Stackable modular personal computer array

Abstract

One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a sub-rack module for supporting a personal computer chassis therein. The sub-rack module is configured to be received within a multi-position support rack. Due to the unique combination of the sub-rack and the multi-position support rack, the sub-rack modules can be positioned such that the back ends of the personal computer chassis form an air passageway in the center of the multi-position support rack, which allows for the air flow to be directed through the passageway and out through the front end of the personal computer chassis. This configuration allows for the high density storage of an array of personal computer chassis while providing adequate cooling for multiple units. A method for manufacturing this system is also provided.

1 . A sub-rack module for supporting a personal computer chassis therein, comprising:
 an open-ended support module having a top, a bottom, and first and second sides, and a through aperture extending from a front of said open-ended support module to a rear of said open-ended support module, said through aperture having a side-to-side width sufficient to receive a computer chassis therein, said top of said open-ended support module having a front to rear length such that ventilation apertures of said computer chassis are exposed at said rear when said computer chassis is positioned within said open-ended support module.   
     
     
         2 . The sub-rack module recited in  claim 1  wherein said through aperture has a width configured to receive at least two computer chassis therein. 
     
     
         3 . The sub-rack module recited in  claim 2  wherein said through aperture is partitioned into at least two computer chassis sub-bays and each of said sub-bays has a width configured to receive a computer chassis therein. 
     
     
         4 . The sub-rack module recited in  claim 1  further comprising opposing mounting flanges laterally extending from a front end of said open-ended support module, wherein said mounting flanges are configured to enable said open-ended support module to be removably fastened to a supporting frame. 
     
     
         5 . The sub-rack module recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second sides of said open-ended support module include notches adjacent said rear formed therein such that side ventilation apertures of a computer chassis are exposed through said notches when said computer chassis is positioned within said open-ended support module to allow air flow through said notches and into said computer chassis. 
     
     
         6 . A system for stacking modular personal computers, comprising:
 open-ended support modules each having a top, a bottom, and first and second sides, and a through aperture extending from a front to a rear of each of said open-ended support modules, said through apertures having a side-to-side width sufficient to receive at least one computer chassis therein, said top having a front to rear length such that ventilation apertures of a computer chassis are exposed at said rear when said computer chassis is positioned within said open-ended support module; and   a multi-position support rack having frame support members coupled together to form a plurality of support locations for said open-ended support modules, and wherein said open-ended support modules are located within and supported by said multi-position support rack at least a portion of said support locations.   
     
     
         7 . The system recited in  claim 6  further including at least one computer chassis received in at least a portion of said open-ended support modules, said at least one computer chassis having top ventilation apertures located on a top side adjacent a back end thereof, side ventilation apertures located on first and second sides adjacent said back end thereof, and front ventilation apertures located on a front side of said computer chassis. 
     
     
         8 . The system recited in  claim 7  wherein said frame support members have support locations on opposing sides of said multi-position support rack and wherein said open-ended support modules are positioned vertically and horizontally with respect to each other within said multi-position support rack and are removably secured to said multi-position support rack at said support locations such that said top ventilation apertures of said computer chassis are opposing each other and spaced apart to form an air passageway between opposing back ends of said computer chassis, said computer chassis having at least one fan located therein that directs air through said top ventilation apertures at said back end of said computer chassis and toward and through said front ventilation apertures, such that air is circulated from said passageway and through each of said computer chassis and outward through said front ventilation apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The system recited in  claim 7  wherein said first and second sides of said open-ended support modules include notches formed therein adjacent said rear such that said side ventilation apertures are exposed through said notches when said at least one computer chassis is positioned within said open-ended support module to allow air flow through said notches and into said computer chassis through said side ventilation apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The system recited in  claim 7 , wherein said computer chassis further includes a rotatable handle attached in said front side of said computer chassis. 
     
     
         11 . The system recited in  claim 6  wherein each of said open-ended support modules further comprise opposing mounting flanges laterally extending from said front of each of said open-ended support modules, wherein said mounting flanges and said frame support members are configured to enable said open-ended support modules to be removably fastened to said frame support members at said support locations of said multi-position support rack. 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing a system for stacking modular personal computers, comprising:
 forming a plurality of open-ended support modules, each having a top, a bottom, and first and second sides, and a through aperture extending from a front of said open-ended support module to a rear of said open-ended support module, said through aperture having a side-to-side width sufficient to receive at least one computer chassis therein, said top side of said open-ended support module having a front to rear length such that ventilation apertures of said computer chassis are exposed at said rear of said open-ended support module when said computer chassis is positioned within said open-ended support module;   forming a multi-position support rack having frame support members coupled together to form a plurality of support locations for said open-ended support modules; and   removably securing at least a portion of said open-ended support modules within said multi-position support rack at one of said support locations.   
     
     
         13 . The method recited in  claim 12  further comprising placing at least one computer chassis in at least one of said open-ended support modules such that top ventilation apertures located on a top side and adjacent a back end of said computer chassis extend beyond said top side of said open-ended support module. 
     
     
         14 . The method recited in  claim 13  wherein removably securing one of said open-ended support modules further comprises removably securing said open-ended support modules within said frame support at support locations on opposing sides of said multi-position support rack and wherein said open-ended support modules are positioned vertically and horizontally with respect to each other within said multi-position support rack such that said top ventilation apertures of said computer chassis are opposing each other and spaced apart to form an air passageway between said rear ends of said computer chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The method recited in  claim 13  wherein forming a plurality of open-ended support modules includes forming open-ended support modules having first and second sides that include notches formed therein adjacent said rear such that side ventilation apertures of said computer chassis are exposed through said notches when said computer chassis is positioned within said open-ended support module to allow air flow through said notches and into said computer chassis through said side ventilation apertures. 
     
     
         16 . The method recited in  claim 12 , wherein forming a plurality of open-ended support modules further comprises forming opposing mounting flanges laterally extending from a front end of said open-ended support module, wherein said mounting flanges are configured to enable said open-ended support modules to be fastened to a supporting frame, and removably securing includes securing said open-ended support modules to said frame support members via said mounting flanges. 
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 12  wherein forming a plurality of open-ended support modules comprises forming said through aperture with a width configured to receive at least two computer chassis therein. 
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 17  wherein forming a plurality of open-ended support modules comprises partitioning said through aperture into at least two computer chassis sub-bays and each of said sub-bays has a width configured to receive a computer chassis therein.