Elevated automatic transfer switch cabinet

An elevated automatic transfer switch (ATS) cabinet provides modular and incremental power support redundancy to a set of electrical loads which reduces capital waste and increases the floor space which can be occupied by electrical loads. The cabinet includes a mounting element which can be coupled to a free-standing structure proximate to the floor space, so that the cabinet is supported by the structure in an elevated position and is freed from occupying floor space. The cabinet includes slots in which separate ATS modules can be installed via blind mate connections, thereby enabling modular and incremental installation of ATS support capacity in the cabinet based on incremental installation of electrical loads. The cabinet can physically couple with power cables extending from separate electrical loads, so that the cabinet electrically couples ATS modules to electrical loads independently of branch circuits between the cabinet and the electrical loads.

BACKGROUND

Organizations such as on-line retailers, Internet service providers, search providers, financial institutions, universities, and other computing-intensive organizations often conduct computer operations from large scale computing facilities. Such computing facilities house and accommodate a large amount of server, network, and computer equipment to process, store, and exchange data as needed to carry out an organization's operations. Typically, a computer room of a computing facility includes many server racks. Each server rack, in turn, includes many servers and associated computer equipment.

Because the computer room of a computing facility may contain a large number of servers, a large amount of electrical power may be required to operate the facility. In addition, the electrical power is distributed to a large number of locations spread throughout the computer room (e.g., many racks spaced from one another, and many servers in each rack). Usually, a facility receives a power feed at a relatively high voltage. This power feed is stepped down to a lower voltage (e.g., 208V). A network of cabling, bus bars, power connectors, and power distribution units, is used to deliver the power at the lower voltage to numerous specific components in the facility.

Some data centers have no redundancy at the PDU level. Such data centers may have a large affected zone when a UPS or PDU failure in the power system occurs. In addition, some data centers have “single threaded” distribution via the electrical supply to the floor, and in which maintenance can only be performed when the components are shut-off. The down-time associated with maintenance and reconfiguration of primary power systems in a data center may result in a significant loss in computing resources. In some critical systems such as hospital equipment and security systems, down-time may result in significant disruption and, in some cases, adversely affect health and safety.

Some systems include dual power systems that provide redundant power support for computing equipment. In some systems, an automatic transfer switch (“ATS”) provides switching from a primary power system to a secondary (e.g., back-up) power system. In a typical system, the automatic transfer switch automatically switches a server rack to the secondary system upon detecting a fault in the primary power. To maintain the computing equipment in continuous operation, the automatic transfer switch may need to make the transfer to secondary power system rapidly (for example, within about 16 milliseconds).

Some data centers include back-up components and systems to provide back-up power to servers in the event of a failure of components or systems in a primary power system. In some data centers, a primary power system may have its own back-up system that is fully redundant at all levels of the power system. Such a level of redundancy for the systems and components supported by the primary and fully-redundant back-up system may be referred to as “2N” redundancy. For example, in a data center having multiple server rooms, one or more server racks may receive power support from a primary power system and fully-redundant back-up power system. The back-up system for each server room may have a switchboard, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and floor power distribution unit (PDU) that mirrors a corresponding switchboard, uninterruptible power supply, and floor power distribution unit in the primary power system for that server room. Providing full redundancy of the primary power systems may, however, be very costly both in terms of capital costs (in that in may require a large number of expensive switchboard, UPSs, and PDUs, for example) and in terms of costs of operation and maintenance. In addition, with respect to the primary computer systems, special procedures may be required to switch components from the primary system to a back-up system to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the servers, further increasing maintenance costs. As a result, some data centers may include a back-up system that is less than fully redundant for a primary power system. Such a level of redundancy for the systems and components supported by the primary and fully-redundant back-up system may be referred to as “N+1” redundancy. While N+1 redundancy may not provide fully-redundant reserve power support for computing equipment, such redundancy may involve lower capital and operating costs.

Some systems include one or more power systems that provide power concurrently to a set of computing equipment independently of a switching between the power servers upstream of the set of computing equipment. Such systems may provide 1N redundancy, 2N redundancy, etc. for the computing units.

In some data centers, some sets of computing equipment may be configured for power support of various types of redundancy. For example, some server racks having servers configured for critical tasks may receive 2N reserve power support, some server racks may receive N+1 reserve power support, and some server racks may receive a concurrent supply of power from one or more separate power feeds independently of an upstream transfer switch. Configuring each rack for a particular type of power redundancy with support from particular power systems may be costly and time-consuming, as each configuration may require specific configurations of specific upstream systems and components to establish a given power support redundancy for a given server rack.

As a result, providing various redundancies, from various power sources, to various sets of computing equipment in a data center may require excessive expenditures of time, resources, and data center floor space, wall space, etc. to provide specific systems and components for each particular power support redundancy type from each particular power system used to provide such redundancies. In addition, due to the specific systems and components, and configurations thereof, required to implement a given redundancy, changing a power support redundancy for a particular set of computing equipment may be time consuming and expensive, as such changes may require re-arrangement, addition, removal, etc. of various systems and component configurations specific to enabling such redundancies. Such changes may further require extended computing unit downtime to implement changes in specific systems and components, as such reconfigurations of various systems and components in a data center may require temporarily taking otherwise unrelated systems and components offline, thereby exacerbating costs.

The amount of computing capacity needed for any given data center may change rapidly as business needs dictate. Most often, there is a need for increased computing capacity at a location. Initially providing computing capacity in a data center, or expanding the existing capacity of a data center (in the form of additional servers, for example), is resource-intensive and may take many months to implement. Substantial time and resources are typically required to design and build a data center (or expansion thereof), lay cables, install racks, enclosures, and cooling systems to implement waste heat removal therefrom. Additional time and resources are typically needed to conduct inspections and obtain certifications and approvals, such as for electrical and HVAC systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of elevated automatic transfer switch (ATS) cabinets are disclosed.

According to one embodiment, a data center includes at least two power distribution systems configured to supply separate power feeds and a computer space configured to support computing operations by two parallel rows of racks. The computer space includes an aisle space, at least two free-standing exhaust plenum structures, and at least two elevated automatic transfer switch (ATS) cabinets. The aisle space includes a long axis and at least two separate rows of rack computer systems. Each row of rack computer systems is positioned on an opposite side of the long axis, and each rack computer system is configured to receive intake air on a front side facing the long axis and to discharge exhaust air on a rear side that faces away from the long axis. Each free-standing exhaust plenum structure is mounted adjacent to rear sides of separate rows of rack computer systems on opposite sides of the cold aisle space. Each free-standing exhaust plenum structure comprises a frame structure that is configured to provide structural support to an enclosure of an internal exhaust air plenum which is configured to receive the exhaust air from the rear side of an adjacent row of rack computer systems. Each elevated ATS cabinet is mounted in an elevated position above a separate row of rack computer systems and is configured to selectively provide electrical power support to the separate rows of rack computer systems from a selected power feed of the separate power feeds. Each elevated ATS cabinet includes a mounting element configured to couple the elevated ATS cabinet with a frame structure of a separate free-standing exhaust plenum structure, at least two power bus systems configured to carry electrical power from a separate power feed of the separate power feeds, a set of ATS modules installed in separate ATS module slots, and a set of power outlet receptacles which are each configured to electrically couple a power outlet of a separate ATS module with an electrical power cable extending from a separate rack computer system, independently of any branch circuits. Each ATS module comprises an ATS configured to selectively distribute electrical power from a separate power feed to an outlet. The ATS modules and the ATS module slots comprise blind mate connections configured to electrically couple ATS modules installed in ATS module slots with the separate power bus systems via blind mate connections.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elevated automatic transfer switch (ATS) cabinet configured to provide electrical power support to a set of electrical loads via a set of ATS modules each configured to selectively distribute electrical power to separate electrical loads from one of a set of electrical power feeds. The elevated ATS cabinet includes a mounting arm element configured to physically couple with a free-standing structural frame, such that the elevated ATS cabinet is structurally supported by the free-standing structural frame in a suspended elevated position over a floor element. The elevated ATS cabinet further includes a set of ATS module slots, each comprising a set of blind-mate connectors which are electrically coupled to separate electrical power feeds, wherein each ATS module slot is configured to electrically couple a separate ATS module mounted in the respective ATS module slot with each of the separate electrical power feeds based on blind-mate connections between the set of blind-mate electrical connectors and corresponding connectors of the separate ATS module.

