Modular computer network system with modules having geometric shapes arranged into tessellated arrays
RE046469 ยท 2017-07-04
Inventors
Cpc classification
G06F1/182
PHYSICS
Y10T428/24479
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
Abstract
Scalable up and down nesting integrated electronic enclosures with form factors including asteroids and/or dumbbells and/or approximated tessellation(s)/tiling(s) or combinations thereof with thermal management, wiring, sliding fit, manual and/or automated full range vertical to horizontal positioning, access and structural systems for individual modules and intra- and inter-planar stacks, columns, rows, arrays and associated infrastructures.
Claims
.[.1. A modular enclosure system based on the approximated tessellation(s)/tiling(s) of standard shapes including the triangle, square, hexagon, octagon and dodecagon, for routing and re-routing of data, fail over, feedback, command and control of computers, bus based systems, networks, machinery and machine farms, process control with or without feedback and signaling/signal conditioning to include with appropriate hardware and software comprising: nesting enclosure(s) with inter-module side wall bulkhead to sidewall bulkhead and end cap basket to end cap cover sliding fit, optional integrated manual module positioning cable gripper actuator assembly, master cooling/wiring plenum stack support system for deploying enclosures, hot swap based wiring system, external inter-module signal/signal conditioning/interconnect system card cage, integrated thermal management system, structural integrity/assembly system, explosion proofing system, structural building system, upholstery system, automated/manual enclosure/module stack and array physical support, deployment, mobilization and work room generation system, hydraulic positioning system..].
.[.2. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preferred embodiments of the enclosure enjoy mathematically provable optimization of planar space by empirical geometric construction and hence by extension and extrusion, inter-planar Minkowski space X, Y, Z, t, less that allowance for inter-module heat transfer via channels/ducting/chimneys, wire and/or wave guides and inter-module sidewall bulkhead to sidewall bulkhead and end cap sliding fit contact with non-exclusively truncated and/or rounded apices for extensible up/down nesting and/or scaling, and stacking of modules from stacks forming 2D and 3D arrays so tiled; this allows maximum return on investment, ROI, for a space so tiled for incremental modular computing or process control for any given internal design properly sized/optimized for a particular technology or technologies; non-standard shapes may also be used for nesting purposes, most notably, as is the case of components and other irregular shapes to be nested..].
.[.3. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preferred embodiment of the enclosure comprises: a top (handle end) male vertical interconnect enclosure basket end cap, with mating bottom female cover end cap, housing technology dependent matching quick disconnects an/or as required wiring, with interconnect specific removable and fixed bezels, with or without backing plates, knockouts and feed through connections optionally re-enforced with grommets, stress-reliefs, etc.; technologies non-exclusively included, both now and in the future are all standard catalog or special cabling, fiber or other optics, pneumatics, power, process, wiring, etc..].
.[.4. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preferred embodiments comprise nonexclusively a dumbbell shape placing the main center cavity between two fans or sets of fans and/or two end cap bulkheads with or without fan plenums pending configuration; the main cavity side walls utilize any combination of either solid and/or replaceable reinforced technology specific bezels with standoffs, cutouts, knockouts, feed thru(s) and disconnects or transducers with optional backing plate backing comprising patch panels or other interconnect arrangements on each vertical dumbbell recess face..].
.[.5. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enclosure integrated manual module positioning cable gripper actuator assembly preferred embodiments comprise: a set of three quick-disconnect cables with associated matching cable guide tubes, matching cable grippers, actuator assembly consisting of a handle with optional position locking, a plunger rod which connects to the handle, an optional guide tube, spring, and cable gripper gondolas pending configuration, a self-centering triangular actuator plate, and an actuator plate retention cotter pin; The assembly is used non-exclusively to manually position and lock and release enclosures for movement in 3D space along daisy chained cables of modules and associated assemblies including hangers for movement from horizontal to vertical in single and multiple stacks and arrays..].
.[.6. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a preferred embodiment the master cooling/wiring plenum stack support system for deploying enclosures employs the plenums as intakes and exhausts for use for stacks, 2D and 3D stack arrays; master cooling/wiring plenums are placed on the floor and suspended for stabilizing, cooling, power and other wiring and interconnection terminations of individual column/stacks..].
.[.7. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preferred embodiment of the enclosure includes a hot swap based wiring system for the power supply of stacks, 2D and 3D arrays whereby each of every two, three or more contiguous abutting modules are not on the same power source; the system is comprised of multiple powers sources connected to individually matched double ended daisy chained bus bars with two separate feeds from the power source, which for the number of such feeds, power is drawn for a particular module in rotation as a function of stack depth..].
