Apparatus and Method For Regulating Environmental Conditions Associated With Equipment

Abstract

A thermal cage for managing environmental conditions affecting electronic equipment. The thermal cage can be connectable with a plenum and a supply channel. Additionally, the thermal cage can include a cabinet forming an enclosure for the electronic equipment and an outlet in fluid communication with the cabinet, wherein the outlet is connectable to the plenum. Furthermore, the thermal cage can include an inlet in fluid communication with the cabinet, wherein the inlet is connectable to the supply channel, and a thermal curtain comprising a plurality of adjustable barriers for directing air flowing through the cabinet to the outlet, wherein the thermal cage is movable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal cage for managing environmental conditions affecting electronic equipment, the thermal cage being positionable in a facility having a plenum and a supply channel, the thermal cage comprising:
 a cabinet forming an enclosure for the electronic equipment;   an outlet in fluid communication with the cabinet, wherein the outlet is adapted for connection with the plenum;   an inlet in fluid communication with the cabinet, wherein the inlet is adapted for connection with the supply channel; and   a thermal curtain comprising a plurality of adjustable barriers for directing air flowing through the cabinet to the outlet, wherein the thermal cage is movable.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet comprises a flexible conduit that is connectable with a plenum inlet of the plenum. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises a conduit that is connectable with an inlet of the supply channel, and wherein temperature-regulated air is supplied by the supply channel to the inlet of the thermal cage. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor for measuring the environmental conditions affecting the electronic equipment, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and humidity sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for adjusting at least one of temperature, humidity, and pressure associated with the electronic equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal cage is connectable to at least one of a drop ceiling grid associated with the plenum and a raised floor system associated with the supply channel. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , wherein the plenum has a pressure source for creating a pressure differential through the enclosure of the cabinet, wherein the pressure differential causes air to flow across the electronic equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is utilized to remove hot air from the cabinet, and wherein the hot air is directed to the plenum by the outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible barriers of the thermal curtain are independently adjustable by performing at least one of rotating the barriers and adjusting a length of the barriers. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal cage of  claim 1 , wherein the air is directed to a cooling coil for cooling the air, and wherein the cooled air is supplied to the cabinet via the inlet. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 providing a movable thermal cage for managing environmental conditions affecting electronic equipment, wherein the thermal cage comprises a cabinet and a thermal curtain, wherein the cabinet forms an enclosure for the electronic equipment, and wherein the thermal curtain comprises one or more adjustable barriers for directing air flowing through the cabinet to a plenum;   positioning the movable thermal cage in a facility having at least one of a drop ceiling grid associated with the plenum and a raised floor system associated with a supply channel for providing temperature-regulated air to the cabinet; and   connecting the thermal cage to at least one of the drop ceiling grid and the raised floor system.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising connecting the thermal cage to a controller of the facility for adjusting environmental conditions affecting the electronic equipment, wherein the controller is adapted to receive data from at least one sensor positioned within the cage, and wherein the data comprises at least one of temperature, pressure, and humidity data. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising connecting the thermal cage to at least one of a communications network, a chiller, and a power source of the facility. 
     
     
         14 . A thermal cage for electronic equipment, the thermal cage comprising:
 a plenum in fluid communication with an exhaust channel and a supply channel, wherein the plenum is adapted to direct air to the supply channel;   a cabinet forming an enclosure for the electronic equipment, wherein the cabinet is in fluid communication with the exhaust channel and the supply channel;   a floor system associated with the supply channel, wherein temperature-regulated air is supplied by the floor system to the cabinet via an inlet; and   a thermal curtain comprising a plurality of adjustable barriers for directing air flowing through the cabinet to an outlet in fluid communication with the cabinet and the plenum, wherein the thermal cage is movable.   
     
     
         15 . The thermal cage of  claim 14 , wherein the thermal cage is connectable to a communications network. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal cage of  claim 14 , wherein the thermal cage is connectable to a controller for adjusting environmental conditions affecting the electronic equipment, wherein the environmental conditions comprise at least one of temperature, humidity, and pressure associated with the electronic equipment. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal cage of  claim 14 , wherein the thermal cage is connectable to a chiller, wherein water provided to a cooling coil for cooling the air is chilled by the chiller. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal cage of  claim 14 , wherein the thermal cage is connectable to one or more power sources, wherein power is provided by the power sources to the electronic equipment. 
     
     
         19 . The thermal cage of  claim 14 , wherein the thermal cage comprises a drop grid ceiling, wherein the plurality of adjustable barriers of the thermal curtain are connectable to the drop ceiling grid by way of a hook and a swivel mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal cage of  claim 19 , wherein the flexible barriers are adjustable by actuating the swivel mechanism, and wherein a position of the barriers is adjustable by performing at least one of rotating the barriers and changing a length of the barriers.