Abstract:
A server cooling system may include, but is not limited to: a server rack; and a flexible duct apparatus, the flexible duct apparatus comprising: a flexible frame; and a fabric portion disposed over at least a portion of the frame, wherein the flexible frame and fabric cooperatively define at least a cooling system aperture and a server aperture.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Management of air cooling systems in data centers is a growing concern. Servers can produce large amounts of heat during the course of normal operation that must be removed in order to ensure peak performance. In many cases this involves blowing cooled air onto the servers which removes the generated heat. The air warmed by the servers is then directed back to the cooling system for heat removal and recirculation back to the servers. Previous methods for establishing a defined channel for recirculated air include installing rigid metal ducts and access ducts. These ducts and ducts direct air from a cooling medium supply into the server rack and/or hot server exhaust air away from the servers and into a return air path, or otherwise away from the servers. The size and rigidity of these ducts and ducts can cause reduced access to equipment. Rigid access ducts may also be bulky and duct swing clearance may be small due to the obstructions provided by other rigid ducts and ducts. Bulky metal ducts and ducts may also take up space that could otherwise be used for servers or other equipment. The rigidity of the metal ducts can limit the flexibility of the placement of server racks. Because of the well defined shape and length of certain pieces of rigid metal duct, there may be limited places that a server rack could be placed to allow a connection to the air circulation system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The present disclosure describes a flexible air duct system and a server system installation method that provides for easy installation, better access to equipment, and flexibility of server rack placement. Elements of the system may include, but are not limited to: a server rack; and a flexible duct apparatus, the flexible duct apparatus comprising: a flexible frame; and a fabric portion disposed over at least a portion of the frame, wherein the flexible frame and fabric cooperatively define at least a cooling system aperture and a server aperture. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a flexible duct. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a flexible duct attached to a server rack. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3A  shows a flexible duct configured for channeling a cooling medium from a floor vent into a server rack. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3B  shows a flexible duct directing air from a floor vent through a server rack. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a flexible duct directing air from a server rack to a return air path. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show flexible ducts used in varying cooling system configurations. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6A  shows an opened server rack door including a flexible duct attached to a server rack. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6B  shows an opened server rack door including a flexible duct attached to a server rack via a mechanical hinge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0013]    It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It may be also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof. It may be the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1-6B  provide graphical representations of various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a flexible duct  100 . The duct  100  may include collapsible frame  110  and fabric  120 . The fabric  120  may be selected from any flexible fabric (e.g. nylon, vinyl, canvas, etc.). The fabric  120  may be cut in a shape and size that closely conforms to one or more surfaces defined by collapsible frame  110 . The fabric  120  may be cut so that the top horizontal portion  110 A of collapsible frame  110  is covered in fabric  120 A while the bottom portion  110 B of collapsible frame  110  is at least partially free of fabric, thereby defining a cooling system aperture  130 . The fabric  120 C may further cover an at least partially curved surface  110 C of collapsible frame  110  while a frontal portion  110 D of collapsible frame  110  may be at least partially free of fabric, thereby defining a server aperture  140 . The cooling system aperture  130  and the server aperture may cooperate to provide a conduit for a cooling medium (e.g. air, nitrogen, CO 2 , or any other gaseous cooling product). 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows the flexible duct  100  installed on a surface of a server rack  200 . The flexible duct  100  may be designed to fit snugly on the front or back of a server rack  200 . For example, one or more flexible gaskets may be disposed between the flexible duct  100  and the server rack  200 . Means for attachment of flexible duct  100  to the server rack  200  may include one or more snaps, clips, clamps, hooks, clasps, flanges, grommets, pins, captive fasteners, retaining rings, banding, strapping, ties, zippers or other established techniques. The flexible duct  100  may be installed on the server rack  200  such that the flexible duct remains in a substantially static position relative to at least a portion of the server rack  200 . For example the flexible duct  100  may be secured to the server rack  200  by the means for attachment around the perimeter of the portion of the flexible duct  100  defining the server aperture  140 . More specifically, the flexible duct  100  may be coupled to an existing vented door portion  201  of the server rack  200 . Such a configuration may allow for increased cooling of the server rack  200  while retaining the door portion  201 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the flexible duct  100  may be used to channel a cooling medium  300  from a cooling medium supply  301  (e.g. a plenum  302  supplying a cooling medium through an interface such as a grate  303 ) through heat generating areas of a server rack  200 . Air may enter system aperture  230  and leave through server aperture  140 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  shows how flexible duct  100  may be installed onto a surface of the server rack  200  in order to channel warmed air into a return air path  400  near a ceiling. The cooling medium  300  from the server rack  200  may enter flexible duct  100  through server aperture  140  and leave through cooling system aperture  130 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict various cooling medium  300  circulation patterns for cooling of a server rack  200 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , cooling medium supply  301  may be found at the floor while the return air path  400  may be found near the ceiling. In this case, the flexible duct  100  installed on a first surface of the server rack  200  may be oriented so that the cooling system aperture  130  is placed on the floor above cooling medium supply  301 . The flexible duct  100  installed on a second surface of the server rack  200  may be oriented so that cooling system aperture  130  is placed directly below a return air path  400 . Connections between system apertures  130  and cooling medium supplies  301  or return air paths  400  may be implemented with flexible ducts similar in construction to flexible duct  100 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 5B  shows a server room configuration where both the cooling medium supply  301  and return air paths  400  are found near the ceiling. In this case, both flexible ducts  100  may be installed so that the cooling system aperture  130  is facing up to accommodate the cooling medium supply  301  and return air path  400 . Alternatively, both flexible ducts  100  may be installed so that the cooling system aperture  130  is facing down to accommodate a cooling medium supply  301  and return air path  400  which are located in a floor (not shown). 
         [0021]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict a row of server racks  200  placed side by side as is common practice. A flexible duct  100  may be attached to a server rack  200  via one or more mechanical hinges  601  to form a flexible door  602  including the flexible duct  100  that is configured to rotate the flexible duct  100  away from the server rack  200 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , a technician may be able to open flexible duct  100 A at an angle greater than would be possible if duct  100 A were not comprised of flexible materials (e.g. a rigid metal construction). An open flexible duct  100 A may at least partially deform as it is opened and pushed up against another flexible duct  100 B. Closed flexible duct  100 B may also at least partially deform as flexible duct  100 A is pushed against it. As the flexible duct  100 B is closed, both flexible ducts  100 A and  100 B may elastically return their original shape once any opening forces are removed. The flexible nature of ducts  100  provide improved access to server rack  200  (e.g. for servicing). 
         [0022]    It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It may be also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof. It may be the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.