Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7366632?dq=5927278
Timestamp: 2014-07-11 23:42:36
Document Index: 84197944

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 400', 'art 400', 'art 400', 'art 400', 'art 400', 'art 400', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 400']

Patent US7366632 - Method and apparatus for three-dimensional measurements - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsAn apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature...http://www.google.com/patents/US7366632?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7366632 - Method and apparatus for three-dimensional measurementsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7366632 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/195,426Publication dateApr 29, 2008Filing dateAug 2, 2005Priority dateAug 2, 2005Fee statusPaidAlso published asCN1908590A, CN100545582C, US7739073, US7756667, US20070032979, US20080239539, US20080281551Publication number11195426, 195426, US 7366632 B2, US 7366632B2, US-B2-7366632, US7366632 B2, US7366632B2InventorsHendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. SchmidtOriginal AssigneeInternational Business Machines CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (8), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (24), Classifications (11), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and apparatus for three-dimensional measurementsUS 7366632 B2Abstract An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
removing heat exchangers. Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to the field of thermal measurement and more specifically to thermal measurement of data centers.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART There are many cases where it is desirable to accurately measure, analyze, and optimize the environmental characteristics of an area. One such area is a data center. A data center is a room wherein rows of equipment racks and enclosures situated side by side in very large numbers are located. The equipment racks and enclosures contain and organize communications and information technology equipment, such as servers, internetworking equipment and storage devices. Each piece of the rack-mounted equipment consumes electrical power and generates heat. The amount of heat generated corresponds to the amount of power consumed by each piece of equipment. Naturally, the total heat output of a single rack is the result of a cumulative affect of the heat generated by each piece of rack-mounted equipment. As a result, the heat output of each rack may vary greatly, depending upon the type of equipment, the duty cycle of use of each piece, the ambient temperature, and especially the cooling system being used.
The problem is compounded by a dramatic surge of power consumption in computing systems that has significantly increased the costs of cooling, infrastructure, and energy of data centers and supercomputers. For example, just 25 years ago the typical dissipated power in a computer rack was only �1 kW while today we are reaching power levels of almost 40 kW in a similar size rack. It is inevitable that future rack power levels will increase even further.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is an apparatus and method for measuring physical characteristics, e.g., the thermal distributions and other measurements, such as relative humidity, absolute humidity, barometric pressure, and wind flow rate, wind speed and wind direction, in a data center. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a framework with a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is physically coupled to the framework. Each sensor being at a different location on the framework. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors measures at least one physical characteristic of an environment within a data center.
In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal sensors 206 are arranged such that they cover the corners of an imaginary unit cell, which extends vertically and horizontally away from the sensor 206 with a distance that is half the distance to the nearest adjacent sensor. In the figure, a unit cell 208, centered on a sensor 209, is defined by the distance between adjacent sensors 212, 214, and 216. If the dimensions of an exemplary first unit cell 208 is ⅔�⅔�1 feet, repeating the unit cell 208 within the cart 200 allows the capture of a temperature reading with a lateral (xy) resolution of ⅔ feet and 1 foot in the vertical (z) direction. It should be noted that these dimensions are only an illustrative example and other quantities of separation between the sensors can be used as well.
In one embodiment, the temperature sensors 206, or any other sensors used, are thermally �isolated� from the cart 200. For example, the sensor can be separated from the cart 200 by a low thermal conducting material, such as STYROPOR. Isolating the sensors from the cart ensures that the sensor readings reflect the ambient conditions in the data center and are not affected by the presence of the cart 200.
In a preferred embodiment, the rods 202 defining the cart 200 are relatively thin so as to minimize the impact on wind flow when capturing a heat pattern. In one embodiment, the rod diameter is less than 1 inch, but can be other dimensions and may depend on material and desired strength. The rods 202 can be made of any rigid material that will statically hold the sensors 206. However, in preferred embodiments, the rod material is selected from a group of materials that have low thermal conductivity, such as plastic or composite material, that reduce a potential temperature influence on the sensors 206. In other embodiments, the framework may be covered with a skin or other material. The term �framework� is not limited to only connected rods.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cart 200, in this example, is shaped like a �T� in order to map the temperature distributions above the racks within the data center. The dimensions of the cart 200 are governed by the general data center layout and the rack dimensions. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the cart 200 allows accurate measurement of a 9-foot high data center with a granularity of ⅔�⅔�1 foot for racks 102 of up to 7.5 feet high and 4 feet deep. The dimensions given are exemplary only. Other dimensions can be used and are within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
FIGS. 4-7 show how the cart can be used to measure the three-dimensional distribution of a physical quantity, such as temperature, throughout the data center 100. In FIG. 4, a cart 400 rests on a floor 402 and is positioned adjacent to a rack 404 so that the right side 406 of the �T� section of the cart 400 is extended above the rack 404. In this configuration, the sensors along the main tower 408 of the cart 400, as well as the sensors on the right side 406 of the �T,� are utilized to capture the physical quantity being measured. The sensors on the left side 410 of the �T� are not really needed for this measurement.
In FIG. 5, the cart 400 is moved to the opposite side of the rack 404 of FIG. 4. In this configuration, the left side 410 of the �T� is extending directly above the rack 404. Ideally, the �T� portion of the cart 400 is at least half the width of the rack 404, so that all regions above the rack 404 can be measured. In the configuration of FIG. 5, the sensors located in the left side 410 of the �T� section are utilized, while the sensors in the right side 406 of the �T� section are typically not. Sensors within the main tower section 408 are utilized.
FIG. 6 shows the cart 400 located between two racks 404 & 600. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the �T� section of the cart 200 does not extend above either rack 400 or 600. In this configuration, the area being captured is from the floor 602 to the ceiling 604. Therefore, the sensors in the center tower section of the cart are able to capture all necessary measurements within this physical space. The �T� sections are not needed.
In FIG. 7, the cart 200 is moved one tile to the right so that the right side 406 of the �T� section 406 extends above the rack 600. This configuration is the same as described above, with reference to FIG. 4. The sensors along the central main tower 408 of the cart 400, as well as the sensors on the right side 406 of the �T.� are utilized to capture the physical quantity being measured. The sensors on the left side 410 of the �T� are not needed and are not used for this measurement as they would be redundant with the measurement taken in FIG. 6.
In this document, the terms �computer program medium,� �computer usable medium,� and �computer readable medium� are used to generally refer to media such as main memory 806 and secondary memory 812, removable storage drive 816, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 814, and signals. These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system. The computer readable medium allows the computer system to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium, for example, may include non-volatile memory, such as Floppy, ROM, Flash memory, Disk drive memory, CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. It is useful, for example, for transporting information, such as data and computer instructions, between computer systems.
The program first reads all the individual files, then it puts the data into three different three-dimensional arrays: the center block (cb) with 3�3�9 data points using the center of the �T� (sensors 1 to 81), the left block (rb) with 3�3�2 data points using the left arm of the �T� (sensors 82 to 99) and finally the right block (rb), with 3�3�2 data points using the right arm of the �T� (sensors 100 to 117).
APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION As stated above, within an exemplary data center are a plurality of racks that hold heat-producing computer equipment. One or more cooling systems are used to control and remove heat produced by the equipment. Examples of cooling systems are overhead air ducting, side air ducting, under-floor air ducting that exit through vented tiles in the floor surface between the racks, internal refrigeration systems, and the like. Temperature information can be obtained by taking a single measurement or multiple measurements within the center. Additionally, more accurate temperature profiles can be obtained by taking consecutive measurements at locations that are in substantially close proximity to each previously measured location. In one embodiment, for ease of uniformity, the inventive cart is placed on each tile within a range of tiles that are located between two rows of racks. As an example, the range of tiles between the two rows of racks is 84 tiles in length and 4 tiles in width. Each tile is 2′�2′ in size. At each tile location a temperature measurement is taken and data logged as a function of the xyz coordinates within the room. The inventive cart can be provided with any number of sensors and can be any shape or dimension. In this example, the cart is of the dimensions shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 11 shows a two-dimensional graph of the temperature readings of each horizontal row of sensors vs. distance along the lengthwise dimension of the range of tiles 908, according to the present example. Each line type is different and represents an individual horizontal row of sensors within the cart. The chart of FIG. 11 shows a single slice of the temperatures in the data center. In other words, the chart shows one pass of the cart along the 84 tiles. This type of graph can be repeated for each of the four rows of tiles, or any other resolution, between the two rows of racks 910 and 912. Additionally, the upper portion of the cart is a �T� shape that extends above the racks 908. Therefore, a chart can be also be created to show temperatures above the racks.
As previously described, the �T� shaped cart can be moved to every unoccupied tile in the data center to capture readings. The cart dimensions are selected so that the �T� portion of the cart is able to extend over the racks and capture temperature or other readings above the racks as well. The data from the sensors, as well as xy coordinates and orientation data of the cart, is communicated to a computer that compiles the data and is able to output the data in various formats, such as a format that can be displayed graphically.
FIG. 13 shows a process flow chart of one embodiment of the present measurement system. The flow begins at step 1300 and moves directly to step 1302, where the cart is placed on a first tile in an area to be measured. Sensors on the cart collect measurements in step 1304. The collected measurements, along with xy coordinates, cart location and orientation information, are then transferred to a measurement storage device in step 1306. In decision step 1308, a check is performed to see if any other tiles need to be measured. If the answer is �yes,� the flow moves to step 1310 where the cart is moved to a new tile location. The flow then moves back to step 1304 where sensors collect new measurements above the new tile location. The flow continues as described above until the decision step 3308 is reached again.
If the answer to decision step 1308 is �no,� flow moves to step 1312 where the data from all the sensors in all the tile locations is transmitted to a thermal expert. The thermal expert, in step 1314, evaluates the data. After the data has been evaluated, the thermal expert makes a recommendation for a cooling solution in step 1316. The cooling solution is implemented in step 1318. Decision step 1320 asks whether the room needs to be reevaluated to determine the effectiveness of the cooling solution implemented. If the answer is �yes,� the flow moves back up to step 1302 where the cart is placed back on the first tile. In practice, the tile order in unimportant and the data can be taken in any order. If the answer to decision step 1320 is �no,� the flow moves to step 1322 and stops.
nx=31
; *** total tile x-coordinates
ny=29
; *** total tile y-cooridnates
backtemp=20.0
; *** background temp
dnu_files=579
; *** number of files in the netlist
status=dc_read_free(�c:\ . . . \netlist.txt�,co,/Column,Delim=�\011�)
if co(5,i)EQ �1� then
name=strcompress(�c:\ . . . \POK_DataCenter1_0517\�+co(0,i)+�.txt�,/remove_all)
if co(5,i) EQ �2� then
name=strcompress(�c:\ . . . \POK_DataCenter_0518\�+co(0,i)+�.txt�,/remove_all)
if co(5,i) EQ �3� then
name=strcompress(�c:\ . . . \POK_DataCenter_0519\�+co(0,i)+�.txt�,/remove_all)
if co(4,i) EQ �L� or co(4,i) EQ �R,L� or co(4,i) EQ �L,R� then begin
if co(4,i) EQ �R� or co(4,i) EQ �R,L� or co(4,i) EQ �L,R�then begin
if co(4,i) EQ �L� then print, lb(*,*,*)
if co(3,i) EQ �W� then ori=0
if co(3,i) EQ �S� then ori=1
if co(3,i) EQ �E� then ori=2
if co(4,i) EQ �N� then ori=3
if co(4,i) EQ �L� and ori EQ 0 then begin
if co(4,i) EQ �R� and ori EQ 0 then begin
if (co(4,i) EQ �R,L� and ori EQ 0) or (co(4,i) EQ �L,R� and ori EQ 0) then begin
if co(4,i) EQ �L� and ori EQ 1 then begin
if co(4,i) EQ �R� and ori EQ 1 then begin
if (co(4,i) EQ �R,L� and ori EQ 1) or (co(4,i) EQ �L,R� and ori EQ 1) then begin
if co(4,i) EQ �L� and ori EQ 2 then begin
if co(4,i) EQ �R� and ori EQ 2 then begin
if (co(4,i) EQ �R,L� and ori EQ 2) or (co(4,i) EQ �L,R� and ori EQ 2) then begin
if co(4,i) LT �L� and ori EQ 3 then begin
if co(4,i) GT �R� and ori EQ 3 then begin
if (co(4,i) EQ �R,L� and ori EQ 3) or (co(4,i) EQ �L,R� and ori EQ 3) then begin
gtemp(tx*3:tx*3+2,(ty−1)*3:(ty-1)*3+2,7:8)=rotate(rb(*,*,*),ori)
bytscl(smooth(rebin(gtemp(*,*,i),12*nx,12*ny),4),Min=min(gtemp(*,*,*)),Max=max(gte
mp(*,*,*)))
status=dc_write_free(�c:\ . . . \linex.txt�,voutx(*,*),/column)
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374/E01.005, 702/132, 702/152, 361/679.55International ClassificationG01K1/06Cooperative ClassificationG01K1/026, G01K2213/00European ClassificationG01K1/02DLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJul 15, 2011FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Aug 19, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, NEW YFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HAMANN, HENDRIK F.;IYENGAR, MADHUSUDAN K.;LACEY, JAMES A.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016648/0870;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050726 TO 20050728RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google