Patent Publication Number: US-2022240409-A1

Title: Cable Sealing Apparatus And Methods

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly, to cable sealing apparatus and methods for information handling systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     As server system workloads grow, eliminating airflow recirculation in server system chassis enclosures becomes more important in order to properly cool server systems.  FIGS. 1 and 2  are simplified end view illustrations of a front end of a metal 2U rackmount chassis enclosure  104  of a conventional server system  100  with its top cover removed. Cable channel  104  includes a plastic cable door  115  that is hingeably mounted to the body  117  of the cable channel  104  by an integral plastic living hinge  119 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the body  117  of a conventional plastic hinged cable channel  104  is assembled and fixed to an inner surface  109  of a side wall of the chassis enclosure  102  adjacent the front end of the chassis enclosure  104  by slotted hooks and snaps. This assembly must be done with no fan gantry installed due to needed clearance for fastening the cable channel  104  to the inner surface  109  of chassis enclosure  102 , and to provide sufficient clearance to open cable door  115  to receive cables  112  as described further. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a conventional methodology  300  for positioning and securing cables  112  of different sizes and shapes (shown in end cross-sectional view) within the cable channel  104 . Methodology  300  begins in step  302  where the cables  112  are first plugged into a backplane positioned outside and attached to the front end of the chassis enclosure  102 . In step  304 , the plastic cable door  115  is swung open from the body  117  of the cable channel  104  as shown by the sideward arrow in  FIG. 1 . Next, in step  306 , cables  112  of different sizes and shapes (shown in cross-sectional end view in  FIG. 1 ) are placed downward into a trough  121  of the cable channel as shown by the downward arrow in  FIG. 3 . 
     Next, in step  308  the cable door  115  is swung closed (as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 2 ) to engage mating features  110  of the cable door  115  with mating features  106  defined within the cable channel body  117  so as to hold the cable door  115  in closed position to trap the cables  112  between the closed plastic cable door  115  and foam block  120 . The mating features  110  and  106  of the cable door  115  and cable channel body  117  take up about 5 millimeters of vertical space above the cable retention area between closed plastic cable door  115  and foam block  120 , thus reducing the available space for insertion and routing of cables  112  through conventional cable channel  104  installed on a 2U chassis enclosure  104  such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the plastic of the cable door  115  is thin and flexible, and tends to bow outwards when closed around cables  112 . The cables are next adjusted in step  310  as needed within the closed cable channel  104 . Then, in step  312  free ends of cables  112  are routed inside the chassis enclosure  102  and plugged into the motherboard. At this time, a fan gantry  130  may be installed and attached by fasteners to the front end of chassis enclosure  102  adjacent the closed cable channel  104  as shown in dashed outline in  FIG. 2 . Fan gantry  135  includes multiple fans  135  that operate to draw ambient air into the front end of the chassis enclosure for cooling heat-producing components inside the chassis enclosure  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a complete seal against airflow recirculation is not formed by cable channel  104  when it is closed around cables  112 . Rather, foam  120  only contact portions of cables  112  on one side of the cables  112 , leaving air gaps  210  through which cooling air may escape from inside chassis enclosure  102 . Other air gaps  220  also exist between fan gantry  130  and closed cable channel  104  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Gaps  210  and  220  provide airflow paths for loss or recirculation of cooling air from inside of chassis enclosure  104  to the ambient environment outside chassis enclosure  104 . Moreover, foam  120  of cable channel  104  permanently compresses and conforms to the outer shape of cables  112 , which can result in formation of additional gaps between the outside of cables  112  and the compressed foam  120 . During system operation, this loss of cooling air through gaps  210  and  220  reduces the effectiveness of the cooling air provided by cooling fans  135  of fan gantry  130 , which may lead to overheating of heat-producing components inside chassis enclosure  140  and/or unnecessary energy expense to operate cooling fans  135  at higher fan rotation speeds. As also shown in  FIG. 2 , fan gantry  130  contacts the bowed cable door  115 , which can interfere with installation of fan gantry  130 . 
     Another conventional solution utilizes flexible molded rubber fingers that attach to and extend into a cable trough provided adjacent the front of a chassis enclosure for receiving cables through hinged plastic door provided at the top of the cable trough. The conventional cable trough is positioned at one side of the chassis enclosure between an inner surface of the chassis enclosure side wall and the end of a fan gantry. The rubber fingers flex to allow room for adjustment of cables that are inserted from above through the open door and into the cable trough. However, the rubber fingers do not form a seal against cooling airflow recirculation out of the chassis enclosure since a large amount of open area exists around and between the rubber fingers. This open area allows flow of recirculated cooling air through the trough from inside of the chassis enclosure to the ambient environment outside the chassis enclosure. 
     Elongated foam strips have been employed between flat and planar sheet metal surfaces of a server chassis, such as between the underside surface of a chassis top cover and the upper surface of a fan gantry or between the lower surface of a fan gantry and the upper side of a chassis bottom wall. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are cable channel apparatus that may be employed for routing system cables through open spaces defined within chassis walls, barriers or other fixed surfaces that separate different compartments or areas of an information handling system chassis. In one embodiment, the disclosed cable channel apparatus may form a seal around the inserted system cables that prevents recirculation of cooling air through the open spaces between the different compartments. In another embodiment, the cable channel apparatus may be employed to form such a seal around system cables that are routed through an open space to pass though or around a fan gantry that is mounted within a chassis of an information handling system chassis. Besides cables, the disclosed cable channel apparatus may also or alternatively be employed to form such a seal around other objects besides cables (e.g., such as thermometer probe, remote camera lens, etc.) that that transverse an enclosed section of an information handling system chassis. 
     In one embodiment, cables may be inserted and sealed against airflow recirculation within the disclosed cable channel apparatus in a position adjacent a non-removable fan gantry that is integrally formed as part of a 1U chassis structure or otherwise when one or more installed cooling fans are present. In another embodiment, the disclosed cable channel apparatus may be positioned to route and seal system cables against airflow recirculation in a position within a designated side open space positioned on one side of a fan gantry within a chassis, or within a designated intermediate open space (e.g., center open space) between fan gantry sections within a chassis. In one embodiment, the disclosed cable channel apparatus may be configured to slide into a confined fixed open space or open space between two fixed (e.g., temporarily or permanently fixed) walls or other spaced-apart vertical surfaces of the chassis (e.g., between a fan gantry end wall and an adjacent chassis side wall, between two non-fan gantry surfaces such as between a chassis end wall and a chassis intermediate walls, etc.), and without requiring snap or other fasteners or features to retain the cable channel to the chassis. In another embodiment, the disclosed cable channel apparatus may be configured so that it may be installed into, and removed from, a designated open space while adjacent cooling fans or a cooling fan gantry is present in the chassis (or are a permanent non-removable part of the chassis). 
     Benefits that may be realized in various different embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, providing a better and more consistent seal against airflow around system cables than is possible with conventional solutions, providing greater ease to properly route system cables from the interior of an information handling system chassis to the chassis exterior while at the same time providing a cable sealing performance that is less sensitive to inconsistent cable placement within the cable channel, providing consistent cable-sealing performance (even after system cables are removed and installed in a different order or different cables are installed) by using compressible foam or other compressible media that returns to its original shape when contact with system cables is removed, may be engineered and dimensioned to be backwards compatible with previous or pre-existing fan gantry and chassis configurations or may employ simplified geometry and fewer parts where backwards chassis compatibility is not required, may be utilized with minimal rubbing of cables against foam since the cable channel may be configured to closes around the foam and inserted cables (i.e., cables do not need to be slid lengthwise through the disclosed cable channel), provision of the same consistent quality seal around system cables regardless of how many system cables are populated and routed through the disclosed cable channel apparatus, provision of a seal through the disclosed cable channel apparatus when no cables are routed through the channel, provision of a cable channel apparatus that is dimensioned to provide a seal against air recirculation that has a length that extends the entire depth of an adjacent fan gantry or cooling fan to provide greater impedance against airflow recirculation through the seal. 
     In one respect, disclosed herein is an apparatus, including: a shell including a clamp coupled by a hinge to a body of the apparatus, the clamp and body having an open position when apart from each other and a closed position when joined together into contact with each other; and a compressible material disposed on at least one of an inner surface of the clamp or an inner surface of the body. In its closed position the apparatus is slidably receivable into a space defined between two fixed and spaced-apart surfaces of a chassis of an information handling system and forming a seal against airflow when received within the space defined between the two spaced-apart surfaces. 
     In another respect, disclosed herein is an information handling system, including: a chassis having a space defined between two fixed spaced-apart surfaces; and an apparatus slidably received within the space defined between the two fixed spaced-apart surfaces to form a seal against airflow. The apparatus may include: a shell including a clamp coupled by a hinge to a body of the apparatus, the clamp and body being joined together into contact with each other in a closed position, and a compressible material disposed on at least one of an inner surface of the clamp or an inner surface of the body. 
     In another respect, disclosed herein is a method, including: moving an apparatus from an open position to a closed position, the apparatus including a shell having a clamp and body that are separate and apart from each other in the open position and that are joined together into contact with each other in the closed position; and installing the closed apparatus into a space defined between two fixed spaced-apart surfaces within a chassis of an information handling system by sliding the closed apparatus into the space to form a seal against airflow. In the method, the apparatus may further include a compressible material disposed on at least one of an inner surface of the clamp or an inner surface of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a simplified front end view of a conventional chassis enclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a simplified front end view of a conventional chassis enclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates conventional methodology. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front perspective view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates an exploded front perspective view of an information handling system chassis according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a front perspective view of an information handling system chassis according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 7C  illustrates a front perspective view of an information handling system chassis according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a front perspective view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a partial front perspective view of an information handling system chassis according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates a front perspective view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 8D  illustrates a front perspective view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 8E  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 8F  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of a cable channel according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates methodology according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of an opened cable channel  412  that is configured for installation within a mating open space defined within chassis walls, barriers or other fixed surfaces that separate different compartments or areas of an information handling system chassis. In  FIG. 4 , opened cable channel  412  is shown positioned separate from an information handling system chassis  700 , and is positioned to receive multiple cables  402  (e.g., power cables, signal cables, data cables, etc.) having different exemplary cross-sectional shapes, e.g., circular shape, oval shape and elongate bar shape, it being understood that other shapes and/or numbers of cables may be similarly positioned for insertion into open cable channel  412 . For purposes of illustration,  FIG. 4  only shows a partial section of each cable  402  that represents a short length of the cable that is to be positioned and inserted within cable channel  412 , i.e., each cable  402  is longer than illustrated. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , cable channel  412  is configured as a shell including a clamp  416  that is attached by a hinge  415  to a body  414  of the cable channel  412 . In one embodiment, the shell of the entire cable channel  412  may be made of one piece of injection molded plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. with hinge  415  formed as a living hinge. However, the shell of cable channel  412  may be constructed of any other suitable plastic or may be constructed of alternative materials, e.g., such as two pieces of stamped sheet metal joined together at hinge  415 . In one embodiment, the shell of cable channel  412  (including each of hinged clamp  416  and body  414 ) may be configured to be sufficiently rigid against flexing or bowing so as to prevent deformation and outward bowing of the shell when clamp  416  and body  414  are closed together around one or more cables  402  in a manner as described further herein. In this regard, rigidity of hinged clamp  416  and body  414  may be controlled by selection of material and/or component configuration (e.g., by increased component thickness and/or inclusion of reinforcing structures). 
     Being sufficiently rigid to prevent outward bowing allows cable channel  412  to be dimensioned to conform and contact the sides of an open space defined within chassis walls or barriers that separate different compartments or areas of an information handling system chassis (e.g., such as open space  790  of  FIG. 7A  or open space  890  of  FIG. 8B ), and to take up the entire height and width of the open space to form an airflow seal with the sides of the open space. At the same time, this rigidity allows cable channel  412  to be inserted into place (with inserted cables  402 ) within the open space without encountering excessive resistance that prevents such insertion. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , cable channel  412  includes a first block  430  of compressible material that is attached (e.g., adhered by an adhesive such as epoxy) to the inner surface (e.g., at least partially received within a complementary-shaped recess that may be rectangular in one embodiment) of cable channel body  414  as shown. Cable channel  412  also includes a second block  432  of compressible material attached (e.g., adhered by an adhesive such as epoxy) to the inner surface (e.g., at least partially received within a complementary-shaped recess that may be rectangular in one embodiment) of cable channel clamp  416  as shown. In one embodiment, each of first block  430  and second block  432  of compressible material may extend the depth (or substantially the depth) of the cable channel  412 . In one embodiment, each of blocks  430  and  432  may be composed of a foam, e.g., a memory foam (such as polyurethane foam such as E-A-RTM Confor™ available from 3M Company of Saint Paul, Minn.) which has low resistance to compression (e.g., requiring a minimal amount of force to deflect), a low compression (e.g., in relation to the material returning to its original shape), and in one embodiment fully returns back its original shape when loading is removed. 
     Below are some exemplary compression properties (values) for example embodiments of compressible material that may be used for first block  430 . It will be understood that these below values are exemplary only, and that compressible material having values of compression set, indentation force deflection, and/or compression load deflection that are greater or lesser that the exemplary values (and value ranges) given below are also possible.
     Compression Set (%)=less than 1% (as measured per ASTM D3574, 22 hours at 22° C., Compressed 50%)   Indentation Force Deflection=10-28 Ibf in one embodiment, 10-17 Ibf in another embodiment, and 15-28 Ibf in a further embodiment (as measured per ASTM D3574 Test B1 Modified 25% Deflection for 12″×12″×2″ sample 22° C. at 50% relative humidity)   Compression Load Deflection at 50% compression=1.8 kPa in one embodiment. 3.03 kPa in another embodiment, and 1.8 to 3.03 kPa in a further embodiment (as measured per ASTM D3574C Modified)   

     However, any other suitable type of foam or non-foam compressible material (e.g., rubber, moldable gel, etc.) may alternately be employed for forming compressible blocks  430  and  432  that is suitable for forming an airflow seal around inserted cable/s  402  when cable channel  412  is closed. Moreover resistance to compression of the compressible material may be varied to fit a given application, e.g., lower values of compression resistance may be selected to provide less resistance to insertion of multiple cables  402 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , cables  402  may be inserted into the open cable channel  412  in the direction of the arrows, with each of cables  402  extending outward from the front and rear of cable channel  412 .  FIG. 5  shows a front perspective view of cable channel  412  with cables  402  shown after such insertion into cable channel  412 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , alignment markings  401  (e.g., ink, paint, raised surface, surface indicia, etc.) may be optionally placed on outer surface of each of cables  402 , and used as a guide to properly align the longitudinal position of each cable  402  relative to the cable channel  412  in order to achieve proper positioning of cables  402  relative to an information handling system chassis when the cable channel  412  is subsequently placed with clamped cables  402  into the chassis, e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
       FIG. 5  also shows how hinged cable clamp  416  may be rotated about its hinge  415  in the direction of the arrow to bring the cable clamp  416  together with the cable champ body  414  around the inserted cables  402 . Although three cables  402  are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it will be understood that more or less than three cables  402  may be inserted into a cable channel  412 , with the maximum number of cables  402  that may be so inserted limited only by availability of sufficient space for the inserted cables  402  between hinged clamp  416  and body  414  to allow cable channel  412  to be physically closed. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of the cable channel  412  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  in a closed position, showing cable clamp  416  brought completely together with the cable channel body  414  around the inserted cables  402 , with cable clamp  416  retained in this closed position by contact of a vertical step of each of two latch tangs  418  of the cable clamp  416  with a respective mating latch wall or post  421  defined within a respective one of two mating latch receptacles  420  of cable channel body  414 . As shown, each respective latch tang  418  also includes a ramped surface that is displaced upwards (to bend the resilient plastic latch tang  418  upwards) by contact with a mating latch wall or post  421  when the cable clamp  416  is brought together with the cable channel body  414  until the respective vertical step of the latch tang  418  is displaced past the latch wall or post  421  which allows the bent compressible latch tang  418  to straighten and rebound downward to trap its vertical step behind the mating latch wall or post  421 . It will be understood that particular configuration of latch tangs  418  and mating latch receptacles  420  shown in  FIG. 6A  is exemplary only, and that any other type and number of one or more mating mechanisms may be employed that is suitable to latch together the cable clamp  416  and cable channel body  414  around cables  402 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6A , each of first compressible block  430  and second compressible block  432  are compressed or deformed around a respective portion (e.g., side) of each cable  402  in those areas where a cable  402  is present and contacts the first compressible block  430  or second compressible block  432 , and which, when the shell of cable channel  412  is closed, are fully enclosed internally to the cable channel  412 . First compressible block  430  and second compressible block  432  also contact and compress against each other in those areas where no cable  402  is present. Each of first compressible block  430  and second compressible block  432  snugly conform to the outer surface of each cable  402  where the cable is present (and snugly contact each other where no cable  402  is present) so as to fully encase the inserted sides of cables  402  and form a complete seal (e.g., with no air gaps) that prevents airflow across the closed cable channel  412  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the cables  402 . Moreover, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A , the mated latch tangs  418  of the cable clamp  416  latch walls or posts  421  each have a low profile that reside within the overall shell height (outer height dimension “H”) of the cable channel  412 , enabling a seal over the entire height of the cable channel  412  and creating a seal that prevents airflow across the entire height “H” of the closed cable channel  412 , i.e., prevents airflow through closed cable channel  412  in a direction perpendicular to the page in  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of the cable channel  412  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  in a closed position, showing cable clamp  416  brought completely together with the cable channel body  414  with no cables inserted cables  402 . In  FIG. 6B , the entire inner face of first compressible block  430  is in contact with (e.g., slightly interferes with) the entire inner face of second compressible block  432  since no cable  402  to form a complete seal that prevents airflow across the closed cable channel  412  in a direction perpendicular to the page in  FIG. 6B . As also shown, each of blocks  430  and  432  are fully enclosed internally within the shell of cable channel  412 , 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an exploded front perspective view of an information handling system chassis  700  (e.g., stamped sheet metal 1U chassis) with its top cover  704  removed from chassis base  702  to allow one end of each of system cables  402  to be connected to circuitry and components on system motherboard  720  disposed inside a first enclosed cavity or compartment  785  of chassis  700 , e.g., in this case by joining together mating electronic connectors  730  and  722  within the cavity  785  of enclosure of chassis  700 . As further shown, the other end of each of system cables  402  may be electrically connected to PCB board/s  761  and/or connectors of backplane  760  that are mechanically attached to chassis  700  within a second enclosed cavity or compartment  787  at or near the front end  711  of chassis  700  as shown in  FIG. 7C , e.g., by joining together mating electronic connectors  762  and  765 . For purposes of illustration, those chassis walls (e.g., sidewalls and end walls of chassis  700 ) and portion of top cover  704  that are positioned between fan gantry  750  and front end  711  of chassis  700  are shown with dashed lines. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 7A , a fan gantry  750  with its multiple integrated cooling fans  735  is disposed in position adjacent the front end  711  of system  100 , and extends from a first chassis sidewall  737  across a majority of the internal width of system  700  to a position near an opposing second chassis sidewall  739  as shown, and so as to separate first enclosed cavity  785  from a second enclosed compartment or cavity  787  which contains the backplane  760  and other PCB/s  761 . Cooling fans  735  operate to draw ambient air into the first cavity  785  of chassis enclosure and expel it frontward into the second cavity or compartment  787  of the system chassis  700  as shown in  FIG. 7C , although air circulation direction may be either front-to-rear or rear-to-front depending on characteristics and needs of a given system configuration. An area for system storage  723  (e.g., hard drives, solid state drives (SSD) etc.) is illustrated at the front end  711  of system  700 , although the actual storage drives shown in  FIG. 7C  are omitted from  FIGS. 7A and 7B  for purposes of illustration. Other components (e.g., power supplies  719 , input/output components  721 , etc.) may be provided in cavity  785  adjacent the rear end  715  of system  700  as shown in  FIG. 7C . 
     In one embodiment, fan gantry  750  may be permanently fixed to the chassis  700  itself, and cannot be detached or otherwise removed from the rest of the chassis (e.g., 1U computer chassis). However, in other embodiments, a detachable fan gantry  750  may be employed, in which case the detachable fan gantry  750  may be installed and secured (e.g., temporarily fixed with fasteners) in the illustrated position within chassis  700  prior to installation of a closed cable channel  412 . Further alternatively, a cable channel  412  may be installed within an information handling system chassis whether or not a fan gantry is present or absent within the chassis, e.g., cable channel  412  may be installed in a space defined between existing chassis structures (e.g., adjacent interior and/or exterior chassis walls) of an information handling system chassis that is sized to receive the cable channel  412 . Information regarding information handling systems including a system board (e.g., motherboard) may be found described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/988,021, filed Aug. 7, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 7A , a fixed side opening (fixed open section or open space)  790  that is complementary shaped and dimensioned to a closed cable channel  412  so as to receive the closed cable channel  412  in slidably inserted airtight relationship is defined as shown at the front end of chassis  700  between one side or end  741  of the permanently fixed fan gantry  750  and the adjacent permanently fixed chassis sidewall  739 . As shown, open space  790  extends completely from the near the front end  711  of the chassis  700  to the interior cavity  785  of the chassis  790 . In  FIG. 7A , a closed cable channel  412  is shown positioned for insertion (or drop-in) vertically downward in the direction of the arrow into open space  790  without the need for any fasteners such as hooks, snaps or other retention features. In one embodiment, cable channel  412  may have a front-to-back length that is equal to the entire depth dimension of side opening  790 , i.e., so that cable channel  412  extends into chassis  700  the entire depth of side opening  790  when cable channel  412  is received within side opening  790 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 7A , cable channel  412  is shown closed around cables  402 , with cable clamp  416  brought completely together with the cable channel body  414  around the inserted cables  402 , e.g., such as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates a front perspective view of the chassis embodiment  700  of  FIG. 7A , after insertion of closed cable channel  412  into open space  790  and assembly of top cover  704  to the chassis base  702  (e.g., with optional top cover fasteners such as screws). As shown, height and width dimensions of closed cable channel  412  take up (or equal) the entire respective height and width of the open space  790  so that airflow is blocked between the outer periphery of cable channel  412  and the inner surfaces of open space  790  and top cover  704 . When chassis  700  is closed in this way, the enclosed cavity  785  of chassis  700  encloses internal information handling system components, e.g., system motherboard  720  including central processing unit “CPU” and system memory (e.g., DRAM), as well as other possible internal electronic components such as baseboard management controller (BMC), etc. Top cover  704  overlies, contacts, and forms a seal against airflow with the top of installed cable channel  412  and completes the seal against airflow recirculation that is made all around the outer peripheral sides of cable channel  412 . Top cover  704  also serves to retain cable channel  412  in place within open space  790 . 
     In the assembled configuration of  FIG. 7B , closed cable channel  412  is received tightly between the permanently fixed outer surface of fan gantry  750  and the fixed inner surface of second chassis sidewall  739  so as to form a seal that prevents airflow recirculation to the outside ambient environment from the interior cavity  785  of the assembled chassis  700  through open space  790  and the closed cable channel  412  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the cables  402 . In this regard, the outer side contours of the shell of cable channel  412  (e.g., both cable clamp  416  and cable champ body  414 ) may be molded to conform to and tightly fit within any irregular contours of the sides of open space  790  of chassis  700 , i.e., so as to contact and form a seal with inside surfaces of chassis  700  to prevent airflow recirculation through open space  790 . 
     Although  FIG. 7B  illustrates an embodiment with a cable channel  412  installed within a 1U chassis  700  having a permanently fixed fan gantry  750 , a cable channel  412  may be installed within other sizes and configurations of information handling system chassis. Examples of such other chassis configurations include larger system chassis sizes such as 2U, 4U, etc. and/or with chassis configurations having a temporarily fixed and removable fan gantry. Moreover, it is also possible that a cable channel may be installed within a designated open space positioned adjacent any other side or end of an information handling system chassis (e.g., front end, either side ends, chassis top or bottom) to provide a sealed routing path for system cable/s into the chassis interior. 
     In one alternate embodiment, a cable channel  412  may be attached to a sidewall of a 2U chassis (e.g., by suitable fasteners) prior to installation of a removable fan gantry and prior to insertion of cables  402  into open cable channel  412 . Cables  402  may then be inserted into the opened cable channel  412  while it is attached to the 2U chassis sidewall, an then cable channel  412  closed around the inserted cables  402 . A removable fan gantry section may then be installed adjacent the cable channel  412 , with an end surface of the fan gantry section contacting one side of cable channel  412  and the chassis sidewall contacting the opposing side of the cable channel  412  to form a seal against airflow recirculation out from (or into) the closed 2U chassis during system operation. 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates an overhead view of an information handling system chassis  700 . As shown in  FIG. 7C , the other end of each of system cables  402  may be electrically connected to a backplane  760  and/or other printed circuit boards  761  that are mechanically connected to the front end  711  of chassis  700  (see  FIG. 7C ), e.g., by joining together mating electronic connectors  762  and  765 . As further shown in  FIG. 7A , two separate fan gantry sections  750   a  and  750   b  are disposed in position adjacent the front end  711  of system  100 . One end of fan gantry section  750   a  is spaced apart from a first chassis sidewall to define a first open space  790  receiving a first cable channel  412 , and one end of fan gantry section  750   b  is spaced apart from a second and opposing chassis sidewall to define an open space  790  receiving a second cable channel  412 . A center or intermediate open space  890  receiving a third cable channel  812  is defined between two adjacent ends of fan gantries  750   a  and  750   b.  Cooling fans of fan gantries  750   a  and  750   b  operate to draw ambient from the front end  711  of the chassis enclosure for blowing through cavity  785  chassis  700  (e.g., a 1U server chassis), although air circulation direction may be either front-to-rear or rear-to-front depending on characteristics and needs of a given system configuration. An area for system storage  723  (e.g., hard drives, solid state drives (SSD) etc.) is illustrated at the front end  711  of system  700 . Other components (e.g., power supplies  719 , input/output components  721 , etc.) are provided as shown at the rear end  715  of system  700  as shown in  FIG. 7C . 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of an opened cable channel  812  that is configured for installation within an intermediate opening of an information handling system chassis. In  FIG. 8A , cable channel  812  is positioned separate from an information handling system  800  and is positioned to receive multiple cables  402  of different exemplary cross-sectional shapes. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8A , cable channel  812  is configured as shown with a hinged clamp  816  that is attached by a hinge  815  to a body  814  of the cable channel  812 . As with the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , cable channel  812  includes a first block  430  of resilient material that is attached to the inner surface of cable channel body  814 , and a second block  432  of compressible material attached to the inner surface of cable channel clamp  816  as shown. In the opened position of  FIG. 8A , cables  402  may be inserted into the open cable channel  812  in the direction of the arrows, e.g., in a manner as previously described in relation to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 8A , two latch tangs  818  of the cable clamp  816  are provided to mate with respective latch receptacles  820  of cable channel body  814 , each of which are shaped and dimensioned to receive one of latch tangs  818  in clamped relationship. As with the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , the particular configuration of latch tangs  818  and mating latch receptacles  820  shown in  FIG. 8A  is exemplary only, and that any other type and number of one or more mating mechanisms (e.g., such as illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 6A ) may be employed that is suitable to latch together the cable clamp  816  and cable channel body  814  around cables  402 . 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates an exploded partial front perspective view of a 1U information handling system chassis  800  with its top cover removed to allow insertion of closed cable channel  812  into a fixed intermediate opening (or fixed open section or open space)  890  that is shaped and dimensioned to receive closed cable channel  812  in inserted airtight relationship. As shown in this embodiment, intermediate opening  890  is defined as an opening located intermediate (e.g., in this case centered) between the two opposing sidewalls of chassis  800  and between two permanently fixed fan gantry sections  850   a  and  850   b  that are not removable from chassis  800 , although an intermediate opening may alternately be defined between fixed fan gantry sections in a non-center location that is closer to one sidewall of chassis  800  than it is to the other sidewall of chassis  800 . As shown, open space  890  extends completely from a first compartment or cavity at the front end  811  of the fan gantry sections  850   a  and  850   b  to a second and different interior cavity or compartment of the chassis  800  that lies rearward and on the opposite side of the fan gantry sections  850   a  and  850 . In  FIG. 8B , closed cable channel  812  is shown positioned for insertion downward in the direction of the arrow into open space  890 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 8B , cable channel  812  is closed around cables  402  with cable clamp  816  brought completely together (about hinge  815 ) with the cable channel body  814  around the inserted cables  402 , e.g., in similar manner as illustrated and described for the embodiment of  FIG. 6A . 
     As described in relation to the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , each of first compressible block  430  and second compressible block  432  of  FIG. 8B  are compressed or deformed around a respective portion (e.g., side) of each cable  402  in those areas where a cable  402  is present and contacts the first compressible block  430  or second compressible block  432 , and first compressible block  430  and second compressible block  432  also contact each other in those areas where no cable  402  is present. This forms a seal that prevents airflow across the closed cable channel  812  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the cables  402 , and the mated latch tangs  818  and latch receptacles  820  each have a low profile that reside within the overall shell height (outer height dimension “H”) of the cable channel  812 , creating a seal that prevents airflow through closed cable channel  812 . Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 7B , when the closed cable channel  812  is received tightly between the fan gantry sections  850   a  and  850   b,  it forms a seal that prevents airflow recirculation to the outside ambient environment from the interior cavity of the assembled chassis  800  through open space  890  and the closed cable channel  812 . 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates a rear perspective view of another embodiment of an opened cable channel  822  that is configured for installation within an intermediate opening of an information handling system chassis. In  FIG. 8C , cable channel  822  is positioned separate from an information handling system  800  and is positioned to receive multiple cables  402  of different exemplary cross-sectional shapes. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8C , cable channel  822  is configured as shown with a hinged clamp  816  that is attached by a hinge  815  to a body  814  of the cable channel  812 . In this embodiment, cable channel  822  includes a single block  431  of compressible material attached to the inner surface of cable channel clamp  816  as shown. In the opened position of  FIG. 8C , cables  402  may be inserted into the open cable channel  822  in the direction of the arrows, e.g., in a manner as previously described in relation to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Then hinged cable clamp  816  of  FIG. 8C  may be rotated about its hinge  815  in the direction of the arrow to bring the cable clamp  816  and single block  431  of compressible material together with the cable champ body  814  around the inserted cables  402  to fully encase the inserted sides of cables  402  and form a complete seal around the cables  402  and the opposing inner surface of cable channel body  814  of closed cable channel  822  as shown in  FIG. 8E . 
