Claims:
WE CLAIM:
1. A fan wall unit (100) for a data center, said unit (100) comprising a coil section (110) and a fan section (210) positioned downstream of said coil section (110), said coil section (110) housing at least one coil (111) that is configured for carrying a chilled fluid, said fan section (210) housing a plurality of electronically commutated (EC) fans (215) that are configured for circulating air over each of said coils (111) and supplying cooled air into a main room (R2) carrying racks and hardware of the data center, said coil section (110) and said fan section (210) comprising a plurality of modules (110a, 110b, 210a, and 210b) which are removably securable to each other.
2. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of modules (110a, 110b, 210a, and 210b) has a frame structure configured to engage and removably lock with the frame structure an adjacent module.
3. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fan wall unit (100) is configured to receive return air from the ceiling region of the data center.
4. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said coils (111) is oriented at an angle ranging between 20 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to a vertical plane, such that the operative top end of said coil (111) is inclined towards said fan section (210).
5. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes first air filters (120a), placed across each of said coils (111).
6. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said chilled fluid is selected from the consisting of water, brine solution, propylene glycol, ethylene, methanol, and glycerin.
7. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said coils (111) is provided with an inlet and an outlet to facilitate entry and exit of chilled fluid to and from each of said coils (111).
8. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said coils (111) is of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminium, stainless steel, and brass.
9. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes an evaporator coil (115) disposed upstream of said coils (111), said evaporator coil (115) being configured to extract heat from air passing therethrough to facilitate cooling of said unit (100).
10. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, said unit (100) includes a second air filter (120b) placed across said evaporator coil (115), wherein said second air filter is configured to filter air passing over said evaporator coil (115).
11. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a humidifier (130) configured to control the humidity level in the main room (R2) of the data center.
12. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes at least one controller display (170) and at least one electrical control panel (165), configured to control and monitor the operation of said fan wall unit (100).
13. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a heater (125), said heater (125) configured for evaporating a condensate and moisture.
14. The fan wall unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes at least one pressure independent chilled water valve (140a, 140b) located at an outlet of said coil carrying chilled fluid (111).
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of Heating, Ventilation & Air-conditioning (HVAC), particularly air handling units (AHU).
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Recently large data centers have been established all over the world, for meeting the growing demand of data processing. Pluralities of processors with high processing capacities are staggered on racks in various configurations. Huge cooling and air handling units are required to be installed near the data centers for extracting the heat generated in the processors.
The air handling units presently available in the market are complex in construction, are bulky, and require a floor large space for installation. The transportation of these units is also a challenging task. Further, moving these conventional units to high level floors in high rise buildings is not always feasible. All these factors lead to a higher initial and operational cost of running a conventional air handling unit. Therefore, there is a dire need of designing an air handling unit which is energy efficient, cost effective, and easy to maintain.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a fan wall unit (FWU) which alleviates the aforementioned issues.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) for Colocation Data Centers.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) that is optimized for energy efficient operation.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) that reduces footprint (floor space requirement).
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) that is cost effective.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) that reduces overall capital expenditure required for infrastructure.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) that can be custom built as per requirement.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) that has a varied cooling capacity.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan wall unit (FWU) that is modular in design.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a fan wall unit for a data center. The unit comprises a coil section and a fan section that is positioned downstream the coil section. The coil section is configured to house at least one coil that is configured for carrying chilled fluid.
The fan section houses a plurality of electronically commutated fans for circulating air over each of the coils carrying chilled fluid and supplying cooled air into a main room carrying racks and hardware of the data center. Both the coil section and the fan section comprising a plurality of modules. These modules can be removably secured to an adjacent module.
According to an embodiment, each module has a frame type structure/skeleton and each module is configured to engage and removably lock with at least one adjacent module.
According to another embodiment, the fan wall unit is configured to receive return air from the ceiling region of the data center.
According to yet another embodiment, the each coil carrying chilled fluid is oriented at an angle ranging between 20 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to a vertical plane, such that the operative top end of each of the coil carrying chilled fluid is inclined towards the fan section.
According to still another embodiment, the fan wall unit includes first air filters placed across each of the coils carrying chilled fluid.
According to an embodiment, chilled fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, brine solution, propylene glycol, ethylene, methanol, and glycerin.
According to an embodiment, each of the coils carrying chilled fluid is provided with an inlet and an outlet to facilitate entry and exit of chilled fluid to and from each of the coils.
According to another embodiment, each of the coils is of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminium, stainless steel, and brass.
According to yet another embodiment, the fan wall unit includes an evaporator coil disposed upstream of the coils carrying chilled fluid. The evaporator coil is configured to extract heat from air passing therethrough to facilitate increased cooling capacity of the unit, when there is a sudden increase in cooling load on the fan wall unit.
