System and method to route airflow using dynamically changing ducts

Abstract

The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A method includes receiving or obtaining input data, generating at least one actuation signal to change a flow configuration of a re-configurable duct system based upon the input data, and transmitting the at least one actuation signal.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a re-configurable duct system including at least one flow diverting part; and   a controller structured and arranged to:
 receive or obtain input data; 
 generate at least one actuation signal to change a flow configuration of the re-configurable duct system based upon the input data; and 
 transmit the at least one actuation signal, 
   wherein the at least one actuation signal comprises: a flow path actuation signal that causes movement of the at least one flow diverting part within the duct system to modify an existing duct or create a new duct in the duct system; and a vent actuation signal to open, close, or adjust a vent.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input data comprises at least one of:
 actual temperature distribution data of a room;   predicted heat generation data in the room;   duct system data;   fluid source data;   price data; and   temperature threshold data.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the duct system comprises at least a portion of a ceiling, floor, or wall of a room. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the room comprises a data center and the duct system delivers cooling air to the data center. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the generating is additionally based on at least one of:
 a cost minimization function;   a physical change minimization function;   amount of heat transfer of air traveling within the duct system; and   a shortest path between an air source and an air delivery location.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the duct system comprises:
 a first structural member;   a second structural member;   a space between the first structural member and the second structural member; and   a plurality of partitions that are individually moveable into and out of the space.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the changing the flow configuration comprises moving a first subset of the plurality of partitions into the space and moving a second subset of the plurality of partitions out of the space. 
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 a re-configurable duct system; and   a controller structured and arranged to:
 receive or obtain input data comprising at least one of: actual temperature distribution data of a room; predicted heat generation data in the room; duct system data; fluid source data; price data; and temperature threshold data; and 
 re-configure the duct system to provide targeted air delivery to a room based on the input data, 
   wherein the re-configuring comprises at least one of: modifying the shape of an existing duct within the duct system, and creating a new duct within the duct system.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the re-configuring comprises generating and transmitting actuation signals, based on the input data, to actuate moveable parts of the duct system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the re-configuring is additionally based on at least one of:
 a cost minimization function;   a physical change minimization function;   amount of heat transfer of air traveling within the duct system; and   a shortest path between an air source and an air delivery location.   
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a re-configurable duct system; and   a controller structured and arranged to:
 receive or obtain first input data; 
 configure the dynamically changeable duct system to deliver air to a first area of a room based on the first input data; 
 receive or obtain second input data; and 
 re-configure the dynamically changeable duct system to deliver air to a second area of the room based on the second input data, 
   wherein at least one of the configuring and the re-configuring are additionally based on at least one of:
 a cost minimization function; 
 a physical change minimization function; 
 amount of heat transfer of air traveling within the duct system; and 
 a shortest path between an air source and an air delivery location. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second input data comprise at least one of: actual temperature distribution data of the room; predicted heat generation data in the room; duct system data; fluid source data; price data; and temperature threshold data. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second area of the room is different than the first area of the room,   the room comprises a data center,   the duct system comprises at least a portion of a ceiling, floor, or wall of the data center, and   the duct system delivers at least one of heating air, cooling air, and ventilation air to the data center.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the configuring and the re-configuring comprise generating and transmitting actuation signals. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the re-configuring comprises modifying the shape of an existing duct within the duct system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the re-configuring comprises creating a new duct within the duct system.