Patent Publication Number: US-2016242324-A1

Title: Container-type data center

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a container-type data center and, in particular, to a container-type data center provided therein with a single communication channel communicating a cold aisle with a hot aisle. 
     2. Related Art 
     A conventional container-type data center generally has three different types, i.e. a single-longitudinal-row type, a two-longitudinal-row type, or a multiple-transverse-column type. In the two-longitudinal-row type, the container-type data center includes two rows of racks arranged along two side walls of a container. A cold aisle is formed between the two rows of the racks, and two hot aisles are formed between each of the two rows and a respective one of the two side walls. However, such configuration needs a larger space, so cannot be applied to a standard container. 
     The single-longitudinal-row type configuration and the multiple-transverse-row type configuration can be applied to the standard container. However, the drawback is that a cold aisle is separated from the hot aisle, so each cold aisle or each hot aisle needs a maintenance door for entry and exit of maintenance staff. The temperature, humidity, and air circulation in the container are influenced by the ambient environment due to frequent entry and exit of the maintenance staff. 
     In view of the foregoing, the inventor made various studies to overcome the above-mentioned problems to realize the improvements, on the basis of which the present invention is accomplished. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a container-type data center provided therein with a single communication channel communicating a cold aisle with a hot aisle. 
     The present invention provides a container-type data center comprising an elongate container and a single longitudinal rack row disposed in the elongate container. The elongate container includes two side walls, the longitudinal rack row is arranged longitudinally in the elongate container, and a cold aisle and a hot aisle are respectively formed between each of two sides of the single longitudinal rack row and a corresponding one of the two side walls. The longitudinal rack row forms a communication channel communicating the cold aisle with the hot aisle, and the longitudinal rack row includes at least one server rack and at least one air conditioner rack. 
     In the container-type data center according to the present invention, the communication channel communicates the cold aisle with the hot aisle, thereby preventing that maintenance staff frequently opens and close a maintenance door for maintenance, so the air circulation is prevented from being effected by the ambient environment. Therefore, efficient space planning can be acquired in a limited space to facilitate better management on the air-circulation field for heat dissipation and to allow easy maintenance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration view of a container-type data center according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic configuration view of a container-type data center according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic configuration view of a container-type data center according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic configuration view of a container-type data center according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the present invention provides a container-type data center which comprises an elongate container  100  and a single longitudinal rack row  200  disposed in the elongate container  100 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the elongate container  100  is preferably a standard-sized container; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, so the standard-sized container may be altered partially as required. The elongate container  100  includes a base  110  and two side walls  120 . The base  110  is made of metal and has a flat rectangular shape. The base  110  is disposed horizontally to support the longitudinal rack row  200 . Each of the side walls  120  is a rectangular metallic plate and disposed vertically on a respective long side of the base  110 , so that the side walls  120  are disposed parallel to and spaced from each other. A top of the elongate container  100  is closed, and two ends of the elongate container  100  can be closed by metallic plates or container doors; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The longitudinal rack row  200  is disposed on the base  110  of the elongate container  100  and is a single row disposed along a longitudinal direction of the elongate container  100 . Two ends of the longitudinal rack row  200  extend to two ends of the elongate container  100  respectively. Each of two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  is spaced from a corresponding one of the two side walls  120  of the elongate container  100 , and a cold aisle  101  and a hot aisle  102  are respectively formed between each of the two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  and a corresponding one of the two side walls  120 . A single communication channel  103  is formed in a middle portion of the longitudinal rack row  200 . The cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  are separated from each other, and the cold aisle  101  communicates with the hot aisle  102  only via the communication channel  103 . A top of the longitudinal rack row  200  can extend to the top of the elongate container  100 . An isolation structure  130  is disposed in a gap between the top of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the top of the elongate container  100 . The isolation structure  130  separates the air in the cold aisle  101  from the air in the hot aisle  102 . The isolation structure  130  is preferably a partition screen; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the isolation structure  130  may be, for example, a partition plate. 
