Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electrical power distribution systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-13
2001-05-08
Tolin, Gerald (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electrical power distribution systems and devices
C361S610000, C439S534000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229691
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for mounting equipment within an equipment enclosure. More particularly, the invention relates to such apparatus and methods for mounting a power distribution unit that provide for improved serviceability of equipment enclosure components and improved cable management.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, computer and data storage equipment is housed in standardized equipment enclosures. These equipment enclosures normally comprise an outer, aesthetically pleasing housing which is supported by an inner rack. The rack usually comprises a substantially rectilinear metal frame including several vertical columns each provided with a plurality of mounting and alignment holes which permit the mounting of various equipment hardware to the rack. The individual components mounted inside the equipment enclosure typically are supported by support rails that mount to the columns of the rack. The components supported by the rails normally are supplied with power by power distribution units that mount to the rear columns of the rack. The power distribution units comprise a plurality of electrical receptacles to which the electrical plugs of the various components can be coupled.
Recently, there have been increased efforts in the industry to maximize equipment packing density within equipment enclosures. These efforts have resulted in an increased number of components that require current being housed within the equipment enclosures. Conventional power distribution units do not have the current carrying capacity needed to satisfy the demands of these new systems. Notably, this deficiency often cannot be remedied by the use of additional known distribution units due to the limited rear column space of the equipment enclosures and the limited space between the rear columns and the outer enclosure housing.
In addition to these current capacity problems, conventional power distribution units also create usability problems. In particular, conventional power distribution units impede online field replacement of component modules such that inoperative or malfunctioning modules cannot be quickly removed from the rear of the enclosure without shutting the system down. Specifically, known power distribution units encroach upon the horizontal equipment envelope of the enclosure, physically inhibiting module removal. To replace these modules in such systems, the entire power distribution unit must be removed from the rack, creating risks of electrical plug disconnection and even electrical shock to the technician.
Another usability problem associated with conventional power distribution units concerns cable management. As identified above, typical power distribution units have relatively low current carrying capacity. This means that several such power distribution units are necessary to supply the current needed to operate the many components contained within the equipment enclosure. Even in situations in which several such power distribution units fit within the enclosure, cable management is difficult in that several power cords must be routed from the equipment components to the several power distribution units within the enclosure as well as from the power distribution units to the current source of the room in which the enclosure is located. In addition to creating confusing tangles of power cords within the enclosure, such arrangements create current supply problems where the number of current outlets in the room are limited.
From the above, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a power distribution unit which avoids the above-identified problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention relates to a power distribution unit adapted for mounting within an equipment enclosure including an inner rack. The power distribution unit comprises a housing having a plurality of plug receptacles mounted thereto that are adapted to couple with power plugs of the various equipment components mounted within the equipment enclosure. The power distribution unit further includes at least one mounting hinge that is fixedly attached to the power distribution unit housing and which is adapted to fixedly mount the power distribution unit to the rack columns. The mounting hinge is pivotable such that the power distribution unit can be pivoted outwardly with respect to the rack to an extended position to facilitate removal of removable modules of the equipment component.
In one preferred embodiment of the power distribution unit, a pair of mounting hinges are used, one mounting hinge being fixedly attached to each end of the power distribution unit housing and each mounting hinge being adapted to fixedly mount to a column of the rack. Arranged in this manner, the power distribution can be mounted in a horizontal orientation and pivoted about a horizontal axis such that the power distribution unit can be swung outwardly with respect to the rack to an extended position to facilitate removal of removable modules of the equipment component.
In another preferred embodiment of the power distribution unit, a single mounting hinge is fixedly attached to one of the sides of the housing and is adapted to fixedly mount to a column of the rack in a manner such that the power distribution is arranged in a vertical orientation. The mounting hinge therefore can be pivoted about a horizontal axis such that the power distribution unit can be swung laterally with respect to the rack to an extended position to facilitate removal of removable modules of the equipment component.
Moreover, the invention relates to a method for providing for displacement of a power distribution unit mounted to an equipment enclosure rack to facilitate removal of equipment component modules mounted within the equipment enclosure, the method comprising the steps of mounting the power distribution unit to at least one mounting hinge that is pivotable from a locked-down position to an extended position, and mounting the mounting hinge to a column of the equipment enclosure rack such that the mounting hinge can pivot from the locked-down position to the extended position relative to the equipment enclosure rack to similarly position the power distribution unit in a locked-down position during normal operation and an extended position when the individual modules of the various equipment components are to be removed.
The particular objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included therein with the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.
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patent: 6028267 (2000-02-01), Byrne
Haynie Carl R.
Small Kenneth T
Tanzer Herbert J
Tsuyuki Brian S.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Lee Denise A.
Tolin Gerald
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