Patent Publication Number: US-11653461-B2

Title: Systems and methods for modular cabinet cable pass-through

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/854,587, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,109,498, filed Apr. 21, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated, by reference, in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for modular cabinet cable pass through. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Data centers include many equipment cabinets. The equipment mounted within those cabinets must have access to cables, such as power cables, data cables, etc. As cables are routed in the data center environment, efforts are made to separate copper, power, and fiber cabling in order to protect the signals being sent, and to protect the physical cabling. Cabinet openings that allow these cables to be routed through the cabinets lead to “bypass air”—unintended air that leaks between contained hot and cold environments leading to a reduction of static pressure. Bypass air increases operational costs of data centers and reduces the overall efficiency of HVAC systems. 
     One existing solution is to use brushes to reduce the amount of bypass air leaving a cabinet, but this does not segregate cabling, and is not an effective means of significantly reducing the loss of static pressure. Another existing solution involves cutting rubber grommets to accommodate the quantity of cabling intended to be used, but typically this solution is more difficult to use and material cannot be added back to the grommet as cabling is removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Systems and methods for modular cabinet cable pass through are disclosed. In one embodiment, a modular cabinet cable pass through system may include a first lead modular plate having a U-shape and comprising a first lead modular plate leg, a second lead modular plate leg, and a first plate portion therebetween, the first lead modular plate leg and the second lead modular plate leg having substantially the same length; a first and a second follower modular plate, each of the first and the second follower modular plates having a U-shape and having a first follower modular plate leg and a second follower modular plate leg and a second plate portion therebetween, the second follower modular plate leg being longer than the first follower modular plates leg; and a bottom plate that receives at least a portion of the first plate portion of the first lead modular plate, and the second follower modular plate legs of the first and the second follower modular plates, the first follower modular plate legs of the first follower modular plate and the second follower modular plate being received by the first plate portion of the first lead modular plate. At least one cable may pass between an opening defined by the bottom plate and one of the first follower plate and the second follower plate. 
     In one embodiment, the system may further include a top plate that is in contact with at least a portion of each of the second plate portions of the first and second follower modular plates. The top plate may be secured to the bottom plate using a fastener. 
     In one embodiment, the first plate may be provided in an opening in an equipment cabinet. 
     In one embodiment, the system may further include a second lead modular plate and a third and a fourth follower modular plate, wherein the bottom plate receives at least a portion of the first plate portion of the second lead modular plate and the second follower modular plate legs of the third and fourth follower modular plate, the first follower modular plate legs of the third and fourth follower modular plates being received by the first plate portion of the second lead modular plate. 
     In one embodiment, the opening may be between the first or the second follower modular plate, and the third or the fourth follower modular plates, and wherein the cable passes through the opening. 
     In one embodiment, first plate portion and/or the second plate portions may include scallops on a surface thereon. The scallops may include convex portion on a first surface and a concave portion on a second surface. 
     In one embodiment, the system may further include a flow restrictor positioned in the opening. 
     In one embodiment, ends of the first leg portions, the second leg portions, the third leg portions, and the fourth leg portions may be configured to interface with one of the scalloped surfaces. 
     In one embodiment, a size of the opening may be adjustable by moving the first follower plate and/or the second follower plate in contact with the first lead plate. 
     According to another embodiment, a method for providing a modular cabinet cable pass through may include: (1) positioning, on a bottom plate, a first lead modular plate having a U-shape such that a portion of the first plate portion of the first lead modular plate may be in contact with the bottom plate and a first lead modular plate leg and a second lead modular plate leg of the first lead modular plate extend away from the bottom plate; (2) positioning a first follower modular plate having a U-shape such that a first follower modular plate leg of the first follower modular plate interfaces with the first plate portion of the first lead modular plate, and a second follower modular plate leg of the first follower plate interfaces with the bottom plate; (3) positioning a second follower modular plate having a U-shape such that a second follower modular plate leg of the second follower modular plate interfaces with the first plate portion of the first lead modular plate, and a second follower modular plate leg of the second follower plate interfaces with the bottom plate; and (4) adjusting a position of the one of the first follower modular plate and the second follower modular plate relative to the first lead modular plate and the bottom plate to define an opening. The opening may be sized to receive a cable passing through the cabinet. 