     The longitudinal rack row  200  includes at least one server rack  210  and at least one air conditioner rack  220 . In the present embodiment, the longitudinal rack row  200  includes a plurality of the server racks  210  and a plurality of the air conditioner racks  220  disposed between the server racks  210  and spaced from each other. A heat dissipation fan (not illustrated) is disposed in each of the server racks  210  for drawing in air from a front side of the server rack  210  to cool the server rack  210  and exhausting heated air from a rear side of the server rack  210 . The front side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the cold aisle  101  and the rear side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the hot aisle  102 . The air conditioner rack  220  is configured to draw in from the hot aisle  102  the heated air exhausted out of the server rack  210 , cool the heated air, and exhaust the cooled air to the cold aisle  101  for the server rack  210  to draw in the cooled air to cool the server rack  210 . 
     In the present embodiment, the air conditioner rack  220 , most adjacent to the communication channel  103  in the elongate container  100 , exhausts the cooled air to the cold aisle  101 . The cooled air exhausted out of the air conditioner rack  220  flows back to the hot aisle  102  through the communication channel  103  and is again drawn into the air conditioner rack  220  to form an isolation flow field  10 . The isolation flow field  10  is configured to separate the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  from the heated air in the hot aisle  102 , thereby preventing that the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  directly contacts the heated air in the hot aisle  102  to perform heat exchange, and thus maintaining the air circulation between the cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102 . In order to prevent a “dead corner” where there is no air circulation or inferior air circulation, the location of the air conditioner rack  220  needs to be arranged according to the entire heat dissipation requirement in the elongate container  100 . In the event that the communication channel  103  cannot be disposed adjacent to the air conditioner rack  220 , an isolation structure  130  can be disposed in the communication channel  103 , and such that the isolation structure  130  separates the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  from the heated air in the hot aisle  102 . The isolation structure  130  can be disposed at a common boundary between the communication channel  103  and the hot aisle  102  or can be disposed at a common boundary between the communication channel  103  and the cold aisle  101 . In the present embodiment, the isolation structure  130  can be a partition screen; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     According to the present invention, the longitudinal rack row  200  includes two accessory equipment racks  230 . One of the two accessory equipment racks  230  is provided with a power supply module  231  and a power distribution module  232 , and the other accessory equipment rack  230  is provided therein with a fire control module  233  and a monitoring module  234 . The power supply module  231  supplies electric power required by the longitudinal rack row  200 . The power distribution module  232  distributes the electric power supplied by the power supply module  231  according to a power requirement of the longitudinal rack row  200 . The monitoring module  234  is configured to monitor an operation state of the server rack  210 . The fire control module  233  is configured to provide a fire alert and fire-fighting measures if there is an emergency occurring in the elongate container  100 . 
     The server rack  210  is usually operated from the front side thereof, so in the present embodiment, the elongate container  100  includes a maintenance door  140  communicating with the cold aisle  101 , and thereby facilitating entry and exit of the maintenance staff into and from the elongate container  100  for working on the server rack  210 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the present invention provides a container-type data center which comprises an elongate container  100  and a longitudinal rack row  200  disposed in the elongate container  100 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the elongate container  100  is preferably a standard-sized container; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, so the standard-sized container may be altered partially as required. The elongate container  100  includes a base  110  and two side walls  120 . The base  110  is made of metal and has a flat rectangular shape. The base  110  is disposed horizontally to support the longitudinal rack row  200 . Each of the side walls  120  is a rectangular metallic plate and disposed vertically on a respective long side of the base  110 , so that the side walls  120  are disposed parallel to and spaced from each other. A top of the elongate container  100  is closed, and two ends of the elongate container  100  can be closed by metallic plates or container doors; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The longitudinal rack row  200  is disposed in the elongate container  100 . The longitudinal rack row  200  is disposed on the base  110  of the elongate container  100  and is a single row disposed along a longitudinal direction of the elongate container  100 . Each of two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  is spaced from a corresponding one of the two side walls of the elongate container  100 , and a cold aisle  101  and a hot aisle  102  are respectively formed between each of the two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  and a corresponding one of the two side walls  120 . One end of the longitudinal rack row  200  extends to one end of the elongate container  100 . A single communication channel  103  is formed between the other end of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the other end of the elongate container  100 . The cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  are separated from each other, and the cold aisle  101  communicates with the hot aisle  102  only via the communication channel  103 . A top of the longitudinal rack row  200  can extend to the top of the elongate container  100 . An isolation structure  130  is disposed in a gap between the top of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the top of the elongate container  100 . The isolation structure  130  separates the air in the cold aisle  101  from the air in the hot aisle  102 . The isolation structure  130  is preferably a partition screen; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the isolation structure  130  may be, for example, a partition plate. 
