U.S. patent application number 13/371204 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for data center ceiling systems.
Invention is credited to Craig Eychaner, William Nichols.
Application Number | 20120240495 13/371204 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46876116 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120240495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eychaner; Craig ; et
al. |
September 27, 2012 |
Data Center Ceiling Systems
Abstract
A data center ceiling system includes a data center ceiling
system grid having a grid attachment frame, a plurality of
acoustical ceiling panels carried by the grid attachment frame and
an elongated hardware suspension slot in the grid attachment frame,
the hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each
of the plurality of acoustical ceiling panels. At least one
hardware suspension rod engages the hardware suspension slot.
Inventors: |
Eychaner; Craig; (Bossier
City, LA) ; Nichols; William; (Bossier City,
LA) |
Family ID: |
46876116 |
Appl. No.: |
13/371204 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61463029 |
Feb 10, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.6 ;
52/506.05; 52/506.06; 52/506.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 9/127 20130101;
E04B 9/20 20130101; E04B 9/30 20130101; E04B 9/225 20130101; E04B
9/366 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/220.6 ;
52/506.06; 52/506.07; 52/506.05 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/52 20060101
E04C002/52; E04B 9/18 20060101 E04B009/18; E04B 9/22 20060101
E04B009/22; E04B 9/00 20060101 E04B009/00 |
Claims
1. A ceiling system, comprising: a ceiling system grid including: a
grid attachment frame; a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels
carried by said grid attachment frame; and an elongated hardware
suspension slot in said grid attachment frame, said hardware
suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each of said
plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; and at least one hardware
suspension rod engaging said hardware suspension slot.
2. The ceiling system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
grid suspension rods and wherein said grid attachment frame is
carried by said plurality of grid suspension rods.
3. The ceiling system of claim 2 further comprising an elongated
grid suspension slot in said grid attachment frame and wherein said
plurality of grid suspension rods engages said grid suspension
slot.
4. The ceiling system of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of
frame member connectors carried by said plurality of grid
suspension rods, and wherein said grid attachment frame is carried
by said plurality of frame member connectors.
5. The ceiling system of claim 1 wherein said grid attachment frame
comprises a first attachment frame member, a second attachment
frame member carried by and disposed in generally perpendicular
relationship to said first attachment frame member, at least one
cross tee frame member carried by said first attachment frame
member and at least one main tee frame member carried by said at
least one cross tee frame member.
6. The ceiling system of claim 5 further comprising a frame
attachment flange carried by said first attachment frame member and
said second attachment frame member of said grid attachment
frame.
7. The ceiling system of claim 1 further comprising at least one
cable tray carried by said at least one hardware suspension
rod.
8. The ceiling system of claim 1 further comprising a security
barricade assembly carried by said at least one hardware suspension
rod.
9. A ceiling system, comprising: a ceiling system grid including: a
grid attachment frame having a first attachment frame member, a
second attachment frame member carried by said first attachment
frame member, at least one cross tee frame member carried by said
first attachment frame member at least one main tee frame member
carried by said at least one cross tee frame member; a plurality of
acoustical ceiling panels carried by said grid attachment frame,
said at least one cross tee frame member and said at least one main
tee frame member extending along edges of each of said plurality of
acoustical ceiling panels; and an elongated hardware suspension
slot in each of said at least one cross tee frame member and said
at least one main tee frame member, said hardware suspension slot
bordering at least a portion of each of said plurality of
acoustical ceiling panels; and a plurality of hardware suspension
rods engaging said hardware suspension slot.
10. The ceiling system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of
grid suspension rods and wherein said grid attachment frame is
carried by said plurality of grid suspension rods.
11. The ceiling system of claim 10 further comprising an elongated
grid suspension slot in said grid attachment frame and wherein said
plurality of grid suspension rods engages said grid suspension
slot.
12. The ceiling system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of
frame member connectors carried by said plurality of grid
suspension rods, and wherein said grid attachment frame is carried
by said plurality of frame member connectors.
13. The ceiling system of claim 9 wherein each of said cross tee
frame member and said main tee frame member comprises a pair of
base flanges, a pair of side flanges extending from said pair of
base flanges and a flange connector connecting said pair of side
flanges, and wherein said hardware suspension slot and said grid
suspension slot are disposed on opposite sides of said flange
connector.
14. The ceiling system of claim 9 further comprising a frame
attachment flange carried by said first attachment frame member and
said second attachment frame member of said grid attachment
frame.
15. The ceiling system of claim 1 further comprising at least one
cable tray carried by said at least one hardware suspension
rod.
16. The ceiling system of claim 1 further comprising a security
barricade assembly carried by said at least one hardware suspension
rod.
