Dell Products Inc.

Trey S Wiederhold

Mark Mcgrath Bailey

Tyler B Duncan

Ty R Schmitt

Anthony P Middleton

Michael M Toulouse

James Samuel Davis

Colin Mahaffey

Gerald P Courtney

A modular data center has an air handling unit (AHU) that is coupled to a first panel that is engaged over a first opening in a volumetric container. The AHU directs pressurized supply air through a supply air outlet into a cold aisle causing the supply air to pass through a first side of the IT component(s) installed in an interior of the volumetric container. A chimney of a return air plenum captures return air from a second side of the IT component(s), directing the return air to a return air duct of the return air plenum that is connected to a return air inlet of the AHU. In one or more embodiments, a second AHU is coupled to a second panel that is engaged to a second opening in a second side, directing pressurized supply air via a supply air plenum to the opposing first side.

Edge datacenter nano enclosure with chimney and return air containment plenum

A modular data center (MDC) includes a volumetric container comprising an enclosure having first and second exterior walls at a forward and an aft end, connected by lateral exterior walls. Information technology component(s) are positioned longitudinally within the container between a cold aisle and a hot aisle. An air handling system includes two or more air handling units (AHUs) each having a return air inlet and a supply air outlet. A supply air plenum directs cooling air flow from the supply air outlets to a supply air opening positioned adjacent to the cold aisle. Backflow prevention mechanisms are positioned respectively at each supply air outlet of the AHUs. Each backflow prevention mechanism is moveable into an open position to allow cooling air flow out of the supply air outlet of a corresponding AHU and a closed position in response to deactivation of an air mover of the corresponding AHU.

Method for backflow prevention in an airflow plenum of a modular data center

A data center provides containment walls of an operation technology (OT) interior compartment, such as a meet me room, positioned between cold and hot aisles in an information technology (IT compartment. The OT interior compartment limits air flow so that IT components outside of the OT interior compartment receive sufficient supply air for moderating or cooling a temperature of the IT components. Pressure differential is measured on an exterior and interior of door(s) to the OT interior compartment. Air flow regulation device(s) are positioned in a supply air passage to the OT interior compartment and/or in a return air passage out of the OT interior compartment are controlled to limit the pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the containment wall. Limiting the pressure differential ensures that door(s) facing the cold aisle are not difficult to open and door(s) facing the hot aisle are not difficult to close.

Data center that regulates air pressure within an interior compartment

An air filtration panel is used in an information handling system (IHS) rack within a modular data center. The air filtration panel includes an air filter and a filter frame. The filter frame has a lateral width at least as wide as a transverse opening in a four-post rack. The four-post rack has left and right flanges respectively coupled to a pair of posts of the four-post rack. Each of the left and right flanges has vertically aligned holes. The filter frame includes a channel that receives and contains an outer edge of the air filter. The filter frame left and right surfaces each having fastener through-holes spaced to align with and mount to respective holes in the corresponding one of the left and right flanges of the four-post rack.

Rack mounted equipment with rear post mounted air filter panels

An information handling system may include a direct-current power supply, a plurality of information handling resources configured to receive electrical energy from the direct-current power supply, a thermal control subsystem configured to regulate temperature within the information handling system, and a control subsystem configured to, when temperature proximate to at least one of the direct-current power supply and the plurality of information handling resources is outside of temperature specifications: isolate the direct-current power supply from a mains power source of the information handling system and deactivate the direct-current power supply to prevent delivery of electrical energy to the plurality of information handling resources.

Systems and methods for automated startup and bypass at an edge datacenter

A multiple mode cooling system circulates outside air through a data center to cool heat-generating information technology (IT) component(s). Based on outside and interior air temperature values and outside humidity value, a controller determines that outside air cooling poses a risk of damage to the heat-generating IT component(s) due to condensation or overheating. Controller also determines that compressor(s) of the cooling system have been inactive for less than a minimum off-time specified for maintaining service life of the compressor(s). In response, controller checks a cooling mode setting and, based on determining that a cooling mode setting indicates an optimization preference for avoiding the posed risk of damage to the heat-generating IT component(s) over compressor service life, the controller restarts the compressor(s) before expiration of the minimum off-time.

Data center cooling system that selectively delays compressor restart of a mechanical cooling system

A modular data center (MDC) has an air handling system that air cools a volumetric container and heat-generating equipment contained in externally attached equipment panels. Heat-generating information technology (IT) component(s) are positioned within the volumetric container with a cold aisle defined on one side and a hot aisle defined on another side of the IT component(s). The IT component(s) has air-cooling air passages that fluidly communicate between the cold and the hot aisles. A cooling unit pressurizes the cold aisle with supply air and draws return air from the hot aisle. The equipment panel(s) are externally attached to an exterior wall of the volumetric container. A supply air conduit directs supply air from the cold aisle into the equipment panel(s). A return air conduit directs air warmed by the heat-generating equipment inside the equipment panel into the hot aisle from the equipment panel(s) that receives the supply air.

Modular data center having an air cooled external equipment panel

A data center, an air handling system, and a method for installing equipment in a data center enable internal differential pressure relief within the data center. A volumetric container has mounting location(s) for heat generating information technology (IT) component(s) positioned within the volumetric container. A cold aisle on one side and a hot aisle on another side of the IT component(s) that have air passages for air cooling. A cooling unit is coupled to the volumetric container to pressurize the cold aisle with supply air and draws return air from the hot aisle. An air barrier is attached across an air passage between the cold and the hot aisles. A differential pressure relief mechanism is attached to the air barrier. The differential pressure relief mechanism is configured to open in responses to an air pressure difference across the differential pressure relief mechanism exceeding a pressure threshold.

Data center having a differential pressure relief mechanism between cold and hot aisles

A data center regulates supply air provided to multiple compartments including an information technology (IT) compartment having a cold aisle and a hot aisle and an operation technology (OT) compartment. An environmental subsystem of the data center includes an air handling system that provides supply air to the cold aisle and that draws return air from the hot aisle to moderate or cool a temperature of IT component(s) that may be installed within the IT compartment. Airflow regulation device(s) are positioned in at least one of (i) a supply air passage that guides a portion of the supply air in the cold aisle of the IT compartment into the OT compartment to moderate or cool a temperature of OT component(s) that may be installed within the OT compartment and/or (ii) a return air passage that guides air from the OT compartment(s) to the hot aisle of the IT compartment.

Data center that regulates supply air to multiple compartments

A modular data center (MDC) includes an air handling system having air handling unit(s) (AHU(s)) with return air inlet and supply air outlet that are vertically spaced. An air redirection structure includes a return air plenum that is in fluid communication with and vertically aligned to the return air inlet of the AHU(s). The return air plenum directs return air from a return air opening of the first air redirection structure to the AHU(s). The return air opening is positioned adjacent to a hot aisle of a volumetric container of the MDC. A supply air plenum is in fluid communication with and vertically aligned to the supply air outlet of the AHU(s). The supply air plenum directs supply air from the AHU(s) to a supply air opening of the first air redirection structure. The supply air opening is positioned to provide supply air to the cold aisle of the container.

Method for re-direction of airflow from air handler system(s) integrated into a modular data center

A modular data center (MDC) has a cooling unit externally positioned proximate to a first longitudinal external wall of a volumetric container. The cooling unit directs supply air sideways through a supply air opening into a cold aisle adjacent to the first longitudinal external wall. The cooling air passes through rack(s) containing information technology (IT) components to a hot aisle. A baffle positioned within the volumetric container above the rack(s) directs return air from the hot aisle through a return air plenum to a return air opening in the first longitudinal external wall. A shroud coupled to at least one of the volumetric container and the cooling unit receives the sideways directed return air and directs the return air downward into an upwardly open return air inlet of the cooling unit.

Modular data center with integrated return air plenum for external side-mounted air cooling unit

One technique for improving cooling system efficiency is to operate cooling for a data center with a dynamic and distributed cooling system. A distributed cooling system may include multiple compressors operating cooperatively for cooling the data center. A dynamic cooling system may adjust operation of the compressors based on one or more parameters, such as inside temperature, outdoor temperature, inside humidity, outside humidity, and load on the data center. By appropriately controlling speeds of the compressors, the power efficiency of the cooling system may be improved by ensuring that all activated compressors are operating within their efficient operating range. By doing so, the cooling system may be controlled to obtain an approximately linear power consumption as a function of cooling load.

Dynamic cooling system

An automated refrigerant recharging system determines whether a cooling load parameter of a direct expansion (DX) cooling system that cools information technology (IT) modules of an information handling system (IHS) has reached a defined recharging threshold that results in a response of the pressure value for measurement by the pressure transducer. In response to the cooling load parameter being equal to or greater than the defined recharging threshold, a controller determines whether a pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than a defined target pressure value corresponding to the defined recharging threshold. In response to determining that the pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than the defined target pressure value, the controller autonomously opens a control valve to transfer refrigerant to the DX cooling system.

Automatic controls method for adding the optimal amount of refrigerant to a direct expansion cooling system

A cooling system, large-scale information handling system (LIHS), and method avoid vapor condensation in information technology (IT) modules by operating all air handling units (AHU) in the same mode of operation. An AHU supervisory controller of the cooling system determines whether a trigger condition exists that indicates a risk of vapor condensation in the at least one IT module within LIHS that is cooled by more than one AHU. Each AHU directs the intake of cooling air in a selected mode of operation from among: (i) an outside air mode; and (ii) a mechanically cooled air mode. In response to determining that the trigger condition exists, the AHU supervisory controller triggers all AHUs to operate in a mode of operation selected to avoid condensation.

Multimode cooling control of air handling units to prevent condensation

Cooling system of modular data center (MDC) has air handling unit (AHU) that circulates cooling air through information technology (IT) module(s). Transducer(s) sense first air characteristic value of cooling air directed to IT module(s) of MDC, the value being selected one of: (i) temperature value; and (ii) humidity value. AHU controller determines whether first air characteristic value satisfies first air characteristic criterion of one of: (i) a temperature value equal to or greater than minimum temperature threshold; and (ii) a humidity value equal to or less than maximum humidity threshold. In response to determining that first air characteristic criterion is not satisfied, AHU controller triggers supplemental heater to warm cooling air before cooling air comes into contact with IT module(s) inside of MDC to at least one of: (i) provide cooling air above minimum operating temperature of components within IT module(s); and (ii) prevent condensation.

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Cedar Park, TX, United States of America

Trey S Wiederhold