wherein the means for
drawing warm air includes a plurality of cooling units disposed
above the plurality of equipment enclosures and configured to draw
warm air from the second aisle and to provide cool air to the first
aisle.
20. The mobile data center of claim 17, further comprising means
for providing uninterruptible power to the plurality of equipment
enclosures.
21. The mobile data center of claim 17, further comprising a raised
floor disposed under the plurality of equipment enclosures and
having removable tiles disposed in the first aisle.
22. The mobile data center of claim 21, further comprising a
console area having a user console, wherein the console area is
isolated from the first aisle and the second aisle to prevent air
flow between the first aisle and the console area and between the
second aisle and the console area.
23. The mobile data center of claim 20, further comprising means
for generating electrical power for equipment in the plurality of
equipment enclosures.
24. The mobile data center of claim 17, wherein the row is
substantially centered in the trailer with a width of the first
aisle being substantially equal to a width of the second aisle.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/619,389,
entitled "MOBILE DATA CENTER," by B. Rimler, filed on Oct. 15,
2004, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a system and
method for providing data center infrastructure, including power
distribution, cooling and equipment mounting facilities for
electronic equipment, and more specifically to methods and
apparatus for providing a mobile data center solution.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Centralized data centers for computer, communications and
other electronic equipment have been in use for a number of years,
and more recently, with the increasing use of the Internet, large
scale data centers that provide hosting services for Internet
Service Providers (ISPs), Application Service Providers (ASPs) and
Internet content providers are becoming increasingly popular.
Typical centralized data centers contain numerous racks of
equipment that require power, cooling and connections to
communications facilities. It is common in data centers to use
raised flooring, beneath which power cables and communication
cables may be run between racks of equipment and to facility
distribution panels. In addition, it is common to use the space
beneath the raised flooring as an air plenum to provide cooling to
the racks of equipment. In some facilities, in place of, or in
addition to the use of raised flooring, overhead cable ladders are
used to route cables throughout the facility. These cable ladders
are typically fastened to support members in the ceiling of the
facility.
[0004] It is often desirable to operate equipment within data
centers seven days a week, 24 hours per day, with little or no
disruption in service. To prevent any disruption in service, it is
common practice in data centers to use uninterruptible power
supplies (UPSs) to ensure that the equipment within the data
centers receives continuous power throughout any black out or brown
out periods. Typically, data centers are equipped with a relatively
large UPS at the main power distribution panel for the facility.
Often, the UPS is a 480 volt 3 phase unit that is selected to have
sufficient capacity to meet the power requirements for all of the
equipment within the facility.
[0005] In addition to using centralized data centers, it is often
desirable to provide Internet access, and other information
technology services on a temporary basis at locations that
otherwise have no Internet access or only limited access. For
example, at major national or international sporting events,
political conventions and other large gatherings, it is often
critical to provide Internet and other telecommunications access
for attendees of such events, and for members of the press covering
such events. Further, after natural disasters, rescue workers, and
insurance adjusters often have the need for mobile data centers
that include their own sources of power and cooling. In addition,
there is often the need at a centralized data center to provide
additional capacity on a temporary basis to handle, for example, a
short-term increase in need. While solutions for mobile
communications and control systems have been in use by the
military, other government agencies, and news organizations for
some time, these systems provide solutions that are far different
from typical data centers and often not compatible with standard
data center equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In at least one embodiment of the invention, a mobile data
center solution is provided that can address mobile or short term
needs for access to the Internet, telecommunications systems and
other data processing and information technology systems.
[0007] A first aspect of the invention is directed to a mobile data
center. The mobile data center includes a trailer having a length
greater than a width and having an interior, the trailer being
configured to be transported in a direction generally parallel to
the length, and a plurality of equipment enclosures installed in
the interior of the trailer to form a row, with the row being
parallel to the length of the trailer, wherein the row is
positioned in the interior such that a first aisle is on a front
side of the row and a second aisle is on a back side of the row.
The mobile data center also includes at least one cooling unit
constructed and arranged to draw warm air from the second aisle and
provide cool air to the first aisle to cool equipment contained in
the plurality of equipment enclosures.
[0008] In the mobile data center, the first aisle may be
substantially isolated from the second aisle to prevent air flow
between the first aisle and the second aisle other than through the
at least one air cooling unit. The plurality of equipment
enclosures may include a first group of enclosures and a second
group of enclosures with the at least one cooling unit disposed in
the row between the first group of enclosures and the second group
of enclosures. The mobile data center may further include a
plurality of cooling units disposed above the plurality of
equipment enclosures and configured to draw warm air from the
second aisle and to provide cool air to the first aisle. The mobile
data center may further include a first uninterruptible power
supply disposed adjacent the first group of enclosures and a second
uninterruptible power supply disposed adjacent the second group of
enclosures. The mobile data center may further include a raised
floor disposed under the plurality of equipment enclosures and
having removable tiles disposed in the first aisle. The mobile data
center may also include a console area having a user console,
wherein the console area is isolated from the first aisle and the
second aisle to prevent air flow between the first aisle and the
console area and between the second aisle and the console area. The
mobile data center may include a generator for generating
electrical power, wherein the generator is electrically coupled to
the first uninterruptible power supply and the second
uninterruptible power supply. The mobile data center may include a
transfer switch electrically coupled to the generator, the first
uninterruptible power supply and the second uninterruptible power
supply and having an input to couple to a utility source of power,
and wherein the transfer switch is configured to provide power from
one of the generator and the utility source to the first
uninterruptible power supply and the second uninterruptible power
supply. In the mobile data center, the row may be substantially
centered in the trailer with a width of the first aisle being
substantially equal to a width of the second aisle.
[0009] A second aspect of the invention is directed to a method of
providing air flow in a mobile data center having at least one row
of equipment racks disposed in the data center and arranged to
provide a first aisle along a front side of the row of equipment
racks and a second aisle along a second side of the row of
equipment racks. The method includes drawing warm air from the
second aisle into a cooling device, providing cool air from the
cooling device to the first aisle, drawing cool air into at least
one equipment rack of the row of equipment racks to cool data
processing equipment in the at least one equipment rack, and
exhausting warm air from the at least one equipment rack into the
second aisle.
[0010] In the method, providing cool air may include providing cool
air from at least one cooling device, and the method may further
include isolating the first aisle from the second aisle to prevent
flow of air from the first aisle to the second aisle other than
through the at least one cooling device. In the method, providing
cool air may include providing cool air from at least one cooling
device located in the at least one row of equipment racks. The
method may include providing cool air from a plurality of cooling
units located above the at least one row of equipment racks. The
method may include providing uninterruptible power to equipment in
the at least one row of equipment racks. The data center may
include a console area, and the method may further include
providing a separate cooling device for the console area.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a mobile data
center that includes a trailer having a length greater than a width
and having an interior, the trailer being configured to be
transported in a direction generally parallel to the length, a
plurality of equipment enclosures installed in the interior of the
trailer to form a row, with the row being parallel to the length of
the trailer, wherein the row is positioned in the interior such
that a first aisle is on a front side of the row and a second aisle
is on a back side of the row, and means for drawing warm air from
the second aisle and providing cool air to the first aisle to cool
equipment contained in the plurality of equipment enclosures.
[0012] The data center may include means for isolating the first
aisle from the second aisle to prevent air flow between the first
aisle and the second aisle other than through the means for drawing
warm air. In the data center, the means for drawing warm air may
include a plurality of cooling units disposed above the plurality
of equipment enclosures and configured to draw warm air from the
second aisle and to provide cool air to the first aisle. The mobile
data center may further include means for providing uninterruptible
power to the plurality of equipment enclosures, and may include a
raised floor disposed under the plurality of equipment enclosures
and having removable tiles disposed in the first aisle. The mobile
data center may include a console area having a user console,
wherein the console area is isolated from the first aisle and the
second aisle to prevent air flow between the first aisle and the
console area and between the second aisle and the console area. The
data center may include means for generating electrical power for
equipment in the plurality of equipment enclosures. In the data
center, the row may be substantially centered in the trailer with a
width of the first aisle being substantially equal to a width of
the second aisle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the drawings which are incorporated herein by
reference and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a data center in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the mobile data center of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the mobile data center of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the mobile data center of FIG. 1
with a roof of the trailer removed;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the trailer of the mobile data
center of FIG. 1 with the side of the trailer removed;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the trailer with a soffit section
removed;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a partial view of the driver's side of the
trailer;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of power distribution in
one embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the soffit section of the
mobile data center of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a layout of carpet on the floor of the data
center of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show views of a raised floor
used in the mobile data center of FIG. 1; and
[0025] FIGS. 12A and 12B show a housing containing condensers and a
generator in accordance with one embodiment of a mobile data
center.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Various embodiments and aspects thereof will now be
discussed in detail with reference to the accompanying figures and
attachments. It is to be appreciated that this invention is not
limited in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings and attachments. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being
carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations
are provided herein for illustrative purposes only. In particular,
acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one
embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in
other embodiments. Also, the phraseology and terminology used
herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded
as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having,"
"containing," "involving," and variations thereof herein, is meant
to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items.
[0027] Embodiments of the present invention, which will now be
described, provide improved mobile data centers. However, several
of the concepts, improvements, systems and methods described herein
may also be used in fixed data centers and in other applications.
In addition to solutions and methods discussed herein and in the
figures and attachments, embodiments of the present invention may
use systems and methods described in the following co-pending
applications, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety: U.S. Ser. No. 10/775,551, filed Feb. 10, 2004,
titled, Adjustable Scalable Rack Power System and Method; U.S. Ser.
No. 10/038,106, filed Jan. 2, 2002, titled Adjustable Scalable Rack
Power System and Method; U.S. Ser. No. 10/284,835, Toolless
Mounting System and Method for an Adjustable Scalable Rack Power
System; and U.S. Ser. No. 10/856,741, filed May 28, 2004, titled
Methods and Apparatus for Providing Standby Power.
[0028] At least some embodiments described herein, provide a mobile
solution having a form, look and feel that is similar to that of
standard fixed data centers, providing professionals that utilize
the data centers with a comfortable, familiar environment. In
addition, at least some embodiments utilize standard equipment in
the mobile data centers that is readily available and accepted for
use. In one embodiment, equipment enclosures, uninterruptible power
supplies, air conditioning systems and other equipment in the
mobile data center may be implemented using equipment available
from American Power Conversion Corporation, of West Kingston, R.I.,
under the trade names Infrastruxure.TM. and Powerstructure.TM.. In
at least one embodiment, a mobile data center is implemented using
a standard trailer, such as those approved by the U.S. Department
of Transportation for travel on U.S. highways. The ability to use
standard trailers is particularly desirable as it allows the mobile
data centers to be easily transported as necessary.
[0029] In one embodiment, a mobile data center of the present
invention is a stand-alone system that includes rack enclosure
space to house 500 "U" of electronics equipment, such as servers,
telecommunications equipment or other equipment, includes on-board
electrical generation that provides 130 kW of power, fault tolerant
uninterruptible power supplies that provide 40 kW of backup power,
50 kW of precision air conditioning (and an additional 17 kW of
cooling may be included), a satellite ground station and an eleven
screen network control center. The on-board electrical generation
system may be designed to operate on either diesel, propane,
bio-fuels or from any other type of fuel. In other embodiments,
additional rack enclosure space may be included, particularly in
embodiments that utilize expandable trailers, double wide trailers
and multiple trailers.
[0030] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show external views of a mobile data center
100 implemented using a standard trailer 102 and a tractor 104 that
have been modified to support functions of the data center. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the trailer is a fifty-three foot
trailer and is implemented using a Kentucky AVCC/TS Drop-Frame
Trailer and the tractor is a Kenworth T600. However, in other
embodiments, other trailers and tractors may be used as readily
understood by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the trailer 102 has
access doors 122A, 122B and 122C that allow personnel access into
the trailer, and the trailer also includes access doors 124A, 124B,
124C and 124D that provide access into the area that contains the
electrical generation system. The mobile data center also includes
a retractable satellite communications dish 123 that is shown in
FIG. 1 mounted to the tractor and in an operational position. In
other embodiments, the satellite dish may be mounted to another
portion of either the tractor or the trailer. The satellite dish is
coupled through at least one communications link to systems within
the trailer to provide satellite communication capabilities for the
mobile data center. As understood by those skilled in the art, the
trailer may have other hard wired or radio communications links to
support other communication channels.
[0032] The interior of the trailer 102 will now be further
described with reference to FIGS. 4-6 and 9. FIG. 4 provides a top
view of the mobile data center with the top of the trailer removed,
FIG. 5 provides a side view of the trailer with the side wall of
the trailer removed, FIG. 6 provides a top view of the trailer with
the top of the trailer and an upper soffit section 121 removed, and
FIG. 9 shows a partial perspective view of the interior of the
trailer with a side wall and interior racks removed. The trailer is
functionally divided into three areas, including a mechanical
systems section 107, a main equipment section 109 and an operator's
console section 111. The mechanical systems section 107 contains
electrical generation equipment and a condenser used with the air
conditioning systems of the data center. The main equipment section
109 includes racks that can contain data processing and
communications equipment to support applications of the mobile data
center. The operator's console section 111 includes an operator's
console and user interface equipment for operators of the data
center. Each of these functional sections is described in further
detail below.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the data center 100
includes two rows of equipment racks 110A and 110B separated by an
air conditioner 112. The data center further includes a user
console station 114 with additional racks 113 for equipment that is
collocated with the user console station. Electrical controls and a
patch panel may be included in a rack 116 located in the operator's
console section of the trailer. Three automatic transfer switches
120 are installed on a wall between the generator section and the
main equipment section.
[0034] In one embodiment, the air conditioner 112 may be
implemented using one or more air conditioners available from APC
under the tradename NetworkAir FM.TM.. In this embodiment, the air
conditioner 112 draws air from a hot aisle 126 and returns cool air
to a cool aisle 128. The rows of equipment racks include racks that
are designed for front to back cooling with the front of the racks
facing the cool aisle 128 and the backs of the equipment facing the
hot aisle 126. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each row
of equipment racks 110A and 110B includes five general purpose
equipment racks 115 along with two power racks 117. In other
embodiments, other quantities and configuration of racks may be
used. The equipment racks 115 may be implemented using standard
data center nineteen inch racks. The power racks may be implemented
using uninterruptible power supplies, and in one embodiment are
implemented using a combined uninterruptible power supply and power
distribution unit, such as those available from APC under the trade
name Symmetra PX.TM.. Power and signaling cabling between the racks
115, the power supplies 117 and other devices in the data center
may be run over the tops of the racks in separate data troughs
provided for that purpose. In other embodiments, power and data
cables may be run below the racks in the raised floor section
(described below) instead of, or in addition to over the tops of
the racks. In one embodiment, the racks 115 are substantially
centered in the middle of the trailer such that the width of the
cold aisle is approximately equal to the width of the warm
aisle.
[0035] Four partitions 131A, 131B, 131C and 131D are used at the
ends of the hot aisle and the cold aisle to isolate the cold aisle
from the hot aisle to provide efficient air flow within the
interior of the data center. The partitions may be implemented
using sliding doors, pocket style doors, and other styles of doors
and partitions. In FIG. 6, four partitions are used, however, in
another embodiment, partition 131B is not used, and cooling air
from the cold aisle is used to cool the area in front of the
automatic transfer switches 120.
[0036] The electrical generation system for the data center is
contained in the mechanical systems area 107. Condensers for the
air conditioners may be located in the area near the user console
station or in one embodiment, as described further below, may be
collocated with the electrical generation system. The condensers
may be coupled to the air conditioning units using lines run under
the floor of the trailer and/or over the roofs of the racks.
[0037] The automatic transfer switches 120 are used to control
power from the electrical generation system. Further, in one
embodiment in which the data center 100 may be powered either from
available utility power or from the electrical generation system,
the automatic transfer switches are used to coordinate the transfer
and control of power between the utility and generator. The
automatic transfer switches may be implemented using one or more
systems described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/856,741
discussed above. Further, in one embodiment, the automatic transfer
switches are adaptable to operate with standard industrial control
systems and electrical generation systems from various
manufacturers. In operation, power from a generator and/or a
utility power source are provided to the transfer switches 120, and
the transfer switches provide power from one of the generator and
the utility power source to equipment in the trailer. In one
embodiment, racks in the rows 110A and 110B receive power from the
transfer switches and if a power outage occurs, power is provided
to the racks from uninterruptible power supplies contained in the
power racks 117.
