Data processing equipment structure

Abstract

A data processing equipment structure includes a plurality of sidewalls and a ceiling panel, which, together, define an enclosed space. The structure further includes at least one equipment enclosure and at least one cooling unit arranged in side-to-side relationship in a row within the enclosed space. At least one separation panel divides the enclosed space into a front plenum at a front side of the row and a rear plenum at a rear side of the row. Cool air in the front plenum is isolated from heated exhaust air in the rear plenum.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A data processing equipment structure comprising:
 at least one equipment enclosure and at least one in-line cooling unit arranged in side-to-side relationship in a row;   an overhead duct arranged above the row and in fluid communication with the at least one equipment enclosure and the at least one in-line cooling unit; and   a side duct arranged at a side of the row and in fluid communication with the at least one equipment enclosure and the at least one in-line cooling unit;   wherein the side duct is adapted to receive cool air from the at least one in-line cooling unit and to direct the cool air to the at least one electronic equipment enclosure to cool electronic equipment mounted therein; and   wherein the overhead duct is adapted to receive heated exhaust air from the at least one electronic equipment enclosure and to direct the heated exhaust air to the at least one in-line cooling unit for cooling.   
     
     
         2 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one equipment enclosure is a plurality of equipment enclosures. 
     
     
         3 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one in-line cooling unit is located, within the row, proximate to equipment enclosures that house electronic equipment that requires cooling. 
     
     
         4 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one in-line cooling unit is a plurality of in-line cooling units. 
     
     
         5 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one in-line cooling unit includes a fan to assist in facilitating airflow. 
     
     
         6 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side duct is configured as a reservoir for cool air. 
     
     
         7 . A data processing equipment structure comprising:
 at least one equipment enclosure and at least one in-line cooling unit arranged in side-to-side relationship in a row;   an overhead duct arranged above the row and in fluid communication with the at least one equipment enclosure and the at least one in-line cooling unit; and   a side duct arranged at a side of the row and in fluid communication with the at least one equipment enclosure and the at least one in-line cooling unit;   wherein the overhead duct is adapted to receive cool air from the at least one in-line cooling unit and to direct the cool air to the at least one electronic equipment enclosure to cool electronic equipment mounted therein; and   wherein the side duct is adapted to receive heated exhaust air from the at least one electronic equipment enclosure and to direct the heated exhaust air to the at least one in-line cooling unit for cooling.   
     
     
         8 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one equipment enclosure is a plurality of equipment enclosures. 
     
     
         9 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one in-line cooling unit is located, within the row, proximate to equipment enclosures that house electronic equipment that requires cooling. 
     
     
         10 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one in-line cooling unit is a plurality of in-line cooling units. 
     
     
         11 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one in-line cooling unit includes a fan to assist in facilitating airflow. 
     
     
         12 . The data processing equipment structure of  claim 7 , wherein the overhead duct is configured as a reservoir for cool air. 
     
     
         13 . A data center room comprising a plurality of data processing equipment structures arranged adjacent to one another, each data processing equipment structure including at least one equipment enclosure and at least one in-line cooling unit arranged in side-to-side relationship in a row, wherein, for each data processing equipment structure, an overhead duct is arranged above the row in fluid communication with the at least one equipment enclosure and the at least one in-line cooling unit, and a side duct is arranged at a side of the row in fluid communication with the at least one equipment enclosure and the at least one in-line cooling unit, and wherein adjacent ones of the data processing equipment structures share a common wall. 
     
     
         14 . The data center room of  claim 13 , wherein, for each data processing equipment structure:
 the side duct is adapted to receive cool air from the at least one in-line cooling unit and to direct the cool air to the at least one electronic equipment enclosure to cool electronic equipment mounted therein; and   the overhead duct is adapted to receive heated exhaust air from the at least one electronic equipment enclosure and to direct the heated exhaust air to the at least one in-line cooling unit for cooling.   
     
     
         15 . The data center room of  claim 13 , wherein, for each data processing equipment structure:
 the overhead duct is adapted to receive cool air from the at least one in-line cooling unit and to direct the cool air to the at least one electronic equipment enclosure to cool electronic equipment mounted therein; and   the side duct is adapted to receive heated exhaust air from the at least one electronic equipment enclosure and to direct the heated exhaust air to the at least one in-line cooling unit for cooling.   
     
     
         16 . The data center room of  claim 13 , wherein, for each data processing equipment structure, the at least one equipment enclosure is a plurality of equipment enclosures. 
     
     
         17 . The data center room of  claim 16 , wherein, for each data processing equipment structure, the at least one in-line cooling unit is located, within the row, proximate to equipment enclosures that house electronic equipment that requires cooling. 
     
     
         18 . The data center room of  claim 13 , wherein, for each data processing equipment structure, the at least one in-line cooling unit is a plurality of in-line cooling units. 
     
     
         19 . The data center room of  claim 13 , wherein, for each data processing equipment structure, the at least one in-line cooling unit includes a fan to assist in facilitating airflow.