US20070264921A1

US20070264921A1 - Ventilated housing and assembly

Info

Publication number: US20070264921A1
Application number: US11/431,364
Authority: US
Inventors: Fabien Letourneau; Bevin Schmidt; Nicholas Bundza
Original assignee: Alcatel SA
Current assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
Priority date: 2006-05-10
Filing date: 2006-05-10
Publication date: 2007-11-15

Abstract

A ventilated housing for accommodating one or more components comprises opposed first and second-spaced apart end portions. An air barrier extends at least partially between the first and second end portions for limiting movement of air inside the housing and defining an upper or lower surface of the housing. A first part of the air barrier proximate the first end portion is positioned at a level below the level of a second part of the air barrier proximate the second end portion. An inlet is defined for admitting air into the housing and an outlet is defined for discharging air from the housing. An ventilated housing assembly comprises first and second housings with an angled space between a lower air barrier of the first housing and an upper air barrier of the second housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ventilated housings and ventilated housing assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Existing convection cooled units for rack-mounted communication equipment typically leave a horizontal space between shelves for an air cushion and/or baffle units and/or cable management units. Typically, convection cooled units have a box-shaped cool air intake on the bottom and a box-shaped hot air exhaust on the top. If two such units are stacked without a space between them, the hot air radiating from the bottom unit heats up the air in the cool air intake of the upper unit possibly resulting in the upper unit overheating.
Cable management in systems, such as telecommunication systems, is normally single-function and requires additional vertical space to ensure that the cables do not hinder the air intake and outlets of convection cooled units within the systems. For example, it is desirable to avoid passing the cables in front of the cool air intake or the hot air exhaust, which would hinder airflow.
Additionally, the cable management systems available do not always accommodate both front and rear dressing of cables within industry standards.
One solution is to leave one rack unit of space between units to overcome this preheating and allow for proper fiber management, but this arrangement takes up valuable space and therefore possibly results in loss of potential revenue. Another solution is a baffled kit that guides the airflow. This solution also takes up additional vertical rack space with associated revenue loss.
Units cooled using forced air solutions cost more, take up more rack space and require more maintenance than convection cooling solutions. The fans in such forced air systems are bulky and require regular maintenance. Furthermore, if the fan is not working, the unit can not be operated. Forced air solutions are necessary for devices that generate too much heat to be dissipated by way of a convection cooling system but where possible convection cooled systems are preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilated housing for accommodating one or more components, the housing comprising: opposed first and second spaced-apart end portions; an upper air barrier extending at least partially between the first and second end portions for limiting upward movement of air inside the housing and having an upper surface; a first part of the upper air barrier proximate the first end portion being positioned at a level below the level of a second part of the upper air barrier proximate the second end portion; an inlet defined in the first end portion for admitting air into the housing, the inlet being positioned at a level below the first part; and an outlet for discharging air from the housing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ventilated housing further comprises a lower air barrier disposed below the upper air barrier, extending at least partially between the first and second end portions, at least a portion of the inlet being positioned above the lower air barrier, a first part of the lower air barrier proximate one end portion being positioned at a level below the level of a second part of the lower barrier proximate the other end portion.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the ventilated housing, further comprises an element positioned in front of the first end portion at a level between the first and second parts of the upper air barrier, the element being spaced from the first end portion to provide a gap between the element and the first end portion for permitting the passage of air above the upper air barrier. In some embodiments, the element comprises a support for supporting a cable or wire.
Embodiments of the invention that include the element have the advantage of being able to integrate both an air baffle and cable management all within the height of the shelf, thus saving valuable rack space. As well, in rack mounted systems according to this embodiment, cables may be dressed to the front or to the rear of the housings. For example, in designs where the cables are connected at the front of a device, the cables may dress up and over the cable management devices. They can then be routed to the right or left or both for front dressing. For rear dressing, the cables dress up and route to one side and then to the rear through a channel on the side of the element or cable management assembly.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilated housing assembly, comprising a first and second ventilated housing, the second housing being positioned below the first housing; the housing assembly having first and second opposed, spaced-apart end portions; the first housing having a lower air barrier extending at least partially between the first and second end portions, a first part of the lower air barrier proximate the first end portion being disposed at a level below the level of a second part of the lower air barrier proximate the second end portion; the second housing having an upper air barrier extending at least partially between the first and second end portions, a first part of the upper air barrier proximate the first end portion being disposed at a level below the level of a second part of the upper air barrier of the second housing proximate the second end portion; and the upper air barrier of the second housing being spaced from the lower air barrier of the first housing to provide a space therebetween.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilated housing for accommodating one or more components, comprising: first and second opposed, spaced apart end portions; a lower air barrier extending at least partially between the first and second end portions for limiting downward movement of air inside the housing and having a lower surface; a first part of the lower air barrier proximate the first end portion being positioned at a level below the level of a second apart of the air barrier proximate the second end portion; an inlet defined in the first end portion for admitting air into the housing and being positioned opposite the second part of the lower air barrier; and an outlet for discharging air from the housing.
Advantageously, the slope of the upper and lower air barriers in aspects of the present invention allows for saving of vertical space over the prior art convection cooled systems when ventilated housings are stacked. The second part of the upper air barrier of one stacked housing may be at a level at or above the level of the first part of the lower air barrier of the housing above the one stacked housing. Thus, there may be an vertical overlap of the air space between the upper and lower units and the air barriers of the units. Alternatively, the same amount of total space may be used as with traditional stacked systems while achieving a greater air space between each housing. An improved convection cooled product reduces the requirements for forced air systems, which require fan and filter maintenance.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1B is a side view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1C is a side view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a side view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3A is a side view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an element that can be attached to a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3D is a cut-away view of the element shown in FIG. 3C from line 3C-3C;
FIG. 3E is a perspective view of an portion of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3F is a front view of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a ventilated housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is side view of a system of stacked ventilated housings according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For ease of reference, the same reference numerals are used to refer to parts that perform the same function in each embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 1A, one embodiment of a ventilated housing 100 for accommodating one or more component comprises opposed first and second spaced- apart end portions 102 and 103. An upper air barrier 105 extends at least partially between the first and second end portions 102 and 103 and has an upper surface. In some embodiments, the upper air barrier 105 defines an upper surface of the ventilated housing 100. In other embodiments, the housing also comprises a louver structure or a perforated support (not shown) above the upper air barrier 105. The upper air barrier 105 limits upward movement of air inside the housing 100. A first part 106 of the upper air barrier 105 proximate the first end portion 102 is positioned at a level below the level of a second part 107 of the upper air barrier 105 proximate the second end portion 103. An inlet 108 is defined in the first end portion 102 for admitting air into the housing, the inlet 108 being positioned at a level below the first part 106 of the upper air barrier 105. The ventilated housing 100 also comprises an outlet 110 for discharging air from the housing 100.
In some embodiments, the upper air barrier 105 comprises a panel that slopes upwardly in a direction from the first end portion 102 towards the second end portion 103. In some embodiments, the upper air barrier 105 extends substantially continuously from the first end portion 102 to the second end portion 103.
At least a portion of the outlet 110, in some embodiments, is positioned at the second end portion 103 and at a level above the first part 106 of the upper air barrier 107.
One embodiment of the ventilated housing 100 according to the present invention, further comprises a support for supporting the one or more components. In some embodiments, the support is positioned below the upper air barrier 105. In some embodiments, the support is positioned below the level of the first part 106 of the upper air barrier. In some embodiments, the support is adapted for receiving a plurality of circuit cards. In embodiments comprising the support, the inlet 108 may be positioned below the support. In some embodiments the support is a main body of an electronic device.
Referring to FIG. 1B, another embodiment of the present invention comprises a ventilated housing 120 for accommodating one or more components. The ventilated housing 120 comprises first and second opposed, spaced- apart end portions 122 and 123. A lower air barrier 125 extends at least partially between the first and second end portions 122 and 123 for limiting downward movement of air inside the housing 120 and has a lower surface. In some embodiments, the lower air barrier 125 defines a lower surface of the housing 120. In other embodiments, the housing also comprises a louver structure or a perforated support (not shown) below the lower air barrier 125. A first part 126 of the lower air barrier 125 proximate the first end portion 122 is positioned at a level below the level of a second part 127 of the lower air barrier proximate the second end portion 123. An inlet 128 defined in the first end portion 122 for admitting air into the housing is positioned opposite the second part 127 of the lower air barrier 125. An outlet 130 for discharging air from the housing 120 is also provided.
Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, a ventilated housing 140 according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises an upper air barrier 145 and a lower air barrier 155. The housing 140 comprises opposed first and second spaced- apart end portions 142 and 143. The upper air barrier 145 extends at least partially between the first and second end portions 142 and 143 and defines an upper surface of the ventilated housing 140. A first part 146 of the upper air barrier 145 proximate the first end portion 142 is positioned at a level below the level of a second part 147 of the upper air barrier 145 proximate the second end portion 143. The lower air barrier 155 is disposed below the upper air barrier 145 and extends at least partially between the first and second end portions 142 and 143. A first part 156 of the lower air barrier 155 proximate one end portion is positioned at a level below the level of a second part 157 of the lower air barrier 155 proximate the other end portion. In some embodiments the one end portion is the first end portion 142 and the other end portion is the second end portion 143. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the one end portion is the second end portion 143 and the other end portion is the first end portion 142. An inlet 148 is defined in the first end portion 142 for admitting air into the housing. The inlet 148 is positioned at a level below the first part 146 of the upper air barrier 145 and at least a portion of the inlet is positioned above the lower air barrier 155. The ventilated housing 140 also comprises an outlet 150 for discharging air from the housing.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower air barrier 155 is parallel to the upper air barrier 145. In other embodiments, the upper air barrier slopes upwardly at an angle different than the lower air barrier slopes downward. Conceivably, the first part 156 of the lower air barrier 155 may be proximate the second end portion 143.
In some embodiments of the present invention the upper air barrier 105 or 145 and/or the lower air barrier 125 or 155 is (are) curved.
In some embodiments, the ventilated housing comprises a metallic perforated box, such as a Faraday cage.
The ventilated housing 100 or 140 in some embodiments further comprises a structure for supporting another housing above the ventilated housing to provide a space between the upper air barrier and a lower portion of the other housing. In some embodiments, the other housing has a lower air barrier such as that on the ventilated housings 120 and 140. In some embodiments, the space is open. In others, the space is filled with an insulating material.
In use, the ventilated housing 100, 120 or 140 is applied to an apparatus for holding components that require cooling, such as an electronic device for communication equipment. In an embodiment, the housing is adapted for mounting on a rack. When two or more ventilated housings according to embodiments of the present invention are mounted on a rack, an angled air space may exist between any two such housings. Air will naturally flow through the air space in a direction from the first end portion to the second end portion.
In some embodiments, the lower air barrier 125 or 155 defines a cool air intake and the upper air barrier 105 and 145 defines a hot air exhaust. In some embodiments of the invention, the exhaust and/or the intake comprise(s) baffles designed to direct the air flow through the exhaust below the upper air barrier or the intake above the lower air barrier.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a side view and a perspective view of the ventilated housing 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The ventilated housing 200 is the same as the ventilated housing 140 described with reference to FIGS. 1C and 1D, with the exception that it also includes a lip 160 extending along the bottom edge of the first end portion in an outward and downward direction. In some embodiments, the lip is parallel to the lower air barrier 155. This aides in directing air between the lip 160 and the lower air barrier 155. In addition, the lip 160 may provide a substrate for supporting labels for components of the main body. Angling the lip 160 makes reading such labels easier for a user while minimizing blockage of the intake.
In some embodiments, the ventilated housing 100 or 140 comprises an element positioned in front of the first end portion 102, 142 respectively, at a level between the first part 106, 146 and the second part 107, 147 of the upper air barrier 105, 145. The element is spaced from the first end portion 102, 142 to provide a gap between the element and the first end portion for permitting the passage of air above the upper air barrier 105/145. In some embodiments, the element comprises a support for supporting a cable or wire. In some embodiments, the element is supported by the housing such that the distance between the element and the housing can be varied. A non-limiting example of such an element will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D.
A ventilated housing 300 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B comprises the first end portion 142 and second end portion 143, the upper air barrier 145 and lower air barrier 155, as described with reference to FIGS. 1C and 1D. The ventilated housing 300 also comprises an element 340 comprising two parallel sides 342, 343 and a base side 341. The base side 341 connects to two parallel sides 342 and 343 to form a U-shape. The U-shaped element 340 attaches to the housing 300 above the first end portion 142 with the base side 341 being opposite the second part 147 of the upper air barrier 145. The base side 341 of the element 340 is from a front end portion 142. In some embodiments of the invention, the base side 341 may be parallel, angled or curved with respect to the front end portion 142. When two ventilated housings 300 are stacked with an air space between them, the base side 341 aids in directing air through the air space between the two housings.
In some embodiments of the invention, the element 340 has a lip 344 on a bottom edge of the base side 341, as illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D. The lip 344 is at an acute angle to the base side 341 and is angled toward the housing 300. The lip 344 aids in directing the air flow of ambient air above the upper air barrier 145. Alternately, the lip could be at an obtuse angle away from the housing, or the element 340 itself could be at an angle.
In some embodiments of the invention, the element comprises means for redirecting cables from the front face of the housing 300 to a side of the housing perpendicular to a front face. One non-limiting example of a means for redirecting the cables is illustrated in FIG. 3E. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3E, the means for redirecting cables comprises at least one protrusion 346 extending from the base portion 341 and in a direction away from the housing 300. FIG. 3E shows three such protrusions 346. However, any number can exist in other embodiments. In some embodiments of the invention, the protrusions are mushroom-shaped. In some embodiments the protrusions have an oval shape and are angled so that the cables can be directed to one side. The angle and oval shape aid in redirecting the cables without bending the cables excessively. In embodiments where the cables are fibre optic cables, there are limitations on the amount the cables can be bent and therefore, the redirection means is shaped to accommodate this limitation.
Alternatively, in other embodiments of the element, the cables are dressed along the base portion 341 and attached thereto, for example by lacing or tie-wrapping the cables to the element. In some embodiments, perforations are provided in the element for lacing or tying.
FIG. 3F is a diagram of a front face of a ventilated housing according to one embodiment of the invention where the element 340 extends only partially across the width of the housing 300. The protrusions 346 on the redirection means 340 have an oval shape. Cables can then be directed from a front face of the housing 300 around the protrusions 346 to an area above the front face which is not covered by the element 340.
In some embodiments of the present invention the element 340 is movable in a direction between the end portions. The ability to move the element forward and backward, with respect to the housing 300, has the advantage of enabling the housing 300 to be positioned flush with the edges of a rack when mounted with the means for redirecting cables protruding beyond the edges of the rack or to have the housing extend beyond the edge of the rack. This feature can also be used to control the size of the intake to the air space when two apparatuses are stacked.
Referring to FIG. 4, a ventilated housing assembly 400, comprises a first and second ventilated housings 410 and 420. The second housing 420 is positioned below the first housing 410. The housing assembly 400 has first and second opposed, spaced- apart end portions 402 and 403. The first housing 410 has a lower air barrier 415 extending at least partially between the first and second end portions 402 and 403. A first part 416 of the lower air barrier 415 proximate the first end portion 402 is disposed at a level below the level of a second part 417 of the lower air barrier 415 proximate the second end portion 403. The second housing 420 has an upper air barrier 425 extending at least partially between the first and second end portions 402 and 403. A first part 426 of the upper air barrier 425 proximate the first end portion 402 is disposed at a level below the level of a second part 427 of the upper air barrier 425 of the second housing 420 proximate the second end portion 403. The upper air barrier 425 of the second housing 420 is spaced from the lower air barrier 415 of the first housing 410 to provide a space therebetween.
In some embodiments of the ventilated housing assembly, the first housing 410 comprises an inlet in the first end portion 402 for admitting air into the first housing 410 and the inlet is disposed opposite to the second part 427 of the lower air barrier 420.
In some embodiments, the second housing 420 comprises an outlet in the second end portion 403 for discharging air from the second housing 420, with at least a portion of the outlet disposed at the same level of at least a portion of the space between the upper and lower air barriers 415 and 425. In some embodiments, the ventilated housing assembly 400 comprises an opening at the first end portion 402 for admitting air into the space between the upper and lower air barriers 415 and 425. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outlet is at the same level as at least a portion of the opening.
In some embodiments, the upper air barrier 425 and the lower air barrier 415 are parallel to each other. In other embodiments, they are at different angles.
One embodiment of a system of stacked housings 140 is shown in FIG. 5. The system 500 comprises a rack 510, and a plurality of housings 140. While FIG. 5 depicts only two such housings, any number is possible. An angled air space 520 is provided between the two housings 140. In other embodiments, no free space is left between the housings. In those cases the air barriers may comprise an insulating material.
What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Other arrangements and methods can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ventilated housing for accommodating one or more components, the housing comprising:

opposed first and second spaced-apart portions;

an upper air barrier extending at least partially between the first and second end portions for limiting upward movement of air inside the housing and having an upper surface;

a first part of the upper air barrier proximate the first end portion being positioned at a level below the level of a second part of the upper air barrier proximate the second end portion;

an inlet defined in the first end portion for admitting air into the housing, the inlet being positioned at a level below the first part;

an outlet for discharging air from the housing;

an element positioned in front of the first end portion at a level between the first and second parts of the upper air barrier, the element being spaced from the first end portion to provide a gap for permitting the passage of air between the element and the first end portion and above the upper air barrier,

wherein the element comprises a support for supporting one or more cables or wires.

2. The ventilated housing of claim 1, wherein the upper air barrier comprises a panel that slopes upwardly in a direction from the first end portion towards the second end portion.

3-8. (canceled)

9. The ventilated housing of claim 1, further comprising a lower air barrier disposed below the upper air barrier, extending at least partially between the first and second end portions, at least a portion of the inlet being positioned above the lower air barrier, a first part of the lower air barrier proximate one end portion being positioned at a level below the level of a second part of the lower barrier proximate the other end portion.

10. The ventilated housing of claim 9, wherein the first part of the lower air barrier is proximate the same end portion of the housing as the first part of the upper air barrier.

11-12. (canceled)

13. The ventilated housing of claim 1, wherein the element is supported by the housing such that the distance between the element and the housing can be varied.

14. The ventilated housing of claim 1, further comprising a structure for supporting another housing above the ventilated housing to provide a space between the upper air barrier and a lower portion of the other housing.

15. A ventilated housing assembly, comprising a first and second ventilated housing,

the second housing being positioned below the first housing;

the housing assembly having first and second opposed, spaced-apart end portions;

the first housing having a lower air barrier extending at least partially between the first and second end portions, a first part of the lower air barrier proximate the first end portion being disposed at a level below the level of a second part of the lower air barrier proximate the second end portion;

the second housing having an upper air barrier extending at least partially between the first and second end portions, a first part of the upper air barrier proximate the first end portion being disposed at a level below the level of a second part of the upper air barrier of the second housing proximate the second end portion;

the upper air barrier of the second housing being spaced from the lower air barrier of the first housing to provide a space therebetween;

the second housing further comprising an element positioned in front of the first end portion at a level between the first and second parts of the upper air barrier, the element being spaced from the first end portion to provide a gap for permitting the passage of air between the element and the first end portion and into the space between the upper air barrier and the lower air barrier,

16. The ventilated housing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the first housing comprises an inlet in the first end portion for admitting air into the housing, wherein the inlet is disposed opposite to the second part of the lower air barrier.

17. The ventilated housing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the second housing comprises an outlet in the second end portion for discharging air from the second housing, and wherein at least a portion of the outlet is disposed at the same level of at least a portion of the space between the upper and lower air barrier.

18-19. (canceled)

20. The ventilated housing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the upper air barrier and the lower air barrier are parallel to each other or at different angles.

21. (canceled)

22. The ventilated housing of claim 1, wherein the element directs air between the element and the first end portion and above the upper air barrier.

23. The ventilated housing of claim 22, wherein the element comprises:

a base portion, and

a lip extending from the base portion toward the first end portion to direct air between the element and the first end portion and above the upper air barrier.

24. The ventilated housing of claim 1, wherein the support comprises redirecting means for redirecting the one or more cables or wires.

25. The ventilated housing of claim 24, wherein the redirecting means redirects the one or more cables or wires from the first end portion of the housing to a side of the housing perpendicular to the first end portion.

26. The ventilated housing of claim 25, wherein the redirecting means comprises at least one protrusion.

27. The ventilated housing of claim 1, wherein the support comprises perforations for use in lacing or tie-wrapping the one or more cables or wires to the element.

28. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 15, wherein the element directs air between the element and the first end portion and into the space between the upper air barrier and the lower air barrier.

29. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 28, wherein the element comprises:

a base portion; and

a lip extending from the base portion toward the first end portion to direct air between the element and the first end portion and into the space between the upper air barrier and the lower air barrier.

30. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 15 wherein the support comprises redirecting means for redirecting the one or more cables or wires.

31. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 30, wherein the redirecting means comprises at least one protrusion.

32. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 15, wherein the support comprises perforations for use in lacing or tie-wrapping the one or more cables or wires to the element.