According to one embodiment, a method includes configuring an elevated automatic transfer switch (ATS) cabinet to provide electrical power support to a set of electrical loads via a set of ATS modules which are each configured to selectively distribute electrical power to separate electrical loads from one of a set of electrical power feeds. The configuring includes physically coupling a mounting arm element of the elevated ATS cabinet with a free-standing structural frame, such that the elevated ATS cabinet is structurally supported by the free-standing structural frame in a suspended elevated position over a floor element. The configuring further includes installing the set of ATS modules in a set of ATS module slots of the elevated cabinet, such that the installing comprises establishing blind-mate connections between the set of blind-mate electrical connectors and corresponding connectors of the separate ATS modules which electrically couples the separate ATS modules with the separate electrical power feeds. Each ATS module slot comprises a set of blind-mate connectors which are electrically coupled to separate electrical power feeds

As used herein, “data center” includes any facility or portion of a facility in which computer operations are carried out. A data center may include servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiple functions. Examples of computer operations include information processing, communications, simulations, and operational control.

As used herein, “operating power” means power that can be used by one or more computer system components. Operating power may be stepped down in a power distribution unit or in elements downstream from the power distribution units. For example, a server power supply may step down operating power voltages (and rectify alternating current to direct current).

As used herein, providing power “support” refers to providing one or more power feeds to be available to one or more downstream systems and components, including one or more electrical loads. Such provided power feeds may be precluded from being received by the systems and components but may be made available for receipt based at least in part upon a positioning of one or more components upstream of the systems and components. For example, a reserve power system may provide reserve power support to an electrical load by providing a reserve power feed that can be selectively routed to the load by a transfer switch that is downstream of the reserve power system and upstream of the load, where the transfer switch may selectively route the reserve power feed or a primary power feed to the load based at least in part upon one or more conditions associated with the primary power feed.

As used herein, “power distribution unit”, also referred to herein as a “PDU”, means any device, module, component, or combination thereof, which can be used to distribute electrical power. The elements of a power distribution unit may be embodied within a single component or assembly (such as a transformer and a rack power distribution unit housed in a common enclosure), or may be distributed among two or more components or assemblies (such as a transformer and a rack power distribution unit each housed in separate enclosure, and associated cables, etc.).

As used herein, “primary power” means any power that can be supplied to an electrical load, for example, during normal operating conditions.

As used herein, “floor power distribution unit” refers to a power distribution unit that can distribute electrical power to various components in a computer room. In certain embodiments, a power distribution unit includes a k-rated transformer. A power distribution unit may be housed in an enclosure, such as a cabinet.

As used herein, “rack power distribution unit” refers to a power distribution unit that can be used to distribute electrical power to various components in a rack. A rack power distribution may include various components and elements, including wiring, bus bars, connectors, and circuit breakers.

As used herein, “reserve power” means power that can be supplied to an electrical load upon the failure of, or as a substitute for, primary power to the load.

As used herein, “physically coupled” refers to a connection that physically connects two or more components and is configured to electrically couple and electrically isolate the two or more components. For example, two wires are physically coupled via a switch. And, the switch is configured to electrically couple and electrically isolate the two wires by closing and opening the switch.

As used herein, “computer system” includes any of various computer systems or components thereof. One example of a computer system is a rack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computer is not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a processor, a server, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. In the various embodiments, memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digital versatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, additional input channels may include computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner. Furthermore, in the some embodiments, additional output channels may include an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

FIG. 1is a schematic illustrating a perspective view of an electrical load space in which a row of electrical loads and a free-standing structure are installed and an elevated automatic transfer switch (ATS) cabinet which is supported in an elevated position over the electrical loads by the free-standing structure and provides power redundancy support to each of the electrical loads, according to some embodiments. The electrical load space100can be included in any of the embodiments of electrical load spaces herein.

Electrical load space100, also referred to as a load space, can be included in one or more various facilities, including a data center, where the load space is referred to as a computer space and the electrical loads installed therein include rack computer systems.

Load space100includes a floor element101. Load space100includes a set of load positions102on the floor element101. The individual load positions define positions, on floor element101, on which separate electrical loads can be installed. A free-standing structure110, which can include a free-standing exhaust plenum structure, is installed on the floor element101and includes a set of frame members112A-D to which wall elements114A-C, also referred to as enclosure elements, are coupled. The illustrated free-standing structure110can partition the load space100into two regions, where one region includes the load positions102and another region, on the opposite side of the structure110from the load positions, is at least partially partitioned from the one region.

As shown, a set of electrical loads120, each of which includes a power interface122, are each installed on separate load positions102on the floor element101. The loads120and wall elements114A-C collectively partition the load space100into separate regions. In some embodiments, the structure110and electrical loads120are installed in a configuration which enables exhaust air discharged from the electrical loads120, which removes heat generated by one or more heat generating components within the electrical loads120, to be directed to the region of the load space100which is located on the opposite side of the structure110from the electrical loads120, so that the exhaust air is partitioned from interacting with intake air located on the common side of the structure110as the electrical loads120.

An elevated Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) cabinet130is installed at an elevated position over the set of electrical loads120. The elevated ATS cabinet includes multiple sets136of ATS modules137which provide power support to separate electrical loads120. Each ATS module137in cabinet130is electrically coupled to a separate electrical load120and provides power support to the separate electrical load120. As referred to herein, providing “power support” to an electrical load can include one or more of electrical power support, where electrical power is distributed to the electrical load to support operation of the electrical load, power redundancy support, where electrical power is selectively provided to the electrical load from one of a selection of power feeds to provide power support redundancy to the electrical load, some combination thereof, etc.

As shown, cabinet130includes a set of cabinet inlet receptacles134which are each configured to be coupled to separate power feed lines125, where each separate power feed line125carries a separate power feed. In some embodiments, the separate power feeds are supplied from separate power sources, which can include separate power distribution systems. In some embodiments, multiple power feeds received at multiple receptacles134are supplied by a common power source. In some embodiments, a power feed line125carries a multiple-phase power feed, and separate sets136of ATS modules137distribute a separate phases of the power feed to separate electrical loads120.

Each ATS137is configured to selectively distribute electrical power from one of the separate power feeds received at the receptacles134from the lines125to a separate and particular cabinet outlet receptacle138. As shown, cabinet130includes separate receptacles138which are each separately coupled within cabinet130to separate ATS modules137, and separate electrical loads120are electrically coupled to separate receptacles138of the cabinet130via separate instances of power conduits124. As a result, each electrical load120is electrically coupled to a separate ATS module137included in the cabinet, via a separate power conduit124and receptacle138, and each separate ATS module137provides power support to a separate electrical load120. Furthermore, cabinet130can be referred to as providing power support to all of the electrical loads120.

As shown, the elevated ATS cabinet130includes mounting arm elements132which extend from a rear end of the cabinet130and which are coupled to frame members112B-C of the free-standing structure110. In some embodiments, the structure110wall elements114can include gaps through which the mounting arm elements132can extend to couple with frame members112on opposite sides of the wall elements114from the cabinet130. The cabinet is installed on a common side of the structure110as the electrical loads, as the cabinet receptacles138are coupled to the loads120. As a result, where cooling intake air is circulated in the region of the load space100in which the electrical loads120are installed, the cabinet130can utilize the cooling air to remove heat generated by heat generating components in the cabinet130.

As a result of coupling the mounting arm elements132of the cabinet130to the frame members112B-C, the structure110supports the structural load of the cabinet130at a particular elevated position which is located at a particular height170over the floor element101, based on the elevated position over floor element101at which the mounting arm elements132are coupled to the frame members112B-C. As shown, the cabinet130is supported by the structure, via the frame members112B-C and the mounting arm elements132, at an elevated position over the floor element101and the electrical loads120installed on the load positions102on the floor element101.

Because the cabinet130does not rest on the floor element101directly but is rather suspended in a position at a height, or spacing,170over the floor element, the cabinet130does not occupy any of the load positions102and the electrical loads120can be installed beneath the cabinet130. Installing the cabinet130at the illustrated elevated position enables floor element101space which would be occupied by the cabinet130if the cabinet were resting on the floor element101to be released to be occupied by other elements, including one or more electrical loads120which could not be installed on the floor element101if the cabinet130were resting in direct physical contact with the floor element101. As a result, the number of electrical loads120installed on the floor element101is increased as a result of supporting the cabinet130in the elevated position at height170over the floor element101instead of resting the cabinet130in direct physical contact with the floor element101, thereby providing improved electrical load density in the load space100and improving utilization of one or more power sources, including one or more power distribution systems, which supply power to the particular load space100, thereby reducing waste of infrastructure and capital expenditures.

In some embodiments, an enclosure gap118can be formed in a wall element114of structure110, and a conduit119can be extended between the end of the cabinet130which faces the gap118and the gap118itself. Such an end of the cabinet130is referred to herein as a “rear” end of the cabinet130, and the opposite end of the cabinet, shown inFIG. 1to include the receptacles138and ATS module137ends, is referred to as a “front” end of the cabinet. The conduit119, which can be referred to as a baffle element, is coupled to both the cabinet130and at least a portion of the wall element114B and establishes a pathway between the rear end of the cabinet130and a region of the load space100which is located on an opposite side of the structure110from the region of the load space100in which the cabinet130and electrical loads120are located.

Exhaust air discharged by the cabinet130, as a result of one or more air moving devices in the cabinet130inducing an airflow through the cabinet130, from the front end to the rear end, which removes heat generated by one or more components in the cabinet130, can be directed through the conduit119to the gap118. The exhaust air directed to the gap118is directed to an opposite side of the structure110, where the exhaust air discharged from the rear end of the cabinet130can mix with exhaust air discharged by the electrical loads120and is similarly partitioned from interaction with cooling intake air on the side of the structure110where the electrical loads120and cabinet130are located.

FIG. 2is a schematic illustrating an orthogonal view of an electrical load space which includes separate rows of electrical loads extending along opposite sides of an aisle, free-standing structures which enclose exhaust air plenums on opposite sides of the aisle, and separate elevated ATS cabinets which are supported over separate rows of electrical loads by the separate free-standing structures and provide power redundancy support to separate electrical loads in the separate rows, according to some embodiments. The electrical load space200can be included in any of the embodiments of electrical load spaces herein.

Electrical load space200, also referred to herein as a load space, includes a floor element206. Space200further includes row infrastructure module201. In some embodiments, where the electrical loads in the load space200include rack computer systems, the load space200can be referred to as a computer space. The row infrastructure module201is mounted in space200on at least a portion of floor element206. The elevated ATS cabinets280A-B can be included in any of the embodiments of elevated ATS cabinets included herein. The space200can include a computer space included in a data center, and one or more of the electrical loads installed in space200can include one or more rack computer systems.

Row infrastructure module201, also referred to herein as “module201”, includes an enclosure space212that is at least partially bounded by various modular elements of module201, including at least the illustrated free-standing structures210and module230. The enclosure space212may herein be referred to as a “bounded enclosure212”. The bounded enclosure212, in some embodiments, includes one or more heat producing components, including electrical loads214. The one or more electrical loads214can, in some embodiments, include one or more rack computer systems into which computer systems (not shown) are installed, where the computer systems include one or more heat producing components. The computer systems may require cooling air, also referred to herein as cooling intake air, to remove heat from the heat producing components therein, thereby removing heat from the computer systems and mitigating the risk of damage to sensitive components from overheating. The computer systems may require various infrastructure elements for normal operation, including power distribution infrastructure, communication infrastructure, etc.

In some embodiments, module201is configured to provide cooling air to the bounded enclosure212to remove heat from one or more heat producing components mounted in the bounded enclosure212. In some embodiments, a bounded enclosure that receives air for such heat removal is referred to as a “cold aisle”, “cold aisle space”, etc. The bounded enclosure may include a length of floor space (e.g., an “aisle”) on which various components, including electrical loads214, are mounted. The electrical loads214may be mounted in one or more rows, also referred to as set of electrical loads, in various portions of the bounded enclosure212. As shown, the electrical loads214may be mounted on opposite sides of the bounded enclosure212. In some embodiments, the electrical loads214are mounted to position front ends of the respective electrical loads214into the bounded enclosure212and the rear ends of the respective electrical loads214away from the bounded enclosure212. In some embodiments, devices mounted in an electrical load214are configured to receive cooling intake air242for heat removal via the front end of the electrical load and discharge cooling exhaust air that has removed at least some heat from one or more heat producing components of the device via the rear end of the electrical load. Thus, cooling intake air can be received from the interior of the bounded enclosure212into the electrical loads214, and exhaust air can be discharged out of the bounded enclosure212.

In some embodiments, at least some of the bounded enclosure212is established by one or more modular elements of module201. For example, as illustrated, where at least two free-standing exhaust plenum structures210are mounted in the interior space202of space200on floor element206, the free-standing exhaust plenum structures210can be mounted on the floor206to establish side ends of the bounded enclosure212. The structures210can be mounted in a spaced configuration, where the structures are mounted on opposite sides of a space203of the floor element. In some embodiments, module201comprises at least two sets of multiple structures210that each extend along opposite sides of a space203. Where multiple structures210are coupled together on each of the opposite sides of the space203to establish respective sets of structures210, the two or more sets of structures210may extend substantially in parallel with a particular axis205of the space203. For example, where space203includes a substantially rectangular portion of the floor element206, where the illustration of space203inFIG. 2is a width of the space that is less than a perpendicular length of the space (not shown), the axis205extending along the length of the space may comprise a long axis of the space203, so that the structures210mounted on opposite ends of the space extend substantially in parallel with the long axis205to establish side ends of the space203. In some embodiments, establishing side ends of space203includes at least partially establishing side ends of the bounded enclosure212.

In some embodiments, a top end of the bounded enclosure212is at least partially established by a plenum module230. As shown, a plenum module230is mounted in the interior enclosure space202to rest upon at least a portion of separate support arm structures225of the separate free-standing exhaust plenum structures210mounted on opposite sides of space203. The module230may comprise a panel element232, a vent233, etc. The panel element232may include a lower surface and an upper surface that restricts airflow between the surfaces beyond the vent233. As a result, in some embodiments, a plenum module230can be coupled to separate free-standing exhaust plenum structures210that are themselves mounted on opposite side ends of space203to establish a top end of bounded enclosure212and a bottom end of another enclosure that can include a cooling air plenum240. Coupling a plenum module230to a free-standing exhaust plenum structure210can including mounting the plenum module230on one or more support art structures225of the structure210, where the plenum module200may rest upon one or more surfaces, including an upper surface, of the support arm structure and transmit at least apportion of the plenum modules230structural load to at least a portion of the structure210via support arm structure225.

In some embodiments, module201includes various plenums that direct air to bounded enclosure212to provide intake air to the bounded enclosure, direct air from the bounded enclosure212to remove exhaust air from the bounded enclosure, some combination thereof, or the like. In the illustrated embodiments, a plenum duct237can be coupled to the separate free-standing exhaust plenum structures210to establish a top end of an enclosure, which can include a cooling air plenum240, from which air can be directed into the bounded enclosure212as intake air242. As shown, at least some ends of the cooling air plenum240can be established by the plenum module230, free-standing exhaust plenum structures210, plenum duct237, etc. In some embodiments, where the plenum module230includes an enclosure structure that establishes top ends, bottom ends, and side ends of the plenum240, a plenum duct237may be omitted from module201. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling air plenum240is established via a lower surface of plenum duct237, an upper surface of plenum module230, and upper portions of the faces of the free-standing exhaust plenum structures210that face into space203. Such faces can be referred to herein as “enclosure faces” of the respective structures210.

In some embodiments, cooling air is received into cooling air plenum240and circulated through at least a portion of cooling air plenum240. The cooling air can be directed from plenum240into the bounded enclosure212as cooling intake air242via one or more vents233. In some embodiments, one or more vents233include one or more dampers which may be adjustably controllable to adjustably control the flow rate of intake air into at least a portion of the bounded enclosure. In some embodiments, the cooling air is directed through the vents via one or more gradients from the plenum240to the enclosure212, including a pressure gradient, air density gradient, some combination thereof, or the like.

In some embodiments, one or more of the free-standing exhaust plenum structures210in module201includes a free-standing frame comprised of one or more frame members. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the free-standing exhaust plenum structures210include frame members including vertical frame post members222and bracing frame members224. The frame members can provide structural support and integrity to a given structure210and can establish a structural outline of the structure210. In some embodiments, the structure210includes an interior space220that comprises an internal exhaust air plenum226. The plenum226can receive exhaust air from rear ends of electrical loads214mounted in the bounded enclosure212to abut the respective enclosure face of the respective free-standing exhaust plenum structure210. Exhaust air290can be received from one or more devices that include one or more heat producing components. The exhaust air290may comprise intake air that has passed through at least a portion of the electrical load214and removed heat from at least one of the heat producing components included in one or more devices mounted in the electrical load214.

In some embodiments, a free-standing exhaust plenum structure210includes one or more wall elements that encompass at least a portion of one or more faces of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure. In the illustrated embodiments, at least the enclosure faces of the free-standing exhaust plenum structures210include wall elements227,229that encompass respective portions of the enclosure faces of the structures210. Wall element227can include one or more elements that encompass at least a portion of the enclosure face of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure to partition the interior of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210from the bounded enclosure212, thereby restricting flow of exhaust air from the internal exhaust air plenum226of the structure210into the bounded enclosure212. In some embodiments, the wall element227extends from the portion of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210at which the plenum module230is coupled to a portion where one or more racks214abut the enclosure face of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210. The enclosure face of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210may include one or more gaps270, including one or more gaps270where an electrical load214abuts the enclosure face, so that exhaust air290can pass from the rear end of the electrical load214into the plenum226of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210. One or more sealing elements may be coupled between a rack214and a wall element227of the proximate structure210to seal the interface between the wall element227and the structure of the electrical load214and to at least partially mitigate, prevent, etc. leakage of exhaust air from plenum226to bounded enclosure212.

Wall element229can include one or more elements that encompass at least a portion of the enclosure face of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210to partition the interior of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210from at least the cooling air plenum240, thereby at least partially restricting a flow of exhaust air from the internal exhaust air plenum226of the structure210into the cooling air plenum, thereby at least partially mitigating, preventing, etc. leakage of exhaust air290from plenum226to cooling air plenum240to mix with cooling air in the plenum240. In some embodiments, the wall element229extends from the portion of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210at which the plenum module230is coupled to a portion where one or more plenum ducts are coupled to the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210. The enclosure face of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210may include one or more gaps, so that at least some exhaust air can pass from the plenum226to mix with cooling air in plenum240to provide mixed air. The gaps may include one or more vents mounted in the enclosure face of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210, where such vents may include one or more sets of adjustably controllable dampers.

In some embodiments, a free-standing exhaust plenum structure210includes one or more exhaust vents228through which exhaust air290can be directed from an internal exhaust air plenum of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure210to an environment external to module201. The external environment can include interior space202, interior space exhaust plenum204, etc. The exhaust air290can be directed through the vents228via one or more of a pressure gradient between the plenum226and the external environment, an air density gradient, a chimney effect, some combination thereof, or the like.

In some embodiments, one or more free-standing exhaust plenum structures210in module201include multiple enclosure faces. Each of the multiple enclosure faces can include one or more wall elements227,229, support arm structures225, etc. As a result, a given free-standing exhaust plenum structure210can be mounted on a side of multiple spaces203, where one face of the structure210faces one space203and another face, which may be an opposite face, faces another separate space203. The plenum226of a given structure210may receive exhaust air from two or more separate electrical loads214that are each mounted in separate bounded enclosures212. As a result, module201may include multiple bounded enclosures212that are each at least partially bounded by one or more structures210, modules230, etc.

In some embodiments, module201includes one or more support elements that support one or more infrastructure elements. The support elements can include one or more rails, trays, busways, etc., which may be coupled to one or more various modular elements of module201. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, plenum module230includes a support tray235and a plurality of busways236A-C that can carry separate power feeds from one or more power sources, including one or more primary power sources, secondary power sources, reserve power sources, some combination thereof, etc.

Space200includes two separate elevated ATS cabinets280A-B which are installed in elevated positions over separate portions of the bounded enclosure212and are electrically coupled to one or more various power feeds and one or more various electrical loads214. The separate elevated ATS cabinets280A-B include one or more sets of ATS modules (not shown inFIG. 2) which are configured to provide power support, via power received from the one or more coupled power feeds, to the one or more coupled electrical loads214.

Each elevated ATS cabinet280includes a mounting arm element289which is coupled to a frame member222of a separate free-standing structure210in a configuration which positions the cabinet280within the bounded enclosure212. As a result, the separate structures210A-B each structurally support a separate one of the elevated ATS cabinets280A-B in respective elevated positions over the separate electrical loads214which are proximate to the respective structures210. In addition, each cabinet280includes at least one cabinet inlet receptacle282which is configured to couple to a power transmission line281that is coupled to a busway236, where the busway carries electrical power from a power feed. Furthermore, each cabinet280includes at least one cabinet outlet receptacle283which is electrically coupled to a power interface215of a particular electrical load214via a power conduit216which extends between the cabinet280and the electrical load214. In some embodiments, a conduit215includes a power cable of an electrical load214. Each cabinet280can include multiple receptacles283which can each be coupled separately to separate electrical loads214.

Each cabinet includes a set of ATS modules which are each configured to provide power support to the various electrical loads214which are coupled to the various receptacles283of the cabinet280, via power received from one or more various power feeds via the various receptacles282. In some embodiments, a cabinet280is configured to receive power from various separate power feeds. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, cabinet280A includes a single receptacle282A which is coupled to an individual busway236A of the three busways236extending through enclosure212, via an individual power transmission line281A. As a result, cabinet280A is configured to provide power support to one or more electrical loads214on the same side of enclosure212as the cabinet280A from an individual power feed received from busway236A.

In another example, cabinet280B includes multiple receptacles282B-C which are each coupled, via separate lines281B-C, to separate busways236B-C which are separate from the busway236A to which cabinet280A is coupled. The separate busways236B-C can carry separate power feeds from separate power sources, including separate power distribution systems. As a result, cabinet280B is configured to provide power support, to one or more electrical loads214from a selected one of multiple power feeds received via the separate receptacles282B-C. The cabinet280B can include ATS modules which are configured to selectively distribute power received from a selected one of the receptacles282B-C to the coupled electrical loads214.

Each cabinet280includes at least one air moving device assembly284which is included in a rear portion of the cabinet and is configured to induce an airflow through the respective cabinet which draws air242from enclosure212into the cabinet280housing and removes heat generated by one or more heat generating components in the cabinet280. The assembly284can further induce the airflow to be discharged, as an exhaust air flow286, from a “rear” end of the cabinet which is proximate to the structure210to which the cabinet280is coupled, as shown.

