US20120240495A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20120240495A1
Application number: US13/371,204
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Eychaner; William Nichols
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-10
Filing date: 2012-02-10
Publication date: 2012-09-27

Abstract

A data center ceiling system includes a data center ceiling system grid having a grid attachment frame, a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels carried by the grid attachment frame and an elongated hardware suspension slot in the grid attachment frame, the hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each of the plurality of acoustical ceiling panels. At least one hardware suspension rod engages the hardware suspension slot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/463,029, filed Feb. 10, 2011 and entitled DATA CENTER CEILING SYSTEM, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to data centers for storage of computer systems and the like. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to multifunction ceiling systems which serve to isolate cold or hot zone containment while supporting or suspending cables, cable trays, mechanical systems, wiring, conduits, cold or hot zone containment barriers, security barricades and the like in a data center.

BACKGROUND

A data center is a facility which houses computer systems and associated components such as telecommunications and storage systems. Data centers may include redundant or backup power supplies for a computer system, redundant data communications connections and environmental controls including air conditioning and fire suppression systems. Data centers are frequently used to house servers in large numbers. Extensive hardware such as racks, conduits, cables, cable trays, elevated floors and the like may be necessary to store, organize and connect the functional components of a computer system in a data center. Because the storage, organizing and connecting hardware in a data center may consume a large volume of space, techniques to accommodate and organize the hardware in a manner which is as space-efficient as possible have been devised.

One of the challenges of arranging the racks, conduits, cables, cable trays and other hardware in a data center is organizing and supporting the hardware for deployment of electrical wiring to computer system components at the various locations where electrical connections are needed within the data center. Typically, these systems are suspended from the building structure or overhead intermediate steel. When a drop ceiling is utilized to isolate and contain zones or cooled air, that drop ceiling becomes a barrier to the accessibility and modification of the suspended utility systems. The ceilings of data centers may require a specialized design to effect routing of the supporting hardware for the electrical wiring in a manner which is both space-efficient and allows addition of components to the computer system and removal of components from the system without major overhaul of the data center.

Accordingly, data center ceiling systems which facilitate versatility by maintaining cool or hot zone isolation, while also allowing accessibility, organizing and supporting or suspending cable trays, mechanical systems, wiring, conduits and the like in a data center are needed.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is generally directed to a multifunction ceiling system which facilitates versatility by maintaining cool or hot zone isolation, while also allowing accessibility, it also organizes and supports or suspends cable trays, mechanical systems, wiring, conduits, cold or hot zone isolation or containment barriers and the like in a data center. An illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system includes a ceiling system grid including a grid attachment frame, a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels carried by the grid attachment frame and an elongated hardware suspension slot in the grid attachment frame, the hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each of the plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; and at least one hardware suspension rod engaging the hardware suspension slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative floating attachment embodiment of the data center ceiling system;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken along section lines2-2 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in section, of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, more particularly illustrating exemplary attachment of the data center ceiling system to a wall;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along section lines4-4 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along section lines5-5 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating exemplary attachment of an acoustical ceiling panel to a grid attachment frame of the data center ceiling system;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating exemplary attachment of a pair of acoustical ceiling panels to a grid attachment frame of the data center ceiling system;

FIG. 7A is a sectional view illustrating an exemplary wall section and attachment of the grid attachment frame of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system to the wall section;

FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the grid attachment frame of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system in a cable tray suspending configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an illustrative fixed attachment embodiment of the data center ceiling system;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along section lines9-9 inFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along section lines10-10 inFIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side view, partially in section, of the illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system illustrated inFIG. 8, more particularly illustrating exemplary attachment of the data center ceiling system to a wall;

FIG. 12 is a side view, partially in section of the illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system illustrated inFIG. 1, attached to a wall (partially in section) and more particularly illustrating a cable tray assembly suspended from the data center ceiling system and wiring conduits (illustrated in phantom) supported by a cable tray of the cable tray assembly in exemplary application of the system;

FIG. 13 is a side view, partially in section of the illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system illustrated inFIG. 8, suspended from a ceiling and more particularly illustrating a cable tray assembly suspended from the data center ceiling system and wiring conduits (illustrated in phantom) supported by the cable tray of the cable tray assembly in exemplary application of the system;

FIG. 14 is a side view, partially in section of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, attached to a ceiling (partially in section) and more particularly illustrating a cable tray supported by the data center ceiling system in exemplary application of the system;

FIG. 15 is a side view, partially in section, of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, attached to a ceiling (partially in section) and more particularly illustrating multiple levels of cable trays supported by the data center ceiling system in exemplary application of the system;

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary bracket frame element of a cable tray support bracket;

FIG. 16 is a side view, partially in section, of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, attached to a ceiling (partially in section) and more particularly illustrating a security barricade assembly supported by the data center ceiling system in exemplary application of the system;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the grid attachment frame of an illustrative embodiment of the data center ceiling system, more particularly illustrating a pair of perforated corrugated acoustical ceiling panels attached to the grid attachment frame; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a perforated corrugated acoustical ceiling panel suitable for attachment to the grid attachment frame inFIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be hound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. Relative terms such as “upper”, “lower” and “beneath” as used herein are intended for descriptive purposes only and are not necessarily intended to be construed in a limiting sense.

Referring initially toFIGS. 1-7B of the drawings, an illustrative floating attachment embodiment of the data center ceiling system is generally indicated by reference numeral1. The data center ceiling system1 includes a data center ceiling system grid2 the components of which may be extruded aluminum or other material. The ceiling system grid2 may have agrid attachment frame3. Thegrid attachment frame3 may be generally “L”-shaped, with a first attachment frame member4 and a second attachment frame member4adisposed in perpendicular relationship to the first attachment frame member4. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, the first attachment frame member4 and the second attachment frame member4aof thegrid attachment frame3 may each include a frame member base5; a pair of generally elongated, adjacent, parallel and spaced-apart frame member flanges6 which extend from the frame member base5; and an elongatedgrid suspension slot7 defined by and between the frame member flanges6. In some embodiments, flange threads8 may be provided on the interior surfaces of the respective frame member flanges6 in thegrid suspension slot7 for purposes which will be hereinafter described. As illustrated inFIG. 4, in some embodiments, agasket44 may be provided along the frame member base5 of each of the first attachment frame member4 and the second attachment frame member4a.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a cornerframe member connector12 may connect the second attachment frame member4ato the first attachment frame member4 in thegrid attachment frame3. The cornerframe member connector12 may include a pair ofconnector arms13 disposed at a perpendicular or 90-degree angle with respect to each other. Theconnector arms13 of the cornerframe member connector12 may be attached to the corresponding first attachment frame member4 or second attachment frame member4aof thegrid attachment frame3 according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, at least one connector fastener14 may extend through at least one fastener opening (not illustrated) in eachconnector arm13. Eachconnector fastener14 may be threaded into the registering grid suspension slot7 (FIG. 4) in the corresponding first attachment frame member4 or second attachment frame member4a. An interiorly-threadedrod receptacle18 may extend from the cornerframe member connector12 generally at the junction between theconnector arms13. Therodreceptacle18 may be adapted to receive a threadedgrid suspension rod20 on which is threaded aturnbuckle24. The purpose of thegrid suspension rod20 and the turnbuckle24 will be hereinafter described.

As further illustrated inFIG. 1, at least one generally elongated crosstee frame member30 may extend from the first attachment frame member4 of thegrid attachment frame3. The crosstee frame member30 may be disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the first attachment frame member4 and in generally parallel relationship to the second attachment frame member4aof thegrid attachment frame3. As illustrated inFIG. 5, in cross-section, the crosstee frame member30 may include a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart crosstee base flanges31. A pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apartside flanges36 may extend from the respective crosstee base flanges31 in generally perpendicular relationship thereto. Anelongated flange connector39 may connect theside flanges36 to each other. An elongatedgrid suspension slot37 may be defined by and between generally the middle and terminal portions of theside flanges36 above theflange connector39. An elongated, continuous, threaded hardware suspension slot32 may be defined by and between the crosstee base flanges31 and generally a base portion of theside flanges36 beneath theflange connector39. Continuous hardwaresuspension slot threads33 may be provided on the interior surfaces of the hardware suspension slot32. An elongatedgrid suspension slot37 may be defined by and between the middle and upper portions of theside flanges36.Flange threads38 may be provided on the interior surfaces of theside flanges36 in thegrid suspension slot37. In some embodiments, agasket44 may be provided along each crosstee base flange31 of the crosstee frame member30 generally parallel and adjacent to eachcorresponding side flange36.

