Communications Network Node

Abstract

Communications network node comprising communications equipment ( 10 ), an inlet region ( 3 ) for coolant to flow towards the equipment and an outlet region ( 5 ) for the coolant to flow away from the equipment, a pathway ( 7 a, 7 b ) from the outlet region to the inlet region, and, a heat exchanger ( 9 ) in thermal communication with the pathway.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A communications network node comprising:
 communications equipment;   an inlet region for coolant to flow towards the equipment;   an outlet region for coolant heated by the communications equipment to flow away from the communications equipment;   a pathway from the outlet region to the inlet region, the pathway forming part of a closed circuit for the coolant; and   a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the pathway, the heat exchanger being arranged to cool the heated coolant, and at least one thermoelectric generator comprised in the heat exchanger, the thermoelectric generator arranged to produce electricity from the heated coolant and supply electricity to the communications equipment.   
     
     
         19 . The node according to  claim 18 , wherein the thermoelectric generator comprises a plurality of thermocouple devices connected in serial and parallel arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . The node according to  claim 18 , wherein the heat exchanger is located above a region arranged to receive the equipment. 
     
     
         21 . The node according to  claim 18 , comprising a divider structure which substantially thermally isolates the inlet region from the outlet region. 
     
     
         22 . The node according to  claim 21 , wherein the divider structure is arranged to receive the equipment such that an inlet portion of the equipment is located in communication with the inlet region and an outlet portion of the equipment is located in communication with the outlet region. 
     
     
         23 . The node according to  claim 18 , arranged to substantially prevent ingress of external fluid into the pathway. 
     
     
         24 . The node according to  claim 23 , wherein the fluid pathway forms part of a closed circuit for the coolant. 
     
     
         25 . The node according to  claim 18 , arranged to guide fluid upwardly into the outlet region. 
     
     
         26 . The node according to  claim 25 , which comprises a guide surface to guide the fluid upwardly into the fluid outlet region. 
     
     
         27 . The node according to  claim 18 , wherein a cold side of the heat exchanger is in thermal communication with an external surface of the node. 
     
     
         28 . The node according to  claim 18 , arranged to be suitable for location in an outdoor environment. 
     
     
         29 . The node according to  claim 18 , which comprises a street side cabinet. 
     
     
         30 . The node according to  claim 18 , which comprises a housing arranged to enclose the communications equipment, which equipment arranged to provide communication between communication network links. 
     
     
         31 . The node according to  claim 30 , wherein the housing encloses the pathway and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         32 . The node according to  claim 30 , wherein the pathway extends away from the housing and the heat exchanger is located remotely from the housing.