U.S. patent application number 15/211666 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for interchangeable rack system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Google Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael John Bliss, Angela Ying-Ju Chen, William Leslie Dailey, Winnie Leung.
Application Number | 20160324030 15/211666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56381585 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160324030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dailey; William Leslie ; et
al. |
November 3, 2016 |
INTERCHANGEABLE RACK SYSTEM
Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to rack systems for
housing computing devices. The rack may include shelves supported
by flanges of a pair of corresponding inserts. The flanges may be
spaced along the length of each of the inserts. The distance
between the flanges may define the height of a shelf when placed in
the rack. The pair of corresponding inserts may be placed along an
inner sidewall of the rack by mating hooks of the inserts with
corresponding slots of the inner sidewall and subsequently removed
by demating the hooks and slots. For example, a pair of inserts
with one distance between the flanges may be replaced by a pair of
inserts with another distance between the flanges in order to
increase the shelf height of the rack. By replacing the shelves
and/or the inserts, a user may quickly and easily in order to
reconfigure the rack.
Inventors: |
Dailey; William Leslie;
(Redwood City, CA) ; Leung; Winnie; (Palo Alto,
CA) ; Chen; Angela Ying-Ju; (San Francisco, CA)
; Bliss; Michael John; (Santa Clara, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Google Inc. |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56381585 |
Appl. No.: |
15/211666 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13345147 |
Jan 6, 2012 |
9395508 |
|
|
15211666 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4471 20130101;
H05K 7/1492 20130101; G02B 6/4452 20130101; H05K 7/1488 20130101;
H04Q 1/09 20130101; H05K 7/1489 20130101; H05K 7/1417 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/14 20060101
H05K007/14 |
Claims
1. A method of reconfiguring a rack having a first shelf for
holding one or more computing components, the method comprising:
removing the first shelf from the rack; removing a first set of
corresponding inserts from the rack, each insert of the first set
of corresponding inserts having a plurality of flanges spaced at a
first flange distance, at least some of the plurality of flanges
being configured to support the first shelf; and reconfiguring the
rack by: placing a second set of corresponding inserts into the
rack, each insert of the second set of corresponding inserts having
a second plurality of flanges spaced at a second flange distance
different from the first flange distance; placing a set of shelves
on the second set of corresponding inserts such that the set of
shelves are supported by at least some of the second plurality of
flanges; and placing one or more replacement computing components
on the set of shelves.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein removing the first shelf from the
rack further includes sliding the first shelf over the at least
some of the plurality of flanges.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein a first insert of the first set of
corresponding inserts includes a set of hooks and the rack further
includes a first side wall having a first inner surface, the first
inner surface including a plurality of slots configured to receive
and release the set of hooks, and wherein removing the first set of
corresponding inserts includes releasing the set of hooks from the
plurality of slots.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the rack further includes a cap
and a base, the first sidewall has a length that spans from the cap
to the base, and removing the first set of corresponding inserts
further includes moving the first insert towards the cap and away
from the base.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein each hook of the set of hooks is
associated with a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots and
wherein removing the first set of corresponding inserts further
includes moving the insert away from the first inner surface
thereby moving each hook of the set of hooks through the
corresponding slot of the plurality of slots.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein a first insert of the first set
of corresponding inserts includes a first set of hooks arranged in
a first configuration, a second insert of the second set of
corresponding inserts includes a second set of hooks arranged in
the first configuration, the rack further includes a first side
wall having a first inner surface, the first inner surface
including a plurality of slots configured to receive and release
hooks arranged in the first configuration, and placing the second
set of corresponding inserts into the rack includes lining up each
hook of the second set of hooks with a corresponding slot of the
plurality of slots.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein placing the second set of
corresponding inserts includes moving each hook of the set of hooks
through the corresponding slot of the plurality of slots.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein placing the set of corresponding
inserts includes moving each hook of the set of hooks towards the
base and away from the cap until each hook is supported by a
portion of the first side wall adjacent the corresponding slot of
the set of slots.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the set of shelves
includes sliding a second shelf over the at least some of the
second plurality of flanges.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the one or
more computing components from the first shelf.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after placing the
set of shelves on the second set of corresponding inserts, screwing
a screw through a shelf of the first set of shelves and into an
insert of the second set of corresponding inserts.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein removing the first shelf
further comprises removing a second screw from the first shelf that
holds the first shelf to an insert of the first set of
corresponding inserts.
13. A rack assembly for housing one or more computing components,
the rack assembly comprising: a rack includes a first side wall
having a first inner surface and a second side wall having a second
inner surface opposite of the first inner surface, the first inner
surface including a plurality of slots; a pair of corresponding
inserts comprising: a first insert of the pair of corresponding
inserts having a first set of hooks that extend through the
plurality of slots in the first inner surface and hold the first
insert to the first inner surface, the first insert having a first
plurality of flanges spaced at a flange distance; and a second
insert of the pair of corresponding inserts having a second set of
hooks that extend through the plurality of slots in the first inner
surface and hold the second insert to the second inner surface, the
second insert having a second plurality of flanges spaced at the
flange distance; and a shelf supported at one edge by a flange of
the first plurality of flanges and at another edge by a flange of
the second plurality of flanges.
14. The rack assembly of claim 13, further comprising one or more
computing components situated on the shelf.
15. The rack assembly of claim 13, wherein the rack further
comprises a cap and a base, wherein the first sidewall has a length
that spans a distance between the cap and the base and the first
insert has a length that is less than the distance between the cap
and the base.
16. The rack assembly of claim 13, further comprising a first screw
going through the shelf and into the first insert in order to
further support the shelf and a second screw going through the
shelf and into the second insert in order to further support the
shelf.
17. The rack assembly of claim 13, wherein the pair of
corresponding inserts are configured to be interchanged with
another pair of corresponding inserts.
18. A kit adapted for assembly into a plurality of different rack
configurations for housing one or more computing components, the
kit comprising: a rack includes a first side wall having a first
inner surface, the first inner surface including a plurality of
slots; a first pair of corresponding inserts having a first set of
hooks and arranged to mate with the plurality of slots, the first
set of corresponding inserts further having a plurality of flanges
spaced at a first flange distance for accommodating shelves of a
first height between the inserts of the first pair of corresponding
inserts; and a second pair of corresponding inserts having a second
set of hooks, the second sets of hooks being arranged to mate with
the plurality of slots, the second pair of inserts further having a
plurality of flanges spaced at a second flange distance for
accommodating shelves of a second height, the second flange
distance being different from the second flange distance.
19. The kit of claim 18, further comprising a set of shelves, each
shelf of the set of shelves having a different configuration for
supporting a computing component, wherein the set of shelves
includes a first shelf of the first height.
20. The kit of claim 12, wherein the set of shelves includes a
second shelf of the second height.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/345,147, filed on Jan. 6, 2012, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,395,508 on Jul. 19, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Corporations operating large-scale computing systems invest
significant amounts of capital to establish and maintain the
hardware necessary to house the computing systems. For example,
some computing systems may include a plurality of racks for holding
computing devices such as hard drives or entire servers. These
racks are typically very expensive to purchase and come in a few
standardized sizes.
[0003] Because only a few sizes are available, it may hamper the
ability of these companies to adopt more efficient architectures.
For example, if new, more efficient server devices of different
shapes and sizes become available, it may be very difficult to
rearrange a standard rack to accommodate the different shapes. In
other words, even if devices become 25% smaller, the same rack may
not actually be able to hold more devices because the shelves, etc.
cannot be rearranged without essentially being rebuilt. Thus, in
order to obtain the maximum benefits of new developments in
computing devices, the company may be forced to invest in new
racks, which can be costly and inefficient.
SUMMARY
[0004] One aspect of the disclosure provides a method of
reconfiguring a rack. The rack includes a first shelf for holding
one or more computing components. The method includes removing the
first shelf from the rack and removing a first set of corresponding
inserts from the rack. Each insert of the first set of
corresponding inserts has a plurality of flanges spaced at a first
flange distance. At least some of the plurality of flanges are
configured to support the first shelf. The rack is reconfigured by
placing a second set of corresponding inserts into the rack. Each
insert of the second set of corresponding inserts has a second
plurality of flanges spaced at a second flange distance different
from the first flange distance. The reconfiguration also includes
placing a set of shelves on the second set of corresponding inserts
such that the set of shelves are supported by at least some of the
second plurality of flanges. The reconfiguration also includes
placing one or more replacement computing components on the set of
shelves.
[0005] In one example, removing the first shelf from the rack also
includes sliding the first shelf over the at least some of the
plurality of flanges. In another example, a first insert of the
first set of corresponding inserts includes a set of hooks and the
rack further includes a first side wall having a first inner
surface, the first inner surface includes a plurality of slots
configured to receive and release the set of hooks, and removing
the first set of corresponding inserts includes releasing the set
of hooks from the plurality of slots. In another example, the rack
further includes a cap and a base, the first sidewall has a length
that spans from the cap to the base, and removing the first set of
corresponding inserts also includes moving the first insert towards
the cap and away from the base. In this example, each hook of the
set of hooks is associated with a corresponding slot of the
plurality of slots and wherein removing the first set of
corresponding inserts further includes moving the insert away from
the first inner surface thereby moving each hook of the set of
hooks through the corresponding slot of the plurality of slots. In
another example, a first insert of the first set of corresponding
inserts includes a first set of hooks arranged in a first
configuration, a second insert of the second set of corresponding
inserts includes a second set of hooks arranged in the first
configuration, the rack further includes a first side wall having a
first inner surface, the first inner surface including a plurality
of slots configured to receive and release hooks arranged in the
first configuration, and placing the second set of corresponding
inserts into the rack includes lining up each hook of the second
set of hooks with a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots.
In this example, placing the second set of corresponding inserts
includes moving each hook of the set of hooks through the
corresponding slot of the plurality of slots. In addition, placing
the set of corresponding inserts includes moving each hook of the
set of hooks towards the base and away from the cap until each hook
is supported by a portion of the first side wall adjacent the
corresponding slot of the set of slots. In another example, placing
the set of shelves includes sliding a second shelf over the at
least some of the second plurality of flanges. In another example,
the method also includes removing the one or more computing
components from the first shelf. In another example, the method
also includes after placing the set of shelves on the second set of
corresponding inserts, screwing a screw through a shelf of the
first set of shelves and into an insert of the second set of
corresponding inserts. In this example, removing the first shelf
further comprises removing a second screw from the first shelf that
holds the first shelf to an insert of the first set of
corresponding inserts.
[0006] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a kit adapted for
assembly into a plurality of different rack configurations for
housing one or more computing components. The kit includes a rack
having a first side wall having a first inner surface. The first
inner surface includes a plurality of slots. The kit also includes
a first pair of corresponding inserts having a first set of hooks
and arranged to mate with the plurality of slots. The first set of
corresponding inserts has a the plurality of flanges spaced at a
first flange distance for accommodating shelves of a first height
between the inserts of the first pair of corresponding inserts. The
kit also includes a second pair of corresponding inserts having a
second set of hooks. The second set of hooks is arranged to mate
with the plurality of slots, and the second pair of inserts has a
plurality of flanges spaced at a second flange distance for
accommodating shelves of a second height. The second flange
distance being different from the second flange distance.
[0007] In one example, the kit also includes a set of shelves,
where each shelf of the set of shelves having a different
configuration for supporting a computing component and the set of
shelves includes a first shelf of the first height. In this
example, the set of shelves includes a second shelf of the second
height. In another example, the rack also includes a bus bar for
supply power to a shelf of the set of shelves. In another example,
the first and second sets of hooks are both arranged in a first
configuration, and wherein the plurality of slots are configured to
receive and release hooks arranged in the first configuration.
[0008] A further aspect of the disclosure provides a rack assembly
for housing one or more computing components. The rack assembly
includes a rack with a first side wall having a first inner surface
and a second side wall having a second inner surface opposite of
the first inner surface. The first inner surface including a
plurality of slots. The rack assembly also includes a pair of
corresponding inserts. A first insert of the pair of corresponding
inserts has a first set of hooks that extend through the plurality
of slots in the first inner surface and hold the first insert to
the first inner surface. The first insert has a first plurality of
flanges spaced at a flange distance. The pair of corresponding
inserts also includes a second insert having a second set of hooks
that extend through the plurality of slots in the first inner
surface and hold the second insert to the second inner surface. The
second insert has a second plurality of flanges spaced at the
flange distance. The rack assembly also includes a shelf supported
at one edge by a flange of the first plurality of flanges and at
another edge by a flange of the second plurality of flanges.
[0009] In one example, the rack assembly also includes one or more
computing components situated on the shelf. In another example, the
rack also includes a cap and a base, wherein the first sidewall has
a length that spans a distance between the cap and the base and the
first insert has a length that is less than the distance between
the cap and the base. In another example, the rack assembly also
includes a first screw going through the shelf and into the first
insert in order to further support the shelf and a second screw
going through the shelf and into the second insert in order to
further support the shelf. In another example, the pair of
corresponding inserts are configured to be interchanged with
another pair of corresponding inserts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. 1A-1B are example diagrams of rack architectures in
accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an example diagram of power architecture in
accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
[0012] FIGS. 3A-3B are system diagrams of example components.
[0013] FIGS. 4A-4D are example diagrams of a rack architecture in
accordance with an implementation.
[0014] FIGS. 5A-5D are example diagrams of a rack insert in
accordance with an implementation.
[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B are additional example diagrams of g
[0016] FIGS. 7A-7C are example diagrams of shelves in accordance
with implementations.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of shelves and a rack in
accordance with an implementation.
[0018] FIG. 9 is another example diagram of shelves and a rack in
accordance with an implementation.
[0019] FIG. 10 is an example flow diagram in accordance with an
implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIGS. 1A and 1B are examples of a mobile rack system. FIG.
1A depicts a server system 100 that may include a mobile rack 110
having wheels 112, a plurality of shelves 114 for holding
components, a rack monitoring unit (RMU) 118 for monitoring the
status of the features of the rack, a plurality of rectifiers 124,
a battery backup 126, battery boxes 128, 129, and a plurality of
computing components 130-132. FIG. 1B is an example of rack 110 of
FIG. 1A without shelves 114. In this figure, it can be seen that
the rack 100 includes a main bus bar 134.
[0021] The server system 100 supplies power from a power source to
the computing components. For example, though not shown in the
figures, each of the shelves of the rack may be connected to a
power supply such, as an AC or DC power source, by way of main bus
bar 134. The main bus bar 134 may also be connected to each shelf
of the rack in order to provide power and data to the components or
battery boxes.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an example of a power architecture for the server
system 100. An AC power source 202 may be connected to the
rectifiers 124. In this example, the rectifiers 124 may include 48
volt AC to DC rectifiers 204. The rectifiers are connected to the
main bus bar 134 and supply power to a load 208 (including
components 130-132 of FIG. 1A). The load 208 is connected in
parallel to a plurality of uninterruptable power supply units (PSU)
210 (battery boxes 128, 129 of FIG. 1A) which make up the battery
supply 126.
[0023] As described above, the load 208 may include a plurality of
components. Returning to FIG. 1A, the shelves 114 of rack 110 may
receive components 130-132. In one example, component 130 may be a
dedicated storage device, for example, including any type of memory
capable of storing information accessible by a processor, such as a
hard-drive, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD, CD-ROM, or solid state
memory. In another example, component 131 may be a preprogrammed
load which draws power from the main bus bar in order to test the
operation of the system 100. In yet another example, shown in FIG.
3A, component 132 may be a computer including a processor 330,
memory 340 and other components typically present in general
purpose computers. In a further example, component 130 or 131 may
include a computer configured similarly to computer 132, having a
processor, memory, and instructions, or may be a dedicated memory.
In this regard, rack 110 and components 130-132, may actually
comprise part or all of a load balanced server array 350 of FIG.
3B.
[0024] Server array 350 may be at one node of a network 380 and
capable of directly and indirectly communicating with other nodes
of the network. For example, these computers may exchange
information with different nodes of a network for the purpose of
receiving, processing and transmitting data to one or more client
devices 390-92 via network 380. In this regard, server array 350
may transmit information for display to user 395 on display of
client device 390. In this instance, the client devices will
typically still be at different nodes of the network than any of
the computers, memories, and other devices comprising server array
350.
[0025] The server array 350 and client computers 390-32 are capable
of direct and indirect communication, such as over network 380.
Although only a few computers are depicted in FIG. 3, it should be
appreciated that a typical system can include a large number of
connected computers, with each different computer being at a
different node of the network 380. The network, and intervening
nodes, may comprise various conditions and protocols including the
Internet, World Wide Web, intranets, virtual private networks, wide
area networks, local networks, private networks using communication
protocols proprietary to one or more companies, Ethernet, WiFi
(such as 802.11, 802.11b, g, n, or other such standards), and HTTP,
and various combinations of the foregoing. Such communication may
be facilitated by any device capable of transmitting data to and
from other computers, such as modems (e.g., dial-up, cable or fiber
optic) and wireless interfaces.
[0026] The rack 110 may include a plurality of removable inserts.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, rack 110 includes inserts
410. The rack also includes a base 420, a cap 430, and two
sidewalls 440, 450. Sidewalls 440, 450 are depicted in a top-down
cross section view of the rack 110 (without inserts) in FIG. 4C and
include inner surfaces 460 and 470. Opening 480 is between the
inner surfaces 460 and 470.
[0027] FIG. 4B depicts a break-away view of the inserts, allowing a
view of an inner surface 460. Inner surface 460 may include a
plurality of slots 490. Though not shown in detail in this figure,
inner surface 460 may have a similar configuration as inner surface
470 including the slots.
[0028] Inserts 410 may be placed along inner surfaces 460, 470
between cap 430 and base 420. For example, in the top-down cross
section view of the rack 110 (with inserts) of FIG. 4D depicts
inserts 410A-C along inner surface 460 and inserts 410D-F along
inner surface 470.
[0029] When placed in the rack, each insert may be associated with
a corresponding insert. For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, insert
410A is placed opposite of insert 410D, insert 410B is placed
opposite of insert 410E, and insert 410C is placed opposite of
insert 410F. Accordingly, insert 410A corresponds to inserts 410D,
insert 410B corresponds to inserts 410E, and insert 410C
corresponds to inserts 410E. While three pairs of inserts are
shown, various other configurations using a single pair of inserts,
two pairs of inserts, or more than three pairs of inserts may also
be used so long as the flanges are configured to support the
shelves of the rack.
[0030] Each insert 410 may include a plurality of hooks, slots, and
flanges. For example, FIG. 5A is a view of insert 410 and depicts a
plurality of hooks 510, slots 520, and flanges 530. These features
are also shown in more detail in FIG. 5B (a partial view of FIG.
5A).
[0031] The hooks may be arranged along the length of insert 410 in
order to facilitate the installation of the inserts along the
sidewalls of the rack. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, inner
sidewall 460 may include a plurality of slots 490. These slots may
be configured or arranged in the inner sidewall 460 to receive the
hooks 510 of an insert 410.
[0032] In order to install an insert against the inner sidewall,
the hooks 510 of an insert may be lined up and maneuvered through
the slots 470. For example, as shown in the side cross section view
of sidewall 450 of FIG. 5C, hook 510 of insert 410D may be placed
through slot 470 in the direction of arrow 550 and into an interior
space 452 of sidewall 450. Returning to FIG. 4C, sidewall 440 may
also have an interior space 442 in order to accommodate hooks 510
of inserts 410A-C. The insert 410B may then be then slid from the
cap 420 towards the base 430 in the direction of arrow 550 until
the hook is supported by the bottom portion of the slot as shown in
FIG. 5D. Although only a single corresponding hook and slot are
shown, each of the hooks of the insert may be associated with a
corresponding slot and placed in the rack in the same manner as
shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. The hooks may hold the insert to the
inner sidewall 460 between the cap 430 and the base 420. Thus, the
length of the insert may be at least the height of one hook less
than the distance between the cap 430 and the base 420. The same
effort may be repeated for the installation of a corresponding
insert such as insert 410D as well as additional corresponding
inserts.
[0033] The hook and slot arrangement may allow the inserts to be
placed into a rack and removed with relative ease. For example, no
significant tools are required to change out the inserts of a rack.
Rather, the inserts of a rack may be replaced very quickly by
sliding the insert up until the hooks are free from the slots and
pulling the insert away from the inner sidewall.
[0034] Returning to FIG. 5A, the inserts also include a plurality
of flanges. These flanges may be guides sized to receive and
support the shelves of the rack. For example, the flanges may be
configured at 3.5 inches long and 0.5 inches wide in order to
securely support shelves and components on the shelves. If the
insert is wider, the flanges may also be longer. Wider or narrower
flanges may be used, however, the length of the flanges will be
limited by the length of the insert and the weight to be supported
by each flange.
