Abstract:
A chassis ( 300 ) for housing at least one cardcage ( 302 ) is disclosed. The chassis includes a first portion ( 420 ) of a chassis housing ( 300 ) through a sixth portion ( 460 ) thereof. The first through sixth portions forming a boundary around a storage region of the chassis housing ( 300 ). The chassis ( 300 ) also includes at least one air moving device ( 316 ). At least first ( 413 ) and second openings ( 425 ) are situated within the chassis housing ( 300 ). The first and ( 413 ) second openings ( 425 ) located at substantially different elevations relative to each other. A cardcage ( 302 ) is located in the storage region and situated in a skewed orientation relative to at least two of the portions of the chassis housing ( 300 ). The at least first ( 413 ) and second ( 425 ) openings and the at least one air moving device ( 316 ) are located relative to the skewed oriented cardcage ( 302 ) to facilitate airflow thereacross.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to the field of information processing systems, and more particularly relates to cardcage orientation within a chassis. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    Current methods for orienting components within information processing systems such as servers, rack systems, personal computers, and the like, mount cardcages within a chassis in a parallel fashion. For example,  FIG. 1  is a simple block diagram illustrating a front perspective view of a typical cardcage orientation within a chassis.  FIG. 1  shows a chassis  102  that can reside, for example, within a rack. The chassis  102  includes a plurality of fans  104 , a first opening  106  leading into an air intake plenum  108 , and an air output plenum  110  leading to a second opening  112 . The chassis  102  also includes a cardcage  114  that is situated in a parallel fashion. In other words, a first end  116  of the cardcage  114  is on the same plane (i.e., not higher than) as a second end  118  of the cardcage  114 . 
         [0003]    As the fans  104  draw air into the air intake plenum  108 , the air flows in a 90 degree upwards direction through the fans  104  and over the electronics  120 , e.g., printed circuit boards (“PCBs”), in the cardcage  114 . Once the air flow reaches the air output plenum  110 , the air flow is forced to take another 90 degree turn where the air exits out of the chassis  102  at the second opening  112 . 
         [0004]    One problem with this current configuration is that the air flow is unnecessarily restricted. For example, requiring two 90 degree turns as shown in  FIG. 1  greatly reduces the benefits gained from cooling devices such as fans or blowers. Also, in configurations having cooling devices situated underneath a cardcage, if one fan fails a hot spot can occur in an area of the cardcage directly above the failed fan. This can cause the circuit boards in the cardcage to overheat and fail. 
         [0005]    Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is a chassis for housing at least one cardcage. The chassis includes a first portion of a chassis housing, a second portion thereof, a third portion thereof, a fourth portion thereof, a fifth portion thereof, and a sixth portion thereof. The first through sixth portions forming a boundary around a storage region of the chassis housing. The chassis also includes at least one air moving device. At least first and second openings are situated in at least two of the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the fourth portion, the fifth portion, and the sixth portion of the chassis housing, respectively. The first and second openings are located at substantially different elevations relative to each other. The at least one air moving device is located in proximity to at least one of the first and second openings to facilitate air flow therethrough. A cardcage is located in the storage region and designed and manufactured for holding one or more electronic circuit cards. The cardcage is situated in a skewed orientation relative to at least two of the portions of the chassis housing. The at least first and second openings and the at least one air moving device are located relative to the skewed oriented cardcage to facilitate airflow thereacross. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment a chassis for housing at least one cardcage is disclosed. The chassis includes a top portion of a chassis housing, a bottom portion thereof, a front portion thereof, a rear portion thereof, a first side portion thereof, and a second side portion thereof. The top through second side portions forming a boundary around a storage region of the chassis housing. A plurality of air moving devices is also included. At least two air moving devices in the plurality of air moving devices are each mechanically coupled to at least first and second openings situated at diagonally opposing portions of the chassis housing to facilitate air flow therethrough. A cardcage is located in the storage region and is designed and manufactured for holding one or more electronic circuit cards. The cardcage is situated in a skewed orientation relative to at least two of the portions of the chassis housing. The plurality of air moving devices located relative to the skewed oriented cardcage to facilitate airflow thereacross. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment a chassis for housing at least one cardcage is disclosed. The chassis includes a first portion of a chassis housing, a second portion thereof, a third portion thereof, a fourth portion thereof, a fifth portion thereof, and a sixth portion thereof. The first through sixth portions forming a boundary around a storage region of the chassis housing. The chassis also includes at least one air moving device. At least first and second openings are situated in at least two of the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the fourth portion, the fifth portion, and the sixth portion of the chassis housing, respectively. The first and second openings are located at substantially different elevations relative to each other. The at least one air moving device is located in proximity to at least one of the first and second openings to facilitate air flow therethrough. A cardcage is located in the storage region and designed and manufactured for holding one or more electronic circuit cards. The cardcage is situated in a skewed orientation relative to at least two of the portions of the chassis housing. The at least first and second openings and the at least one air moving device are located relative to the skewed oriented cardcage to facilitate airflow thereacross. The cardcage includes opposing first and second ends. The skewed oriented first end of the cardcage is situated higher in the storage region than the second end of the cardcage in the storage region. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]    The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a conventional parallel cardcage orientation within a chassis; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front angled perspective view of a cardcage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a chassis showing a skewed cardcage orientation according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional view of a chassis showing a skewed cardcage orientation according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a chassis showing one example of how a skewed cardcage can be transitioned to a different position for removal/installation of printed circuit boards according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a chassis showing an air flow simulation for a skewed cardcage orientation according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a chassis showing an air flow simulation for a conventional parallel cardcage orientation; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0019]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0020]    One advantage of the present invention is that a skewed cardcage orientation is provided for mounting a cardcage within a chassis. The skewed cardcage orientation is advantageous because the air flow within the chassis is less restricted than with conventional parallel orientations. The present invention decreases the number of air moving devices needed to effectively cool components within the cardcage or provide better cooling with the same number of fans. Another advantage of the present invention is that the surface area of the air plenums within a chassis is increased by the skewed cardcage orientation. This allows for even greater air flow and better cooling by moving more cool air into the chassis and forcing more hot air out of the chassis. Yet another advantage is that chassis height is reduced by implementing a skewed cardcage orientation. 
         [0021]    Cardcage 
         [0022]    According to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  shows an example of a cardcage  200 , which is an enclosure for holding PCBs. It should be noted that the cardcage  200  of  FIG. 2  is only one example and does not limit the present invention in any way. The present invention is applicable to any enclosure that houses PCBs that can be mounted within a chassis. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a cardcage  200  including one or more integrated subunits or panel assemblies  202 . The panel assembly  202  is housed within cardcage  200  and includes a PCB  204  affixed to a subpanel  206 . The subpanel  206  with attached PCB  204  can be inserted edgewise into the cardcage  200  at a location wherein the top and bottom edges thereof fit within the provided channel tracks  208  located along the interior of the bottom and top walls. The PCB  204  may then be pushed inwardly to a position whereby the electrical connector  210  mounted at the end of PCB  204  is positioned adjacent and aligned with a corresponding electrical connector  212  mounted on the back wall of cardcage  200 . 
         [0024]    One of these connectors may be a female type and the other a male type. In one example, when the subpanel  206  is moved to a final position whereby the PCB connector  210  mates with the backplane connector  212  the subpanel  206  is flush with a bottom edge  214  of the cardcage  200 . The subpanel  206  can also include one or more handles  216  that facilitate the installation or removal of the subpanel  206  from the cardcage  200 . 
         [0025]    Skewed Cardcage Orientation within a Chassis 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a chassis  300 . The chassis  300  is an enclosure that houses one or more cardcages. The chassis  300  can also be mounted within a rack, cabinet, or the like.  FIG. 3  shows a cardcage  302  situated in a non-parallel or skewed orientation within the chassis  300 . The cardcage  302  is situated within the chassis  300  so that a first end  304  of the cardcage  302  is higher than a second end  306  of the cardcage  302 . It should be noted that the cardcage  302  can also be situated within the chassis  300  so that the second end  306  of the cardcage  302  is higher than the first end  304  of the cardcage  302 . 