17. A ceiling system, comprising: a ceiling system grid including:
a grid attachment frame having a first attachment frame member, a
second attachment frame member carried by and disposed in
perpendicular relationship to said first attachment frame member,
at least one cross tee frame member carried by and disposed in
perpendicular relationship to said first attachment frame member at
least one main tee frame member carried by and disposed in
perpendicular relationship to said at least one cross tee frame
member; a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels carried by said
grid attachment frame, said at least one cross tee frame member and
said at least one main tee frame member extending along edges of
each of said plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; an elongated
grid suspension slot in each of said first attachment frame member,
said second attachment frame member, said at least one cross tee
frame member and said at least one main tee frame member; an
elongated hardware suspension slot in each of said at least one
cross tee frame member and said at least one main tee frame member,
said hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each
of said plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; and a plurality of
grid suspension rods engaging said grid suspension slot; and a
plurality of hardware suspension rods engaging said hardware
suspension slot.
18. The ceiling system of claim 17 wherein each of said cross tee
frame member and said main tee frame member comprises a pair of
base flanges, a pair of side flanges extending from said pair of
base flanges and a flange connector connecting said pair of side
flanges, and wherein said hardware suspension slot and said grid
suspension slot are disposed on opposite sides of said flange
connector.
19. The ceiling system of claim 17 further comprising at least one
cable tray carried by said at least one hardware suspension
rod.
20. The ceiling system of claim 17 further comprising a security
barricade assembly carried by said at least one hardware suspension
rod.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application No. 61/463,029, filed Feb. 10, 2011 and entitled DATA
CENTER CEILING SYSTEM, which provisional application is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate
to data centers for storage of computer systems and the like. More
particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to
multifunction ceiling systems which serve to isolate cold or hot
zone containment while supporting or suspending cables, cable
trays, mechanical systems, wiring, conduits, cold or hot zone
containment barriers, security barricades and the like in a data
center.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A data center is a facility which houses computer systems
and associated components such as telecommunications and storage
systems. Data centers may include redundant or backup power
supplies for a computer system, redundant data communications
connections and environmental controls including air conditioning
and fire suppression systems. Data centers are frequently used to
house servers in large numbers. Extensive hardware such as racks,
conduits, cables, cable trays, elevated floors and the like may be
necessary to store, organize and connect the functional components
of a computer system in a data center. Because the storage,
organizing and connecting hardware in a data center may consume a
large volume of space, techniques to accommodate and organize the
hardware in a manner which is as space-efficient as possible have
been devised.
[0004] One of the challenges of arranging the racks, conduits,
cables, cable trays and other hardware in a data center is
organizing and supporting the hardware for deployment of electrical
wiring to computer system components at the various locations where
electrical connections are needed within the data center.
Typically, these systems are suspended from the building structure
or overhead intermediate steel. When a drop ceiling is utilized to
isolate and contain zones or cooled air, that drop ceiling becomes
a barrier to the accessibility and modification of the suspended
utility systems. The ceilings of data centers may require a
specialized design to effect routing of the supporting hardware for
the electrical wiring in a manner which is both space-efficient and
allows addition of components to the computer system and removal of
components from the system without major overhaul of the data
center.
[0005] Accordingly, data center ceiling systems which facilitate
versatility by maintaining cool or hot zone isolation, while also
allowing accessibility, organizing and supporting or suspending
cable trays, mechanical systems, wiring, conduits and the like in a
data center are needed.
SUMMARY
[0006] The disclosure is generally directed to a multifunction
ceiling system which facilitates versatility by maintaining cool or
hot zone isolation, while also allowing accessibility, it also
organizes and supports or suspends cable trays, mechanical systems,
wiring, conduits, cold or hot zone isolation or containment
barriers and the like in a data center. An illustrative embodiment
of the data center ceiling system includes a ceiling system grid
including a grid attachment frame, a plurality of acoustical
ceiling panels carried by the grid attachment frame and an
elongated hardware suspension slot in the grid attachment frame,
the hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each
of the plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; and at least one
hardware suspension rod engaging the hardware suspension slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative floating
attachment embodiment of the data center ceiling system;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 2-2 in
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in section, of an
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, more
particularly illustrating exemplary attachment of the data center
ceiling system to a wall;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 4-4 in
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 5-5 in
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating exemplary attachment
of an acoustical ceiling panel to a grid attachment frame of the
data center ceiling system;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating exemplary attachment
of a pair of acoustical ceiling panels to a grid attachment frame
of the data center ceiling system;
[0015] FIG. 7A is a sectional view illustrating an exemplary wall
section and attachment of the grid attachment frame of an
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system to the
wall section;
[0016] FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the grid attachment frame of
an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system in a
cable tray suspending configuration;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an illustrative fixed
attachment embodiment of the data center ceiling system;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 9-9 in
FIG. 8;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 10-10
in FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view, partially in section, of the
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system
illustrated in FIG. 8, more particularly illustrating exemplary
attachment of the data center ceiling system to a wall;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a side view, partially in section of the
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system
illustrated in FIG. 1, attached to a wall (partially in section)
and more particularly illustrating a cable tray assembly suspended
from the data center ceiling system and wiring conduits
(illustrated in phantom) supported by a cable tray of the cable
tray assembly in exemplary application of the system;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a side view, partially in section of the
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system
illustrated in FIG. 8, suspended from a ceiling and more
particularly illustrating a cable tray assembly suspended from the
data center ceiling system and wiring conduits (illustrated in
phantom) supported by the cable tray of the cable tray assembly in
exemplary application of the system;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a side view, partially in section of an
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, attached
to a ceiling (partially in section) and more particularly
illustrating a cable tray supported by the data center ceiling
system in exemplary application of the system;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a side view, partially in section, of an
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, attached
to a ceiling (partially in section) and more particularly
illustrating multiple levels of cable trays supported by the data
center ceiling system in exemplary application of the system;
[0025] FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary bracket
frame element of a cable tray support bracket;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side view, partially in section, of an
illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, attached
to a ceiling (partially in section) and more particularly
illustrating a security barricade assembly supported by the data
center ceiling system in exemplary application of the system;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the grid attachment
frame of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling
system, more particularly illustrating a pair of perforated
corrugated acoustical ceiling panels attached to the grid
attachment frame; and
[0028] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a perforated corrugated
acoustical ceiling panel suitable for attachment to the grid
attachment frame in FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or
the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used
herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described
herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
All of the implementations described below are exemplary
implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to
practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of
the appended claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments
described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or
implementations other than those which are described herein and
which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be hound by any expressed or
implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,
background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Relative terms such as "upper", "lower" and "beneath" as used
herein are intended for descriptive purposes only and are not
necessarily intended to be construed in a limiting sense.
[0030] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7B of the drawings, an
illustrative floating attachment embodiment of the data center
ceiling system is generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The
data center ceiling system 1 includes a data center ceiling system
grid 2 the components of which may be extruded aluminum or other
material. The ceiling system grid 2 may have a grid attachment
frame 3. The grid attachment frame 3 may be generally "L"-shaped,
with a first attachment frame member 4 and a second attachment
frame member 4a disposed in perpendicular relationship to the first
attachment frame member 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the
first attachment frame member 4 and the second attachment frame
member 4a of the grid attachment frame 3 may each include a frame
member base 5; a pair of generally elongated, adjacent, parallel
and spaced-apart frame member flanges 6 which extend from the frame
member base 5; and an elongated grid suspension slot 7 defined by
and between the frame member flanges 6. In some embodiments, flange
threads 8 may be provided on the interior surfaces of the
respective frame member flanges 6 in the grid suspension slot 7 for
purposes which will be hereinafter described. As illustrated in
FIG. 4, in some embodiments, a gasket 44 may be provided along the
frame member base 5 of each of the first attachment frame member 4
and the second attachment frame member 4a.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a corner frame member connector 12
may connect the second attachment frame member 4a to the first
attachment frame member 4 in the grid attachment frame 3. The
corner frame member connector 12 may include a pair of connector
arms 13 disposed at a perpendicular or 90-degree angle with respect
to each other. The connector arms 13 of the corner frame member
connector 12 may be attached to the corresponding first attachment
frame member 4 or second attachment frame member 4a of the grid
attachment frame 3 according to any suitable technique which is
known by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, at least
one connector fastener 14 may extend through at least one fastener
opening (not illustrated) in each connector arm 13. Each connector
fastener 14 may be threaded into the registering grid suspension
slot 7 (FIG. 4) in the corresponding first attachment frame member
4 or second attachment frame member 4a. An interiorly-threaded rod
receptacle 18 may extend from the corner frame member connector 12
generally at the junction between the connector arms 13. The
rodreceptacle 18 may be adapted to receive a threaded grid
suspension rod 20 on which is threaded a turnbuckle 24. The purpose
of the grid suspension rod 20 and the turnbuckle 24 will be
hereinafter described.
[0032] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one generally
elongated cross tee frame member 30 may extend from the first
attachment frame member 4 of the grid attachment frame 3. The cross
tee frame member 30 may be disposed in generally perpendicular
relationship to the first attachment frame member 4 and in
generally parallel relationship to the second attachment frame
member 4a of the grid attachment frame 3. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
in cross-section, the cross tee frame member 30 may include a pair
of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart cross tee base
flanges 31. A pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart
side flanges 36 may extend from the respective cross tee base
flanges 31 in generally perpendicular relationship thereto. An
elongated flange connector 39 may connect the side flanges 36 to
each other. An elongated grid suspension slot 37 may be defined by
and between generally the middle and terminal portions of the side
flanges 36 above the flange connector 39. An elongated, continuous,
threaded hardware suspension slot 32 may be defined by and between
the cross tee base flanges 31 and generally a base portion of the
side flanges 36 beneath the flange connector 39. Continuous
hardware suspension slot threads 33 may be provided on the interior
surfaces of the hardware suspension slot 32. An elongated grid
suspension slot 37 may be defined by and between the middle and
upper portions of the side flanges 36. Flange threads 38 may be
provided on the interior surfaces of the side flanges 36 in the
grid suspension slot 37. In some embodiments, a gasket 44 may be
provided along each cross tee base flange 31 of the cross tee frame
member 30 generally parallel and adjacent to each corresponding
side flange 36.
[0033] The cross tee frame member 30 may be attached to the first
attachment frame member 4 of the grid attachment frame 3 according
to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the
art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a 3-way frame
member connector 50 may attach the cross tee frame member 30 to the
first attachment frame member 4. The 3-way frame member connector
50 may include a pair of end connector arms 51 disposed in
generally 180-degree relationship to each other. A middle connector
arm 52 may extend between and in generally perpendicular
relationship to the end connector arms 51. At least one connector
fastener 53 may attach each end connector arm 51 to the first
attachment frame member 4 by extension of the connector fastener 53
through a fastener opening (not illustrated) in the end connector
arm 51 and threading the connector fastener 53 into the
interiorly-threaded grid suspension slot 7 (FIG. 4) of the first
attachment frame member 4. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at least one
connector fastener 53 may also attach the middle connector arm 52
of the 3-way frame member connector 50 to the cross tee frame
member 30. Accordingly, each connector fastener 53 may be extended
through a corresponding fastener opening (not illustrated) in the
middle connector arm 52 and threaded into the interiorly-threaded
grid suspension slot 37 between the side flanges 36 of the cross
tee frame member 30. An interiorly-threaded rod receptacle 54 may
extend from the 3-way frame member connector 50 at the junction
between the end connector arms 51 and the middle connector arm 52.
The rod receptacle 54 may be adapted to receive a threaded grid
suspension rod 20 on which is threaded a turnbuckle 24, the purpose
of which will be hereinafter described. It will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the 3-way frame member connector 50
can be secured at any desired location along the length of the
first attachment frame member 4 since the grid suspension slot 7
into which the connector fasteners 53 are threaded may be
substantially continuous along the length of the first attachment
frame member 4. In some embodiments, multiple cross tee frame
members 30 may extend from the first attachment frame member 4 in
spaced-apart, parallel relationship to each other.
[0034] At least one generally elongated main tee frame member 40
may intersect the cross tee frame member 30. The main tee frame
member 40 may be disposed in generally perpendicular relationship
to the cross tee frame member 30 and the second attachment frame
member 4a and in generally parallel relationship to the first
attachment frame member 4 of the grid attachment frame 3. The main
tee frame member 40 may have a design which in cross-section is
substantially the same as that of, the cross tee frame member 30,
with a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart main tee
base flanges 41; a pair of generally elongated, parallel,
spaced-apart side flanges 46 extending from the respective main tee
base flanges 41; a flange connector 45 connecting the side flanges
46; an elongated hardware suspension slot 42 defined by and between
the main tee base flanges 41 beneath the flange connector 45;
hardware suspension slot threads 43 (FIG. 7A) on the interior
surfaces of the hardware suspension slot 42; an elongated grid
suspension slot 47 defined by and between the side flanges 46 above
the flange connector 45; and flange threads 48 provided on the
interior surfaces of the side flanges 46 in the grid suspension
slot 47. In some embodiments, multiple main tee frame members 40
may intersect each cross tee frame member 30 in spaced-apart,
parallel relationship to each other.
[0035] The main tee frame member 40 may be attached to the cross
tee frame member 30 of the data center ceiling system grid 2
according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled
in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a 4-way
frame member connector 60 may attach the main tee frame member 40
to the cross tee frame member 30. The 4-way frame member connector
60 may include four connector arms 61 disposed in generally
90-degree relationship to each other. At least one connector
fastener 62 may attach each of a first pair of the connector arms
61 to the cross tee frame member 30 and each of a second pair of
the connector arms 61 to the main tee frame member 40 by extension
of the connector fastener 62 through a fastener opening (not
illustrated) in the corresponding connector arm 61 and threading
the connector fastener 62 into the interiorly-threaded grid
suspension slot 37 (FIG. 5) of the cross tee frame member 30 or
into the interiorly-threaded grid suspension slot 47 of the main
tee frame member 40. An interiorly-threaded rod receptacle 63 may
extend from the 4-way frame member connector 60 at the junction
between the connector arms 61. The rod receptacle 63 may be adapted
to receive a threaded grid suspension rod 20 on which is threaded a
turnbuckle 24, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 4-way
frame member connector 60 can be secured at any desired location
along the length of the cross tee frame member 30 or the main tee
frame member 40 due to the continuity of the grid suspension slot
37 along the cross tee frame member 30 and the continuity of the
grid suspension slot 47 along the length of the main tee frame
member 40.
[0036] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, in some applications of
the data center ceiling system 1, multiple main tee frame members
40 may be attached in end-to-end relationship to each other
depending on the desired size of the data center ceiling system 1.
Accordingly, a 2-way frame member connector 88 may include a pair
of connector arms 89 which are oriented in 180-degree relationship
to each other. The connector arms 89 of the 2-way frame member
connector 88 may be attached to the respective main tee frame
members 40 using multiple connector fasteners 90 in the same manner
as was heretofore described with respect to the 4-way frame member
connector 60. An interiorly-threaded rod receptacle 91 may be
provided on the 2-way frame member connector 60 to receive a
threaded grid suspension rod 20 having a turnbuckle 34. In a
similar manner, multiple cross tee frame members 30 may be attached
in end-to-end relationship to each other according to the desired
length formed by the cross tee frame members 30. Multiple grid
attachment frame members 4, 4a may be attached to each other in
similar manner to select the size of the grid attachment frame 3
depending on the size requirements of the ceiling system 1 for a
particular application.
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, in some embodiments,
acoustical ceiling panels 56 may be mounted in the grid attachment
frame 3 of the data center ceiling system grid 2. Each acoustical
ceiling panel 56 may be perforated or non-perforated corrugated
metal panels, perforated or non-perforated flat metal panels,
honeycomb core, mineral tile and/or composite core blank panel, for
example and without limitation. As illustrated in FIG. 6, an
acoustical ceiling panel 56 may be attached to the first attachment
frame member 4 and the second attachment frame member 4a by
securing at least one single panel hold-down clip 70 to the first
attachment frame member 4 or second attachment frame member 4a.
Each single panel hold-down clip 70 may be generally Z-shaped in
cross-section and include a fastener flange 71 having a fastener
opening 72. A clip fastener 75 may be extended through the fastener
opening 72 and threaded into the interiorly-threaded grid
suspension slot 7 of the corresponding first attachment frame
member 4 or second attachment frame member 4a. A clip body 73 may
extend perpendicularly from the fastener flange 71. A panel flange
74 may extend perpendicularly outwardly from the clip body 73 in
spaced-apart relationship to the frame member base 5. Accordingly,
as illustrated in FIG. 6, the acoustical ceiling panel 56 may be
inserted between the panel flange 74 of the single panel hold-down
clip 70 and the frame member base 5 of the first attachment frame
member 4 or second attachment frame member 4a to attach the
acoustical ceiling panel 56 to the first attachment frame member 4
or the second attachment frame member 4a. When the acoustical
ceiling panels 56 are installed in the grid attachment frame 3, the
cross tee frame member 30 and the main tee frame member 40 extend
along at least two edges of each acoustical ceiling panel 56.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 7, an acoustical ceiling panel 56 may
be attached to the cross tee frame member 30 of the data center
ceiling system grid 2 by securing at least one double panel
hold-clown clip 80 to the cross tee frame member 30. Each double
panel hold-down clip 80 may include a clip body 81 having a
fastener opening 82. A pair of panel flanges 83 may extend from
opposite side edges of the clip body 81. A clip fastener 84 may be
extended through the fastener opening 82 and threaded into the
interiorly-threaded grid suspension slot 37 of the cross tee frame
member 30. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of
acoustical ceiling panels 56 may be attached to opposite sides of
the cross tee frame member 30 by inserting each acoustical ceiling
panel 56 between the corresponding panel flange 83 of the double
panel hold-down clip 80 and the gasket 44 on the cross tee base
flange 31 of the cross tee frame member 30. A double panel
hold-down clip 80 may be used to attach a pair of acoustical
ceiling panels 56 to opposite sides of the main tee frame member 40
in a similar manner. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the cross tee base flanges 31 of the cross tee frame
member 30 and the main tee base flanges 41 of the main tee frame
member 40 have the capability to support various types of lay-in
panels depending on the desired application of the ceiling system
1.
[0039] Referring next to FIGS. 7B, 12 and 14 of the drawings, in
exemplary application, the data center ceiling system 1 is
installed in a data center 93 (FIG. 12) to maintain cool zone
isolation as well as provide organization and support for hardware
such as racks, conduits, cables, cable trays, elevated floors, cold
or hot zone isolation or containment barriers and the like which
may be necessary to route wiring and to store and connect the
functional components of a computer system or the like in the data
center 93. Accordingly, fixed perimeter installation of the data
center ceiling system grid 2 generally beneath the ceiling 96 in
the data center 93 may be accomplished by attachment of the grid
attachment frame 3 to the walls 94 of the data center 93. Fasteners
34 may be extended through fastener openings (not illustrated) in
the frame member flanges 6 of the grid attachment frame members 4,
4a of the grid attachment frame 3 and through registering fastener
openings (not illustrated) in the wall 94 of the data center 93.
The data center ceiling system grid 2 may be additionally suspended
from the ceiling 96 of the data center 93 by attachment of the
threaded grid suspension rods 20 (FIG. 1) to the rod receptacles
18, 54, 63 and 91, respectively, and attachment of the turnbuckles
24 on the threaded grid suspension rods 20 to ceiling rails 99
(FIG. 14) on the ceiling 96 typically in the conventional manner.
In some applications, the data center ceiling system grid 2 may
only be suspended from the ceiling 96 of the data center 93 using
the grid suspension rods 20, in which case the attachment frame
members 4, 4a may remain unattached to the walls 94 of the data
center 93.
[0040] Various hardware such as wiring conduits 98 (illustrated in
phantom in FIG. 12) may be organized, routed and suspended from the
data center ceiling system grid 2 of the data center ceiling system
1, typically beneath the ceiling 96, throughout or in a selected
area or areas of the data center 93. As illustrated in FIG. 12, in
some applications, a cable tray assembly 118 may be attached to the
ceiling system grid 2 to support one or more cable trays 124
beneath the ceiling system grid 2. The cable tray assembly 118 may
include multiple cable tray support brackets 122 which may be
attached to each pair of hardware suspension rods 20a at selected
spaced-apart intervals to each other.
[0041] A cable tray 124 may be supported by the respective
spaced-apart cable tray support brackets 122. As illustrated in
FIG. 7B, the hardware suspension rods 20a which support the cable
tray 124 may be threaded into the threaded hardware suspension slot
42 of the cross tee frame member 40 or the threaded hardware
suspension slot 32 (FIG. 7) of the main tee frame member 30 of the
ceiling system grid 2. One or multiple conduits 98 (FIG. 12) may be
supported by the cable tray 124. Each conduit 98 may contain wiring
(not illustrated) for the computer and other systems in the data
center 93 extend through the conduits 98 and can be routed and
deployed from the conduit 98 to the computer system or other
component which is served by the wiring, as illustrated in FIG.
14.
[0042] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
data center ceiling system 1 is versatile and can be assembled in
various sizes and placed at various locations throughout the data
center 93 for organization, support, routing and deployment of
wiring and the like from the wiring conduits 98 or other support
hardware to the computer systems (not illustrated) and other
components in the data center 93. Moreover, the design of the data
center ceiling system 1 may eliminate the need to place openings
for the wiring in the ceiling tiles (not illustrated) of the
ceiling 96 for deployment of the wiring from the support and
organizational hardware to the computer systems and components in
the data center 93. The gaskets 44 (FIGS. 6 and 7) on the grid
attachment frame 3 may maintain pressure differentials between hot
and cold zones in the data center 93. The data center ceiling
system 1 may facilitate integration of lighting and air
distribution systems in the data center 93.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 14, in some applications of the
system 1, the data center ceiling system grid 2 may support
multiple cable trays 128 (one of which is illustrated) in a
suspended manner at regular intervals to facilitate deployment of
wiring 119 from one or more conduits 98 carried by the cable tray
128 to each of multiple servers 120 in the data center 93. The
cable trays 128 may be attached to the data center ceiling system
grid 2 at a selected spacing to achieve optimal proximity of each
cable tray 128 from which the wiring 119 extends to the server 120.
Each cable tray 128 may be attached to the data center ceiling
system grid. 2 according to any suitable attachment technique which
is known by those skilled in the art. In some applications, each
cable tray 128 may be suspended from the data center ceiling system
grid 2 by multiple hardware suspension rods 20a (one of which is
illustrated in FIG. 14). Each hardware suspension rod 20a may be
threaded into the hardware suspension slot 32 (FIG. 7) of a cross
tee frame member 30 in the data center ceiling system grid 2 or
into the hardware suspension slot 42 (FIG. 1) of a main tee frame
member 40 in the data center ceiling system grid 2, as illustrated.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
conduits 98 and other hardware which is supported and organized by
the system 1 can be easily accessed for maintenance, removal,
organization or addition depending on the storage requirements of
the data center 93.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 7A, in some applications, the grid
attachment frame 3 of the ceiling system grid 2 may be supported by
a wall 66 in the data center 93. Accordingly, at least one wall
insert 67 may protrude from the upper surface of the wall 66. The
wall insert 67 is inserted in the hardware suspension slot 42 of
the main tee frame member 40, as illustrated, or the hardware
suspension slot 32 of the cross tee frame member 30. The cross tee
base flanges 31 of the cross tee frame member 30 may rest on the
upper surface of the wall 66.
[0045] Referring next to FIGS. 8-11 of the drawings, an
illustrative fixed attachment embodiment of the data center ceiling
system is generally indicated by reference numeral 1a. The data
center ceiling system 1a includes a data center ceiling system grid
102 having a design which may be substantially similar to that of
the data center ceiling system grid 2 of the data center ceiling
system 1 heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 1-7. The grid
attachment frame 103 in the data center ceiling system grid 102 of
the data center ceiling system 1a may include first attachment
frame members 104 and second attachment frame members 104a which
may be disposed at a generally 90-degree angle with respect to each
other and which may be connected to each other end-to-end to define
the size of the grid attachment frame 103. A Corner frame member
connector 12 may attach the second attachment frame member 104a to
the first attachment frame member 104 of the grid attachment frame
103. At least one cross tee frame member 30 may extend from the
first attachment frame member 104 at a 3-way frame member connector
50. At least one main tee frame member 40 may extend from each
cross tee frame member 30 at a 4-way frame member connector 60, as
was heretofore described with respect to the data center ceiling
system 1 in FIG. 1.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the first attachment
frame member 104 and the second attachment frame member 104a of the
grid attachment frame 103 may have a design which is similar to
that of each of the cross tee frame member 30 and the main tee
frame member 40. Accordingly, each of the first attachment frame
member 104 and the second attachment frame member 104a may include
a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart frame member
base flanges 105; a pair of generally elongated, parallel,
spaced-apart frame member flanges 108 extending from the respective
frame member base flanges 105; a flange connector 111 extending
between the frame member flanges 108; an elongated hardware
suspension slot 106 defined by and between the frame member base
flanges 105 beneath the flange connector 111; hardware suspension
slot threads 107 on the interior surfaces of the hardware
suspension slot 106; an elongated grid suspension slot 109 defined
by and between the frame member flanges 108 above the flange
connector 111; and flange threads 110 provided on the interior
surfaces of the frame member flanges 108 in the grid suspension
slot 109.
[0047] As further illustrated in FIG. 8, a generally L-shaped frame
attachment flange 114 may be attached to the outer frame member
base flange 105 of each of the first attachment frame member 104
and the second attachment frame member 104a. The frame attachment
flange 114 may facilitate attachment of the grid attachment frame
103 to a wall 94 of a data center 93 (FIG. 13), as will be
hereinafter further described.
[0048] Referring next to FIG. 13 of the drawings, exemplary
application of the data center ceiling system 1a may be as was
heretofore described with respect to the data center ceiling system
1 in FIG. 12. Accordingly, the grid attachment frame 103 of the
data center ceiling system grid 102 may be attached to a wall 94 of
the data center 93 by extending fasteners 34 through fastener
openings (not illustrated) in the frame attachment flange 114 and
threading the fasteners 34 through registering fastener openings
(not illustrated) in the wall 94. The data center ceiling system
grid 102 may additionally be suspended from the ceiling 96 by
threading the threaded rods 20 into the respective rod receptacles
18, 54, 63 and 91 (FIG. 8) and attaching the turnbuckles 24 on the
threaded rods 20 to ceiling rails 99 (FIG. 13) on the ceiling 96
according to techniques which are known by those skilled in the
art. Cable tray assemblies 118 may be attached to the grid
attachment frame 103 as was heretofore described with respect to
FIG. 12. Various hardware such as wiring conduits 98 (illustrated
in phantom in FIG. 13) may be supported by or suspended from the
data center ceiling system grid 102 of the data center ceiling
system 1a on the cable trays 124 of the cable tray assemblies 118,
typically beneath the ceiling 96, throughout or in a selected area
or areas of the data center 93. The data center ceiling system la
may also be used as was heretofore described with respect to the
data center ceiling system 1 in FIG. 14.
[0049] Referring next to FIGS. 15 and 15A of the drawings, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in some
applications multiple levels of cable tray assemblies 118 may be
suspended from the grid attachment frame 3 depending on the desired
capacity of the ceiling system 1 to facilitate organization,
routing and support for hardware such as racks, conduits, cables,
cable trays, elevated floors, cold or hot zone isolation or
containment barriers and the like to route wiring and to store and
connect the functional components of a computer system or the like
in the data center 93. Accordingly, a first cable tray assembly
118a is attached to the grid attachment frame 3. A cable tray 124
is supported by the first cable tray assembly 118a. A second cable
tray assembly 118b is suspended from the first cable tray assembly
118a. A cable tray 124 is supported by the second cable tray
assembly 118b. Additional cable tray assemblies 118 may be
suspended from the second cable tray assembly 118b and each other
according to the required support capacity of the ceiling system
1.
[0050] As illustrated in HG. 15A, an exemplary cross-sectional
configuration for the cable tray support bracket 122 of each cable
tray assembly 118 is illustrated. Accordingly, the cable tray
support bracket 122 may include a rod opening 123. Therefore, the
first: cable tray assembly 118a may be attached to the grid
attachment frame 3 by extending the hardware suspension rod 20a
through the rod opening 123 and threading a nut 125 and securing a
washer 125 against the cable tray support bracket 122. The second
cable tray assembly 118b may be attached to the first cable tray
assembly 118a by extending each hardware suspension rod 20a through
the rod opening 123 of each corresponding cable tray support
bracket 122 and threading a nut 125 and securing a washer 125
against the cable tray support bracket 122. In similar manner,
additional cable tray assemblies 118 may be attached to the second
cable tray assembly 118b as deemed necessary.
[0051] Referring next to FIG. 16 of the drawings, in some
applications of the ceiling system 1, a security barricade assembly
130 may be attached to the grid attachment frame 3 of the ceiling
system grid 2 for the purpose of partitioning one or more areas of
the data center 93 as desired such as for security or cold or hot
zone containment, for example and without limitation. Accordingly,
the security barricade assembly 130 may include multiple security
barricade panels 131 which are attached to the hardware suspension
rods 20a using an attachment technique which is suitable for the
purpose. In some applications, each security barricade panel 131
may include a generally elongated, rectangular security barricade
panel frame 131a. A security barricade panel mesh 131b may be
provided in the security barricade panel frame 131a. In some
applications, the security barricade panels 131 may be attached to
each hardware suspension rod 20a by extending the hardware
suspension rod 20a through a rod opening (not illustrated) in the
security barricade panel frame 131a. A securing nut (not
illustrated) may be threaded and tightened on the hardware
suspension rod 20a. In other applications, the security barricade
panels 131 may be attached to the hardware suspension rods 20a
using clips, clamps and/or other suitable attachment techniques
known by those skilled in the art. The adjacent security barricade
panels 131 may be attached to each other using pins, clips, clamps
and/or any suitable attachment or coupling technique which is known
by those skilled in the art.
[0052] Referring next to FIGS. 17 and 18 of the drawings, in some
embodiments, the ceiling system grid 2 may include perforated
corrugated acoustical ceiling panels 144 which extend between the
cross tee frame members 30 and the main tee frame members 40 of the
grid attachment frame 3. Accordingly, the cross tee frame members
30 and main tee frame members 40 may both join adjacent acoustical
ceiling panels 144 to each other and provide attachment points for
suspension of the ceiling system 1 as was heretofore described.
Each perforated corrugated acoustical ceiling panel 144 may be
aluminum and, as illustrated in FIG. 18, may include multiple
elongated, parallel panel troughs 145 and multiple elongated,
parallel panel ridges 146 alternating with the panel troughs 145.
Panel perforations (not illustrated) may extend through the panel
troughs 145 and the panel ridges 146. In the deployed ceiling
system 1, the panel perforations facilitate air ventilation between
the areas above and below the ceiling system grid 2 and dampen
noise in the data center 93. In other embodiments, the acoustical
ceiling panels may be non-perforated corrugated metal panels,
perforated or non-perforated flat metal panels, honeycomb core,
mineral tile and/or composite core blank panel, for example and
without limitation.
[0053] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
various embodiments of the data center ceiling systems facilitate
energy conservation by reducing the amount of cold aisle space that
requires cooling in a data center. The systems serve the dual
purpose of both drop ceiling and support grid for overhead cable
and other hardware distribution. The systems facilitate greater
installation and routing flexibility of cable distribution systems.
The completely accessible overhead suspension of the cable trays
allows for simple distribution system expansion or upgrades. The
system provides an attachment or suspension platform for cold or
hot zone isolation or containment barriers, surface-mounted light
fixtures, sprinkler heads and/or other utilities. The acoustical
ceiling panels of the system provide for options that are cleaner
and more permanent than conventional systems and may enable the use
of metal acoustic panels for some applications. The system may
enable superior acoustical performance up to NRC of 1.00 depending
on the panel selection. Optional non-ferrous suspension components
may eliminate zinc contamination and reduce radio frequency
interference (RFI).
[0054] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7B of the drawings, it will be
further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ceiling
system 1 facilitates support of cable trays, walls, cold or hot
zone isolation or containment barriers or other hardware by
allowing the hardware suspension rods 20a to be threaded from below
into the threaded hardware suspension slot 32 of the cross tee
frame member 30 and the threaded hardware suspension slot 42 of the
main tee frame member 40. The hardware suspension slot 42 of the
main tee frame member 40 and the hardware suspension slot 32 of the
cross tee frame member 30 extend adjacent to the border of each
acoustical ceiling panel 56. This expedient facilitates flexibility
in support of the hardware in various configurations since the
configuration or orientation of the hardware can be selectively
changed without the need to replace or move the acoustical ceiling
panels 56.
[0055] While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been
described above, it will be recognized and understood that various
modifications can be made in the disclosure and the appended claims
are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within
the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *