Thermal ducting system

A thermal ducting system for electronic equipment in an electronic equipment enclosure is provided. The thermal ducting system includes a top duct, a bottom duct spaced apart from the top duct, a side duct extending from the top duct to the bottom duct and along an intake side of the electronic equipment, and at least one baffle positioned in the side duct.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a thermal ducting system, and more particularly, a thermal ducting system having one or more strategically placed, selectively perforated baffles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A thermal ducting system for electronic equipment in an electronic equipment enclosure is provided. The thermal ducting system includes a top duct, a bottom duct spaced apart from the top duct, a side duct extending from the top duct to the bottom duct and along an intake side of the electronic equipment, and at least one baffle positioned in the side duct.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown inFIG. 2, thermal ducting system100is installed in cabinet10, such as Panduit's Net-Access Cabinet. For example, to install thermal ducting system100in cabinet10, brackets140are mounted to cabinet10, and more particularly, to equipment rails12of cabinet10, defining area14for receiving switch20, such as Cisco's Nexus 7009 Switch. Next, side duct130is mounted to top right side bracket140B and to bottom right side bracket140D. Preferably, baffles150are installed in side duct130at the factory, but it is likewise contemplated that baffles150are installed in side duct130prior to installing side duct130in cabinet10, for example, in the field. Next, top duct110is mounted to top left side bracket140A and to top right side bracket140B and bottom duct120is mounted to bottom left side bracket140C and to bottom right side bracket140D.

As shown inFIG. 3, switch20is installed in cabinet10. Switch20is disposed in area14between top duct110and bottom duct120and adjacent side duct130. The intake side of switch20is disposed adjacent side duct130. Switch20includes line cards22, fabric cards24, and power supply26.

Referring again toFIG. 2, thermal ducting system100routes cold air from the front of cabinet10to the intake side of switch20. For example, cold air in the front of cabinet10is routed to top duct110and bottom duct120, as indicated by arrows A. Next, the cold air in top duct110and bottom duct120is routed through side duct130and into the intake side of switch20, as indicated by arrows B. Next, the cold air is routed through switch20, as indicated by arrows C.

Referring again toFIG. 3, when cold air is routed from top duct110and bottom duct120to side duct130, the cold air is moving at a relatively high velocity in a direction perpendicular to the intake side of switch20, and more particularly, line cards22, as indicated by arrows D. The relatively high velocity airflow has significant momentum and low static pressure, making it more difficult for switch20to draw in cold air to line cards22, potentially causing an uneven airflow distribution across line cards22. However, the addition of one or more strategically placed, selectively perforated baffles150reduces the velocity and increases the static pressure upstream of baffles150, improving airflow to line cards22upstream of baffles150.

As shown inFIG. 3A, baffle150is selectively perforated. That is, baffle150includes perforated portion152and imperforated portion154. Perforated portion152allows cold air to pass through baffle150to line cards22and fabric cards24downstream of baffle150. However, imperforated portion154does not allow cold air to pass through baffle150, causing the cold air to stagnate, which improves airflow to line cards22upstream of baffle150.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements, whether known or presently unforeseen, may become apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.