[0038] In one embodiment of the mobile data center, the data center
can be powered from two separate utility sources (or other external
sources) to provide greater flexibility and redundancy. In this
embodiment, as will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and
8, a connection bay 183 is contained in a recessed cavity behind a
lockable access door 182 located between the rear wheels on the
driver's side of the trailer. The connection bay includes an
electrical power connection panel 184 (FIG. 8) that has connectors
188 and 190 for connecting to two external sources of power and
also includes connectors 186 and 192 for providing power from the
data center to external power loads. In other embodiments, the
electrical connection panel may include more or less connectors to
provide power to additional loads and receive power from additional
sources. In one embodiment, the connectors 186, 188, 190 and 192
are standard power connectors, while in other embodiments,
electrical terminals or other devices may be used to make
electrical connections to the power panel.
[0039] FIG. 8 provides a diagram of power distribution between the
generator 402, the automatic transfer switches 120 and the
electrical power connection panel 184. In the diagram of FIG. 8,
only one automatic transfer switch is shown, however, in other
embodiments, multiple transfer switches may be used. In the
embodiment shown, output power from the generator is available at
connector 186, and output power from the automatic transfer switch
is available at connector 192, while input power from external
sources is received at connectors 188 and 190. In one embodiment,
over-current protection devices may be coupled between the
automatic transfer switch and the electrical power connection
panel. The automatic transfer switches 120 may be configured to
provide power to the data center from only one source of power at a
time or from multiple sources simultaneously. In one embodiment,
the access door 182 has holes through which cables pass to the
electrical power connection panel. The use of a lockable access
door having these holes provides security and safety.
[0040] The soffit section 121 (see FIG. 9) is disposed between the
racks and the ceiling of the trailer in the main equipment section
of the trailer. The soffit section includes a support frame to
support four air conditioning units 127A, 127B, 127C and 127D above
the racks. Fluid piping and electrical cabling in support of the
operation of the air conditioners is run in a rear section of the
soffit section. The soffit section also includes panels or other
devices that provide isolation over the top of the racks between
the hot aisle 126 and the cold aisle 128. In one embodiment, the
air conditioning units in the soffit section 127A, 127B, 127C and
127 are implemented using units available from Carrier Corporation
of Farmington, Conn. having part no. 42CE-A-10-B-R-C-Y-6, however,
in other embodiments, other units may be used. The soffit air
conditioning units draw hot air from the hot aisle 126 and provide
cool air to the cold aisle 128. In one embodiment, each of the
racks may accommodate equipment requiring up to 3.6 kW of power and
in this embodiment, the temperature of the hot aisle may be 85
degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature of the cold aisle may be 70
degrees Fahrenheit.
[0041] In one embodiment, the soffit section includes drain pans
located under each of the air conditioning units 127A, 127B, 127C
and 127D. The drain pans collect condensation from the air
conditioning units and a drain pipe is coupled to the drain pans to
direct the condensation out of the trailer.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, the operator console area also includes
an air conditioning unit 139 located above the operator's console.
The air conditioning unit 139 provides cooling for the operator
console area and for equipment located within the console area. In
one embodiment, the air conditioning unit 139 is implemented using
the same model air conditioning unit as in the soffit section.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the interior of the trailer
with the equipment removed to show location of a carpet section 180
on the floor of the data center. In one embodiment, as described
below in further detail, the area of the floor that contains the
carpet section 180 is a raised floor section that uses standard
data center raised floor panels. As shown in FIG. 10, the area of
the trailer near the user console may also be carpeted.
[0044] In one embodiment of the data center 100, a raised floor is
included in the floor of the trailer to facilitate the running of
cables between equipment in the data center. Further, cables may be
run across the roofs of enclosures of the rows of equipment 110A
and 110B as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/038,106, discussed above. A raised floor system used in one
embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B,
10C and 10D. FIG. 10A shows a truss system 150 that is used in one
embodiment of the present invention to provide additional support
for the floor in the trailer. FIG. 11B shows a perspective view of
the truss system 150. FIG. 11C shows an end view of the truss
system, and FIG. 11D shows a detailed view of one side of the truss
system. In different embodiments, the truss system may be
implemented using wood, steel, other metals, or a combination of
these. As shown in FIG. 11A, the truss system includes numerous
support pieces that provide structural strength and mounting
flanges for the floor of the trailer.
[0045] In one embodiment, standard raised floor tiles (with
carpeting as shown in FIG. 10) are used in the areas designated
152A, 152B, 152C, 152D and 152E, and fiberglass reinforced plywood
flooring is generally used over the remainder of the floor.