       FIG. 8D  illustrates a rear perspective view of another embodiment of an opened cable channel  862  that is configured for installation within an intermediate opening of an information handling system chassis. In  FIG. 8D , cable channel  882  employs a single block  435  of compressible material that is attached to the inner surface of the cable channel body  814 , and into which cables  402  may be inserted into the open cable channel  862  in the direction of the arrows, e.g., in a manner as previously described in relation to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Then hinged cable clamp  816  of  FIG. 8D  may be rotated about its hinge  815  in the direction of the arrow to bring the cable clamp  816  together with the cable champ body  814  and single block  435  of compressible material around the inserted cables  402  to encase the inserted sides of cables  402  and form a complete seal around the cables  402  and the opposing inner surface of cable clamp  816  of closed cable channel  862  as shown in  FIG. 8F . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of an opened two-piece cable channel  912  positioned to clamp together around multiple cables  402  of different exemplary cross-sectional shapes. In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , cable channel  912  is configured as shown with a separate clamp  916  and separate body  914 , and without a hinge joining clamp  916  to body  914 . Two-piece cable channel  912  may be otherwise inserted in a closed condition within an side opening  790  or intermediate opening  890  in a manner similar to that previously described. As with the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , cable channel  912  includes a first block  430  of resilient material that is attached to the inner surface of cable channel body  914 , and a second block  432  of compressible material attached to the inner surface of cable channel clamp  916  as shown. In the opened position of  FIG. 9 , cables  402  may be inserted as shown into the open cable channel  912 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , two latch tangs  918  of the cable clamp  916  are provided in position to mate with respective latch receptacles  920  of cable channel body  914 , each of which are shaped and dimensioned to receive one of latch tangs  918  in clamped relationship around inserted cables  402  when clamp  916  is brought together with cable channel body  914  around inserted cables  402  in the direction of the arrows. In this way, mated latch tangs  918  and latch receptacles  920  operate to latch and retain clamp  916  and cable channel body  914  in closed position around cables  402 . As with the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , the particular configuration of latch tangs  918  and mating latch receptacles  920  shown in  FIG. 9  is exemplary only, and that any other type and number of one or more mating mechanisms (e.g., such as illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 6A ) may be employed that is suitable to latch together the cable clamp  916  and cable channel body  914  around cables  402 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a methodology  1000  that may be employed in one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. For purposes of illustration, methodology  1000  is described in relation to the cable channel embodiment  412  of  FIG. 4 , it being understood that methodology  1000  may be similarly employed using other cable channel embodiments, e.g., such as cable channel embodiments  812  or  912  described herein. Methodology  1000  begins in step  1002  where cables  402  may be first plugged into backplane  760 , and embodiment of which is illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
     Next, in step  1004 , cable channel  412  may be opened as shown in  FIG. 4 . In step  1006 , cables  402  may be placed inside the open cable channel  412  as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 4 . In step  1008 , markings  401  on cables  402  may be used to align cables  402  within open cable channel  412  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Next, in step  1010 , cable channel  412  may be closed around the aligned cables  402  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6A . Steps  1004  to  1010  may be performed while cable channel  412  is separate from, and not engaged with, system chassis  700 . 
     Next, in step  1012 , closed cable channel  412  may be installed within chassis base  702  within designated side opening  790  adjacent fan gantry  750  as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 7A , e.g., by sliding the closed cable channel  412  vertically downward into side opening  790 . Then, in step  1014 , cables  402  may be routed inside chassis base  702  and plugged into motherboard  720  in the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 7A . Finally, in step  1016 , top cover  704  may be assembled to the chassis base  702  as shown in  FIG. 7B . It will be understood that the cable channel  412  and cables  402  may be de-installed or removed from chassis base  702  by reversing the above steps, for example, by removing top cover  704 , then unplugging cables  402  from motherboard  720  (and/or from backplane  760  or other PCB  761 ), then sliding the closed cable channel  412  vertically upward out of side opening  790 , then opening cable channel  412 , and then removing the cables  402  from the open cable channel  412 . 
     It will also be understood that the steps of methodology  1000  are exemplary only, and that any other step order and/or combination of fewer, additional and/or alternative steps may be employed that is suitable for installing and de-installing a cable channel and system cables within a designated open space of an information handling system chassis to route the system cables into the interior of the system chassis in a sealed manner that prevents cooling airflow recirculation through or around the system cables and the installed cable channel. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server or rack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen and/or a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     While the invention may be adaptable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example and described herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the different aspects of the disclosed apparatus and methods may be utilized in various combinations and/or independently. Thus the invention is not limited to only those combinations shown herein, but rather may include other combinations.