     In one embodiment, the method may further include positioning a top plate over the first follower plate, the first lead plate, and the second follower plate such that the top plate may be in contact with at least a portion of each of a second plate portions of the first and second follower modular plates. The top plate may be secured to the bottom plate using a fastener. 
     In one embodiment, the first plate may be provided in an opening in an equipment cabinet. 
     In one embodiment, the method may further include providing a second lead modular plate on the bottom plate, the second lead modular plate adjacent to the first lead modular plate, wherein the bottom plate receives at least a portion of the first plate portion of the second lead modular plate; and providing a third follower modular plate and a fourth follower modular plate, wherein first follower modular plate legs of the third and fourth follower modular plates are received by the first plate portion of the second lead modular plate, and second follower modular plate legs of the third follower modular plate and the fourth follower modular plate interface with the bottom plate. 
     In one embodiment, the opening may be between the first or the second follower modular plate, and the third or the fourth follower modular plates, and wherein the cable passes through the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the first plate portion and/or the second plate portions may include scallops on a surface thereof, wherein the scallops comprise a convex portion on a first surface and/or a concave portion on a second surface. 
     In one embodiment, the method may further include providing a flow restrictor in the opening. 
     In one embodiment, a size of the opening may be adjustable by moving the first follower plate and/or the second follower plate in contact with the first lead plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the attached drawings. The drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention but are intended only to illustrate different aspects and embodiments. 
         FIG.  1    depicts a perspective view of a system for modular cabinet cable pass through according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    depicts a top view of a system for modular cabinet cable pass through according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    depicts a bottom view of a system for modular cabinet cable pass through according to one embodiment; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  depict exemplary lead modular plates and follower modular plates according to embodiments; 
         FIG.  5    depicts a side view of a system for modular cabinet cable pass through according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    depicts a side view of a system for modular cabinet cable pass through according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    depicts a method for modular cabinet cable pass through according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for modular cabinet cable pass through. Embodiments provide a barrier to bypass air by maintaining a rigid structure, and also permits clean segregation of different cable types. 
     Embodiments may further include brushes to provide additional barriers to bypass air. 
     Embodiments may use interlocking C-shaped panels that slide within a larger frame. When the frame is secured (e.g., tightened down), or the interlocking panels are restricted in another manner (e.g., by a set screw), the panels may no longer move. 
     In embodiments, additional channels may be added, existing channels may be removed, the width of the channels may be adjusted, etc. as is necessary and/or desired. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a system of a modular cabinet cable pass through is depicted according to one embodiment. System  100  may include cabinet  110 , which may be any type of cabinet that may hold electronic equipment  140 . Electronic equipment  140  may include any electronic equipment that may require a corded connection for power and/or data. Examples of electronic equipment  140  include servers, switches, storage, etc. 
     On one surface, such as a horizontal surface (e.g., top or bottom surface) or a vertical surface (e.g., side or back surface) may include one or more modular cabinet cable pass through devices  120 . Modular cabinet cable pass through devices  120  permit cabling (e.g., power, data, etc.) to pass through an opening in cabinet  110  to access electronic equipment  140 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , a top view and a bottom view of a modular cabinet cable pass through device are provided, respectively, according to one embodiment. Modular cabinet cable pass through device  120  may include a plurality top plates  210  and bottom plates  220 . Bottom plate  220  may support modular devices, including lead modular plate  230  and follower modular plate  240 . Top plate  210  may be positioned over bottom plate  220  and secured with securing mechanisms  250 , such as screws, bolts with nuts, pins, clips, etc. Any suitable securing mechanism  250  may be used as is necessary and/or desired. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C , side views of lead modular plates and follower modular plates are provided according to one embodiment. In  FIG.  4 A , lead modular plate  420 A includes legs  422 A and plate portion  423 A. Legs  422 A of lead modular plate  422 A have the same length. 