According to yet another embodiment, a second air filter is placed across the evaporator coil. A humidifier is provided for controlling the humidity level inside the main room of the data center.
According to yet another embodiment, the fan wall unit includes a heater which is configured for evaporating a condensate and moisture.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a pressure independent chilled water valves is located at the outlet of the coil carrying the chilled fluid.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan wall unit includes at least one controller display and at least one electrical control panel for controlling and monitoring the operation of the fan wall unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A fan wall unit for a data center of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a fan wall unit (FWU) of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 shows the fan wall unit (FWU) installed in a mechanical room adjacent a main room that houses the racks and hardware;
Figure 3 shows a front view of an assembled fan wall unit in accordance with the present disclosure;
Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the fan wall unit (FWU) of the present disclosure, illustrating the flow of air through the FWU;
Figure 5 shows a front view of the fan wall unit of figure 3;
Figure 6a shows a top view of the fan wall unit of figure 3;
Figure 6b shows a bottom view of the fan wall unit of figure 3;
Figure 7a shows a left hand side view of the fan wall unit of figure 3;
Figure 7b shows a right hand side view of the fan wall unit of figure 3;
Figure 8 shows a rear view of the fan wall unit of figure 3;
Figure 9 shows an isometric view of a bottom module of a coil section of the fan wall unit (FWU);
Figure 10 shows an isometric view of a top module of a coil section of the fan wall unit (FWU);
Figure 11 shows an isometric view of a module of a fan section of the fan wall unit (FWU); and
Figure 12 shows a detailed view of coil and an air filter arrangement in the coil section modules of the fan wall unit (FWU).
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
R1 – Mechanical room
R2 – Main room
100 – Fan wall unit (FWU)
110 – Coil section(s)
110a – Top module of coil section
110b – Bottom module of coil section
111 – Coil carrying chilled fluid
115 – Evaporator coil
120a – First air filter
120b – Second air filter
125 – Heater
130 – Humidifier
135 – Inner panel(s)
140a, 140b – Pressure independent chilled fluid/water valves
141 – Chilled water outlet
150 – Return/re-circulated air damper
155 – Front mullion(s)
160 – Front door(s)
165 – Electrical panel(s)
170 – Controller display
175 – Copper piping
180 – Outer panel for coil sections
210 – Fan section
215 – EC fans
210a – Fan section top module
210b – Fan section bottom module
220 – Outer panel of fan section
221 – Top cover for fan section
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third, etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
A fan wall unit 100 of the present disclosure (hereinafter also referred as “FWU 100”) and the associated components is illustrated in Figure 1 through Figure 12. The fan wall unit 100 comprises of a coil section 110 and a fan section 210. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a fan wall unit (FWU) 100 of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows the fan wall unit (FWU) 100 installed in a mechanical room (R1) beside a main room (R2) that houses the racks and hardware.
Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the assembled fan wall unit 100, wherein a plurality of modules such as 110a, 110b, 210a, and 210b are assembled together and fastened at site, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description.
Figure 4 depicts a schematic side view of the fan wall unit (FWU) 100 of the present disclosure, showing the flow of air, where return air enters into the unit 100 from the operative top end. A plurality of Electrically Commuted (EC) fans 215 are used for the circulation of air. An isometric view of a bottom module 110b of the coil section 110 of the fan wall unit 100 is depicted in Figure 9, while Figure 10 shows an isometric view of a top module 110a of a coil section of the fan wall unit 100. Figure 11 depicts an isometric view of an individual module of the fan section 210 of the fan wall unit 100. The frame structure of the each fan section module is covered by a plurality of outer panels 220 from the sides, while the top portion of the fan section top module 210a is covered by a plurality of top covers 221.
Figure 6a and Figure 6b depicts a top view and a bottom view of the assembled FWU 100 respectively. Similarly, Figure 7a and Figure 7b depicts a left hand side view and a right hand side view of the fan wall unit 100, respectively. The fan section 210 is further comprised of a top section fan module 210a and a bottom section fan module 210b. The rear view of the fan section top module 210a mounted above the bottom module 210b of the fan section 210 is shown in Figure 8.
The coil section 110 is configured to house various components of the fan wall unit 100 such as at least an evaporator coil 115, at least a coil 111 carrying chilled fluid/water, first air filter 120a, a second air filter 120b, a heater 125, a humidifier 130, a plurality of inner panels 135, and pressure independent chilled water valves (140a, 140b). Each of these sections 110 and 210 is modular in design and is further configured to be assembled on site. The first air filter is placed across or upstream of each of the coils 111 carrying chilled fluid/water, while the second air filter 120b is placed across or upstream the evaporator coil 115.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, both the pressure independent chilled water valves (140a, 140b) are located at the outlet of coil 111.
The evaporator coil 115 is in fluid connection with a compressor and forms a part of a conventional refrigeration cycle. The coil section 110 comprises a top module 110a and a bottom module 110b. A plurality of outer panels for coil sections 180 is mounted on each side of the coil section 110. A rugged frame structure forms the skeleton of each module of the fan wall unit 100. The frame structure provides extra strength and rigidity to the fan wall unit 100. The frames interlock with each other to form the complete assembly of the FWU 100. A plurality of front mullions 155 is provided near the front portion of the fan wall unit 100. The front mullions 155 are covered by a plurality of front doors 160.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan wall unit 100 comprises an electrical panel 165 and a controller display 170, for controlling and monitoring the performance of the fan wall unit 100. The humidity level inside the main room R2 is controlled by the synchronous functioning of a humidity sensor and the humidifier 130. When needed the temperature of the main room R2 of the data center is increased by heating air flowing into the main room R2 by a heater 125.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a conventional cooling unit is also provided as a backup and/or as an auxiliary cooling unit to meet a sudden increase in cooling load of the data center. The heater 125 can also be configured for the evaporation of condensate accumulated during the operation of the evaporator coil.
Chilled fluid/water from an external source is supplied to the fan wall unit 100 to achieve the desired cooling effect of circulated air. Recently, chilled water air conditioning systems are being used in applications that need large cooling capacity such as hypermarkets, industrial processes, and commercial air conditioning such as offices and factories. The advantages and reasons for using water as a chilled fluid in some applications is that: water is non-corrosive; has specific heat value; is non-toxic: is cheap; and is easily available.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan wall unit 100 is also configured to house an evaporator coil 115 placed downstream of the first air filter 120a. The evaporator coil 115 is used when chilled water is not available or when there is a sudden increase in the cooling load on the fan wall unit 100. During such an event the compressor is turned ON by a control unit and the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil 115 helps in achieving an increased cooling of air passing therethrough. Such situation arises when there is a sudden increase in the heat generated by the hardware of the data center.
The advantage of the fan wall unit 100 is that, it is installed in a separate room (mechanical room R1) that is provided beside the main room. The main room R2 houses the plurality of racks having processors mounted thereon. Sufficient horizontal and vertical spacing is provided between each rack to facilitate easy and obstruction free flow of air. The cool air coming from the FWU 100 flows with a predetermined velocity towards the racks. Air exchanges heat with the heat dissipating components of the processors and other hardware components of Data center. The temperature of air rises as it exchanges heat with other relatively hot components. The heated air rises towards the ceiling of the main room R2 due to buoyancy effect.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, heated air is directed towards the mechanical room wherein the FWU 100 is installed. The heated air near the ceiling is used as a return air for the FWU 100. The return air enters the fan wall unit 100 through the return air damper 150 installed near the top portion of the coil section top module 110a. Return air after entering the fan wall unit 100 from the top portion passes over each of the coils 111 carrying chilled fluid/water, where it is cooled to a lower temperature and then circulated back to the main room R2.
A detailed view of the coil 111 and the first air filter 120a arrangement in the coil section 110 of the fan wall unit 100 is illustrated with the help of Figure 12. Each of the coils 111 carrying chilled water/fluid and each of the evaporator coils 115, are installed in an inclined position. Each of the coils 111 and the evaporator coil 115 forms an angle in the range of 20-40 degree with respect to a vertical plane such that the operative top edge of both coils (111 and 115) is closer to the fan section 210 of the fan wall unit 100.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the material of each of the coils 111 and the evaporator coil 115 is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminium, stainless steel, and brass.
Placing each of the coils 111 carrying chilled fluid and each of the evaporator coils 115, in an inclined position increases the area of surface contact of air with the coils, thus increasing the efficiency of the fan wall unit 100. Further, the inclined orientation of the coils eliminates the need of maintaining an extra free space behind the coil as was needed in a conventional vertically oriented coils. Each of the coils 111 is configured for allowing the passage of chilled fluid such as water, brine solution, propylene glycols, ethylene, methanol, glycerin, and the fluids having a lower freezing temperature. The use of a chilled fluid such as water has considerably reduced the operating cost, complexity, safety hazards, and the initial capital expenditure required for the air handling and cooling units for data centers.
The modular design of the complete fan wall unit 100 makes it possible to assemble the unit on site. This reduces the transportation cost and any need for a special transport vehicle as was needed in transporting older units which were assembled in factories. The modular construction also proves helpful in buildings where the entrances and doors are of comparatively smaller size.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a fan wall unit for a data center, which:
• is simple and rugged in construction;
• has low cost of equipment and capital expenditure on infrastructure;
• is modular in construction and easy to transport;
• is simple and convenient for installation on site;
• utilizes minimum valuable floor space;
• is efficient; and
• is easy to maintain.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.