Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-26
2001-10-02
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S610000, C361S688000, C379S328000, C174S050510
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297958
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications and, more specifically, to a system and method for housing telecommunications equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Chassis are frameworks used to house telecommunications equipment, and are often found in a room or other area where, for example, switching takes place. This other room or area is often referred to as a “central office environment.” When stacking chassis in a central office environment, important considerations include, among others, the proper cooling of each chassis, the efficient stacking of chassis to avoid wasted space, and meeting certain environmental requirements. The installer of telecommunication equipment has to be certain that lower chassis do not preheat upper chassis or that upper chassis do not block air flow from lower chassis. This was usually solved by perforating the tops and bottoms of chassis to obtain good vertical cooling. However, new network equipment-building standards (“NEBS”) by Bell Atlantic and other RBOC companies discourage the design of complete vertical cooling because fire in lower chassis can easily pass through to upper chassis. Therefore, most chassis are now designed with substantially solid tops, and chassis are stacked in a rack with gaps or vent hoods between them. Usually, the gaps between chassis are 1.75″-3.5″ (1.75″ is referred to herein as one “rack unit”). And since space is at a premium when stacking and arranging telecommunication equipment, this wastes valuable space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Since the challenges in the field of telecommunications continue to increase with demands for more and better techniques having greater flexibility and adaptability, a need has arisen for a new system and method for housing telecommunications equipment. In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for housing telecommunications equipment is provided that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed systems and methods.
A system for housing telecommunications equipment is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of vertically disposed chassis housing the telecommunications equipment, each chassis having a top that is substantially closed, first and second ends, first and second sides, and a base, wherein the top of each chassis is adapted to receive the base of an adjacent chassis. At least one vent is formed in each chassis adjacent the base for allowing air to enter the chassis. The vent is disposed between the base and a portion of the chassis selected from the group consisting of either of the first end, the second end, the first side, and the second side, and the vent is nonplanar in relation to that portion. More specifically, the chassis may be vertically disposed with substantially zero gap, and the vent member may be either an angled vent member or a notched vent member.
A method for housing telecommunications equipment is disclosed. The method comprises two steps. Step one calls for vertically disposing a plurality of chassis, each chassis housing the telecommunications equipment and having a top that is substantially closed, first and second ends, first and second sides, and a base. The top of each chassis is adapted to receive the base of an adjacent chassis. Step two requires forming at least one vent in each chassis adjacent the base, wherein the vent is operable to allow air to enter the chassis. The vent is disposed between the base and a portion of the chassis selected from the group consisting of either of the first end, the second end, the first side, and the second side, and the vent is nonplanar in relation to that portion. More specifically, the chassis may be vertically disposed with substantially zero gap, and the vent member may be either an angled vent member or a notched vent member.
Embodiments of the invention provide numerous technical advantages. For example, a technical advantage of one embodiment is that valuable central office space can be saved by closely stacking chassis in a rack while still achieving desired cooling of the chassis. Since in one embodiment, vents in the chassis are either angled or notched, air can enter near the base of each chassis even though the chassis are closely stacked together. If only one chassis exists, this one chassis can be placed on a solid support, such as a floor or table, while still achieving the desired cooling.
Another technical advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the desired cooling of chassis, along with the desired close stacking of chassis, can be achieved in an manner that complies with new network equipment-building standards (“NEBS”) fire-spreading criteria.
An additional technical advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that a myriad of designs can be used for the vent depending upon what type of cooling is desired for a particular chassis arrangement.
Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
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Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Datskovsky Michael
General Bandwidth Inc.
Picard Leo P.
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