         [0027]    The orientation of cardcage  302  creates a first plenum  308  and a second plenum  310 . In one embodiment, the first plenum is located in a bottom portion  312  of the chassis  300 . The second plenum is located in an upper portion  314  of the chassis  300 . The bottom portion  312  of the chassis  300  comprises one or more air moving devices  316 .  FIG. 3  shows one or more air moving devices  316  such as a fan, however, any air moving device such as a blower can be used. As shown in the present embodiment, the air moving device(s)  316  is affixed to a front panel  320  of the chassis  300 . 
         [0028]    The air moving device(s)  316  draws or blows air into the first plenum  308 , which in this example is an air intake plenum. The air flows from the first plenum  308  over\through the cardcage  302  as shown by the arrows  322 . As the air flows over\through the cardcage  302 , the PCB boards within the cardcage  302  are cooled. One advantage of the present invention is that the air flow from the first plenum  308  to the cardcage  302  is less restricted than in the chassis of  FIG. 1 . This is because the orientation of the cardcage  302  in  FIG. 2  is skewed within the chassis  300 . As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , the air flow is not required to make a 90 degree turn from the first plenum  308  to flow over\through the cardcage  302 . Stated differently, the airflow makes less than a 90 degree turn. As the air flows over\through the cardcage  302 , the air enters the second plenum  310 , which in this example is an air output plenum. The air flows from the second plenum out an opening  324  (which can be vented) located in the upper portion  314  of the chassis  300 . The air exiting the chassis  300  through the opening  324  is generally hot air.  FIG. 3  shows the opening  324  situated on a back panel  326  of the chassis  300 . 
         [0029]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the air flow is not required to make a 90 degree turn when moving from the cardcage  302  into the second plenum  310 . Therefore, the complete airflow path from the first plenum  308  over\through the cardcage  302  and into the second plenum  310  where the air exits out of the chassis  300  is less restricted than with conventional cardcage orientations. This allows for more efficient cooling of the cardcage and its components with less fans or better cooling with an equal number of fans as compared to a conventional chassis configuration. 
         [0030]    For example, because the air flow is less restricted more air flows through the chassis  300  thereby decreasing the number of fans needed to cool the chassis. Also, by skewing the orientation of the cardcage  302 , uniform cooling can occur by placing the air moving device(s)  316  away from the cardcage  302 . In conventional chassis configurations, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the air moving device(s)  316  are located on a bottom panel of the chassis situated directly underneath and parallel to the cardcage. If one fan fails, the potential for a hot spot occurring on the corresponding cardcage area is great. However, the skewed orientation of the cardcage in the present invention provides a less restrictive environment for the air flow and allows the fans to be placed away from the cardcage  302 . If one air moving device fails, the other(s) air moving devices can still uniformly cool the cardcage. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the chassis configuration of  FIG. 3 ; other chassis configurations are also applicable to the present invention. For example, instead of a top panel  328  and a bottom panel  330  of the chassis being closed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , one or more of these panels  328 ,  330  can be open or have an open portion. For example, instead of the opening  324  being located on the back panel  326 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the opening  324  can be located on the top panel  328  of the chassis  300 . 
         [0032]    Additionally, an opening can be situated on the back panel  326 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and on the top panel  328 . This provides two openings for the air to exit from the chassis  300 . Air moving devices can also be affixed to the bottom panel  330  in addition to the front panel  320 . The locations of opening(s)  324  for hot air to escape the chassis and air moving devices shown in  FIG. 3  can also be reversed. In other embodiments, the air moving device(s)  316  can be located on an upper portion of the chassis  300  and the escape opening can be located on a bottom portion of the chassis  300 . The air escape opening  324  and the air moving device(s)  316  can also be located on side panels (not shown) of the chassis in addition to\with any of the configurations discussed above. 
         [0033]    Three-Dimensional View of a Skewed Cardcage Orientation 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional view of the skewed cardcage orientation of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  shows a chassis  400 . The cardcage  402  is situated within the chassis  400  in a skewed orientation as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3 . A first portion  404  of the cardcage  402  is positioned higher than a second portion  406  of the cardcage  402 . An air moving device  416  is positioned at a bottom portion  412  of a front panel  420  of the chassis  400 . The air moving device  416  is mechanically coupled to a first opening  413  and draws or blows air into a first plenum  408  located in at least a part of the bottom portion  412  of the chassis  400 . The air flows from the first plenum  408  over/through the cardcage  402  at an angle that is less restrictive than 90 degrees. 
         [0035]    The air flow then continues into a second plenum  410  which is located in at least a part of an upper portion  414  of the chassis  400 . The air flows into the second plenum  410  and out of the chassis via a second opening  425  at an angle that is less restrictive than 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle of the air flow path from the first plenum  408  to the cardcage  402  is symmetrical to the angle of the air flow path from the cardcage  402  out of the chassis  400 . However, the angles do not have to be symmetrical. The air flows out of the chassis  400  via an opening  424  situated in the upper portion  414  of the chassis on a back panel  426 .  FIG. 4  shows the opening  424  including vents or grill  452 . 
         [0036]    It should be noted that the front panel  420  and one or more of the other chassis panels are optional. The air moving device  416  can be secured to the chassis in various ways and can be fixed or removable. The rear panel  426 , top panel  454 , first side panel  436 , bottom panel  458 , second side panel  460  are removable or can be opened so that the cardcage  402  may be interacted with, removed, installed, or the like. For example, a technician may want to add or remove a PCB from the cardcage  402 . In one embodiment, a top panel  454  and/or the front panel  420  are removable or able to be opened so that a PCB can be slid in and out of the cardcage at the same angle that the cardcage is situated at. In this example, the cardcage can remain situated at its current orientation and the PCBs can be inserted\removed at the appropriate angle. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a cardcage  502  can be coupled to a pivoting member  560  such as a hinge. The pivoting member  506 , in this example is affixed to a portion of a top panel  554 . The pivoting member  560  allows the cardcage  502  to be pivoted about an axis. For example,  FIG. 5  shows that the cardcage  502  can be pivoted in an upward direction as shown by the dashed lines  562 . As the cardcage  502  is pivoted upwards it communicates with a locking member  564  to retain the cardcage  502  in a parallel position as shown by the dashed box  566 . This allows PCB boards to be inserted and removed in a direction that is parallel to the top and bottom panels  554 ,  558 . It should be noted that the cardcage  502  can be placed at any angle for removal\installation of PCBs. 
         [0038]    Air Flow Simulations 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a chassis showing an air flow simulation for the skewed cardcage orientation discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  shows air being drawn into the first plenum  308  via two air moving device(s)  316 . As discussed above, the air moves from the first plenum  308  over\through the cardcage  302 . The cardcage  302 , in this embodiment, is maintained within the chassis  300  having a first end  304  situated higher than a second end  306  of the cardcage. As discussed above, this orientation results in a less restrictive air flow path. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the air flow moves from the first plenum  308  to the cardcage  302  at an angle that is less restrictive than 90 degrees. Also, the angle taken by the air flow to move from the cardcage  302  into the second plenum  310  and out of the chassis  300  via the opening  324  is also a less restrictive angle than 90 degrees. The less restrictive air flow path is a result of the skewed cardcage orientation. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  illustrates an air flow simulation for a conventional card cage orientation.  FIG. 7  shows air being drawn into a first plenum  108  by multiple air moving devices  104  in parallel.  FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a chassis showing an air flow simulation for a conventional parallel orientation of a cardcage as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 . As the air flows from the first plenum  108  to the cardcage  114 , the air takes a 90 degree upward turn. As the air flows from the cardcage  114  to the second plenum  110 , it takes another 90 degree turn as shown by  FIG. 7 . The air then exits out of the opening  112 . The parallel orientation (a first end  116  of the cardcage  114  being at the same height as the second end  118  of the cardcage results in a more restrictive air flow path the causes less air flow within the chassis  102 . 
       NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES  
       [0041]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.