Patent ID: 8040673

Claim:
An electronic equipment enclosure for mounting one or more electronic components, comprising: (a) a frame structure formed from a plurality of support posts and at least partially enclosed by a plurality of panels, the panels including at least side, top and back panels defining a compartment in which the one or more electronic components are mounted, wherein: (i) the compartment has a top, a bottom and a rear, and (ii) the top panel includes an opening therethrough that is rectangular in shape; and (b) a collapsible exhaust air duct extending upward from the top panel of the compartment, wherein the exhaust air duct is rectangular in cross-section and is disposed in surrounding relation to, and in fluid communication with, the top panel opening, and wherein walls of the exhaust air duct are collapsible against each other; (c) wherein the exhaust air duct is adapted to segregate hot air being exhausted from the compartment from cool air entering the compartment, thereby improving thermal management of the enclosure; and (d) wherein the collapsible exhaust air duct is adapted to telescope in length.