Remote Actuated Leveling Machanism

Abstract

A computer server rack has a platform, configured to support at least one server, with a front end and an opposed back end. The server rack also has a height adjuster coupled to the platform, and a control positioned a first distance from the front end and a second distance from the back end. The first distance is smaller than the second distance, and the control is configured to control the height adjuster to change a height of the back end of the platform.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer server rack comprising:
 a platform configured to support at least one server, the platform having a front end and an opposing back end;   a height adjuster coupled to the platform; and   a first control positioned a first distance from the front end and a second distance from the back end, the first distance being smaller than the second distance, wherein the first control is configured to control the height adjuster to change a height of a first portion of the back end of the platform.   
     
     
         2 . The computer server rack of  claim 1 , wherein the first control is open to the front of the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The computer server rack of  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes an exterior surface, the first control being positioned on the exterior surface of the platform. 
     
     
         4 . The computer server rack of  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes a front exterior surface at the front end of the platform, the first control being positioned on the front exterior surface of the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The computer server rack of  claim 1 , wherein the platform has a top surface, the computer server rack further comprising a cabinet, having a front end and a back end, positioned on the top surface of the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The computer server rack of  claim 5 , where the cabinet comprises (1) an interior with a plurality of chassis, each chassis configured to mount a distinct computer blade server within the interior of the cabinet, and (2) a movable door, positioned at the front end of the cabinet, that enables access to at least one of the distinct computer blade servers. 
     
     
         7 . The computer server rack of  claim 1 , wherein the height adjuster comprises:
 a first pivot bracket that is (1) coupled to an axle of a first back wheel of the platform via a first pivot pin and (2) attached to a first rail connected to the platform, and   a first linkage coupled to the first pivot bracket and a first draw bar;   wherein movement of the first control moves the first draw bar in a first direction, movement of the draw bar causing the first linkage to pivot to increase the height of the first portion of the back end, and movement of the first draw bar in a second direction causing the first linkage to pivot to decrease the height of the first portion of the back end, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.   
     
     
         8 . The computer server rack of  claim 7 , wherein the first control includes a rotatable height adjustment nut. 
     
     
         9 . The computer server rack of  claim 8 , wherein the height adjustment nut is configured to turn in opposite directions to cause the linkage to pivot to increase and decrease the height of the back end. 
     
     
         10 . The computer server rack of  claim 7 , wherein the height adjuster further comprises:
 a second pivot bracket that is (1) coupled to an axle of a second back wheel of the platform via a second pivot pin and (2) attached to a second rail connected to the platform, and   a second linkage coupled to the second pivot bracket and a second draw bar;   wherein movement of a second control moves the second draw bar in the first direction, movement of the second draw bar causing the second linkage to pivot to increase the height of the second portion of the back end, and movement of the second draw bar in a second direction causing the second linkage to pivot to decrease the height of the second portion of the back end, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.   
     
     
         11 . The computer server rack of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second controls are independently operable such that the heights of the first and second portions of the back end may be increased or decreased independently of one another. 
     
     
         12 . A method of installing computer equipment in a space, the method comprising:
 mounting a first cabinet with at least one server on a first remote actuated leveling mechanism, the first cabinet having a first back end and a first front end;   mounting a second cabinet with at least one server on a second remote actuated leveling mechanism, the second cabinet having a second back end and a second front end;   positioning the first and second cabinets so that the first back end and second back end are spaced apart by a first distance, the first and second cabinets being positioned so that the first front end and second front end are spaced apart by a second distance, the first distance being smaller than the second distance; ;   operating at least one of the remote actuated leveling mechanisms to vertically move a portion of the first back end, a portion of the second back end, or portions of both the first and second back ends.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operating at least one of the remote actuated leveling mechanisms comprises:
 vertically moving the portion of the first back end until its height substantially matches the portion of the second back end.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operating at least one of the remote actuated leveling mechanisms comprises:
 adjusting a control from a front end of the remote actuated leveling mechanism to change a vertical height of a back end of the corresponding cabinet, a front end of the corresponding cabinet remaining at substantially the same height throughout the adjusting.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein adjusting the control from the front end comprises:
 rotating a height adjustment nut from the front end of the corresponding remote actuated leveling mechanism.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first cabinet and second cabinet are positioned in a back-to-back orientation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first back end abuts the second back end. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first distance is substantially zero. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 activating a vacuum engine of the first cabinet to sealingly couple the first back end with the second back end.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 mounting a third cabinet on a third remote actuated leveling mechanism, the third cabinet having a third back end and a third front end;   positioning the third cabinet adjacent to the first cabinet so that the first front end abuts the third front end and the first back end abuts the third back end; and   operating the third remote actuated leveling mechanism to vertically move a portion of the third back end until its height substantially matches the abutting first back end.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 positioning a sealing gasket between the first back end and the third back end; and   activating a vacuum engine of the first cabinet or the third cabinet to sealingly couple (1) the first front end with the third front end and (2) the first back end with the third back end.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 operating a cooling system housed by the third cabinet to circulate air in the first cabinet.   
     
     
         23 . A system comprising:
 a first cabinet, housing at least one server, mounted on a first remote actuated leveling mechanism, the first cabinet having a first back end and a first front end;   a second cabinet, housing at least one server, mounted on a second remote actuated leveling mechanism, the second cabinet having a second back end and a second front end;   wherein the first and second cabinets are positioned so that (1) the first back end and the second back end are spaced apart by a first distance, and (2) the first front end and second front end are spaced apart by a second distance, the first distance being smaller than the second distance; and   wherein at least one of the first and second remote actuated leveling mechanisms is adjusted to substantially match a height of the first back end of the first cabinet with a height of the second back end of the second cabinet.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the first cabinet and second cabinet are positioned in a back-to-back orientation. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the first back end abuts the second back end.