The crosstee frame member30 may be attached to the first attachment frame member4 of thegrid attachment frame3 according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As illustrated inFIG. 1, in some embodiments, a 3-wayframe member connector50 may attach the crosstee frame member30 to the first attachment frame member4. The 3-wayframe member connector50 may include a pair ofend connector arms51 disposed in generally 180-degree relationship to each other. Amiddle connector arm52 may extend between and in generally perpendicular relationship to theend connector arms51. At least oneconnector fastener53 may attach eachend connector arm51 to the first attachment frame member4 by extension of theconnector fastener53 through a fastener opening (not illustrated) in theend connector arm51 and threading theconnector fastener53 into the interiorly-threaded grid suspension slot7 (FIG. 4) of the first attachment frame member4. As illustrated inFIG. 2, at least oneconnector fastener53 may also attach themiddle connector arm52 of the 3-wayframe member connector50 to the crosstee frame member30. Accordingly, eachconnector fastener53 may be extended through a corresponding fastener opening (not illustrated) in themiddle connector arm52 and threaded into the interiorly-threadedgrid suspension slot37 between theside flanges36 of the crosstee frame member30. An interiorly-threaded rod receptacle54 may extend from the 3-wayframe member connector50 at the junction between theend connector arms51 and themiddle connector arm52. The rod receptacle54 may be adapted to receive a threadedgrid suspension rod20 on which is threaded aturnbuckle24, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 3-wayframe member connector50 can be secured at any desired location along the length of the first attachment frame member4 since thegrid suspension slot7 into which theconnector fasteners53 are threaded may be substantially continuous along the length of the first attachment frame member4. In some embodiments, multiple crosstee frame members30 may extend from the first attachment frame member4 in spaced-apart, parallel relationship to each other.

At least one generally elongated maintee frame member40 may intersect the crosstee frame member30. The maintee frame member40 may be disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the crosstee frame member30 and the second attachment frame member4aand in generally parallel relationship to the first attachment frame member4 of thegrid attachment frame3. The maintee frame member40 may have a design which in cross-section is substantially the same as that of, the crosstee frame member30, with a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart maintee base flanges41; a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apartside flanges46 extending from the respective maintee base flanges41; aflange connector45 connecting theside flanges46; an elongated hardware suspension slot42 defined by and between the maintee base flanges41 beneath theflange connector45; hardware suspension slot threads43 (FIG. 7A) on the interior surfaces of the hardware suspension slot42; an elongatedgrid suspension slot47 defined by and between theside flanges46 above theflange connector45; and flange threads48 provided on the interior surfaces of theside flanges46 in thegrid suspension slot47. In some embodiments, multiple maintee frame members40 may intersect each crosstee frame member30 in spaced-apart, parallel relationship to each other.

The maintee frame member40 may be attached to the crosstee frame member30 of the data center ceiling system grid2 according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As illustrated inFIG. 1, in some embodiments, a 4-way frame member connector60 may attach the maintee frame member40 to the crosstee frame member30. The 4-way frame member connector60 may include fourconnector arms61 disposed in generally 90-degree relationship to each other. At least one connector fastener62 may attach each of a first pair of theconnector arms61 to the crosstee frame member30 and each of a second pair of theconnector arms61 to the maintee frame member40 by extension of the connector fastener62 through a fastener opening (not illustrated) in the correspondingconnector arm61 and threading the connector fastener62 into the interiorly-threaded grid suspension slot37 (FIG. 5) of the crosstee frame member30 or into the interiorly-threadedgrid suspension slot47 of the maintee frame member40. An interiorly-threaded rod receptacle63 may extend from the 4-way frame member connector60 at the junction between theconnector arms61. The rod receptacle63 may be adapted to receive a threadedgrid suspension rod20 on which is threaded aturnbuckle24, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 4-way frame member connector60 can be secured at any desired location along the length of the crosstee frame member30 or the maintee frame member40 due to the continuity of thegrid suspension slot37 along the crosstee frame member30 and the continuity of thegrid suspension slot47 along the length of the maintee frame member40.

As further illustrated inFIG. 1, in some applications of the data center ceiling system1, multiple maintee frame members40 may be attached in end-to-end relationship to each other depending on the desired size of the data center ceiling system1. Accordingly, a 2-wayframe member connector88 may include a pair of connector arms89 which are oriented in 180-degree relationship to each other. The connector arms89 of the 2-wayframe member connector88 may be attached to the respective maintee frame members40 using multiple connector fasteners90 in the same manner as was heretofore described with respect to the 4-way frame member connector60. An interiorly-threaded rod receptacle91 may be provided on the 2-way frame member connector60 to receive a threadedgrid suspension rod20 having aturnbuckle34. In a similar manner, multiple crosstee frame members30 may be attached in end-to-end relationship to each other according to the desired length formed by the crosstee frame members30. Multiple grid attachment frame members4,4amay be attached to each other in similar manner to select the size of thegrid attachment frame3 depending on the size requirements of the ceiling system1 for a particular application.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, anacoustical ceiling panel56 may be attached to the crosstee frame member30 of the data center ceiling system grid2 by securing at least one double panel hold-clown clip80 to the crosstee frame member30. Each double panel hold-down clip80 may include aclip body81 having a fastener opening82. A pair ofpanel flanges83 may extend from opposite side edges of theclip body81. A clip fastener84 may be extended through the fastener opening82 and threaded into the interiorly-threadedgrid suspension slot37 of the crosstee frame member30. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 7, a pair ofacoustical ceiling panels56 may be attached to opposite sides of the crosstee frame member30 by inserting eachacoustical ceiling panel56 between thecorresponding panel flange83 of the double panel hold-down clip80 and thegasket44 on the crosstee base flange31 of the crosstee frame member30. A double panel hold-down clip80 may be used to attach a pair ofacoustical ceiling panels56 to opposite sides of the maintee frame member40 in a similar manner. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the crosstee base flanges31 of the crosstee frame member30 and the maintee base flanges41 of the maintee frame member40 have the capability to support various types of lay-in panels depending on the desired application of the ceiling system1.

Referring next toFIGS. 7B,12 and14 of the drawings, in exemplary application, the data center ceiling system1 is installed in a data center93 (FIG. 12) to maintain cool zone isolation as well as provide organization and support for hardware such as racks, conduits, cables, cable trays, elevated floors, cold or hot zone isolation or containment barriers and the like which may be necessary to route wiring and to store and connect the functional components of a computer system or the like in thedata center93. Accordingly, fixed perimeter installation of the data center ceiling system grid2 generally beneath theceiling96 in thedata center93 may be accomplished by attachment of thegrid attachment frame3 to thewalls94 of thedata center93.Fasteners34 may be extended through fastener openings (not illustrated) in the frame member flanges6 of the grid attachment frame members4,4aof thegrid attachment frame3 and through registering fastener openings (not illustrated) in thewall94 of thedata center93. The data center ceiling system grid2 may be additionally suspended from theceiling96 of thedata center93 by attachment of the threaded grid suspension rods20 (FIG. 1) to therod receptacles18,54,63 and91, respectively, and attachment of theturnbuckles24 on the threadedgrid suspension rods20 to ceiling rails99 (FIG. 14) on theceiling96 typically in the conventional manner. In some applications, the data center ceiling system grid2 may only be suspended from theceiling96 of thedata center93 using thegrid suspension rods20, in which case the attachment frame members4,4amay remain unattached to thewalls94 of thedata center93.

Various hardware such as wiring conduits98 (illustrated in phantom inFIG. 12) may be organized, routed and suspended from the data center ceiling system grid2 of the data center ceiling system1, typically beneath theceiling96, throughout or in a selected area or areas of thedata center93. As illustrated inFIG. 12, in some applications, acable tray assembly118 may be attached to the ceiling system grid2 to support one ormore cable trays124 beneath the ceiling system grid2. Thecable tray assembly118 may include multiple cabletray support brackets122 which may be attached to each pair ofhardware suspension rods20aat selected spaced-apart intervals to each other.

Acable tray124 may be supported by the respective spaced-apart cabletray support brackets122. As illustrated inFIG. 7B, thehardware suspension rods20awhich support thecable tray124 may be threaded into the threaded hardware suspension slot42 of the crosstee frame member40 or the threaded hardware suspension slot32 (FIG. 7) of the maintee frame member30 of the ceiling system grid2. One or multiple conduits98 (FIG. 12) may be supported by thecable tray124. Eachconduit98 may contain wiring (not illustrated) for the computer and other systems in thedata center93 extend through theconduits98 and can be routed and deployed from theconduit98 to the computer system or other component which is served by the wiring, as illustrated inFIG. 14.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the data center ceiling system1 is versatile and can be assembled in various sizes and placed at various locations throughout thedata center93 for organization, support, routing and deployment of wiring and the like from thewiring conduits98 or other support hardware to the computer systems (not illustrated) and other components in thedata center93. Moreover, the design of the data center ceiling system1 may eliminate the need to place openings for the wiring in the ceiling tiles (not illustrated) of theceiling96 for deployment of the wiring from the support and organizational hardware to the computer systems and components in thedata center93. The gaskets44 (FIGS. 6 and 7) on thegrid attachment frame3 may maintain pressure differentials between hot and cold zones in thedata center93. The data center ceiling system1 may facilitate integration of lighting and air distribution systems in thedata center93.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, in some applications of the system1, the data center ceiling system grid2 may support multiple cable trays128 (one of which is illustrated) in a suspended manner at regular intervals to facilitate deployment of wiring119 from one ormore conduits98 carried by thecable tray128 to each ofmultiple servers120 in thedata center93. Thecable trays128 may be attached to the data center ceiling system grid2 at a selected spacing to achieve optimal proximity of eachcable tray128 from which the wiring119 extends to theserver120. Eachcable tray128 may be attached to the data center ceiling system grid.2 according to any suitable attachment technique which is known by those skilled in the art. In some applications, eachcable tray128 may be suspended from the data center ceiling system grid2 by multiplehardware suspension rods20a(one of which is illustrated inFIG. 14). Eachhardware suspension rod20amay be threaded into the hardware suspension slot32 (FIG. 7) of a crosstee frame member30 in the data center ceiling system grid2 or into the hardware suspension slot42 (FIG. 1) of a maintee frame member40 in the data center ceiling system grid2, as illustrated. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theconduits98 and other hardware which is supported and organized by the system1 can be easily accessed for maintenance, removal, organization or addition depending on the storage requirements of thedata center93.

As illustrated inFIG. 7A, in some applications, thegrid attachment frame3 of the ceiling system grid2 may be supported by a wall66 in thedata center93. Accordingly, at least one wall insert67 may protrude from the upper surface of the wall66. The wall insert67 is inserted in the hardware suspension slot42 of the maintee frame member40, as illustrated, or the hardware suspension slot32 of the crosstee frame member30. The crosstee base flanges31 of the crosstee frame member30 may rest on the upper surface of the wall66.

Referring next toFIGS. 8-11 of the drawings, an illustrative fixed attachment embodiment of the data center ceiling system is generally indicated by reference numeral1a. The data center ceiling system1aincludes a data centerceiling system grid102 having a design which may be substantially similar to that of the data center ceiling system grid2 of the data center ceiling system1 heretofore described with respect toFIGS. 1-7. Thegrid attachment frame103 in the data centerceiling system grid102 of the data center ceiling system1amay include firstattachment frame members104 and second attachment frame members104awhich may be disposed at a generally 90-degree angle with respect to each other and which may be connected to each other end-to-end to define the size of thegrid attachment frame103. A Cornerframe member connector12 may attach the second attachment frame member104ato the firstattachment frame member104 of thegrid attachment frame103. At least one crosstee frame member30 may extend from the firstattachment frame member104 at a 3-wayframe member connector50. At least one maintee frame member40 may extend from each crosstee frame member30 at a 4-way frame member connector60, as was heretofore described with respect to the data center ceiling system1 inFIG. 1.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, each of the firstattachment frame member104 and the second attachment frame member104aof thegrid attachment frame103 may have a design which is similar to that of each of the crosstee frame member30 and the maintee frame member40. Accordingly, each of the firstattachment frame member104 and the second attachment frame member104amay include a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart framemember base flanges105; a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apartframe member flanges108 extending from the respective framemember base flanges105; a flange connector111 extending between theframe member flanges108; an elongatedhardware suspension slot106 defined by and between the framemember base flanges105 beneath the flange connector111; hardwaresuspension slot threads107 on the interior surfaces of thehardware suspension slot106; an elongatedgrid suspension slot109 defined by and between theframe member flanges108 above the flange connector111; and flange threads110 provided on the interior surfaces of theframe member flanges108 in thegrid suspension slot109.

As further illustrated inFIG. 8, a generally L-shapedframe attachment flange114 may be attached to the outer framemember base flange105 of each of the firstattachment frame member104 and the second attachment frame member104a. Theframe attachment flange114 may facilitate attachment of thegrid attachment frame103 to awall94 of a data center93 (FIG. 13), as will be hereinafter further described.

Referring next toFIG. 13 of the drawings, exemplary application of the data center ceiling system1amay be as was heretofore described with respect to the data center ceiling system1 inFIG. 12. Accordingly, thegrid attachment frame103 of the data centerceiling system grid102 may be attached to awall94 of thedata center93 by extendingfasteners34 through fastener openings (not illustrated) in theframe attachment flange114 and threading thefasteners34 through registering fastener openings (not illustrated) in thewall94. The data centerceiling system grid102 may additionally be suspended from theceiling96 by threading the threadedrods20 into therespective rod receptacles18,54,63 and91 (FIG. 8) and attaching theturnbuckles24 on the threadedrods20 to ceiling rails99 (FIG. 13) on theceiling96 according to techniques which are known by those skilled in the art.Cable tray assemblies118 may be attached to thegrid attachment frame103 as was heretofore described with respect toFIG. 12. Various hardware such as wiring conduits98 (illustrated in phantom inFIG. 13) may be supported by or suspended from the data centerceiling system grid102 of the data center ceiling system1aon thecable trays124 of thecable tray assemblies118, typically beneath theceiling96, throughout or in a selected area or areas of thedata center93. The data center ceiling system la may also be used as was heretofore described with respect to the data center ceiling system1 inFIG. 14.

Referring next toFIGS. 15 and 15A of the drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in some applications multiple levels ofcable tray assemblies118 may be suspended from thegrid attachment frame3 depending on the desired capacity of the ceiling system1 to facilitate organization, routing and support for hardware such as racks, conduits, cables, cable trays, elevated floors, cold or hot zone isolation or containment barriers and the like to route wiring and to store and connect the functional components of a computer system or the like in thedata center93. Accordingly, a first cable tray assembly118ais attached to thegrid attachment frame3. Acable tray124 is supported by the first cable tray assembly118a. A second cable tray assembly118bis suspended from the first cable tray assembly118a. Acable tray124 is supported by the second cable tray assembly118b. Additionalcable tray assemblies118 may be suspended from the second cable tray assembly118band each other according to the required support capacity of the ceiling system1.

As illustrated in HG.15A, an exemplary cross-sectional configuration for the cabletray support bracket122 of eachcable tray assembly118 is illustrated. Accordingly, the cabletray support bracket122 may include arod opening123. Therefore, the first: cable tray assembly118amay be attached to thegrid attachment frame3 by extending thehardware suspension rod20athrough therod opening123 and threading a nut125 and securing a washer125 against the cabletray support bracket122. The second cable tray assembly118bmay be attached to the first cable tray assembly118aby extending eachhardware suspension rod20athrough therod opening123 of each corresponding cabletray support bracket122 and threading a nut125 and securing a washer125 against the cabletray support bracket122. In similar manner, additionalcable tray assemblies118 may be attached to the second cable tray assembly118bas deemed necessary.

Referring next toFIG. 16 of the drawings, in some applications of the ceiling system1, a security barricade assembly130 may be attached to thegrid attachment frame3 of the ceiling system grid2 for the purpose of partitioning one or more areas of thedata center93 as desired such as for security or cold or hot zone containment, for example and without limitation. Accordingly, the security barricade assembly130 may include multiple security barricade panels131 which are attached to thehardware suspension rods20ausing an attachment technique which is suitable for the purpose. In some applications, each security barricade panel131 may include a generally elongated, rectangular securitybarricade panel frame131a. A securitybarricade panel mesh131bmay be provided in the securitybarricade panel frame131a. In some applications, the security barricade panels131 may be attached to eachhardware suspension rod20aby extending thehardware suspension rod20athrough a rod opening (not illustrated) in the securitybarricade panel frame131a. A securing nut (not illustrated) may be threaded and tightened on thehardware suspension rod20a. In other applications, the security barricade panels131 may be attached to thehardware suspension rods20ausing clips, clamps and/or other suitable attachment techniques known by those skilled in the art. The adjacent security barricade panels131 may be attached to each other using pins, clips, clamps and/or any suitable attachment or coupling technique which is known by those skilled in the art.

Referring next toFIGS. 17 and 18 of the drawings, in some embodiments, the ceiling system grid2 may include perforated corrugated acoustical ceiling panels144 which extend between the crosstee frame members30 and the maintee frame members40 of thegrid attachment frame3. Accordingly, the crosstee frame members30 and maintee frame members40 may both join adjacent acoustical ceiling panels144 to each other and provide attachment points for suspension of the ceiling system1 as was heretofore described. Each perforated corrugated acoustical ceiling panel144 may be aluminum and, as illustrated inFIG. 18, may include multiple elongated,parallel panel troughs145 and multiple elongated, parallel panel ridges146 alternating with thepanel troughs145. Panel perforations (not illustrated) may extend through thepanel troughs145 and the panel ridges146. In the deployed ceiling system1, the panel perforations facilitate air ventilation between the areas above and below the ceiling system grid2 and dampen noise in thedata center93. In other embodiments, the acoustical ceiling panels may be non-perforated corrugated metal panels, perforated or non-perforated flat metal panels, honeycomb core, mineral tile and/or composite core blank panel, for example and without limitation.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various embodiments of the data center ceiling systems facilitate energy conservation by reducing the amount of cold aisle space that requires cooling in a data center. The systems serve the dual purpose of both drop ceiling and support grid for overhead cable and other hardware distribution. The systems facilitate greater installation and routing flexibility of cable distribution systems. The completely accessible overhead suspension of the cable trays allows for simple distribution system expansion or upgrades. The system provides an attachment or suspension platform for cold or hot zone isolation or containment barriers, surface-mounted light fixtures, sprinkler heads and/or other utilities. The acoustical ceiling panels of the system provide for options that are cleaner and more permanent than conventional systems and may enable the use of metal acoustic panels for some applications. The system may enable superior acoustical performance up to NRC of 1.00 depending on the panel selection. Optional non-ferrous suspension components may eliminate zinc contamination and reduce radio frequency interference (RFI).

Referring again toFIGS. 1-7B of the drawings, it will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ceiling system1 facilitates support of cable trays, walls, cold or hot zone isolation or containment barriers or other hardware by allowing thehardware suspension rods20ato be threaded from below into the threaded hardware suspension slot32 of the crosstee frame member30 and the threaded hardware suspension slot42 of the maintee frame member40. The hardware suspension slot42 of the maintee frame member40 and the hardware suspension slot32 of the crosstee frame member30 extend adjacent to the border of eachacoustical ceiling panel56. This expedient facilitates flexibility in support of the hardware in various configurations since the configuration or orientation of the hardware can be selectively changed without the need to replace or move theacoustical ceiling panels56.

While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A ceiling system, comprising:

a ceiling system grid including:

a grid attachment frame;

a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels carried by said grid attachment frame; and

an elongated hardware suspension slot in said grid attachment frame, said hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each of said plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; and

at least one hardware suspension rod engaging said hardware suspension slot.

2. The ceiling system ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of grid suspension rods and wherein said grid attachment frame is carried by said plurality of grid suspension rods.

3. The ceiling system ofclaim 2 further comprising an elongated grid suspension slot in said grid attachment frame and wherein said plurality of grid suspension rods engages said grid suspension slot.

4. The ceiling system ofclaim 3 further comprising a plurality of frame member connectors carried by said plurality of grid suspension rods, and wherein said grid attachment frame is carried by said plurality of frame member connectors.

5. The ceiling system ofclaim 1 wherein said grid attachment frame comprises a first attachment frame member, a second attachment frame member carried by and disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to said first attachment frame member, at least one cross tee frame member carried by said first attachment frame member and at least one main tee frame member carried by said at least one cross tee frame member.

6. The ceiling system ofclaim 5 further comprising a frame attachment flange carried by said first attachment frame member and said second attachment frame member of said grid attachment frame.

7. The ceiling system ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one cable tray carried by said at least one hardware suspension rod.

8. The ceiling system ofclaim 1 further comprising a security barricade assembly carried by said at least one hardware suspension rod.

9. A ceiling system, comprising:

a ceiling system grid including:

a grid attachment frame having a first attachment frame member, a second attachment frame member carried by said first attachment frame member, at least one cross tee frame member carried by said first attachment frame member at least one main tee frame member carried by said at least one cross tee frame member;

a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels carried by said grid attachment frame, said at least one cross tee frame member and said at least one main tee frame member extending along edges of each of said plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; and

an elongated hardware suspension slot in each of said at least one cross tee frame member and said at least one main tee frame member, said hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each of said plurality of acoustical ceiling panels; and

a plurality of hardware suspension rods engaging said hardware suspension slot.

10. The ceiling system ofclaim 9 further comprising a plurality of grid suspension rods and wherein said grid attachment frame is carried by said plurality of grid suspension rods.

11. The ceiling system ofclaim 10 further comprising an elongated grid suspension slot in said grid attachment frame and wherein said plurality of grid suspension rods engages said grid suspension slot.

12. The ceiling system ofclaim 9 further comprising a plurality of frame member connectors carried by said plurality of grid suspension rods, and wherein said grid attachment frame is carried by said plurality of frame member connectors.

13. The ceiling system ofclaim 9 wherein each of said cross tee frame member and said main tee frame member comprises a pair of base flanges, a pair of side flanges extending from said pair of base flanges and a flange connector connecting said pair of side flanges, and wherein said hardware suspension slot and said grid suspension slot are disposed on opposite sides of said flange connector.

14. The ceiling system ofclaim 9 further comprising a frame attachment flange carried by said first attachment frame member and said second attachment frame member of said grid attachment frame.

15. The ceiling system ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one cable tray carried by said at least one hardware suspension rod.

16. The ceiling system ofclaim 1 further comprising a security barricade assembly carried by said at least one hardware suspension rod.

17. A ceiling system, comprising:

a ceiling system grid including:

a grid attachment frame having a first attachment frame member, a second attachment frame member carried by and disposed in perpendicular relationship to said first attachment frame member, at least one cross tee frame member carried by and disposed in perpendicular relationship to said first attachment frame member at least one main tee frame member carried by and disposed in perpendicular relationship to said at least one cross tee frame member;

a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels carried by said grid attachment frame, said at least one cross tee frame member and said at least one main tee frame member extending along edges of each of said plurality of acoustical ceiling panels;

an elongated grid suspension slot in each of said first attachment frame member, said second attachment frame member, said at least one cross tee frame member and said at least one main tee frame member;

a plurality of grid suspension rods engaging said grid suspension slot; and

a plurality of hardware suspension rods engaging said hardware suspension slot.

18. The ceiling system ofclaim 17 wherein each of said cross tee frame member and said main tee frame member comprises a pair of base flanges, a pair of side flanges extending from said pair of base flanges and a flange connector connecting said pair of side flanges, and wherein said hardware suspension slot and said grid suspension slot are disposed on opposite sides of said flange connector.

19. The ceiling system ofclaim 17 further comprising at least one cable tray carried by said at least one hardware suspension rod.

20. The ceiling system ofclaim 17 further comprising a security barricade assembly carried by said at least one hardware suspension rod.