ES2523806B1 - Modular Data Processing Center - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular data processing center comprising a plurality of portable data modules (10) defining an interior space (I), intended to house one or more electronic information processing systems mounted on racks or special cabinets (100), each one consisting of a front face (11), a dorsal face (12) and two side faces (13), delimited by a lower support face (14) and an upper face (15); said data modules (10) configured to allow a horizontal arrangement (H). Where said center (1) comprises a plurality of cooling modules (20), each of them laterally delimited by at least one lateral joining face (21), arranged adjacently by their connecting lateral faces (21); being configured to allow a vertical arrangement (V) in which said data modules (10) are arranged stacked on one of their upper faces (15).

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modular data processing center, which allows the modular implementation of one of its basic operating infrastructures, namely, the air conditioning system of the interior space of the CPD. This allows obtaining a horizontal, vertical, or combined arrangement of data modules

10 laptops that define the interior space destined to house one or more electronic information processing systems mounted in racks and / or special cabinets. It is especially useful for its application on a wide variety of constructive solutions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The data processing centers (CPD's) are formed by large rooms or buildings, in which a large number of electronic equipment for processing the information of a certain company or organization is concentrated.

20 The growing demand for new CPDs, or more and more frequently, the expansion of existing ones, has promoted the appearance of so-called modular data processing centers. Its objective is to facilitate their construction, making its implementation faster and optimizing the available space as much as possible. Currently, several modular construction CPDs are known.

25 US2012 / 0300372A 1 shows a modular data processing center comprising a plurality of portable data modules defining the interior space thereof. Each of them consists of a front face, a dorsal face and two side faces, delimited by a lower support face of the module and an upper face.

30 This document distinguishes three kinds of data module; interior, service end and power end. All of them arranged contiguously with each other, on at least one of their lateral faces, being horizontally arranged. In turn, the indoor air conditioning system of this CPD requires an internal distribution of hot aisles and cold aisles. The first collect the hot air between two

35 rows of racks and / or special cabinets with electronic equipment, so that the heat dissipated by them generates a return air flow that is collected by a plurality of cooling units arranged on the upper face of the data modules. These units cool the return air and propel it into the cold aisles. Additionally, the CPD comprises a power module, attached to one of the data modules, inside which the power supply and distribution systems are concentrated, as well as additional cooling units and humidifiers.

This type of modular data processing centers has certain drawbacks. To begin with, the implementation of its data modules is restricted to a horizontal arrangement, given the presence of cooling units arranged on the roof, or upper face of said modules. It is not possible, therefore, to carry out a vertical arrangement of data modules so that they are stacked together, thereby limiting the possibilities of height construction, or expansion of existing CPDs, and at the same time making it difficult to mount . Nor is a full modularity in the air conditioning system of the interior space of the CPD, since said system has an additional infrastructure to contain a part of it.

Document WQ2012 / 138362A1 shows a modular data processing center that attempts to solve some of the above problems. Specifically, and in the same way as in the previous case, said document shows a modular CPD comprising a plurality of portable functional modules that define the interior space thereof. Each of them consists of a front face, a dorsal face and two side faces, delimited by a lower support face of the structural module and an upper face. Said modules are arranged contiguously with each other, on at least one of their lateral faces, remaining in horizontal arrangement, and at the same time they are also stacked with each other on their upper faces, in a vertical arrangement that forms different levels in height. Each of these levels fulfills a certain function. In this sense, the lower modules are used for power supply and distribution systems, the intermediate modules comprise the racks and / or special cabinets with the electronic equipment for information processing, and the upper modules are used for the conditioning system of the air from the interior space of the CPD.

Despite allowing a horizontal and vertical arrangement of functional modules, this type of modular data processing centers continues to present significant drawbacks. In this sense, the vertical layout is still restricted as far as the data modules are concerned. As in the previous case, the main cause of this restriction is the air conditioning system of the interior space of the CPD itself, since its implementation requires in both cases of free space in the ceiling, or upper face of said data modules . In addition, a distribution of modules in height based on functional aspects, not only makes assembly tasks difficult, but also relates these modules in such a way that conditions and limits future extensions or reforms.

The modular data processing center of the present invention solves the problems set forth above, thanks to a structural and functional configuration that allows the modular implementation of the indoor air conditioning system of the CPD, together with the data modules themselves. This facilitates the implementation and assembly of the CPD and optimizes the available space. It also allows its application on a wide variety of constructive solutions, in which the data modules can be arranged both horizontally and vertically, or the combination of both, being especially useful both in the construction of new CPDs and in the extension of the existing.

Description of the invention The modular data processing center of the present invention comprises a plurality of portable data modules that define an interior space, intended to house one or more electronic information processing systems mounted on racks and / or special cabinets, each of said data modules consisting of a front face, a dorsal face and two side faces, delimited by a lower support face of the data module and an upper face; said data modules configured to allow:

• a horizontal arrangement in which said data modules are arranged contiguously with each other by one of their side faces.

Said modular data processing center is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of cooling modules, each of them laterally delimited by at least one lateral connecting face, arranged adjacently to each other by their lateral joining faces; said data modules being configured to allow:

• a vertical arrangement in which said data modules are arranged stacked with each other by one of their upper faces.

This modular integration between cooling modules and prefabricated data modules allows a wide variety of CPD's constructive solutions. In which, the data modules can be arranged horizontally, vertically, or both at the same time, creating large open spaces for the placement of racks and / or special cabinets, and being widely versatile both in the construction of new CPDs as in the expansion of existing ones.

Likewise, each cooling module comprises:

•

a recirculation chamber configured to receive a return air flow from the interior space of the data processing center, through a return opening;

•

a cooling unit configured to cool a flow of supply air from the recirculation chamber; Y

•

one or more drive fans configured to allow the flow of the drive air through the cooling unit and drive it into the interior space (1) through a drive opening.

To allow direct free cooling (OFC, in its English acronym) of the data processing center, the recirculation chamber is configured to directly receive an outside air flow from an outer space of the data processing center, through of a duct-free input opening.

The cooling module is compatible with the most common cooling systems, that is, water cooling (CW, in its English acronym) or direct expansion (DX, in its English acronym). The cooling units are selected between water cooling coils and gas cooling coils.

According to a particular case of the present invention, it is also possible to configure the cooling module to perform indirect cooling, even by directly receiving a flow of outside air from an outside space to the data processing center. This is achieved by separating the recirculation chamber to avoid cross-contamination of air between the return air flow and the outside air flow, in turn using a cooling unit comprising a passive air-air exchanger.

To optimize the interior space, and in particular, the one destined for racks and / or special cabinets with electrical equipment, preferably the cooling modules are assembled on their longitudinal sides and arranged at one end of the data module, inside or outside of it, as will be seen later. In this sense, the joining side faces of the cooling modules are parallel to the side faces of the data processing modules.

According to a lateral border position data module, the front, dorsal, lower, upper faces, and a side face thereof form enclosures, while the remaining side face of said data module forms a lateral extension opening.

According to an intermediate position data module, the front, dorsal, lower and upper faces thereof form enclosures, while the lateral faces of said data module form lateral extension openings.

Particularly, according to an extreme position data module, the dorsal, lower and upper faces thereof form enclosures, while the lateral faces and the front face of said data module form lateral extension openings.

In order to have adequate thermal insulation, preferably the data processing center comprises insulating panels for interior cladding of the enclosures. At the same time, to reinforce the rigidity of the data modules during transport, the lateral faces may comprise structural reinforcement columns, intended to be removed during the construction of the CPD.

To ensure the correct positioning of the data modules, preferably the lower face comprises a first coupling element positioned in each of the lower corners thereof, configured to seat a data module on another data module or on the ground itself. support; while the upper face comprises a second coupling element positioned in each of the upper corners thereof, attachable to the first coupling element. Also, the modular data processing center comprises a ground anchor with a third coupling element, attachable to the second coupling element. This offers structural stability, precision in the placement of the modules and an adequate distribution of

weights, both in the vertical arrangement of modules and in their fixing to the ground.

The modular data processing center of the present invention is complemented by other components intended to improve structural stability and ensure tightness. In this sense, the CPD includes:

•

connecting bolts configured to reinforce the fixation between data modules in vertical arrangement, for example joining the upper face of a module with the lower face of the module above; Y

•

Bonding coatings configured to ensure the tightness between data modules in horizontal arrangement.

According to interior construction solutions, the cooling modules are arranged internally, adjacent to the dorsal faces of the data modules. Where each data module comprises:

•

one or more inlet passages arranged on its dorsal face, configured to allow outside airflow to enter the cooling modules; Y

•

one or more outlet passages arranged on its upper face, configured to allow the flow of an extraction air from the interior space.

Additionally, the modular data processing center may comprise an inclined modular cover configured to engage on the upper face of a data module. In turn, the modular cover comprises an air chamber configured to receive the flow of extraction air, through the outlet passage, and redirect it towards an extraction passage in communication with the outer space.

According to exterior construction solutions on the ground, the cooling modules are arranged externally, adjacent to the dorsal faces of the data modules. Where each data module comprises:

•

one or more dorsal return steps arranged on its dorsal face, configured to allow the return of the return air flow to the cooling modules; Y

•

one or more dorsal drive steps arranged on its dorsal face, configured to allow the flow of drive air into the interior space.

According to exterior building solutions on data modules, the cooling modules are arranged externally, on the top face of a module

of data. Where said data module comprises:

•

one or more upper return steps arranged on its upper face, configured to allow the return of the return air flow to the cooling modules; Y

•

one or more upper discharge passages arranged on its upper face, configured to allow the flow of supply air into the interior space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Next, a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to various embodiments of said invention that are presented as non-limiting examples thereof are described very briefly.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a data module of the present invention.

Figure 2A represents a sectioned plan view along the line 8-8 of Figure 28, corresponding to an epo with two data modules in horizontal arrangement and four indoor cooling modules without outside air supply.

Figure 28 represents a sectioned elevation view along the line A-A of Figure 2A.

Figure 3A represents a sectional plan view along the O-O cut line of Figure 38, corresponding to an epo with two data modules in vertical arrangement and four internal cooling modules without outside air supply.

Figure 38 represents a sectional elevation view along the e-e cut line of Figure 3A.

Figure 4A represents a sectioned plan view along the F-F cut line of Figure 48, corresponding to an epo with two data modules in horizontal arrangement and four exterior cooling modules with outside air supply.

Figure 48 represents a sectional elevation view along the E-E cut line of Figure 4A.

Figure 5 represents a sectional elevation view along a cut line equivalent to the E-E cut line of Figure 4A, corresponding to a CPD like that of Figures 4A and 48 equipped with a modular cover.

Figure 6A represents a sectioned plan view along the H-H cut line of Figure 6B, corresponding to a CPD with two data modules in horizontal arrangement and four exterior cooling modules with outside air supply.

Figure 68 represents a sectional elevation view along the line G-G of Figure 6A.

Figure 7A represents a sectional plan view along section line 1-1 of Figure 7B, corresponding to a CPD with two data modules in horizontal arrangement and four external cooling modules with outside air supply, arranged on the face top of the data modules.

Figure 78 represents a sectional elevation view along the line J-J of Figure 7A.

Figure 8 represents a cross section of two contiguous data modules.

Figure 9 represents the detail "X" of Figure 8.

Figure 10 represents the "Y" detail of Figure 8.

Figure 11 represents a schematic elevation of two stacked data modules.

Figure 12 represents the detail "Z" of figure 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portable data module (10) of the present invention. As can be seen, each data module (10) defines an interior space (1), intended to house one or more electronic information processing systems mounted in racks and / or special cabinets (100), each of said modules of data (10) consisting of a front face (11), a dorsal face (12) and two side faces (13), delimited by a lower face (14) supporting the data module (10) and an upper face ( fifteen); said data modules (10) configured to allow:

• a horizontal arrangement (H), figure 2A, in which said data modules (10) are arranged contiguously with each other by one of their lateral faces (13).

The present example shows a data module (10) of lateral border position, in which the front (11), dorsal (12), lower (14), upper (15), and a side face (13) faces thereof they form enclosures (10A), while the remaining side face (13) of said data module (10B) forms a lateral extension opening (10B).

Figures 2A and 28 show a first constructive example of the modular data processing center (1) of the present invention, with two data modules (10) in horizontal arrangement (H) and four interior cooling modules (20) without input of outside air, operating in recirculation regime. As can be seen, each cooling module (20) is laterally delimited by at least one lateral connecting face (21), all arranged adjacently to each other by their lateral joining faces (21).

Likewise, each cooling module (20) comprises:

•

a recirculation chamber (22) configured to receive a return air flow (2) from the interior space (1) of the data processing center (1), through a return opening (23);

•

a cooling unit (24) configured to cool a flow of supply air (3) from the recirculation chamber (22); Y

•

one or more discharge fans (25) configured to allow circulation of the flow of supply air (3) through the cooling unit (24) and propel it into the interior space (1) through a discharge opening ( 26).

To allow direct free cooling (DFC) of the data processing center, the recirculation chamber is configured to directly receive an outside air flow (4) from an outer space of the data processing center (1), through a conduction-free opening (27), figure 48.

To optimize the interior space, and in particular, the one destined for racks and / or special cabinets (100) with the electrical equipment, the cooling modules (20) are assembled on their longitudinal sides and are arranged at one end of the module data (10). In this sense, the connecting side faces (21) of the cooling modules (20) are parallel to the side faces (13) of the data processing modules (10).

Figures 3A and 3B show a second constructive example of the modular data processing center (1) of the present invention, with two data modules (10) in vertical arrangement (V) and four interior cooling modules (20) without input of outside air, in recirculation regime. As can be seen, the data modules (10) are arranged stacked with each other by one of their upper faces (15).

Figures 4A and 48 show a third constructive example of the modular data processing center (1) of the present invention, with two data modules (10) in horizontal arrangement (H) and four external cooling modules (20) with input of outside air. As can be seen, the cooling modules (20) are arranged internally, adjacent to the dorsal faces (12) of the data modules (10). Where each data module (10) comprises:

•

one or more inlet passages (36) disposed on its dorsal face (12), configured to allow outside airflow (4) to enter the cooling modules (20); Y

•

one or more outlet passages (37) arranged on its upper face (15), configured to allow the flow of an extraction air flow (5) from the interior space (1).

Figure 5 shows a fourth constructive example of the modular data processing center (1) of the present invention, corresponding to a CPD like that of Figures 4A and 48 equipped with a modular cover (40). As can be seen, the modular data processing center (1) comprises a two-slope inclined modular roof (40) configured to engage on the upper face (15) of a data module (10). In turn, the modular cover (40) comprises an air chamber (41) configured to receive the extraction air flow (5), through the outlet passage (37), and redirect it to an extraction passage (42 ) in communication with outer space. The drive is carried out under technical ground.

Figures 6A and 6B show a fifth constructive example of the modular data processing center (1) of the present invention, with two data modules (10) in horizontal arrangement (H) and four external cooling modules (20) with input of outside air. As can be seen, the cooling modules (20) are arranged externally, adjacent to the dorsal faces (12) of the data modules (10). Where each data module (10) comprises:

•

one or more dorsal return steps (38) arranged on its dorsal face (12), configured to allow the return of the return air flow (2) to the cooling modules (20); Y

•

one or more dorsal drive passages (39) disposed on its dorsal face (12), configured to allow the flow of the drive air (3) into the interior space (1).

Figures 7 AY 7B show a sixth constructive example of the modular data processing center (1) of the present invention, with two data modules (10) in horizontal arrangement (H) and four external cooling modules (20) with input of outside air, arranged on the upper face (15) of the data modules (10), illustrated in projection with discontinuous tracing. As you can see, the cooling modules

(20) are arranged externally, on the upper face (15) of a data module (10). Where said data module (10) comprises:

•

one or more upper return steps (43) arranged on its upper face (15), configured to allow the return of the return air flow (2) to the cooling modules (20); Y

•

one or more upper discharge passages (44) arranged on its upper face (15), configured to allow the flow of supply air (3) to be driven into the interior space (1).

In this constructive example, the cooling module (20) is configured to perform indirect cooling, even if it receives directly an outside air flow (4) from the outer space to the data processing center (1). This is achieved by separating the recirculation chamber (22) to avoid cross-contamination of air between the return air flow (2) and the outside air flow (4), in turn using a cooling unit (24) comprising a passive air-to-air exchanger.

Figure 8 shows a cross section of two adjacent data modules (10). As can be seen, the modular data processing center (1) comprises insulating panels (31) for interior cladding of the enclosures (10A). In turn, the lower face

(14) comprises a first coupling element (16) positioned in each of the lower corners (17) thereof, configured to seat a dalo module (10) on another data module (10) or on the ground itself support; while the upper face (15) comprises a second coupling element (18) positioned in each of the upper corners (19) thereof, attachable to the first coupling element (16). Likewise, the modular data processing center (1) comprises fixing anchors (32) to the ground, for illustrative purposes only one of them has been represented, with a third coupling element (33), attachable to the second coupling element ( 18).

Figures 9 and 10 show in greater detail the coupling and fixing elements of the modular data processing center (1).

Figures 11 and 12 show other components intended to improve structural stability and ensure the tightness of the modular data processing center (1). In this sense, the CPD includes:

•

connecting bolts (34) configured to reinforce the fixing between data modules (10) in vertical arrangement (V), for example joining the upper face (15) of a module with the lower face (14) of the module (10) that it has on top; Y

•

junction linings (35), figure 8, configured to ensure the tightness between data modules (10) in horizontal arrangement (H).

Claims (11)

1.-Modular data processing center, comprising a plurality of portable data modules (10) that define an interior space (1), intended to house one or more electronic information processing systems mounted on racks or special cabinets ( 100), each of said data modules (10) formed by a front face (11), a dorsal face (12) and two side faces (13), delimited by a lower face (14) support of the data module (10) and by an upper face (15); said data modules (10) configured to allow: • a horizontal arrangement (H) in which said data modules (10) are arranged contiguously with each other by one of its lateral faces (13); said modular data processing center (1) characterized in that it comprises: • a plurality of cooling modules (20) configured to cool the interior space (1), each laterally delimited by at least one lateral connecting face (21), arranged adjacent to each other by their lateral joining faces (twenty-one); and why each data module (10) comprises:

•

a first coupling element (16) positioned on the lower face (14), configured to seat a data module (10) on another data module (10) or on the support ground itself; Y

•

a second coupling element (18) positioned on the upper face (15),

attachable to the first coupling element (16); said data modules being configured (10) to allow: • a vertical arrangement (V) in which said data modules (10) are arranged stacked with each other by one of their upper faces (15). 2. Modular data processing center according to claim 1 characterized in that each cooling module (20) comprises:

•

a recirculation chamber (22) configured to receive a return air flow (2) from the interior space (1) of the data processing center (1), through a return opening (23);

•

a cooling unit (24) configured to cool a flow of supply air (3) from the recirculation chamber (22); Y

•

one or more discharge fans (25) configured to allow circulation of the flow of supply air (3) through the cooling unit (24) and propel it into the interior space (1) through a discharge opening ( 26).

3.-Modular data processing center according to claim 2 characterized in that the recirculation chamber is configured to directly receive an external air flow (4) from an outer space of the data processing center 5 (1), through a contribution opening (27) free of conduits. 4. Modular data processing center according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the connecting side faces (21) of the cooling modules (20) are parallel to the side faces (13) of the data processing modules (10). 10. Modular dal processing center according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the front (11), dorsal (12), lower (14), upper (15), and a side (13) faces of a data module (10) form enclosures (10A), while the remaining side face (13) of said data module (10B) forms an opening of 15 lateral extension (108). 6. Modular data processing center according to claim 5 characterized in that it comprises insulating panels (31) for interior cladding of the enclosures (10A). 7. Modular data processing center according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first coupling element (16) is positioned in each of the lower corners (17) of the lower face (14); and because the second coupling element (18) is positioned in each of the upper corners (19) of the upper face (15). 8. Modular data processing center according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that it comprises a fixing anchor (32) to the ground with a third coupling element (33), attachable to the second coupling element (18) . 9. Modular data processing center according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that it comprises connecting bolts (34) configured to reinforce the fixation between data modules (10) in vertical arrangement (V). 10.-Modular data processing center according to any one of claims 1 to 35 characterized in that it comprises joint linings (35) configured to ensure the tightness between the modules of dalos (10) in horizontal arrangement (H). 11. Modular data processing center according to any of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that it comprises an inclined modular cover (40) configured to engage on the upper face (15) of a data module (10). 12.-Modular data processing center according to any one of claims 3 to 11 characterized in that the cooling modules (20) are arranged internally, adjacent to the dorsal faces (12) of the data modules (10); and why each data module (10) comprises:

•

one or more inlet passages (36) disposed on its dorsal face (12), configured to allow outside airflow (4) to enter the cooling modules (20); Y

•

one or more outlet passages (37) arranged on its upper face (15), configured to allow the flow of an extraction air flow (5) from the interior space (1).

13.-Modular data processing center according to claims 11 and 12 characterized in that the modular cover (40) comprises an air chamber (41) configured to receive the flow of extraction air (5), through the passage of exit (37), and redirect it towards an extraction step (42) in communication with the outer space. 14.-Modular data processing center according to any of claims 3 to 11 characterized in that the cooling modules (20) are arranged externally, adjacent to the dorsal faces (12) of the data modules (10); and why each data module (10) comprises:

•

one or more dorsal return steps (38) arranged on its dorsal face (12), configured to allow the return of the return air flow (2) to the cooling modules (20); Y

•

one or more dorsal drive passages (39) disposed on its dorsal face (12), configured to allow the flow of the drive air (3) into the interior space (1).

15.-Modular data processing center according to any of claims 3 to 10 characterized in that the cooling modules (20) are arranged externally, on the upper face (15) of a data module (10); and why said data module (10) comprises: • one or more upper return steps (43) arranged on its upper face (15), configured to allow the return of the return air flow (2) to the cooling modules (20); Y • one or more upper discharge passages (44) arranged on its upper face (15), configured to allow the flow of supply air (3) to be driven into the interior space (1).