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US-20260129780-A1 - HEAT REUSE PROXIMATE RACK PANELS

US20260129780A1US 20260129780 A1US20260129780 A1US 20260129780A1US-20260129780-A1

Abstract

An information technology (“IT”) system includes a system housing, an IT stack, and a thermoelectric generation system. The IT stack can be capable of generating heat during operation thereof, the IT stack located within the system housing. The thermoelectric generation system can be mounted above the IT stack and within the system housing. The thermoelectric generation system can be configured to convert heat generated by the IT stack to an amount of electrical energy.

Inventors

  • Matthew Griffith Keller
  • Sarah Kimberly Kolomiiets

Assignees

  • Vertiv Corporation

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251031

Claims (11)

  1. 1 . A heat reuse system, comprising: a system housing configured to house a rack; a first power supply configured to be electrically connectable to one or more power shelves of the housed rack; and a thermoelectric generation system mounted within the system housing such that the housed rack is under the thermoelectric generation system; wherein the first power supply is configured to draw power from the thermoelectric generation system.
  2. 2 . The heat reuse system of claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric generation system comprises: a plurality of thermoelectric generator pads; a pad mounting component corresponding to each separate thermoelectric generator pad; and a phase change carrying material; wherein each thermoelectric generator pad is attached to the phase change carrying material via a corresponding pad mounting component.
  3. 3 . The heat reuse system of claim 2 , wherein the thermoelectric generator pads are in electrical connection in sequence.
  4. 4 . The heat reuse system of claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric generation system comprises a temperature differential having a cold side and a hot side, the hot side facing the housed rack.
  5. 5 . The heat reuse system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more power shelves are rated to deliver more than 10 kilowatts of power in total.
  6. 6 . The heat reuse system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more power shelves are rated to deliver more than 100 kilowatts of power in total.
  7. 7 . The heat reuse system of claim 1 , wherein the first power supply is configured to be electrically connectable to a busbar and to draw power from the busbar.
  8. 8 . The heat reuse system of claim 7 , wherein the first power supply is configured to swap between drawing power from the thermoelectric generation system and the busbar.
  9. 9 . The heat reuse system of claim 1 , wherein the system housing further comprises a second power supply configured to be electrically connectable to one or more power shelves and to a busbar, and to draw power from the busbar.
  10. 10 . The heat reuse system of claim 9 , wherein the second power supply is rated to deliver more than 10 kilowatts of power.
  11. 11 . The heat reuse system of claim 9 , wherein the second power supply is rated to deliver more than 100 kilowatts of power.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/715,224, filed November 1, 2024, and entitled “HEAT REUSE PROXIMATE RACK PANELS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Heat generated in information technology (“IT”) racks must be removed to keep the related IT equipment functioning. Heat is generally removed via a Cold Air Handler (“CRAC” and “CRAH”) and fans. With the adoption of direct-to-chip cooling and rear door heat exchange units, heat can collect at the top of the racks, despite removal efforts. Up to 25% of the heat can still be expected to be air-cooled even with direct to chip cooling, due to current designs. That is, the air proximate the IT equipment, particularly above the equipment racks, can still be expected to be warmer than desired, requiring removal thereof. SUMMARY In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information technology (“IT”) system includes a system housing, an IT stack, and a thermoelectric generation system. The IT stack can be capable of generating heat during operation thereof, the IT stack located within the system housing. The thermoelectric generation system can be mounted above the IT stack and within the system housing. The thermoelectric generation system can be configured to convert heat generated by the IT stack to an amount of electrical energy. In an embodiment, the IT system can include a series of thermoelectric generator pads, a respective pad mounting component corresponding to each separate thermoelectric generator pad, and a contained phase change carrying material, each thermoelectric generator pad attached to the phase change carrying material via a corresponding respective pad mounting component. In an embodiment, the thermoelectric generator pads are in electrical connection in sequence. In an embodiment, the thermoelectric generator pads are oriented toward the IT stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information technology (“IT”) system in profile, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a thermoelectric generation system of an IT system, as shown in FIG. 1, in profile. FIG. 3 is an overhead cross-section schematic diagram of a thermoelectric generation system, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, example features. The features can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the combinations set forth herein; rather, these combinations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, byproduct thermal energy is converted to electrical energy to achieve cooling of a region above equipment racks. As can be seen from FIGS. 1-3, thermoelectric generators positioned above the IT equipment (e.g., above an equipment rack) can supply power to the IT equipment by harvesting waste heat at the top of the equipment rack. This offset cannot provide all the power needed to drive operation of the proximal IT equipment, but the recovered energy may provide enough harvested DC power to power additional devices and/or offset utility power into a DC power shelf or another device. It is to be understood that any locations housing IT equipment in equipment racks or even modular configurations (e.g., an arrangement promoting heat to rise and collect above the IT equipment) may benefit from the proposed thermoelectric generation system. That is, the present thermoelectric generation system can be employed, for example, in data centers, modular deployments, edge applications, telecommunications (e.g., OSP (Outside Plant)) cabinets, battery cabinets, or other IT-related sites dealing with heat accumulation there-above and which may otherwise benefit from the power conversion of that excess heat. The present thermoelectric generation system can provide benefits to customers offsetting their power draws. The present system also can be a new tool within the sustainable usage, utilizing waste heat that may not be recognized or utilized. Further, there can be a cost reduction associated with heat reuse that is converted to electrical energy. According to a present embodiment, the thermoelectric generation system can include multiple chained thermoelectric solid-state generators mounted as part of an equipment rack top-side panel, as a distinct unit on top of a rack panel, as a retrofit panel, or as a purpose-built rack panel, in each instance positioned above a grou