     Follower modular plate  430 A includes legs  432 A and  434 A, and plate portion  433 A. Legs  422 A of lead modular plate  422 A have the different lengths. For example, leg  434 A is longer than leg  432 A. Leg  432 A is intended to interact with the bottom plate of a modular cabinet cable pass through device (not shown). Leg  422 A and  432 A may interact with plate portion  423 A of lead modular plate  420 A or plate portion  433 A of follower modular plate  430 A. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 C , lead modular plate  420 C is substantially similar to lead modular plate  420 A, and follower modular plate  430 C is substantially similar to follower modular plate  430 A. Lead modular plate  420 C and/or follower modular plate  430 C may include scallops  424 ,  434  on plate portions  423 C and  433 C, respectively. Scallops  424  may be concave on one surface of portions  423 C and  433 C, and convex on the other surface of portions  423 C and  433 C. 
     In one embodiment, legs  422 C,  432 C, and  434 C may be rounded to interact with scallops  424 ,  434  as illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , top plate  210  and/or bottom plate  220  may include scallops  510  and  520 , respectively. Scallops  510  and  520  may be concave, and may be provided to maintain the position of lead modular plate  420 B and follower modular plate  430 B relative to each other. 
     Although scallops are illustrated in  FIG.  4 B , it should be recognized that any suitable mechanism for maintain the positions of lead modular plate  420 B, follower modular plate  430 B, top plate  210 , and bottom plate  220  may be used, including other geometries (e.g., grooves, etc.), fasteners (e.g., hook and loop fasteners), roughened surfaces, etc. 
     In one embodiment, some or all of the scallops may be optional, and a scalloped plate may be used with a non-scalloped plate. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 C , lead modular plate  420 C is substantially similar to lead modular plate  420 A. Follower modular plate  430 C is substantially similar to follower modular plate  430 A, and may include one or more openings  440 C that may receive a flow restrictor (not shown) such as a brush, a plate, a foam insert, hook and loop mounting positions, etc. that may restrict airflow in an opening. An example of such is provided in  FIG.  6   , wherein a plurality of flow restrictors  610  are provided. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a method for modular cabinet cable pass through is provided according to one embodiment. 
     In step  705 , a plurality of first modular plates may be positioned on a bottom plate in an opening in a surface of an equipment cabinet. In one embodiment, the first modular plates may be positioned so that their vertical portions are facing upward on a horizontal surface, or outward on a vertical surface. 
     In one embodiment, the first modular plates may be lead modular plates. 
     In one embodiment, matching scallops may be provided on a surface of the first modular plate and the bottom plate. 
     The first modular plates positioned in step  705  may all have vertical portions, or legs, having the same lengths. 
     In step  710 , one or more opening for cable pass-through may be identified. The first modular plates may then be arranged to position the opening between them. 
     In step  715 , one or more second modular plates may be positioned on the first modular plates with their vertical portions, or legs, facing the first modular plates. In one embodiment, the second modular plate that is adjacent to the opening may be a follower modular plate, and may a leg for interfacing with the first modular plate, and a second leg for interfacing with the bottom plate. 
     In one embodiment, if the legs of the second modular plate is being positioned on two first modular plates, the second modular plate may be a lead modular plate. 
     In one embodiment, the vertical portions of the second modular plates may interface with scallops in the first modular plate and/or the bottom plate. 
     In step  720 , the second modular plates may be positioned to optimize the size of the opening for cable pass-through. In one embodiment, this may mean minimizing the size of the opening. 
     In one embodiment, additional flow restriction devices, such as brushes, plates, etc. may be provided to minimize the flow of air out for the equipment cabinet. 
     In step  725 , the modular plates may be secured in place below a top plate. In one embodiment, a top plate may be provided and secured with set screws, clamps, bolts, hook-and-loop fasteners, combinations thereof, etc. may be used to secure the modular opening restrictors in place. 
     It should be recognized that although several different embodiments are disclosed, these embodiments are not exclusive. Thus, although certain features may be disclosed in the context of one embodiment, the features may be used any embodiment as is necessary and/or desired. 
     It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present embodiments are susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present embodiments and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention. 
     Accordingly, while the present exemplary embodiments have been described here in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary and is made to provide an enabling disclosure of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present embodiments or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements.