Rack System And Method Of Determining A Climate Condition Thereof

Abstract

A rack system ( 100 ) comprises a plurality of racks ( 105 ) arranged to form at least one aisle ( 120 ) between them. The aisle ( 120 ) is sealed such that essentially all of a cooling medium supplied to the aisle ( 120 ) passes through the racks ( 105 ). A sensor arrangement ( 195 ) is provided to compare the medium pressure inside and outside the aisle ( 120 ). In one embodiment, a signal generated by the sensor arrangement ( 195 ) is used to control at least one parameter of the cooling medium supplied to the aisle ( 120 ). As an example, the flow rate of the cooling medium may be controlled.

1 . A rack system, comprising
 a plurality of racks arranged to form at least one aisle between them, wherein the aisle is sealed such that essentially aN of a cooling medium supplied to the aisle passes through the racks, and wherein a top end of the aisle is sealed by a cover element; and   a sensor arrangement configured to compare the medium pressure inside and outside the aisle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a first pressure sensor that is located inside the aisle and a second pressure sensor that is located outside the aisle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a circulation path for the cooling medium is provided, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are located along the circulation path. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the sensor arrangement is located at a top end of the aisle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control mechanism adapted to control at least one parameter of the cooling medium supplied to the aisle dependent on a signal generated by the sensor arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the set comprising a temperature, a humidity and a flow rate of the cooling medium. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the control mechanism is responsive to a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the aisle determined by the sensor arrangement. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the control mechanism is adapted to at least maintain a predefined positive pressure inside the aisle with respect to the outside of the aisle. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the positive pressure is selected to lie between 1 and 20 Pa. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one conveyor for conveying the cooling medium into the aisle. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one conveyor is adapted to influencing a flow rate of the cooling medium supplied to the aisle dependent on a signal generated by the sensor arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one climate control unit for influencing at least one of a temperature and a humidity of the cooling medium supplied to the aisle. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one climate control unit is adapted to influence at least one of the temperature and the humidity of the cooling medium dependent on a signal generated by the sensor arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further at least one bleeding opening for enabling bleeding of the cooling medium out of the aisle, wherein the bleeding opening  15  preferably located at a top end of the aisle. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor arrangement is spaced apart from the bleeding opening along a circulation path of the cooling medium. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more terminating elements sealing the aisle at one or more lateral ends. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a grill for supplying the cooling medium to the aisle, the grill being located at a floor of the aisle. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a duct configured to supply the cooling medium into the aisle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the duct is configured to supply the cooling medium to a plurality of aisles. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the duct is situated essentially below the plurality of racks. 
     
     
         21 . A method for determining a climate condition of a rack system comprising a plurality of racks arranged to form an aisle between them, the method comprising:
 supplying a cooling medium into the aisle, wherein the aisle is sealed such that essentially all of the cooling medium supplied to the aisle passes through the racks, and wherein a top end of the aisle is sealed by a cover element; and   comparing the medium pressure inside and outside the aisle to determine the climate condition.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising controlling at least one parameter of the cooling medium supplied to the aisle dependent on a result of the comparison. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the set comprising a temperature, a humidity and a flow rate of the cooling medium. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the flow rate is controlled to at least maintain a predefined positive pressure inside the aisle with respect to the outside of the aisle. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled)