Apparatus, system, method, and computer program for adjustable venting in an electronic chassis

Abstract

An apparatus, system, method, and computer program are provided for adjusting venting of an enclosure. According to an example aspect of the invention the method adjusts venting in an enclosure enclosing heat generating equipment. The enclosure has at least one ventilation surface having at least one aperture formed therein. The method includes attaching at least one part of at least one cover to the enclosure, and positioning the cover in a selected orientation facing the ventilation surface of the enclosure. The cover may be placed substantially flush with the ventilation surface or may be positioned so that it forms an acute angle relative to the ventilation surface. In addition, the method may also include detecting at least one predetermined condition and varying the orientation of the cover with respect to the ventilation surface in response to detecting the condition. For example, a temperature and/or a position of the cover may be detected, and the orientation of the cover can be varied based on the detection.

1 . A cover for an enclosure enclosing heat generating equipment, the enclosure having at least one ventilation surface having at least one aperture formed therein to provide ventilation, the cover comprising:
 at least one cover surface adapted to be disposed over the enclosure in a selected orientation facing the at least one ventilation surface.   
   
   
       2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cover surface is pivotally attached to the enclosure. 
   
   
       3 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one cover surface includes at least one solid surface. 
   
   
       4 . The cover of  claim 3 , wherein the cover also comprises at least one flange extending from the at least one solid surface. 
   
   
       5 . The cover of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one flange includes a first flange substantially perpendicular with the at least one solid surface, and wherein the first flange is adapted for engagement with the enclosure. 
   
   
       6 . The cover of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one flange further includes a second flange substantially perpendicular with the at least one solid surface, and wherein the second flange is adapted for engagement with the enclosure. 
   
   
       7 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one cover surface is positionable so as to be placed in a selected inclined orientation relative to the at least one ventilation surface. 
   
   
       8 . A method for adjusting venting in an enclosure enclosing heat generating equipment, the enclosure having at least one ventilation surface having at least one aperture formed therein, the method comprising:
 attaching at least one part of at least one cover to the enclosure; and   positioning the at least one cover in a selected orientation facing the at least one ventilation surface of the enclosure.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one cover includes at least one solid surface and at least one side extending from the at least one solid surface, wherein at least one of the solid surface and the side is adapted for engagement with the enclosure. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one cover is disposed substantially flush with the at least one ventilation surface. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one cover is positioned so that it forms an acute angle relative to the at least one ventilation surface. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the enclosure is adapted to reject heat from within the enclosure substantially by natural convection. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 detecting at least one predetermined condition; and   varying the orientation of the at least one cover with respect to the at least one ventilation surface, in response to the detecting.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the detecting includes detecting at least one of a temperature and a position of the at least one cover. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the detecting includes providing a signal representing a value in response to detecting the at least one predetermined condition, and wherein the varying is performed if the value equals or exceeds a predetermined value. 
   
   
       16 . An enclosure ventilation system comprising:
 at least one enclosure enclosing heat generating equipment, the enclosure having at least one ventilation surface having at least one aperture formed therein for ventilation; and   at least one solid cover adapted to engage the at least one enclosure, and to be disposed in a selected orientation facing the at least one ventilation surface.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one enclosure includes a plurality of enclosures, each enclosing heating generating equipment, and the at least one solid cover includes a plurality of solid covers, and wherein each cover is adapted to engage a respective one of the enclosures to form a respective equipment enclosure system. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the equipment enclosure systems are disposed adjacent to each other. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one bracket to which the equipment enclosure systems are mountable. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the equipment enclosure systems are disposed in a selected orientation. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one solid cover is pivotally attached to the at least one enclosure. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one solid cover is adapted to be disposed over the at least one enclosure in a selected orientation relative to the at least one ventilation surface. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one solid cover comprises at least one cover surface portion and at least one flange extending from the at least one cover surface portion. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to detect at least one predetermined condition and output a signal; and   a positioner arranged to orientate the at least one solid cover in a selected orientation relative to the at least one ventilation surface in response to the signal output by the at least one sensor.   
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the positioner includes an actuator and a controller, and wherein the controller is responsive to the signal output by the at least one sensor to control the actuator so as to orientate the at least one solid cover in the selected orientation. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a smoke detection sensor, and a cover position sensor. 
   
   
       27 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions for adjusting venting in an enclosure enclosing heat generating equipment, the enclosure having at least one ventilation surface having at least one aperture formed therein, the sequences of instructions including instructions which when executed by a computer system causes the computer system to perform:
 positioning at least one cover in a selected orientation facing the at least one ventilation surface of the enclosure.