However, in at least one embodiment, the plywood flooring may have
one or more standard raised floor tiles or other access devices
incorporated within it to allow personnel to gain access to the
area beneath the plywood floor. Further, in other embodiments, the
raised floor area may cover more or less of the floor space of the
trailer.
[0046] In one embodiment, an improved mounting system for the
raised floor is used which eliminates the need for the use of
pedestals with the raised floor tiles creating more room beneath
the floor to run cables. Each of the areas 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D
and 152E has sides 154A and 154B that run along the edges of the
areas. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 11D, an 18 gauge steel
"J" channel 156 is mounted to the sides 154A and 154B. The "J"
channel in one embodiment runs the length of the areas 152A, 152B,
152C, 152D and 152E and is designed to provide support for standard
two foot square raised floor panels. To provide further support for
the raised floor panels, cross pieces from side 154A to 154B
running at two foot intervals may be added. The cross pieces may be
made of steel or some other material. The use of the "J" channel
eliminates the need for raised floor pedestals. While the
particular design of the raised floor described above is for use in
a mobile trailer, embodiments of the invention directed to the
raised floor may be used in other situations in which it is
desirable to use a raised floor, including in fixed data
centers.
[0047] As discussed above one or more condensers for the air
conditioners may be collocated with the electrical generation
system. In one particular embodiment, the electrical generation
system is implemented using a Cummins diesel generator in
combination with a Newage-Stanford alternator and the condenser(s)
are implemented using Heatcraft coils. In this embodiment, the
generator, the alternator and the condenser(s) are contained within
a common sheet metal enclosure along with electrical fans that are
powered from a variable speed drive located adjacent to the
automatic transfer switches in the data center, which is connected
to the electrical system in this embodiment. The electrical fans
are used to cool the generator as well as to provide air flow
across the condensers. The combination of one or more condensers
with the electrical generation system in this embodiment results in
a significant space savings in the trailer allowing additional "U"
space to be included in the data center.
[0048] One embodiment of a housing 400 used to contain a generator
of a mobile data center that is collocated with condensers used
with air conditioning units of the data center will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. FIG. 12A shows a
side view of the housing 400, and FIG. 12B shows a top view of the
housing 400. The enclosure 400 includes a generator 402, fans 404A
and 404B, and condensing coils 406A and 406B. In one embodiment,
openings are provided in the housing to cause air drawn by the fans
to pass over the generator and the condensing coils. In this
manner, common fans can be used for the generator and the condenser
coils.
[0049] In other embodiments, one or more condensers may be
collocated with the electrical generation system, but arranged so
that separate air flows are directed across components of the
generator and the condensers. The condensers may be coupled to the
air conditioning units described above to provide a source of
coolant to the air conditioning systems.
[0050] In typical mobile data centers and communication centers,
equipment is mounted along the sides of a trailer or shelter with
an aisle located in the middle of the equipment to provide access
to the equipment. Cooling is typically provided by externally
mounted air conditioning units that provide bulk cooling to the
trailer or shelter to cool personnel in the trailers and to cool
equipment mounted in the trailer. In such a situation, the amount
of cooling that must be provided tends to be greater than that
actually needed to cool the equipment and the personnel, as the air
is not typically circulated in an efficient manner. This can result
in the need for additional power for the shelter. In addition, in
such typical mobile data centers, the mounting of equipment along
the sides of the shelter prevents access to the back of equipment,
making it difficult to use standard data center equipment and
cabling and/or requiring special blind mating connectors and
cooling techniques to cool equipment designed to be cooled from
front to back.
[0051] As discussed above, at least one embodiment of the present
invention overcomes drawbacks of typical mobile data centers by
providing mounting and cooling schemes for data center equipment
that allows the equipment to be contained in racks and cooled in an
efficient manner. In one embodiment, the row of racks is
substantially centered in the trailer to provide a cool aisle and a
hot aisle having substantially the same width. In another
embodiment, the hot aisle may have a width less than the width of
the cool aisle, with the width of the hot aisle being great enough
to allow an operator to access equipment in the racks from the hot
aisle.
[0052] Having thus described at least one illustrative embodiment
of the invention, various alterations, modifications and
improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such
alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be
within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the
foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended
as limiting. The invention's limit is defined only in the following
claims and the equivalents thereto.
* * * * *