Integrated Computer Equipment Container and Cooling Unit

Abstract

A shipping container having an interior and a plurality of electronic equipment modules disposed within the interior of the container is cooled by an air conditioning unit adapted to be disposed within the interior of the container. The cooling can be assisted or assumed by use of an air side economizer cycle, or by use of a water side economizer cycle. The electronic equipment may include computing equipment and electronic data storage equipment.

1 . A modular computer equipment center comprising:
 a shipping container having an interior;   a plurality of electronic equipment modules disposed within the interior of said container;   an air conditioning unit disposed in the interior of said container, said air conditioning unit having a casing having a forward wall facing said plurality of electronic equipment modules, a first side wall extending perpendicularly to the forward wall, and an aft wall opposite the forward wall, said air conditioning unit having a width that is less than a corresponding width of said container whereby an air plenum is formed between the first side wall of said casing and a side wall of said container; and   an air side economizer circuit associated with said container and coupled to said air conditioning unit for cooling said interior of said container in part using air from external said container.   
   
   
       2 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said air side economizer circuit comprises:
 an exhaust air vent disposed in a wall of said container;   an intake air vent disposed in a wall of said container;   a closeable exhaust air damper in flow communication between the atmosphere external said container and the atmosphere internal said container, said flow communication being through said air exhaust vent; and   a closeable intake air damper in flow communication between the atmosphere external said container and said air conditioning unit, said flow communication being through said air intake vent.   
   
   
       3 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said air side economizer circuit further comprises a recirculation air damper in flow communication with an inlet vent of said air conditioning unit for restricting airflow from interior said container to said air conditioning unit. 
   
   
       4 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises an intermodal container. 
   
   
       5 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said exhaust air damper is in flow communication with a portion of said container housing said plurality of electronic equipment modules. 
   
   
       6 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said air side economizer circuit is controlled in part using data collected by an external temperature sensor positioned outside said container. 
   
   
       7 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said air side economizer circuit is operable using a supply fan of said air conditioning unit and does not include a return fan. 
   
   
       8 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the exhaust air damper and the intake air damper is actuated by control of a controller. 
   
   
       9 . A modular computer equipment center comprising:
 a shipping container having an interior;   a plurality of electronic equipment modules disposed within the interior of said container;   an air conditioning unit disposed in the interior of said container, said air conditioning unit having a casing having a forward wall facing the plurality of electronic equipment modules and a first side wall extending perpendicularly to the forward wall, said air conditioning unit having a width that is less than a corresponding width of said container whereby an air plenum is formed between the first side wall of said casing and a side wall of said container; and   a water side economizer circuit coupled to said air conditioning unit for providing cooling fluid thereto.   
   
   
       10 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 9  wherein said water side economizer circuit comprises:
 a heat exchanger coupled to said air conditioning unit;   a passive fluid cooler coupled in flow communication with said heat exchanger for providing cooling fluid to said air conditioning unit;   one or more valves configured to divert an amount of flow between said passive fluid cooler and said heat exchanger.   
   
   
       11 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 9  wherein said container comprises an intermodal container. 
   
   
       12 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said water side economizer circuit is controlled in part using data collected by an external air temperature sensor. 
   
   
       13 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said water side economizer circuit is controlled in part using data collected by a passive fluid cooler temperature sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said water side economizer circuit is controlled in part using data collected by an external humidity sensor. 
   
   
       15 . The modular computer equipment center as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said passive cooler includes one of a water tower, a river, a lake, and a reservoir.