In some embodiments, a baffle element285can be extended from the rear end of a cabinet280to a gap, referred to herein as an enclosure gap, in a wall element227in the structure, thereby establishing a conduit via which the exhaust air flow286can be directed via operation of the assembly280into the plenum226at least partially enclosed by the structure210to which the cabinet280is coupled. As a result, exhaust air286produced as a result of removing heat from components in the elevated ATS cabinets can be partitioned from interacting with the air242in the enclosure212, thereby mitigating such exhaust air286from being drawn into the electrical loads214, where the exhaust air might otherwise hamper cooling of the electrical loads214.

FIG. 3A-Care schematics illustrating orthogonal views of a facility300which includes an electrical load space where separate sets of electrical loads and elevated ATS cabinets are incrementally installed, according to some embodiments. The elevated ATS cabinets320A-D can be included in any of the embodiments of elevated ATS cabinets included herein. The facility300can include a data center, the load space303can include a computer space included in a data center, and one or more of the electrical loads installed in load space303can include one or more rack computer systems. As shown, the facility300includes one or more power sources302, which can include one or more power distribution systems, which are coupled to one or more instances of power transmission lines301, which can include one or more sets of power busways, power cables, etc., which electrically couple the one or more power sources to ATS cabinets installed in the load space303.

As shown,FIG. 3A-Cillustrate incremental installation of electrical loads320,323,340in the load space303and incremental installation of elevated ATS cabinets330A-D in the space in response to the incremental load installation, so that the amount of support infrastructure provided by ATS cabinets which is installed in the space303at any given time corresponds to the amount of loads which are installed, inbound to be installed, etc. Because the ATS cabinets330are incrementally installed based on load installation, rather than installing the ATS cabinets330A-D initially prior to load installation, the capital expenditures associated with ATS cabinet installation can be deferred until the support provided by the individual cabinets is required to support loads which are actually being installed in the load space.

As shown, the load space303includes an aisle space304which includes an aisle312that extends along a long axis313and is bounded by two separate rows310A-B of load positions311. Each separate load position311is configured to accommodate a separate electrical load having a surface area, or “footprint”, which corresponds to the area of the position311. The aisle space312, positions311, etc. can all be located on a floor element.

As further shown, separate free-standing structures302A-B extend along opposite sides of the aisle space304, where each structure302extends along a side of a separate row310of load positions which is distal from the aisle space312. Each free-standing structure302can include one or more frame members which support the respective structure302on the floor element of the space303and one or more enclosure elements, including plating, cladding, etc. which at least partially encloses an exhaust air plenum within the respective structure302. Each free-standing structure302can include a free-standing exhaust plenum structure which at least partially encloses an exhaust air plenum, where the structure302is configured to direct exhaust air received from electrical loads installed in a proximate row310from the aisle space304into the exhaust plenum in the structure302.

As further shown, the rows310A-B and free-standing structures302A-B extend in parallel with the long axis313of the aisle312.

FIG. 3Aillustrates the space303where an initial set of electrical loads320are installed in the space303. The initial set of loads320includes two loads which require power support. As a result, an elevated ATS cabinet330A is installed in the space303, where such installation includes electrically coupling one or more ATS modules included in the cabinet330A to a power feed301, and coupling the one or more ATS modules in the cabinet330A to separate power interfaces322of the separate electrical loads320via separate instances of power conduits332, which can include separate instances of power cabling extending between the cabinet330A and the separate electrical loads320.

In some embodiments, the cabinet330A is configured to include a greater quantity of ATS modules than the quantity of ATS modules required to provide power support to the installed loads320. For example, the cabinet330A can be configured to include five ATS modules, where each ATS module is configured to provide power support to a separate electrical load, and only two loads320are initially installed in space303. In some embodiments, the ATS modules are incrementally installed in an installed cabinet330A based on the quantity of ATS modules required to be included in the cabinet to support installed electrical loads in the space303. InFIG. 3A, since only two electrical loads320are installed, installed cabinet330A may include only two installed ATS modules and may further include three empty ATS module slots in which additional ATS modules can be installed later.

As shown, the cabinet330A is installed in an elevated position above the electrical loads320and proximate to the electrical loads320, so that the amount of power conduits required to extend between the cabinet330A and the electrical loads320is reduced. In some embodiments, the branch circuits are excluded from the conduits332which can couple the loads and cabinets330, which can result in reduced capital expenditures.

FIG. 3Billustrates additional electrical loads323being installed in an additional set of positions311in row310A of space303. As shown, the additional loads323are coupled with receptacles of the installed elevated ATS cabinet330A via power conduits332extending between receptacles of the cabinet330A and power interfaces322of the loads323. In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3B, an elevated ATS cabinet includes a quantity of slots into which ATS modules can be installed, where separate ATS modules are configured to provide one or more of power support, power redundancy support, etc. to separate electrical loads.

As discussed above with reference toFIG. 3A, the quantities of ATS modules installed in a cabinet can be incrementally adjusted based on incremental changes in the quantities of electrical loads installed in the space proximate to the cabinet. For example, where cabinet330A includes five ATS module slots configured to accommodate five separate ATS modules, the cabinet330A, inFIG. 3A, may include two ATS modules installed in two of the slots and three empty slots, where the two installed ATS modules provide power support to the two installed electrical loads320, so that the quantity of installed ATS modules matches the quantity of ATS modules required to support the installed loads. As a result of only installing a quantity of ATS modules which matches the quantity of installed loads in a space, capital expenditures associated with installing ATS modules in the space can be deferred until the ATS modules are actually required to provide power support to installed electrical loads.

InFIG. 3B, an additional three loads323are installed in space303. Where cabinet330A includes an additional three slots, an additional three ATS modules can be installed in the cabinet330A and coupled to the additional electrical loads323. As a result, the ATS cabinet330A is fully utilized, as all slots are occupied by ATS modules, and all installed ATS modules are providing power support to installed loads320,323in the space303.

In some embodiments, a given elevated ATS cabinet is configured to provide support to a limited selection of electrical loads which can be installed in a space. Where the quantity of loads installed in a space is less than the maximum quantity of electrical loads which can be installed in the space, excess cabinet capacity which would be required to support the maximum quantity of loads which can be installed in a space would go unused, thereby contributing to capital expenditure waste. Where an elevated ATS cabinet is configured to provide power support to a limited selection of electrical loads which can be installed in a space, capital expenditure waste can be reduced, relative to a cabinet which is configured to provide power support to the maximum number of loads which can be installed in a space, as the excess, unused cabinet capacity for ATS modules at any given time is lessened. Excess, unused ATS module capacity can include power support capacity which is not fully utilized, air moving device capacity which is not fully utilized based on heat generating components operating at less than full capacity, portions of the cabinet which can accommodate ATS modules yet are not presently accommodating ATS modules that are presently supporting loads, etc.

In some embodiments, installing multiple elevated ATS cabinets which are each configured to support a limited selection of loads in a space, and which collectively support the maximum number of loads which can be installed in a space, enables incremental installation of ATS cabinets, and the support and infrastructure provided thereby, which corresponds to incremental installation of electrical loads in the space. As a result of incrementally installing ATS cabinets in the space, at least some capital expenditures associated with ATS cabinet installation can be deferred until needed to support installed electrical loads, thereby mitigating waste.

As shown in theFIG. 3C, additional loads340are installed in rows310A-B of space303, thereby resulting in all positions311being occupied by electrical loads so that the maximum quantity of electrical loads are installed in space303. In the illustrated embodiments, cabinet330A is configured to provide support to a limited selection of five electrical loads, and since the cabinet330A capacity of ATS modules is fully utilized by installed loads320,323, the cabinet330A has no remaining excess capacity of ATS modules to provide power support to the additional electrical loads340.

As a result, based on installation of the additional electrical loads in space303, additional elevated ATS cabinets330B-D are installed in the space303. As shown, the various additional cabinets330B-D are installed at various positions in the space303which causes the individual cabinets330B-D to each be located proximate to a separate limited selection of loads to which the individual cabinets can provide power support. Each separate cabinet330B-D, similarly to cabinet330A, is configured to support five loads, and each cabinet330B-D is coupled to a separate limited selection of five of loads340.

As further shown, cabinets330C-D which provide support to the loads340installed in row310B are installed at elevated positions which are proximate to row310B, rather than positions proximate to row310A. As a result of installing an elevated ATS cabinet at an elevated position which is proximate to the limited selection of loads in a space to which the cabinets provide support, the amount of power conduit instances required to be extended between the cabinet and the supported loads, including the cumulative length of power conduits, is reduced, thereby reducing capital expenditures.

In addition, because each individual cabinet330A-D is installed proximate to the limited selection of electrical loads supported by the individual cabinet330, the types of power conduits which can be utilized to couple the cabinet330to the electrical loads can be reduced, in complexity, capacity, etc. relative to power conduits which provide support across greater distances. For example, the various conduits332which couple each of the cabinets330A-D with separate loads can include power cables of the individual electrical loads, thereby precluding use of branch circuits to couple the cabinets to the loads. By enabling power support to be provided from ATS cabinets to electrical loads independently of branch circuits, the elevated ATS cabinets provide capital expenditure savings, as the expenditures associated with the branch circuits can be eliminated.

In some embodiments, installing an elevated ATS cabinet330includes coupling one or more mounting arm elements of the cabinet330to one or more frame members of a free standing structure302, so that the structure supports the cabinet330in a suspended, elevated position over one or more load positions in the space303. As a result, the cabinet330is precluded, released, etc. from occupying one or more portions of the floor elements included in the space330, including one or more of the positions311. This enables an electrical load to be installed in a position which might otherwise be occupied by an ATS cabinet, thereby enabling additional load density in the space330, more efficient utilization of installed power sources, available volume space in space303, etc.

In some embodiments, installing an elevated ATS cabinet330includes coupling an end of the ATS cabinet330to an enclosure gap in the free standing structure302to which the cabinet330is coupled, thereby establishing a partitioned conduit between the end of the cabinet330to a plenum at least partially enclosed within the structure302. As a result, exhaust air discharged from the end of the ATS cabinet330, based on operation of one or more air moving device assemblies in the cabinet330, is directed into the plenum without interacting with air located within the space304in which the installed cabinet is located. Such directing of exhaust air into the plenum mitigates exhaust air from the ATS cabinet from interacting with air in space304which can be utilized as cooling intake air by one or more loads in the space304, thereby augmenting cooling of the loads in the space304.

FIG. 4A-Bare schematic diagrams illustrating orthogonal views of an elevated ATS cabinet, according to some embodiments. The elevated ATS cabinet400can be included in any of the embodiments of elevated ATS cabinets included herein.

Cabinet400includes a housing401, which includes various components described further herein, and a set of mounting arm elements402A-B which extend from a rear end470B of the housing401. Each mounting arm element402includes a coupling element404which is configured to couple to at least one frame member of a free-standing structure, and at least one load-bearing arm403which is configured to transfer the structural load of the housing401and components included therein to the frame element to which the coupling element404is coupled.

Housing401includes multiple sets405A-C of ATS module slots406which can each accommodate a separate ATS module410, multiple removable air moving device assemblies480A-C which can induce airflow which removes heat from various portions of the housing401, power feed inlets421which can receive power feeds from separate power sources, power bus systems422A-B which can carry separate power feeds, sets440A-C of cabinet outlet receptacles442A-C which can couple with separate electrical loads, and connectors which can electrically couple modules410installed in separate slots406to the separate power bus systems and electrical loads, so that the installed modules410provide one or more of power support, power redundancy support, etc. to one or more electrical loads.

Housing401includes a set of cabinet inlet receptacles421A-B which are each configured to couple with separate power feeds420A-B from one or more various power sources. The separate feeds420A-B can carry power feeds from separate power sources. As show, housing401includes separate power bus systems422A-B, each of which can include one or more power buses, power transmission lines, etc., which are each coupled to separate cabinet inlet receptacles421A-B and thus can carry electrical power from separate power feeds420A-B coupled to the separate receptacles421A-B.

As shown, each separate set405of slots406can include one or more sets of slot members407which partition an interior of the housing into the separate slots406. The illustrated slots406extend to a front end470A of the housing401, and an ATS module410can be slidably engaged into an open end of a slot406via the front end470A.

As shown, each power bus system422A-B which carries a separate power feed includes a separate set of slot power feed connectors424A-B which extends into the separate slots406. In some embodiments, each slot power feed connector424includes a blind mate connector. As a result, connectors which couple with one or more connectors424are electrically coupled to one or more power feeds via the connectors.

In some embodiments, each power bus system422carries a multi-phase power feed, and separate sets of connectors424extending from the system422into slots406included in separate sets405are each configured to carry separate phases of the power feed carried by the given system. For example, separate sets of connectors424A extending from system422into slots406of separate sets405A-C can carry separate phases of the power feed420A carried by system422.

As shown, housing401includes separate sets440A-C of cabinet outlet receptacles422, where each receptacle422in a given set440is electrically coupled, via a set of power transmission lines434,436through the housing401, to a slot outlet connector432in a slot which is configured to supply power received from an ATS module410in the given slot406to the individual receptacle442which is coupled to the connector432. Each separate receptacle442can be configured to physically couple with a power conduit extending from a separate electrical load, where the electrical load includes one or more rack computer systems.

The power conduit extending from a load can include a power cable which terminates in a power cable connector, where a receptacle442is configured to couple with the power cable connector. For example, each receptacle442can include an L630 receptacle configured to couple with an L630 connector. As a result, an electrical load can be electrically coupled to a receptacle442, and thus electrically coupled to an installed ATS410electrically coupled to the receptacle via coupled connector432, independently of any branch circuits between the receptacle442and the electrical load. As shown, each set440can include a separate locking element444which is associated with a separate receptacle442and is configured to secure a power conduit which is coupled to the separate receptacle. For example, locking elements444can each include a separate lance bridge which can secure a power cable which is coupled to a corresponding receptacle442, thereby mitigating a risk of the cable becoming inadvertently decoupled from the receptacle442.

As shown, one or more ATS modules410which can be installed in a slot406can include ATS inlet connectors412A-B, inlet lines414A-B which feed power from separate connectors412A-B, an ATS416which can selectively distribute power received from a selected one of lines414A-B, an outlet line418, and an ATS outlet connector419which can distribute power distributed by the ATS416via line418. As shown, one or more of connectors412A-B,419can include separate blind mate connectors which can be coupled with corresponding connectors424A-B,432based on the module410being slidably engaged into the slot406from the opening of the slot406at the front end470A, so that connectors412A and424A establish a blind mate connection which electrically couples ATS416with the power feed carried by system422A, connectors412B and424B establish a blind mate connection which electrically couples ATS416with the power feed carried by system422B, and connectors432and419establish a blind mate connection which electrically couples ATS416with a particular cabinet outlet receptacle442.

In some embodiments, an ATS is absent from an ATS module, and the ATS module comprises one or more instances of circuitry which electrically couple at least one inlet connector of the module with an outlet connector419of the respective ATS module. Such an ATS module can be referred to as one or more of a pass-through module, a bypass module, etc. A bypass module can electrically couple a particular cabinet outlet receptacle which is coupled to an outlet connector432of a particular slot406to a particular power feed independently of an ATS. Because the bypass module electrically couples the cabinet outlet receptacle to a particular power feed, rather than an ATS which selectively supplies electrical power from a particular one of multiple power feeds, the bypass module can provide N power redundancy support to an electrical load coupled to the cabinet outlet receptacle which is coupled to the particular power feed via the bypass module, instead of 2N, 3N, N+1, N+2, etc. power redundancy support which can be provided to an electrical load which receives power support via an ATS.

In the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG. 4B, the ATS module410C installed in the module slot406C is a bypass module which comprises an instance of electrical circuitry411which electrically couples the inlet connector412B of the module410C with the outlet connector419of the module410C independently of any ATS416.

Based on the slot connectors included in a slot406and ATS module connectors including blind mate connectors, an ATS module410can be reversibly installed, removed, replaced, swapped, etc. based on slidably moving the module410in or out of a given slot406. In some embodiments, the ATS module410can be hot-swapped.

In some embodiments, each set405A-C of slots406is associated with a corresponding set495of circuit breakers496which are each configured to electrically isolate an ATS module410installed in a separate slot406in the given slot set405from a corresponding receptacle442. In some embodiments, each set405A-C of slots406is associated with a corresponding set495of circuit breakers496which are each configured to electrically isolate an ATS module410installed in a separate slot406in the given slot set405from one or more power feeds420A-B.

The breakers495are each accessible via the same front end470A of the housing401on which the openings of the slots406are located, so that ATS modules410installed in the slots406and the corresponding circuit breakers496associated with said slots406are accessible from a common side of the housing401, which can improve accessibility and maintenance of the power support, power redundancy support, etc. provided to loads via the cabinet400.

As shown, each set405A-C of slots406is associated with a separate bypass device490. The bypass device490can be configured to selectively bypass a power feed around one or more particular selected installed ATS modules410, so that the bypassed power feed is directed to a corresponding receptacle442which is coupled to the selected modules410, and the selected modules410are electrically isolated from the power feeds and the receptacle442. The bypass device490, in some embodiments, executes the bypassing based at least in part upon controlling operation of one or more circuit breakers496associated with the one or more slots406in which the one or more selected modules410are installed. The device490, in some embodiments, autonomously selects a module410and executes bypassing of the selected module410based at least in part upon determining an occurrence of a failure associated with the ATS module410. In some embodiments, the device490bypasses a selected module410based on user interaction with a portion of the device490which includes specification of the selected module410and a command to bypass the selected module410. In some embodiments, the device490removes bypassing of a module410, based at least in part upon user interaction with one or more interfaces of the cabinet400.

In some embodiments, cabinet400includes a selector device which selects a set of installed ATS devices and commands the bypass device490to activate, deactivate, etc. a bypass of the selected ATS devices. In some embodiments, the selector device is at least partially incorporated into the bypass device490. In some embodiments, the selector device includes one or more user interfaces via which a user can manually interact to specify the set of ATS devices and command activation, deactivation, etc. of a bypass of the set of ATS devices. As a result, the selector device can command the bypass device to selectively activate, deactivate, etc. a bypass of one or more particular selected ATS modules based on user interaction with one or more user interfaces of the selector device.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 4, a selector device492is incorporated into the bypass device490and includes a user interface494via which a user can interact with the selector device492. In some embodiments, the user interface includes one or more of a display interface, a set of one or more touch interfaces, etc. In some embodiments, an indication can be provided, via a display interface494of a selector device492, of the bypass state of one or more ATS modules410in one or more sets405of slots406.

As a result of bypassing an ATS module410, the bypass device490enables continuous power support to be provided to an electrical load, via a corresponding receptacle442, when the module410is removed, replaced, swapped, etc. Where the electrical load includes a rack computer system, providing continuous power support enables uninterrupted performance of computing operations by the rack computer system.

In some embodiments, cabinet400includes various air moving device assemblies480A-C which each include one or more air moving devices which are configured to induce an airflow through one or more portions of the housing401, thereby removing heat from one or more heat generating components included in the housing. As shown, the separate assemblies480A-C are arranged proximate to separate sets405of slots, so that each assembly480A-C is configured to generate a separate airflow which removes heat generated by ATS modules410installed in the separate sets405of slots406. As shown, the assemblies480A-C can induce airflow which enters the cabinet400, as intake air, via the front end470A and exits the cabinet400, as exhaust air, via the rear end470B. In some embodiments, one or more of the assemblies can be reversibly installed, removed, swapped, etc. as separate modules, which augments maintenance of the cabinet400by simplifying assembly480maintenance.

In some embodiments, cabinet400includes a set of indicators482A-C which each provide a visually-observable indication of an operation state of a corresponding air moving device assembly480A-C. For example, an indicator482can present a visual indication which includes a particular color of light, based on a determination at one or more computer systems included in the cabinet400regarding whether a failure has occurred in a corresponding air moving device assembly480.

FIG. 5is a flow diagram illustrating configuring an elevated ATS cabinet to provide power redundancy support to one or more electrical loads in an electrical load space, according to some embodiments. The configuring can be implemented with regard to any of the embodiments of elevated ATS cabinets.

At502, a mounting arm element included in the elevated ATS cabinet is coupled to a frame member included in a free-standing structure. The mounting arm element is coupled to the housing of the elevated cabinet and is configured to transmit the structural load of the housing and the components which can be included in the housing to the frame to which the mounting arm element is coupled. Components which can be included in the housing can include one or more ATS modules, slots, connectors, power bus systems, etc.

Coupling the mounting arm element of the elevated ATS cabinet to the frame member of the results in the free-standing structure providing structural support to the elevated ATS cabinet. The coupling502can include coupling the mounting arm element to the frame where the cabinet is located at an elevated position in a load space which includes a floor element, where the elevated position is located over one or more load positions on the floor element and at a height over the floor element which is greater than the upper height of loads which can be installed in the one or more load positions. As a result, the elevated ATS cabinet is suspended in the elevated position over the load positions as a result of coupling the mounting arm element to the frame.

At504, one or more cabinet power inlet receptacles included in the elevated ATS cabinet are coupled to one or more power transmission lines which are electrically coupled to one or more power sources and carry electrical power feeds from the one or more power sources, where the one or more cabinet power inlet receptacles are coupled to one or more power bus systems included in the cabinet, so that the one or more power bus systems become electrically coupled to the one or more power sources and carry electrical power received from one or more various electrical power feeds.

At506, one or more ATS modules are installed in one or more ATS module slots of the cabinet. An ATS module can include one or more ATS inlet connectors which is configured to couple with one or more slot power feed connectors in an ATS module slot, where the one or more slot power feed connectors are coupled to one or more separate power bus systems, so that coupling the ATS inlet electrical connectors to the one or more slot power feed connectors results in electrically coupling one or more inlet lines of an ATS included in the ATS module with the one or more power bus systems included in the cabinet, thereby electrically coupling the ATS to one or more various power feeds carried by the one or more power bus systems.

In some embodiments, the slot power feed connectors and the ATS inlet connectors of an ATS module are blind mate connectors which are configured to be coupled together as a result of slidably engaging the ATS module into an end of the ATS module slot which is distal from another end of the ATS module slot which includes the slot power feed electrical connectors.

In some embodiments, installing the ATS module in an ATS module slot includes coupling an ATS outlet connector of the ATS module with a slot outlet connector, so that the outlet of the ATS is electrically coupled to a portion of the cabinet which is configured to route electrical power from the ATS outlet connector to a cabinet outlet receptacle which can couple to an electrical load. The ATS outlet connectors of the module and the slot outlet connectors can be blind mate connectors. As a result, installing the ATS module into the slot can include slidably engaging the ATS module into the slot which causes the ATS inlet and outlet blind mate connectors of the module to be electrically coupled to one or more power feeds and cabinet outlet receptacles, respectively, via respective blind mate connections established between the ATS inlet and outlet connectors of the ATS module and the slot power feed and outlet connectors of the slot.

At508, one or more electrical loads are electrically coupled to one or more ATS modules included in the cabinet, via coupling one or more power conduits extending from a power inlet interface of the one or more electrical loads to one or more cabinet outlet receptacles which are electrically coupled to the one or more ATS modules. The one or more power conduits can include one or more power cables which terminate in one or more power cable connectors, and the coupling can include coupling separate power cable connectors, of separate power cables extending from separate loads, to separate cabinet outlet receptacles which are coupled to separate ATS modules, so that the separate loads are electrically coupled to the separate ATS modules.

In some embodiments, coupling power cables extending from power interfaces of separate loads to separate cabinet outlet receptacles of a cabinet results in electrically coupling one or more electrical loads to one or more ATS modules in the cabinet, such that the cabinet provides one or more of power support, power redundancy support, etc., independently of any branch circuits between the cabinet and the electrical loads, as the power conduits between the cabinet and loads can be restricted to one or more power cables extending between the cabinet outlet receptacles of the cabinet and the power interfaces of the one or more loads.

FIG. 6is a flow diagram illustrating incrementally adjusting power redundancy support provided by one or more elevated ATS cabinets to one or more electrical loads in an electrical load space, according to some embodiments. The incremental adjustment can be implemented with regard to any of the embodiments of elevated ATS cabinets. In some embodiments, some or all of the incremental adjustment can be implemented by one or more computer systems.

At602, a determination is made regarding whether one or more electrical loads are inbound to be installed in a load space. The determination can be made based at least in part upon one or more of physical arrival of the electrical loads at the load space, receipt of an indication that the one or more electrical loads are physically being delivered to the load space, etc. The space can include a computer space in a data center, and the electrical loads can include one or more rack computer systems.

At604, based on the determination that one or more electrical loads are inbound, a determination is made regarding whether one or more corresponding load positions in the load space are available to accommodate the one or more electrical loads and are presently located proximate to an installed ATS cabinet, such that the positions are referred to as being “served” by the installed ATS cabinet. A position which is “served” by an ATS cabinet can refer to a load position where an electrical load installed in the position can be electrically coupled with a cabinet outlet receptacle of the ATS cabinet, such that the electrical load receives power support from one or more ATS modules included in the ATS cabinet. Whether a position is “served” and “available” can be based on a determination of whether a proximate ATS cabinet includes one or more cabinet outlet receptacles which are available to be electrically coupled to a load installed in the position. Such one or more cabinet outlet receptacles can include cabinet outlet receptacles to which one or more other electrical loads are not presently electrically coupled.

At610, in response to a determination that no available served positions are in the space, an ATS cabinet is installed proximate to one or more available, unserved positions, and at least one ATS module is installed in at least one ATS module slot of the ATS cabinet, such that the ATS cabinet is configured to provide one or more of power support, power redundancy support, etc. to one or more electrical loads installed in at least one proximate available position. As a result, the at least one proximate available position can be referred to as an available served position. The quantity of ATS modules installed in the cabinet installed at610can match the quantity of electrical loads which are determined to be inbound for installation at602.

At606, in response to a determination that an available served position is present in the space at604, a determination is made regarding whether an available ATS module which is not presently supporting an installed electrical load is present in the ATS cabinet, such that an inbound load can be electrically coupled to one or more power feeds via the available ATS module when the electrical load is coupled to an available outlet of the cabinet. If not, as shown at608, an ATS module is installed in at least one slot in the cabinet, where the installation of the ATS module includes electrically coupling ATS inlet connectors in the ATS module with slot power feed connectors coupled to one or more power feeds in the slot, and electrically coupling an ATS outlet connector in the module with a slot outlet connector in the slot. Such electrical coupling can be established via blind-mate connections between blind mate connectors on the module and the slot, where the blind-mate connections are established based at least in part upon slidably engaging the module into the slot.

As a result of installing the ATS module in a cabinet slot at608, at least one available outlet of the cabinet is electrically coupled to the ATS included in the ATS module and is further electrically coupled to at least one power feed via the ATS module.

At612, the inbound load is installed in the available served position. Such installation can include physically mounting the load in the position. At614, the installed load is coupled to the available outlet receptacle which is electrically coupled to an available ATS module. The coupling can include extending a power conduit of the electrical load, including a power cable which terminates in a power cable connector, from the electrical load and coupling the power cable connector to the available cabinet outlet, so that the load is electrically coupled to an available ATS via the power cable and the available cabinet outlet receptacle. Such coupling can be independent of any branch circuits between the cabinet and the electrical load.

At616, a determination is made regarding whether to replace one or more ATS modules installed in the ATS cabinet. Such ATS modules can include one or more ATS modules presently providing one or more of power support, power redundancy support, etc. to one or more electrical loads. Such a determination can be based on a determination that a failure has occurred in associated with one or more portions of the ATS module.

If so, at618, the one or more ATS modules are replaced in one or more slots of the cabinet, which can include hot-swapping the one or more modules in the one or more slots. Such replacement can include selectively bypassing the one or more ATS modules, via operation of one or more bypass devices included in the cabinet, concurrently with the replacement, such that continuous power support to the one or more electrical loads supported by the one or more ATS modules is maintained and the one or more ATS modules are electrically isolated prior to removing the one or more ATS modules from the one or more slots. The bypassing can be discontinued subsequent to installing one or more replacement ATS modules in the one or more slots.

At620, a determination is made regarding whether a failure has occurred with regard to one or more air moving device assemblies included in an elevated ATS cabinet. Such a determination can include a determination that the cooling support provided by the one or more air moving device assemblies is degraded below a particular proportion of maximum device cooling support capacity of the one or more assemblies. The determination can be made based on a visually observable indication provided by one or more indicators include in the cabinet and electrically coupled to the one or more air moving device assemblies, where the one or more indicators provide the one or more indications, at one or more portions of the cabinet, of a failure in one or more portions of the one or more air moving device assemblies.

If so, at622, the one or more air moving device assemblies are swapped in the cabinet. Such swapping can include physically removing the air moving device assembly as an individual module and installing a replacement assembly in the space vacated by the removed assembly.

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system that may be used in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, a system that implements a portion or all of one or more of the technologies, methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses as described herein may include a general-purpose computer system that includes or is configured to access one or more computer-accessible media, such as computer system700illustrated inFIG. 7. In the illustrated embodiment, computer system700includes one or more processors710coupled to a system memory720via an input/output (I/O) interface730. In some embodiments, computer system700further includes a network interface740coupled to I/O interface730. In some embodiments, computer system700is independent of a network interface and can include a physical communication interface that can couple with a communication pathway, including a communication cable, power transmission line, etc. to couple with various external components, systems, etc.

In various embodiments, computer system700may be a uniprocessor system including one processor710, or a multiprocessor system including several processors710(e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors710may be any suitable processors capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments, processors710may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors710may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory720may be configured to store instructions and data accessible by processor(s)710. In various embodiments, system memory720may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment, program instructions and data implementing one or more desired functions, such as a portion or all of one or more of the technologies, methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses as described herein, are shown stored within system memory720as code725and data726.

In one embodiment, I/O interface730may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor710, system memory720, and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface740or other peripheral interfaces. In some embodiments, I/O interface730may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory720) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor710). In some embodiments, I/O interface730may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/O interface730may be split into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in some embodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface730, such as an interface to system memory720, may be incorporated directly into processor710.

Network interface740may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system700and other devices760attached to a network or networks750, such as other computer systems, components, processor units, or devices as illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 6, for example. In various embodiments, network interface740may support communication via any suitable wired or wireless general data networks, such as types of Ethernet network, for example. Additionally, network interface740may support communication via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks, via storage area networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol.

In some embodiments, system memory720may be one embodiment of a computer-accessible medium configured to store program instructions and data for implementing embodiments of a portion or all of one or more of the technologies, methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses as described herein relative toFIGS. 1-6. In other embodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media. Generally speaking, a computer-accessible medium may include non-transitory storage media or memory media such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD coupled to computer system700via I/O interface730. A non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium may also include any volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc., that may be included in some embodiments of computer system700as system memory720or another type of memory. Further, a computer-accessible medium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link, such as may be implemented via network interface740.