Rear door heat exchanger transition frame

Abstract

A transition frame system integrates a liquid cooling door with associated computer equipment racks. Dissimilar dimensions of equipment racks and cooling doors are accommodated by a transition frame. The frame has a top, bottom, first side, and a second side; each providing a rack face opposing a door face. The frame may be one piece. The rack face includes a means for mating/sealing with the rack and the door face includes a means for mating/sealing with a cooling door that may include replacement hinges and latches. The transition frame can be included as part of the rack or the door. Cooling of equipment in the rack is maintained through airflow through the cooling door.

1 . A transition frame for a cooling system for an equipment rack comprising:
 a top connected to a first side and a second side, said sides connected to a bottom;   wherein each of said top, said bottom, said first side and said second side has a rack face opposing a door face;   wherein said rack face is adjacent said equipment rack and operationally connected with said rack;   said door face is adjacent a cooling system door and operationally connected with said cooling door;   wherein cooling of equipment in said rack is maintained through said door, and   wherein dissimilar dimensions of said rack and said door are accommodated.   
   
   
       2 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein said cooling system door is a rear door heat exchanger. 
   
   
       3 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein said cooling system door is added without rack replacement and without equipment shut down. 
   
   
       4 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein said frame comprises a unitary body. 
   
   
       5 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein said frame is integrated with said equipment rack. 
   
   
       6 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein said frame is integrated with said cooling door. 
   
   
       7 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said operational connection with said equipment rack and said operational connection with said cooling door comprises a replacement latch. 
   
   
       8 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said operational connection with said equipment rack and said operational connection with said cooling door comprises an extendible gasket. 
   
   
       9 . The transition frame of  claim 8  wherein said gasket is conductive, whereby enclosure shielding is maintained. 
   
   
       10 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said operational connection with said equipment rack and said operational connection with said cooling door comprises at least one replacement hinge. 
   
   
       11 . The transition frame of  claim 10  wherein said at least one replacement hinge supports opening angles of up to 270 degrees. 
   
   
       12 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said operational connection with said rack and said operational connection with said cooling door comprises threaded fittings-tapped in said transition frame. 
   
   
       13 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said operational connection with said rack and said operational connection with said cooling door comprises slots. 
   
   
       14 . The transition frame of  claim 2  wherein said frame maintains operation of cooling hoses of said rear door heat exchanger. 
   
   
       15 . A method of adapting a cooling door to a rack comprising the steps of:
 providing a transition frame for a cooling system for an equipment rack comprising: a top connected to a first side and a second side, said sides connected to a bottom; wherein each of said top, said bottom, said first side and said second side has a rack face opposing a door face; wherein said rack face is adjacent said equipment rack and comprises a means for mating with said rack; said door face is adjacent a cooling system door and comprises a means for mating with said cooling door; wherein cooling of equipment in said rack is maintained through said door, and wherein dissimilar dimensions of said rack and said door are accommodated; and   installing said transition frame on at least one of said rack and said door.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein airflow impedance is maintained. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said frame comprises a unitary body. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said frame is integrated with said cooling door. 
   
   
       19 . The transition frame of  claim 1  wherein said frame is compliant with European Union directives on restriction of use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. 
   
   
       20 . A transition frame for a cooling system for an equipment rack comprising:
 a top connected to a first side and a second side, said sides connected to a bottom;   wherein each of said top, said bottom, said first side and said second side has a rack face opposing a door face;   wherein said rack face is adjacent said equipment rack and comprises a means for mating with said rack;   said door face is adjacent a cooling system door and comprises a means for mating with said cooling door;   wherein cooling of equipment in said rack is maintained through said door, and   wherein dissimilar dimensions of said rack and said door are accommodated.