Method and system for cooling apparatus racks

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method that comprises at least two parallel apparatus racks and at least two cooling units. The cooling units are configured to produce horizontal cooled airflows toward outer sides of the at least two apparatus rack. The cooling units comprise an upper side inlet for airflow to be cooled. The system and method achieve a more effective cooling of apparatus racks.

1 . A method for cooling a device mounted to an apparatus rack,
 providing at least two parallel apparatus racks comprising at least one device mounted to said racks;   providing at least two cooling units on outer sides of both said at least two parallel apparatus racks, characterized by   directing first cooled airflows from both said at least two cooling units to respective outer sides of said at least two equipment racks wherein said airflows are substantially horizontal laminar airflows;   receiving second airflows to inlets provided on top of both said at least two cooling units, said second airflows conveying heat from said at least two equipment racks.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized by the method further comprising:
 providing a first cover to separate a first cool air space between a first equipment rack and a first cooling unit from the hot air space between the first equipment rack and the second equipment rack; and   providing a second cover to separate a second space between a second equipment rack and a second cooling unit from the hot air space between the first equipment rack and the second equipment rack.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least two cooling units comprise respective cooling battery that dissipates heat to coolant fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , characterized in that inside the first or second apparatus rack the space surrounding a device mounted to the rack is hindered from air flow, thereby forcing the laminar airflow to pass through the device. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized by arranging more than one cooling units to a row formation, arranging more than one apparatus racks to a row formation, said rows forming a cold aisle between cooling units and the apparatus racks and a hot aisle between two parallel apparatus racks. 
     
     
         6 . A system for cooling a device mounted to an apparatus rack, comprising:
 a first apparatus rack;   a second apparatus rack in parallel with said first apparatus rack;   at least one device mounted to said apparatus rack, characterized by   a first cooling unit is arranged in parallel with said first apparatus rack, said first cooling unit being configured to produce a substantially horizontal laminar cooled airflow towards outer side of said first apparatus rack, said first cooling unit comprising an inlet in the upper part for an airflow to be cooled; and   a second cooling unit is arranged in parallel with said second apparatus rack, said second cooling unit being configured to produce a substantially horizontal laminar cooled airflow towards outer side of said second apparatus rack, said second cooling unit comprising an inlet in the upper part for an airflow to be cooled.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , characterized by the first and the second cooling unit comprising a cooling battery that dissipates heat to a coolant fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , characterized in that a distance between said first and second apparatus racks is between 800 mm and 1400 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 6 , characterized in that a distance between cooling unit and apparatus rack is between 800 mm and 1400 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 6 , characterized by the system further comprising:
 a first cover to separate a first cool air space between a first equipment rack and a first cooling unit from the hot air space between the first equipment rack and the second equipment rack; and   a second cover to separate a second space between a second equipment rack and a second cooling unit from the hot air space between the first equipment rack and the second equipment rack.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the space surrounding a device mounted to the rack inside the first or second apparatus rack is hindered from air flow, thereby forcing the laminar airflow to pass through the device. 
     
     
         12 . A system for cooling a device mounted to an apparatus rack, comprising:
 a first cooling unit;   a first apparatus rack;   at least one device mounted to said apparatus rack, characterized by   said first cooling unit is arranged in parallel with said first apparatus rack placed at a distance allowing maintenance work in the area between the first cooling unit and the first apparatus rack,   said first cooling unit being configured to produce a substantially horizontal laminar cooled airflow, said airflow being evenly distributed over the side of first apparatus rack facing the first cooling unit.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the distance between the first cooling unit and the first apparatus rack is between 800 mm and 1400 mm.