Abstract:
An enclosure having a front and back and including at least one environmental parameter detector is built. The environmental parameter detector is electrically coupled with a display mechanically attached to the front or back of the enclosure. The display may be programmed to show a variety of environmental parameters from the at least one environmental parameter detectors inside the enclosure. An optional alarm may be mechanically attached to the enclosure configured to activate when one or more of the environmental parameters exceeds their defined margin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of enclosures, and more particularly to the field of enclosures including environmental monitors.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     As electronic devices increase in speed and power consumption, cooling these devices becomes critical to their proper operation. Particularly when placed inside enclosures, which may modify the natural airflow around the device, proper cooling device operation is critical. While air temperature within the enclosure is a very critical environmental factor for the electronic devices within the enclosure, other environmental factors such as humidity, air pressure, and air velocity may be critical to the proper operation of the electronic devices.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     An enclosure having a front and back and including at least one environmental parameter detector is built. The environmental parameter detector is electrically coupled with a display mechanically attached to the front or back of the enclosure. The display may be programmed to show a variety of environmental parameters from the at least one environmental parameter detectors inside the enclosure. An optional alarm may be mechanically attached to the enclosure configured to activate when one or more of the environmental parameters exceeds their defined margin.  
         [0004]     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a view of an enclosure including a front door with an integral environmental monitor according to the present invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a view of an enclosure including a back door with an integral environmental monitor according to the present invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a method for constructing an enclosure with an integral environmental monitor according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a view of an enclosure including a front door with an integral environmental monitor according to the present invention. In the example embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , an enclosure  100  having a front  102  and a back  104  is shown including a front door  106 . Some example embodiments of the present invention will not have a front door  106 , but simply have a non-opening front  102  of the enclosure. The front door  106  includes a latch  108 , a plurality of fans  110 , a display  112 , at least one environmental parameter sensor  114 , and an optional alarm  116 . The environmental parameter sensors  114  may determine environmental conditions within the enclosure  100  such as temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, air velocity, or any other environmental condition desired to be monitored within the scope of the present invention. The display  112  may be a LCD, a LED, or any other display capable of displaying environmental parameter information within the scope of the present invention. Those of skill in the art will recognize that while the environmental parameter sensors  114  in this example embodiment are placed on the front door  106  they may be placed anywhere within the enclosure within the scope of the present invention. Likewise, while the alarm  116  is shown mechanically attached to the front door  106  it may be placed anywhere desired, including at a remote location distant from the enclosure  100  within the scope of the present invention. Also, while the display  112  is shown mechanically attached to the front door  106  it may be placed anywhere on the enclosure  100  or may be placed at a remote location distant from the enclosure  100  within the scope of the present invention. By placing the display  112  on the actual enclosure  100 , environmental information will be available to people responsible for environmental conditions in a data center without the need to go to a control terminal and without the need for any kind of a user account on any of the computers contained within the enclosure. Also, optionally, a control  118  may be added to control what information is shown on the display  112 . This control  118  allows the display  112  to perform a plurality of functions such as displaying a computer address or other information along with a plurality of environmental information.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of an enclosure including a back door with an integral environmental monitor according to the present invention. In the example embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2 , an enclosure  100  having a front  102  and a back  104  is shown including a back door  200 . Some example embodiments of the present invention will not have a back door  200 , but simply have a non-opening back  104  of the enclosure. The back door  200  includes a latch  202 , a plurality of fans  204 , a display  206 , at least one environmental parameter sensor  210 , and an optional alarm  208 . The environmental parameter sensors  210  may determine environmental conditions within the enclosure  100  such as temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, air velocity, or any other environmental condition desired to be monitored within the scope of the present invention. The display  206  may be a LCD, a LED, or any other display capable of displaying environmental parameter information within the scope of the present invention. Those of skill in the art will recognize that while the environmental parameter sensors  210  in this example embodiment are placed on the back door  200  they may be placed anywhere within the enclosure within the scope of the present invention. Likewise, while the alarm  208  is shown mechanically attached to the back door  200  it may be placed anywhere desired, including at a remote location distant from the enclosure  100  within the scope of the present invention. Also, while the display  206  is shown mechanically attached to the back door  200  it may be placed anywhere on the enclosure  100  or may be placed at a remote location distant from the enclosure  100  within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a method for constructing an enclosure with an integral environmental monitor according to the present invention. In a step  300 , an enclosure and a display are provided. In a step  302 , at least one environmental parameter sensor is placed within the enclosure. In an optional step  304 , a display capable of displaying environmental data is mechanically coupled to the environmental parameter sensors. As discussed above, the location of this display may be anywhere desired within the scope of the present invention. In a step  306 , the environmental parameter sensors are electrically coupled to the display. In a step  308 , the display is configured to show environmental data from the environmental parameter sensors. In an optional step  310 , an alarm is electrically coupled to the environmental parameter sensors. In an optional step  312 , the alarm is configured to sound when an environmental parameter is found to be out of range.  
         [0011]     The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.