     The longitudinal rack row  200  includes at least one server rack  210  and at least one air conditioner rack  220 . In the present embodiment, the longitudinal rack row  200  includes a plurality of the server racks  210  and a plurality of the air conditioner racks  220  disposed between the server racks  210  and spaced from each other. A heat dissipation fan (not illustrated) is disposed in each of the server racks  210  for drawing in air from a front side of the server rack  210  to cool the server rack  210  and exhausting heated air from a rear side of the server rack  210 . The front side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the cold aisle  101  and the rear side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the hot aisle  102 . The air conditioner rack  220  is configured to draw in from the hot aisle  102  the heated air exhausted out of the server rack  210 , cool the heated air, and exhaust the cooled air to the cold aisle  101  for the server rack  210  to draw in the cooled air to cool the server rack  210 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the air conditioner rack  220 , most adjacent to the communication channel  103  in the elongate container  100 , exhausts the cooled air to the cold aisle  101 . A portion of the cooled air is drawn into the server rack  210 , and other portions of the cooled air flows back to the hot aisle  102  through the communication channel  103  and together with the heated air exhausted out of the server rack  210  are drawn into the air conditioner rack  220  to form an isolation flow field  10 . The isolation flow field  10  is configured to separate the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  from the heated air in the hot aisle  102 , thereby preventing that the cooled air in the cold aisle  102  directly contacts the heated air in the hot aisle  102  to perform heat exchange. 
     According to the present invention, in addition to the longitudinal rack row  200 , a power supply module  231 , a power distribution module  232 , a fire control module  233 , and a monitoring module  234  are disposed in the elongate container  100 . The power supply module  231  supplies electric power required by the longitudinal rack row  200 . The power distribution module  232  distributes the electric power supplied by the power supply module  231  according to a power requirement of the longitudinal rack row  200 . The monitoring module  234  is configured to monitor an operation state of the server rack  210 . The fire control module  233  is configured to provide a fire alert and fire-fighting measures if there is an emergency occurring in the elongate container  100 . 
     Since the cold aisle  101  is full of the cooled air cooled by the air conditioner rack  220 , the elongate container  100  of the present embodiment  100  includes a maintenance door  140  communicating with the hot aisle  102  so as to facilitate entry and exit of maintenance staff into and from the elongate container  100 , thus preventing the cooled air from leaking out to increase the operation load of the air conditioner rack  220  due to entry and exit of the maintenance staff into and from the elongate container  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a third embodiment of the present invention provides a container-type data center which comprises an elongate container  100  and a longitudinal rack row  200  and two transverse rack columns disposed in the elongate container  100 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the elongate container is preferably a standard-sized container; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, so the standard-sized container may be altered partially as required. The elongate container  100  includes a base  110  and two side walls  120 . The base  110  is made of metal and has a flat rectangular shape. The base  110  is disposed horizontally to support the longitudinal rack row  200  and the transverse rack columns  300 . Each of the side walls  120  is a rectangular metallic plate and disposed vertically on a respective long side of the base  110 , so that the side walls  120  are disposed parallel to and spaced from each other. A top of the elongate container  100  is closed, and two ends of the elongate container  100  can be closed by metallic plates or container doors; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     In order to enhance the cooling efficiency, the longitudinal rack row  200  and the transverse rack columns  300  can be arranged in different divisions according to different power for division management. The longitudinal rack row  200  and the transverse rack columns  300  are disposed on the base  110  of the elongate container  100 . The longitudinal rack row  200  is a single row disposed along a longitudinal direction of the elongate container  100 . The transverse rack columns  300  are two rows disposed alongside each other at one end of the elongate container  100  along a transverse direction thereof. The transverse rack columns  300  and the elongate container  100  surround to form a maintenance aisle  104  for maintenance of the longitudinal rack row  200  by maintenance staff. Each of two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  is spaced from a corresponding one of the two side walls of the elongate container  100 , and a cold aisle  101  and a hot aisle  102  are respectively formed between each of the two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  and a corresponding one of the two side walls  120 . One end of the longitudinal rack row  200  extends to the other end of the elongate container  100 . A single communication channel  103  is formed between the other end of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the most adjacent transverse rack column  300 . The cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  are separated from each other, and the cold aisle  101  communicates with the hot aisle  102  only via the communication channel  103 . A top of the longitudinal rack row  200  can extend to the top of the elongate container  100 . An isolation structure  130  is disposed in a gap between the top of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the top of the elongate container  100 . The isolation structure  130  separates the air in the cold aisle  101  from the air in the hot aisle  102 . The isolation structure  130  is preferably a partition screen; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the isolation structure  130  may be, for example, a partition plate. 
     The longitudinal rack row  200  includes at least one server rack  210  and at least one air conditioner rack  220 . In the present embodiment, the longitudinal rack row  200  includes a plurality of the server racks  210  and a plurality of the air conditioner racks  220  disposed between the server racks  210  and spaced from each other. A heat dissipation fan (not illustrated) is disposed in each of the server racks  210  for drawing in air from a front side of the server rack  210  to cool the server rack  210  and exhausting heated air from a rear side of the server rack  210 . The front side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the cold aisle  101 , and the rear side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the hot aisle  102 . The air conditioner rack  220  is configured to draw in from the hot aisle  102  the heated air exhausted out of the server rack  210 , cool the heated air, and exhaust the cooled air to the cold aisle  101  for the server rack  210  to draw in the cooled air to cool the server rack  210 . 
     In the present embodiment, an isolation structure  130  is disposed in the communication channel  103 . The isolation structure  130  separates the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  from the heated air in the hot aisle  102 . The isolation structure  130  can be disposed at a common boundary between the communication channel  103  and the hot aisle  102  or can be disposed at a common boundary between the communication channel  103  and the cold aisle  101 . In the present embodiment, the isolation structure  130  can be a partition door; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. Such configuration prevents that the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  comes into contact with the heated air in the hot aisle  102  to perform heat exchange, thereby maintaining the air circulation between the cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102 . 
     In the present embodiment, in addition to the longitudinal rack row  200 , a power supply module  231 , a power distribution module  232 , a fire control module  233 , and a monitoring module  234  are disposed in the elongate container  100 . The power supply module  231  supplies electric power required by the longitudinal rack row  200  and the transverse rack column  300   s . The power distribution module  232  distributes the electric power supplied by the power supply module  231  according to a power requirement of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the transverse rack columns  300 . The monitoring module  234  is configured to monitor an operation state of the server rack  210 . The fire control module  233  is configured to provide a fire alert and fire-fighting measures if there is an emergency occurring in the elongate container  100 . 
     In the present embodiment, the elongate container  100  includes a maintenance door  140  communicating with the maintenance aisle  104  so as to facilitate entry and exit of maintenance staff into and from the elongate container  100 , thus preventing the air circulation between the cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  from being effected by entry and exit of the maintenance staff into and from the elongate container  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a container-type data center which comprises two elongate containers  100 , a longitudinal rack row disposed in one of the two elongate containers  100 , and a compartment  400 . 
     According to the present embodiment, each elongate container  100  is preferably a standard-sized container; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, so the standard-sized container may be altered partially as required. Each elongate container  100  includes a base  110  and two side walls  120 . The base  110  is made of metal and has a flat rectangular shape. The base  110  is disposed horizontally. Each of the side walls  120  is a rectangular metallic plate and disposed vertically on a respective long side of the base  110 , so that the side walls  120  are disposed parallel to and spaced from each other. A top of the elongate container  100  is closed, and two ends of the elongate container  100  can be closed by metallic plates or container doors; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The longitudinal rack row  200  is contained in one of the elongate containers  100 . The longitudinal rack row  200  is disposed on the base  110  of this elongate container  100  and is a single row disposed along a longitudinal direction of this elongate container  100 . Each of two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  is spaced from a corresponding one of the two side walls of the elongate container  100 , and a cold aisle  101  and a hot aisle  102  are respectively formed between each of the two sides of the longitudinal rack row  200  and a corresponding one of the two side walls  120 . One end of the longitudinal rack row  200  extends to one end of the elongate container  100 . A single communication channel  103  is formed between the other end of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the other end of the elongate container  100 . The cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  are separated from each other, and the cold aisle  101  communicates with the hot aisle  102  only via the communication channel  103 . A top of the longitudinal rack row  200  can extend to the top of the elongate container  100 . An isolation structure  130  is disposed in a gap between the top of the longitudinal rack row  200  and the top of the elongate container  100 . The isolation structure  130  separates the air in the cold aisle  101  from the air in the hot aisle  102 . The isolation structure  130  is preferably a partition screen; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the isolation structure  130  may be, for example, a partition plate. 
     The longitudinal rack row  200  includes at least one server rack  210  and at least one air conditioner rack  220 . In the present embodiment, the longitudinal rack row  200  includes a plurality of the server racks  210  and a plurality of the air conditioner racks  220  disposed between the server racks  210  and spaced from each other. A heat dissipation fan (not illustrated) is disposed in each of the server racks  210  for drawing in air from a front side of the server rack  210  to cool the server rack  210  and exhausting heated air from a rear side of the server rack  210 . The front side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the cold aisle  101 , and the rear side of each of the server racks  210  is disposed in the hot aisle  102 . The air conditioner rack  220  is configured to draw in from the hot aisle  102  the heated air exhausted out of the server rack  210 , cool the heated air, and exhaust the cooled air to the cold aisle  101  for the server rack  210  to draw in the cooled air to cool the server rack  210 . 
     In the present embodiment, the air conditioner rack  220 , most adjacent to the communication channel  103  in the elongate container  100 , exhausts the cooled air to the cold aisle  101 . A portion of the cooled air is drawn into the server rack  210 . Other portions of the cooled air flow back to the hot aisle  102  through the communication channel  103  and are drawn into the air conditioner rack  220  to form an isolation flow field  10 . The isolation flow field  10  is configured to separate the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  from the heated air in the hot aisle  102 , thereby preventing that the cooled air in the cold aisle  101  directly contacts the heated air in the hot aisle  102  to perform heat exchange. 
     Since the cold aisle  101  is full of the cooled air cooled by the air conditioner rack  220 , in the present embodiment one end of the elongate container  100  includes a maintenance door  140  communicating with the communication channel  103  so as to facilitate entry and exit of maintenance staff into and from the elongate container  100 , thus preventing the air circulation between the cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  from being effected by entry and exit of the maintenance staff to and from the elongate container  100 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the other elongate container  100  is disposed with a maintenance door  140  at one end thereof and is provided therein with a power supply module  231  and a power distribution module  232 . The power supply module  231  supplies electric power required by the longitudinal rack row  200 . The power distribution module  232  distributes the electric power supplied by the power supply module  231  according to a power requirement of the longitudinal rack row  200 . 
     In the present embodiment, two elongate containers  100  are arranged alongside each other. The compartment  400  is disposed at one side of the two elongate containers  100 . The maintenance door  140  of each of the elongate containers  100  communicates with the compartment  400 . A fire control module  233  and a monitoring module  234  are disposed in the compartment  400 . The monitoring module  234  is configured to monitor an operation state of the server rack  210 . The fire control module  233  is configured to provide a fire alert and fire-fighting measures if there is an emergency occurring in the elongate container  100 . 
     In the container-type data center, the cold aisle  101 , the hot aisle  102 , and the communication channel  103  communicating with the cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  are formed by disposing the longitudinal rack row  200  in the elongate container  100 . The maintenance staff can move between the cold aisle and the hot aisle via the communication channel  103 , thereby reducing the frequency of opening the maintenance door  140  of the elongate container  100  during maintenance operations, thus preventing the air circulation between the cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102  from being effected by the ambient environment. 
     As mentioned above, in the container-type data center of the present invention, the single longitudinal rack row  200  is used to form in the elongate container  100  the cold aisle  101 , the hot aisle  102 , and the communication channel  103  communicating the cold aisle  101  and the hot aisle  102 . Therefore, efficient space planning can be acquired in the limited space of the elongate container  100  to facilitate better management on an air-circulation field for heat dissipation and to allow easy maintenance. 
     It is to be understood that the above descriptions are merely preferable embodiments of the present invention and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Equivalent changes and modifications made in the spirit of the present invention are regarded as falling within the scope of the present invention.