.[.8. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preferred embodiment includes an external inter-module signal/signal conditioning/interconnect system for external inter-module coplanar and inter-planar or diagonal up or down interconnect for horizontally and vertically diagonal abutting modules; this is accomplished through vertically running races on the abutting/external end cap side wall surfaces for interconnects both hardwired quick disconnect preferred or by allowing direct line of site for transducer and pickup for optical radiation infrared to include direct thermal barrier management and/or optical lensing of heat by coatings, ELF, EM,RF, optical including laser and radiation shielding for microwave, gamma ray, x-ray, neutron, high voltage, and charged particle, etc. with attenuating enclosure impregnations/coatings; they are readily apparent on the top view of the end caps side walls..].
.[.9. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preferred embodiment card cage seats in the main cavity in any stable configuration and is comprised of: a set of main cavity length, less a fit tolerance, vertical edge-hinged mated rectangles allowing main cavity extraction and opening one side of the card cage at its periphery in order that it may be laid flat for work, if interconnects between the sides are properly handled, with limiting breakable tabs for 45, 60, 90 and 120 degrees or tangs limiting travel to prevent inward folding or collapse, horizontal and vertical adjustment bars with clamp style ends, double-sided grommet backed straps, stand-offs and backing plates..].
.[.10. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preferred embodiment of the enclosure provides for a thermal management system comprising: plenums, both top and bottom set behind end cap bulkheads which transition coolant flow to and from the main chamber through the plenum fans, through the orifices to and from the cooling tubes assemblies..].
.[.11. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal management system's alternate preferred embodiment employs chimneys which are formed by arrays with open array positions where coolant is introduced and heat is exhausted using the chimneys by function either exclusively, alternately or in some combination..].
.[.12. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the preferred embodiment of the enclosure comprises: cooling tubes placed vertically in the enclosure corners and optionally ducted and louvered, optionally utilize retractable vacuum cleaner style hose, twist-lock quick disconnects and o-rings or others sealants, petcocks and angled tube and/or pipe bends; these devices are employed as necessary to provide or block intake or exhaust coolant inter-module ducting; when cooling tubes are ducted and louvered they may be optionally used peripherally or with chimneys, defined as missing 3D horizontal or vertical array positions, in an array or stack with plenum orifice to main chamber interface..].
.[.13. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in an alternate preferred embodiment, the enclosure integrated manual module positioning cable gripper actuator assembly and thermal management systems are modified as follows: end cap variant with a large multi-axis cross-brace with a center-hole washer landing with knockouts, framed by a re-enforced large fan mounting plate, EM gasket and fastened screen mesh EM shield/safety screen, cable grippers, cable gripper gondolas, actuator assembly, and ventilated cable gripper actuator assembly plate; this allows modules axial coolant flow with or without cooling tubes in any combination of intake, exhaust or not..].
.[.14. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the preferred embodiment the structural integrity and assembly system is comprised of: optional stanchions with bolt head end-threaded rods connected by wires or rods, stanchion tube guides normally protect stanchions exposed outside the main enclosure body are to protect interconnects that they might come in contact with glue, etc. which penetrate vertically through re-enforced keyed landings with washers built into or seated on or in the segments, making up the enclosure on either side of the enclosure cooling tubes; these methods hold the unit together pending the economics and manner of fabrication or as required..].
.[.15. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in an alternate embodiment carbon and bronze or similar functioning materials are used as anti-sparking materials for cabling and actuator assemblies in conjunct with silicon and potting materials and raised above atmospheric pressure with or without nitrogen to make enclosures explosion proof..].
.[.16. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the preferred embodiment the enclosure non-exclusively supports industrial standards which include boards, motherboards, WXT, AT, Baby-At, ATX, BTX, LPX, NanoETXexpress, mobillTX, PCI, cards, card extenders, Infiniband etc., associated interconnect and support devices including cabling, sound, KVM, switches, floppies, hard drives, CD-Rom, DVD players and variants, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, ICs, LSI, circuitry of every description, etc..].
.[.17. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the preferred embodiment modules are used as architectural structural units including internal and external frames with protective panels on sides, end caps and master manifolds and to bridge multiple units as seats, walls, floors, ceilings, catwalks..].
.[.18. The structural enclosure system as claimed under claim 17, wherein in the preferred embodiment an upholstery system is claimed none-exclusively for covering surfaces..].
.[.19. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the preferred embodiment an automated and/or manual enclosure/module stack and array physical support, deployment, mobilization and work room generation system utilizes structural frames for single and multiple point suspension by hangers and hooks for single and/or multiple enclosures in single and multiple arrays with motive force with open or closed frames driven manually, with stepping motors or regular motors for truck/rail, roller/wheel, track or rack and gear systems; these preferred embodiments are used to create automated and/or manual overhead, horizontal, vertical or combinational carousels, stacks and arrays of same for creating track or cog rail way systems whereby the arrays of modules are made to open up around a platform by track, cog rail way or hydraulically to create a room affording access to individual models for work, repair or replacement..].
.[.20. The enclosure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the preferred embodiment hydraulics are used to raise and lower consoles, columns and seating out of floors, walls, ceilings etc..].
.Iadd.21. A modular enclosure system for a computer network, the system comprising a plurality of networked computer modules; wherein the modules have a geometric shape selected from the group consisting of triangles, squares, hexagons, octagons, and dodecagons; wherein the modules are arranged into a plurality of approximately tessellated planar arrays; wherein the planar arrays are arranged into one or more multiplanar arrays, and the modules within a multiplanar array are aligned and interconnected; wherein the modules, planar arrays, or multiplanar arrays are slidably mounted and configured for individual removal from the system in three dimensions using rollers, wheels, track, or a cog railway system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the geometric shapes of the modules within a multiplanar array are aligned..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules, planar arrays, or multiplanar arrays are manually removable..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the system further comprises an automated mechanism for removal of modules, planar arrays, or multiplanar arrays, the automated mechanism comprising motors, hydraulics, track, or a cog rail system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules or planar arrays are removable from a multiplanar array with retention of power and data communication with other modules to allow hot swap of modules..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules are connected without edge or end mount connectors..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules are connected to one another using retractors, flexible cable, or quick-disconnect connections..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules or planar arrays are mounted using frames, hangers, hooks, cables, or another form of suspension..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules comprise circuit boards disposed within a central plenum, the plenum providing cooling air circulation that is continuous through stacks of modules..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules comprise louvers and cooling chimneys..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules in a planar array are mounted in a rotating carousel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules comprise a wiring end cap with integral plenum..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules comprise an extractable card cage chassis disposed in a central plenum..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules comprise a top interconnect catch basket and a bottom self-centering tapered slip-fit cover..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the modules comprise one or more double ended bus bars at a top side and a bottom side, allowing for hot swap of modules..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein one or more of the modules comprises one or more recessed side wall patch panels..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the approximate tessellation of the modules in a planar array comprises spaces between outside vertical walls of the modules of the planar array, the spaces comprising interconnects, wiring, cables, or tubing, and wherein the modules comprise inter-module surface tolerances with tapered ends for parallel sliding fit along a stack axis..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein individual ones of the modules or planar arrays are removable from a multiplanar array without removing abutting modules or planar arrays..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The modular enclosure system of claim 21, wherein one or more of the modules serve as a structural element selected from the group consisting of furnishings, floors, ceilings, walls, and catwalks..Iaddend.
Description
DRAWINGS
(1) 1. Bottom Release Enclosure: Full Assembly
(2) 2. Bottom Release Enclosure: Connector Bay Top Cover End Cap
(3) 3. Bottom Release Enclosure: Cable gripper [or functional equivalent] Assembly
(4) 4. Bottom Release Enclosure: Bottom Cable Gripper Actuator Assembly Actuator Plate
(5) 5. Bottom Release Enclosure: Coolant Intake Plenum
(6) 6. Bottom Release Enclosure: Coolant Intake Plenum with Actuator Plate Installed
(7) 7. Bottom Release Enclosure: Bezel Stanchion Assembly
(8) 8. Bottom Release Enclosure: Bezel Assembly With/Without Mounting Plate and Chassis Ground
(9) 9. Bottom Release Enclosure: Cage Assembly
(10) 10. Bottom Release Enclosure: Exhaust Plenum
(11) 11. Bottom Release Enclosure: Connector Bay Cover End Cap
(12) 12. Bottom Release Enclosure: Stanchion Assembly.
(13) 13. Double Ended Bus Bar Hot Swap Wiring
(14) 14. Bottom Release Enclosure: Collapsible Cooling Tube Assembly Components
(15) 15. Top Release Enclosure: Full Assembly, Top View;
(16) 16. Top Release Enclosure: Connector Bay Top Cover with Single Fan Center Knockouts and Three-Way Armature Central Actuator Support.
(17) 17. Top Release Enclosure: Coolant Intake Plenum
(18) 18. Top Release Enclosure: Non-Bezeled, Molded Main Cavity
(19) 19. Top Release Enclosure: Cage Assembly
(20) 20. Top Release Enclosure: Exhaust Plenum
(21) 21. Top Release Enclosure: Cable Assembly
(22) 22. Top Release Enclosure: Connector Bay End Cap Single Fan Center Knockouts and Three-Way Armature Central Actuator Support.
(23) 23. Actuator Assembly
(24) 24. Bottom Release Enclosure: Stanchion Assembly.
(25) 25. Top And Bottom Release Enclosure: Cooling Tube Sleeves;
(26) 26. Top Release Enclosure: Collapsible Cooling Tube and Standoff.
(27) 27. Top or Bottom End Cap Cable Hanger Assembly: For Top or Bottom Release Enclosures;
(28) 28. Scalable Single Base: For Top or Bottom Release Enclosure
(29) 29. Exhaust Plenum Canisters for Cable gripper [or functional equivalent]
(30) 30. Exhaust Plenum Actuator Assembly.
(31) 31. Scalable Single Exhaust Plenum Cap, Wiring/Cable/Plumbing [Coolant, Gravity Feed, pumped, etc.] Connector Bay and Cable Hanger Assembly: For Top or Bottom Release Enclosure
(32) 32. Module Hanger.
(33) 33. Double Ended Hook
(34) 34. Track Systems
(35) 35. Module with Installed Module Hanger Hanging from Roller On Sliding Track.
(36) 36. Single Module Framed Track Suspension System
(37) 37. Six (6) Modules Symmetrically Interconnected by Module Hangers Suspended In A Frame By Individual Module Hangers with a Central Module Insert.
(38) 38. Nesting Modules
(39) 39. Interlocking Sextet Module Arrays
(40) 40. Single/Multi-Module Horizontal or Vertical Hydraulic Lift System
(41) 41. Top End Cap Cover
(42) 42. Top End Cap Cover Upholstery
(43) 43. Module Protective Side Cover with Integral Clip
(44) 44. Module Protective Side Cover with Integral Clip Install Positioning
(45) 45. Three Module Cat Walk Bridge/Wall
(46) 46. Five Module Cat Walk Bridge/Wall
(47) 47. General Inter-module Array Geometries Symbolically Represented
(48) 48. Table of Cooling Options.
DESCRIPTION
(49) The patent employs a unique geometry, utilizing four standard configurations
(50) [Type 1: Dwg. 1, Type 2: Dwg. 15 Type 3: Same as Type 2 with actuator from Dwg. 30 as installed in
(51) Type 1 [Dwg. 1], Top handle, bottom of enclosure actuated cable gripper [or functional equivalent] assembly, with a central actuator rod through the main enclosure assembly and cable gripper [or functional equivalent] seated peripherally, centered tangentially between every other astroidal curve in the lower plenum, and threaded with cables terminated at either end with clevises and matching clevis pins or other equivalent catalog quick disconnect hardware [Dwg. 4]. Cable guide tubes [Dwg. 8 part 12] run the length
(52) Type 2 [Dwg. 15], Top handle, top of enclosure actuated [
(53) Each type includes the following key features as follows:
(54) 1. A dumb bell shape described by standard Cartesian coordinates presented in a singular plane [Type 1: Dwg.1, Type 2: Dwg. 15].
(55) 2. In standard operating mode, the dumb-bell is stood on end. This is done as the unit is based on heat flow and heat rises, however the unit may be inverted or laid on its side for good reason, pending operational environment or customer request. Examples include a torpedo or a missile.
(56) 3. The top of the unit is identified by a handle, centered and recessed into the top end cap [Type 1 enclosure:
(57) 4. A Z-axis cross-sectional plane intersecting the dumbbell's x-y plane at 90 degrees scribes a six-sided asteroid with rounded convex apices. Alternative embodiments for triangles squares and octagons are possible [Dwgs. 1D, 1F, 1G and 11]. Alternate symbolic geometric configurations are possible [Dwgs. 1E and 1I].
(58) 5. Twin equal length and radius external concave scallops, frame the top and bottom of the bezeled and/or non-bezeled main cavity's external faces, beginning at the abutting main cavity/plenum(s) interface(s) and extending the full height of the external faces off the wider dumbbell protrusions at both ends of the module [Type 1: Bottom Dwgs. 2, 5; Top Dwgs. 10, 11; Type 2: Bottom Dwgs. 16, 17; Top Dwgs. 20, 22].
(59) 6. The outer six chamfered apices of the dumbbell are referred to as uprights. There is one upright for each apice of a geometrical figure. These uprights are conformal to the coolant tube hose housings, which make up the outer hull vertical faces in sequentially stacked fashion with appropriate mechanical or chemical seals. Coolant hose tube housings run the full length of the assembly, comprised sequentially, of those components which make out the outer hull vertical faces, in stacked fashion as apparent in all hull segments contributing to the making up of the fore-mentioned housings and the attendant conjoined module outer hull walls as shown in [Type 1: Dwgs. 1,3,5,6,7, 8, 9,10 and 11, Type 2: Dwgs. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 22]. As illustrated, these outer hulls, show the relative recesses, of those sidewall hull segments which may or may not be bezeled and/or otherwise recessed to form the smooth transitions to the dual inter-external corner scallops, mentioned above, which make up the external inter-module wiring guides in relation to the dumbbell ends.
(60) 7. In the preferred embodiment, six (6) such cooling tube assemblies per module are possible whereby three cooling tubes are utilized for cooling media input and three for exhaust respectively. If the number of apices should be odd, the center cavity may be used for coolant input or exhaust while peripheral cooling tubes are engaged to balance coolant flow is required [Dwg. 25] or standard cooling tube hose arrangement. In an alternate preferred embodiment, within each module, cooling tube housing plenum interface orifices attach to bottom intake plenums and top exhaust plenums every 60 degrees alternately. [Type 1: Bottom
(61) 8. For smaller and/or larger installations, glue, chemical coatings and/or mechanical fasteners, o-rings, seals, banding and/or tape, extending fully around segmented model subassemblies to perfect the necessary seals, as stampings, weldings and/or castings, in combined and/or further divided subassemblies. Any other standard mechanical means or combination thereof as used in industry to perfect a seal pending the permanency required for cooling tube assemblies on modules on the periphery of an array are within the scope and spirit of alternate embodiments envisioned here. [Type 1 enclosure: Dwg. 1 Type 2 enclosure:
(62) 10. The collapsible hose employs an internal automatic retracting spring to assist maintaining retracted and expanded overall hose length, as well as actual internal and external working dimensions, and hence hose to tube housing sidewall clearance. The spring in the hose is shown in the drawings as the collapsible hose line edge. The retracting coolant hose is terminated at both ends by a tapered collar with quarter turn twist lock matched to the seal seats of the coolant hose tube housing. The tapered collars are internally threaded to match the coolant hose, with room for sealant. [Ref. Type 1: Dwg. 14A and Type 2: Dwg. 26A]. Petcocks [Type 1:
(63) 11. The cooling tube's hose collars. [Type I: Dwg. 14 part 54 and Type 2: Dwg. 26 part 54] fit within the cooling tube housing subassemblies side-walls seating in matching female seats [Type I: Bottom Dwg. 2 part 2, Top Dwg. 11 part 2; Type 2: Bottom Dwg. 16 part 2, Top Dwg. 22 part 2].
(64) 12. All components comprising the vertical uprights are expected to interface vertically with the cooling tube segments and must be able to properly mate to these male and female surfaces respectively. Accordingly tabs and seats appear as features 30 and 31 on either side of the cooling tube housings, in side views for plenum orifices, and in top views for other components. [Type I Dwgs. Top View: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 9, 10, 11 and Side View Dwgs. 5B, 6B; Type 2 Dwgs. Top View: 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 22 and Side View Dwgs. 17B, 20B] This is universal to both Type 1 and Type 2 enclosure module segments On either side of the cooling tube housings.
(65) 13. Per Dwg. 25, optionally, cooling tube assemblies may be sleeved with a rotating tubes with intake orifices on one side and cut louvers on the other for use with cooling chimneys and air sources as seen in Dwg. 39, where the missing modules in the arrays are the sources or chimneys for intake and/or exhaust as required with changeable airflow and angle.
(66) 14. Centered on the forementioned tabs and seats labeled 30 and 31 above, integral to the uprights, are holes, hereinafter stanchion guides, which are found in vertical alignment through every vertical component making up the uprights of the enclosure bulkhead. Through these we place stiff rods hereinafter called stanchions [Type 1 Dwg. 12; Type 2, Dwg. 24] threaded on one end with a matching bolt and a crimp on hex-head on the opposite end. These stanchions hold the uprights and hence the enclosure bulkheads together as opposed to glue or when full disassembly as required.
(67) 15. The heart of the system is the central cavity, defined by outlying uprights with external symmetrical grooves, which in pairs form keyways to vertically frame and hence laterally position abutting bezels and pc board(s) or other backing [Type 1: Dwgs 7 and 8] or connection points for molded surfaces [Type 2: Dwg. 18]. Type 2 is affixed to the back of the bulkhead walls between the uprights. [Type 1:
(68) 16. Bezels are used to mount interfaces for many types of device including process control, instrumentation, routing and computing. Technologies include but are not limited to manufacturing techniques, such as: analog (examples include hydraulic, pneumatic and relay systems), digital (examples include CMOS, TTL, ECL, GAs and fiber optic), quantum and or any other technologies either known, contemplated, to be contemplated or to be developed in the future. This is possible, as manufacturers have to use hardware template mounting patterns including screws, bolts or other hardware, chemicals, glues, sealants or magnetics to accomplish mounting. Therefore by employing bezels, the device to be mounted is independent of the structure contemplated here, of course with the exception of the bezel itself and any associated mounting plates. Further, bezels may be standardized by size, types of connection, purpose, load, etc. thus making this design universal by virtue of technology independence. Multiple styles of interconnect may be employed in a single bezel. This may include cut outs, recesses, retractors or cavities for built in cable, wire, pneumatic, fluid, cooling or other interconnect devices, etc. [Type 1 Dwg. 7] with or without matching keys and keyways.
(69) 17. Each radially disposed upright has an inward facing symmetrical depression facing the geometric center of the inner cavity tangential to the external facing coolant hose tube housings, which acts as the carrier for a triangular, rectangular or hexagonal card cage chassis. [Type 1: Dwg. 8; Type 2: Dwg. 18]. Stampings may be used as necessary for consolidated standardized cage forms.
(70) 18. In its simplest embodiment the card cage is made up of a number of independent wire rectangles, six is shown in the example here [Type 1 enclosure:
(71) 19. Each rectangle has a triangular gusset in each corner. Each gusset has a mounting hole for pc boards, stand offs, rails, straps [Type 1 enclosure:
(72) 20. When withdrawn from the main cavity and one apex has it's hinge disconnected, provided no hardware has been mounted across multiple rectangular segmentsthe cage may be opened up flat for work.
(73) 21. Further a slider bracket [Type 1 enclosure:
(74) 22. The overall broader width end cross-sections correspond to the dumb-bell ends. Dumb-bell ends are, proceeding outwardly from the main chamber both up and down, comprised in order, plenums with their associated ducts [Type 1: Bottom Dwg. 5, Top Dwg. 10; Type 2: Bottom Dwg. 17, Top Dwg. 20] and end caps [Type 1: Bottom Dwg. 2, Top Dwg. 11; Type 2: Bottom Dwg. 16, Top Dwg. 22]. They connect to uprights and their associated cooling tube segments. As indicated earlier, as heat rises, ordered dumbbell components below the main cavity are normally for coolant intake and those above, are for coolant exhaust.
(75) 23. Each plenum has three conduits/ducts, hereinafter ducts, radially disposed horizontally at 120 degrees. [Type 1 enclosure:
(76) 24. From a top view, intake and exhaust plenums and their associated duct sets are offset, one to the other, at 60 degrees, making alternate cooling tubes, intake and exhaust respectively. [Type 1 enclosure:
(77) 25. Each plenum duct translates minimally 90 degrees from the main enclosure chamber axis to the uprights and cooling tubes [Type 1 enclosure:
(78) 26. Said plenum ducts, although normally uniform to each other may vary in height and width, due to space requirements vs. area heat loads and boundary-layer laminar surface flow resistance. The former is handled by raising thermal transfer effectiveness by increasing heat transfer surface area, cooling media conductivity and hence capacity (heat pipes, Peltier devices, etc.) and flow as necessary. Reducing sharp duct angles (above 90 degrees) and otherwise smoothing the duct surface handle the later. Both are subject to the obvious tailoring of flow patterns (baffles, louvers, etc.) and may require more space, which translates into increased height or width of the duct-work and the corresponding enclosure dimensions. All of which are considered obvious alternatives.
(79) 27. Each plenum opens axially to the main enclosure internal cavity through the fan mounts and exhaust is connected to the cooling tube housings through their respective plenum duct orifice interfaces. [Type 1: Bottom
(80) 28. Fans are screwed in place on main cavity plenum duct interface orifices using feature 29 as illustrated, four per orifice as follows: [Type 1: Bottom Dwg. 5, part 29, Top Dwg. 10, part 29; Type 2: Bottom Dwg. 17, part 29, Top Dwg. 20, part 29]. Each plenum may accommodate up to three fans, pending redundancy and vibration requirements, as such various capacity fans/pumps are interchangeable and individual ducts may obviously be sealed. The embodiments of the drawings, as presented are symbolic of the greater diversity of fans and mounting systems, which may be employed, and thus covered by this document. Fan vibration is limited by utilizing fan mounts, comprising neoprene pads, coating(s) or other vibration reducing material(s), brackets or proprietary technologies as necessary. Fan duct seals may be further perfected utilizing post and cotter pin arrangements, clips, spacers, other hardware and chemicals including adhesives. These are obvious alternative embodiments within the scope of this document.
(81) 29. When a cooling tube housing plenum duct is not utilized, blank plugs may be placed in a fan seat to block the inter-plenum orifice and thus perfect the cooling tube assembly seal [Type 1: Dwgs 5 and 10 Figs. D-F; Type 2: Dwgs 17 and 20 Figs. D-F].
(82) 30. Alternate embodiments involve modification or removal of plenums or removal of either the top or bottom plenums.
(83) 31. Full plenum removal utilizes the main chamber as both intake and/exhaust ports and may or may not be used in combination with the peripheral cooling tube assemblies. In this instance the end cap bezel mounts in the interior horizontal floor in standard position, of the Connector Bay End Cap and Connector Bay Top Cover End Cap, whose bulkhead adjoining the main cavity is shown optionally for this purpose as including a fan grill of reinforced structural wide mesh screen to allow airflow and rigidity of the assembly and fan mounting holes [
(84) 32. In instances where cooling is provided by combinations of gases and fluid or just fluids, plenums and/or just end caps respectively may be retained, whereby screws, clips, spacers or other hardware are used with straps, heat shrink tubing, cable ties, feed-throughs, grommets, strain reliefs and other hardware to positively locate tubing, piping and/or hose within the enclosure. 1. If convection is a viable cooling alternative, then a higher slope ducted plenum with no fans is the preferred embodiment. 2. Other alternative cooling solutions are found in
(85) 33. The plenums' outer horizontal faces are covered with end caps. The end caps have side walls creating an enclosed space sufficient to allow for retractors, coiling and routing of wires, cables, power cables, fluid, gas and air hoses, etc. The top end cap [Type 1 enclosure:
(86) 34. Knock outs, cut outs, blank and/or special-purpose bezels [Type 1 enclosure:
(87) 35. Power is daisy chained from module to module and may be supplied by either end or both ends as shown in
(88) 36. Blank bezels are used with or without knockouts or inserts to cover unused area. [Type 1 enclosure:
(89) 37. A pictorial example is given in the attendant patent drawings showing the top [Type 1 enclosure:
(90) 38. The general geometry is scalable and the relative width of the dumb bell ends to the narrower center section may be varied, while maintaining the general dumb bell aspect, thus allowing more or less surface area for bezels in and on the dumb bell end caps or narrower center section sidewalls connecting the two broader dumbbell end caps. The simple example of this would be to vary the length of the stanchions, stanchion guides and cooling tube housing uprights. In similar related fashion the plenums and/or end caps lengths may also be varied.
(91) 39. Seals may be upgraded to be hermetic, degassed and/or explosion-proof pending usage.
(92) 39. The explosion-proof option is partially realized by employing o-gaskets in the inner corner base mating surface of the outer hull and the outer mating surface of the inner hull with optional grooves around the outer literal end or peripherally between the top and bottom tapered slip fit double walls, thus allowing for above atmospheric pressurization of machinery in the enclosure.
(93) 40. Standard pressure sensors, shutdown switches for over atmospheric pressure are employed per client needs.
(94) 41. If required, potting material such as silicon or other material, impregnated as necessary, for proper thermal, EMF, pressurizing for explosion proofing or other characteristics are employed across one or more bezel, ducts, duct orifices, dumb bells and/or their ends, plenums, end caps, or other full or subassemblies.
(95) 42. In the preferred embodiment, stacked modules' top/exhaust and bottom/intake pipes connect to the master exhaust plenums utilizing the same tube assemblies as used between modules.
(96) 43. Industry standard shop vacuum or other standard tube, hose, pipe and/or connectors are used between master/intake plenums and master exhaust plenums in their connections to the cooling media sourcing and recycling. Further, this example is replicated throughout the whole cooling media system with or without cooling media recycling, intake and exhaust master plenums or any other plenum, sump, condenser or some other form of HVAC, pending cooling medium external to the stacks themselves, that is not including the modules themselves. Reference
(97) 44. In the preferred embodiment, the master intake [Dwg. 28] and exhaust [Dwg. 31] plenums both employ three (3) individual wide mesh duct legs with screened or unscreened top exhaust and bottom intake ducts in their respective sub-assemblies. In the standard vertical configuration bulkhead feed-throughs, etc. are deployed in areas between these duct legs. The area between the ducts allows for pass through wiring, cabling, plumbing, and other non-gaseous connections, etc. with the standard basket/cover, retractors, bezels, etc. as shown for end caps and as otherwise necessary [Reference
(98) 45. In the preferred embodiment, bottom intake [Dwg. 28] and top exhaust [Dwg. 31] master plenums utilize three (3) cable hanger assemblies [Dwg. 27] for inter-module top and bottom location by mating cable gripper [or functional equivalent] assemblies [Type 1: Dwg. 3; Type 2 Dwg. 21] vertical hanging.
(99) 46. The single base module [Dwg. 28] does not have a handle, which is required on the Single Exhaust Plenum Cap [Dwg. 31] which uses exhaust plenum cable gripper [or functional equivalent] gondola/canisters [Dwg. 29] in conjunct with a cable gripper [or functional equivalent] actuator [Dwg. 30] to allow motion along the cables' axis. This cable actuator allows the handle to be twisted to release the cable gripper [or functional equivalent] until the handle is twisted back into it's unlocked position [parts 76-77]. This is incorporated by reference into the other modules as an option.
(100) 47. The outside enclosure hull allows for an inter-module sliding fit tolerance on the astroidal apexes and sides with or without pc board or other backing with sufficient allowance for external inter-module wiring, ducting and/or plumbing and the attendant internal retractors, again with a sliding fit.
(101) 48. Horizontal hanging is accomplished by utilizing a module hanger [Dwg. 32] which seats into the end caps [Type 1: Bottom Dwg. 2, Top Dwg. 11; Type 2: Bottom Dwg. 16, Top Dwg. 22]. Unneeded tabs may be broken off at shear points resulting in the unit as shown in
(102) 49. Modules may be hung using module hangers in conjunct with double ended hooks [Dwg. 33].
(103) 50. Modules are suspended utilizing track systems such as the track and roller [Dwg. 34A] or rack with internally wound cog motor [Dwg. 34B].
(104) 51. Module vertical hanging may be accomplished using module hanger and a track and roller or rack and internally wound cog motor [Drawing 35].
(105) 52. Single modules may be suspended in a frame by hanger and track and roller system [Dwg. 36].
(106) 53. Multiple modules may be suspended in a frame by hanger and track and roller system [Dwg. 37].
(107) 54. Modules are interlocked with hangers and geometrically nested, 1, 6, 12, 18 with or without module hangers vertically or horizontally or some angle in between, pending the length of the run [Dwg. 38].
(108) 55. Interlocking sextet module arrays may be utilized to form larger arrays with shared conjoining modules [Dwg. 39].
(109) 56. Horizontal or vertical hydraulic lift systems may be utilized for single and multiple module motion [Dwg. 40].
(110) 57. Top end cap covers may be utilized to hide exposed wiring, handles and plenum exhausts, giving a more finished look for a non-suspended stack [Dwg. 41].
(111) 58. Top end cap covers may be optionally upholstered [Dwg. 42].
(112) 59. Modules may enjoy protective side covers [Dwg. 43]. Such side covers are positioned and retained utilizing a clip attaching to the module cable guides [Dwg. 44]. Such side covers may also be used as cat walks.
(113) 60. Catwalks may employ a bridge like structure across multiple modules, to spread bearing loads [Dwg. 45]. Unit is shown in a 12 module chamber/corridor.
(114) 61. Catwalks may employ a bridge like structure across five or more modules to create a wall, and/or to spread bearing loads [Dwg. 46]. Unit is shown in a 18 module chamber/corridor.
(115) 62. General inter-module arrays may be deployed in horizontal or vertical arrays with or without a hollow inner channel/corridor [
(116) 63. All functional mobile array forms may be populated by module arrays of any planar single or multi-module thickness [examples:
(117) 64. Suspension systems include singular or multiple module arrays so arranged in stacks or planes as populated in examples 47K-L to track in such a way as to create an horizontal [
(118) 65. The inner and/or outer surface is painted, impregnated or otherwise formed of FCC Class B or other RF retardant paint as required.
(119) 66. Similar material is used for potting as necessary.
(120) 67. Inner and outer surfaces are painted with thermally insulative and/or reflective paint as necessary to further channel heat through the primary heat removal system as necessary to avoid inter-module heat buildup between stacks and/or arrays.