Apparatus and Method for Restricting Air Flow Within an Electronic Equipment Enclosure

Abstract

An air flow restrictor panel adapted for use in an electronics equipment enclosure to block a gap existing between a midplane and an electronics module positioned adjacent the midplane. The air flow restrictor panel may incorporate a main panel portion and a plurality of flanges extending from the main panel portion. The main panel portion may have a footprint sufficiently large in area to block the gap.

1 . An air flow restrictor panel adapted for use in an electronics equipment enclosure to block a gap existing between a midplane and an electronics module positioned adjacent the midplane, the air flow restrictor panel comprising:
 a main panel portion;   a plurality of flanges extending from the main panel portion; and   the main panel portion having a footprint sufficiently large in area to block the gap.   
     
     
         2 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom area of the main panel portion includes one of the flanges, and wherein said one of the flanges extends at least substantially along an entire length thereof and projects from the main panel portion at an approximate 90 degree angle. 
     
     
         3 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 1 , wherein said main panel portion includes a plurality of spaced apart cutouts along a length thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 3 , wherein the cutouts are semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 4 , wherein a subplurality of said flanges extends between adjacent ones of said cutouts and at an approximate ninety degree angle from said main panel portion. 
     
     
         6 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 1 , wherein a subplurality of the flanges include tabs, and where each of the tabs have holes formed therein, for enabling the air flow restrictor panel to be secured to said electronics equipment enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrically non-conductive insulating sheet secured to one side of the main panel portion. 
     
     
         8 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically non-conductive insulating sheet is comprised of one of plastic and rubber, and is of dimensions substantially similar to dimensions of the main panel portion. 
     
     
         9 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the main panel portion includes side areas that each include one of the flanges. 
     
     
         10 . The air flow restrictor panel, wherein the main panel portion is rectangular in shape and the flanges extend from all four edges of the main panel portion. 
     
     
         11 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 3 , further comprising an electrically non-conductive insulating sheet secured to one side of the main panel portion;
 wherein the electrically non-conductive insulating sheet is comprised of one of plastic and rubber, and is of dimensions substantially similar to dimensions of the main panel portion; and   wherein the electrically non-conductive insulating sheet includes cutouts arranged to generally align with the cutouts in the main panel portion when the electrically non-conductive insulating sheet is secured adjacent to the main panel portion.   
     
     
         12 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the flanges each have a depth that is one of the same, or substantially the same, as a depth of the gap. 
     
     
         13 . An air flow restrictor panel adapted for use in an electronics equipment enclosure to block a gap existing between a midplane and an electronics module positioned adjacent the midplane, the air flow restrictor panel comprising:
 a main panel portion having a generally rectangular shape;   a plurality of flanges extending from the main panel portion, at least a subplurality of the flanges each having a depth that is sufficient to substantially or entirely block a depth of the gap; and   the main panel portion having a footprint sufficiently large in length and height so as to block an area associated with the gap.   
     
     
         14 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 13 , wherein the flanges extend along all four side edges of the main panel portion. 
     
     
         15 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 14 , wherein the flanges extend at an angle of about 90 degrees from the main panel portion and each have a depth that is at least substantially similar to a depth of the gap. 
     
     
         16 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 15 , wherein the flanges include a plurality of tabs each having holes for enabling the air flow restrictor panel to be secured to the electronics equipment enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The air flow restrictor panel of  claim 13 , wherein the main panel portion includes a plurality of spaced apart cutout sections along one edge of the main panel portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method for restricting a flow of air between a gap existing between a midplane and an electronics module within an electronics equipment enclosure, the method comprising:
 providing an air flow restrictor panel having a planar main panel portion;   forming a plurality of flanges on the main panel portion such that the plurality of flanges extend from the main panel portion, at least a subplurality of the flanges each having a depth that is sufficient to substantially or entirely block a depth of the gap; and   forming the main panel portion with a footprint that is sufficiently large in length and height so as to block an area associated with the gap when the air flow restrictor panel is installed in the gap.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming the plurality of flanges to extend at an angle of approximately ninety degrees from the planar main panel portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further forming at least one of the plurality of flanges to include a tab having a hole for assisting in securing said air flow restrictor panel within said electronics equipment enclosure.