[0035] The distance between the flanges may define the pitch of the
shelves of the rack which, in turn, defines the maximum height of
the computing components that may be used on the shelves. Thus, the
flange distance may be configured to accommodate the height of the
components that will be used on the shelves. FIGS. 6A and 6B, are
examples of two inserts, 610 and 620, having flanges spaced at
different intervals. In this example, insert 610 may include
flanges 612 spaced at distance of length "D" apart, while insert
620 may include flanges 622 spaced a distance of "1.5 D" apart.
Accordingly, the shelves held in a rack including corresponding
pairs of insert 620 may have a height 1.5 times higher than the
height of the shelves held in a rack including corresponding pairs
of insert 610. As noted above, these distances (and difference in
distances) are merely examples. Other inserts with greater or
smaller flange distances may also be used.
[0036] While different inserts may have different distances between
the flanges, the location and distancing of the hooks may be
consistent between two sets of inserts for the same rack. Thus,
different flange locations may not affect the fit of an insert
because the hooks and slots may always have the same configuration.
As noted above, the arrangement of the hooks and slots may allow an
individual to change the inserts with flanges of one distance to an
insert of flanges of another distance very quickly. In effect, the
inserts allow a person to very quickly and easily change the
configuration and number of the shelves of a rack. This in turn may
reduce the need to reengineer a rack or purchase a new rack to fit
computing devices with different heights than originally
required.
[0037] As noted above, each particular insert of an inner sidewall
may have a corresponding insert of the opposite inner sidewall. In
order to have the shelves be level, the corresponding insert may be
selected to have flanges arranged to correspond to the flanges of
the particular insert at which shelves will be placed. Thus, the
corresponding insert may have flanges spaced at the same distance
as that of the particular insert, or may have flanges spaced at
some multiple of the distance of the particular insert. For
example, insert 610 of FIG. 6A may be used with an identical insert
or may also be used with insert 620 of FIG. 6A. However, if inserts
610 and 620 are used together, shelves may only be placed at
flanges which correspond. For example, a shelf may be placed on
flanges 612 and 622, but not at flanges 614 or 616 and 624. Such a
configuration would leave exposed flanges which would reduce the
width of the shelf available to hold computing components.
[0038] The rack 110 may receive shelves of various configurations.
FIGS. 7A-7C depict example diagrams of different configurations of
shelves for use with rack 110, each shelf 710, 720, and 730,
including a different number of bays 705. For example, shelf 710 is
configured with 2 bays, shelf 720 is configured with 3 bays, and
shelf 730 is configured with 6 bays. As demonstrated in the
figures, the shelves may or may not include features such as
sidewalls 712, 732, dividing walls 734, or end walls 736. In some
examples, the shelves may also include flanges 714 for receiving
and supporting additional shelves. Although only three
configurations are depicted in the examples of FIGS. 7A-7C, any
number of configurations may be used.
[0039] Each of the shelves designed for a particular rack may be
associated with substantially similar overall length and width
measurements. This provides for differentiation between shelves
based upon the features of the shelves and not their overall length
and width dimensions. For example, the shelves 710, 720, and 730
may all have the same length and width measurements, but the
sidewalls that define the bays create completely different
configurations. This allows the shelves to be easily changed out of
the same rack without requiring adjustment by the user.
[0040] Once the inserts are placed into the rack 100 as shown in
FIGS. 4A and 4D, the shelves may be slid or placed onto the
flanges. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of shelves
810 may be slid or placed into the rack 110. Each shelf may be
placed on a corresponding set of flanges of the inserts. In order
to increase the safety of the shelves, screws may be used to secure
each shelf to the inserts. For example, returning to FIG. 4D, the
shelves may be inserted into the rack from the front end and slide
towards the back end. Once in place, screws 410CS and 410FS may be
screwed through a shelf and into the inserts closest to the front
end of the rack, here inserts 410C and 410F, in order to further
secure the shelves. The flanges may then support the weight of the
shelves and the computing components subsequently placed on the
shelves, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0041] In order to support the weight of the computing components,
the rack, inserts, and shelves themselves may be constructed from
various materials. In one example, the rack may be fabricated from
0.060, 0.075, and 0.105 inch thick steel. The inserts may be
fabricated from 0.060 inch thick steel, while the shelves may be
fabricated from 0.036 inch thick steel. This configuration may
support loads of a few hundred pounds, though thicker materials
will be able to support larger loads.
[0042] A user may then change the configuration of the rack in
various ways. In one example, a user may simply remove a shelf. For
example, shelf 910 of FIG. 9 sits below shelf 920. By removing
shelf 920, the components that may be used on shelf 910 may have a
height that is twice as high when shelf 920 is not in the rack 110.
This will also reduce the lateral space available for the
components, as the flanges no longer supporting a shelf will occupy
some of the space available for the components of the shelf
below.
[0043] In another example, the configuration of the rack 110 may be
changed by replacing a shelf. Shelf 930 includes 6 bays. In order
to change the configuration of the rack, shelf 930 may be removed,
by lifting or sliding the shelf out of the rack 110. A new shelf,
such as shelves 710 or 720 with 2 and 3 bays, may then be put in
place of shelf 930.
[0044] In yet a further example, all of the shelves of a rack may
be removed, the inserts may be replaced, and shelves may be
inserted back into the rack. For example, the computing components
320-322 of rack 110 (shown in FIG. 1A) may be removed from the
rack. Each of the empty shelves may be lifted or slide out of the
rack in the direction of arrow 830 as shown in FIG. 8. Returning to
FIG. 4A, the inserts may be lifted to release the hooks 510 from
the slots 420. Each insert may then be pulled away from the inner
sidewall 420 of the rack and removed, leaving an empty rack, as
shown in FIG. 1B. The removed inserts may then be replaced with
different inserts. For example, the rack may include inserts having
the flange distance D of insert 610 of FIG. 6A. These inserts may
be removed and replaced with inserts having the flange distance 1.5
D of insert 620 of FIG. 6B. Once replaced, new shelves (or the
previous shelves) are placed into the rack and supported by the
replacement inserts. Because of the different in the flange
distances of the inserts, the shelves may now be spaced at 1.5 D.
Thus, by replacing the flanges, the rack may be reconfigured.
[0045] Flow diagram 1000 of FIG. 10 depicts various options for
reconfiguration of a rack. For example, a rack having a first shelf
positioned in the rack above the second shelf may be provided at
block 1010. The first shelf holds one or more computing components.
At block 1012, the one or more computing components are removed
from the first shelf. In a first option, the first shelf may be
removed from the rack at block 1014. Next a computing component may
be placed on the second shelf at block 1016. This computing
component may have different dimensions that the dimensions of the
one or more computing components that were removed from the first
shelf (see block 1012).
[0046] Returning to block 1012, the rack may also be reconfigured
by removing the first shelf at block 1018. In this example, the
first shelf has a first configuration of bays for receiving
computing components. At block 10120, a third shelf is placed where
the first shelf was positioned (above the second shelf). This third
shelf includes a second configuration of bays for receiving
computing components. The second configuration of bays may be
different from the first configuration of bays, for example, in
number, size, shape, position, features (such as walls, etc.), etc.
One or more replacement computing components are placed on the
third shelf (for example, in the bay or bays) at block 1022.
[0047] In yet another example, returning to block 1012, the first
shelf and the second shelf may be removed from the rack at block
1024. A first set of corresponding insets having a first flange
distance corresponding to a first shelf height, is removed from the
rack at block 1026. A second set of corresponding inserts having a
second flange distance corresponding to a second shelf height are
placed in the rack at block 1028. A set of shelves is placed on the
second set of corresponding inserts at block 1030. One or more
replacement computing components are placed on the set of shelves
at block 1032.
[0048] The use of the inserts and shelves described above allows
for user to quickly and simply reconfigure a standard rack into any
number of different configurations without requiring specified
tools or equipment. As a result, the rack may be reconfigured to
adapt to new technologies such as developments in various computing
components.
[0049] The rack may be packaged together with a plurality of sets
of different corresponding inserts. For example, the sets may
include inserts with a flange distance of D, 1.5 D, and 2 D. This
may allow a user a plurality of different configurations of shelves
for the same rack.
[0050] As these and other variations and combinations of the
features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the
subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoing description of
the implementations should be taken by way of illustration rather
than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by the
claims. It will also be understood that the provision of the
examples disclosed herein (as well as clauses phrased as "such as,"
"including" and the like) should not be interpreted as limiting the
claimed subject matter to the specific examples; rather, the
examples are intended to illustrate only one of many possible
implementations. Further, the same reference numbers in different
drawings may identify the same or similar elements.
* * * * *