Modular mass storage system with staggered backplanes

摘要

A system for storing data includes a rack and one or more data storage modules coupled to the rack. The data storage modules may include a chassis, two or more backplanes coupled to the chassis, one or more mass storage devices coupled to the backplanes, and one or more air plenums extending beneath one or more of the backplanes in the chassis interior. The backplanes are coupled to the chassis in a staggered configuration, where one of the backplanes is coupled to the chassis at a different elevation relative to another one of the backplanes coupled to the chassis. An air passage may extend beneath one or more of the staggered backplanes and may progressively narrow from the inlet end towards the exhaust end of the chassis. A progressively narrowing air passage can progressively impede airflow through the air passage from the inlet end towards the exhaust end.

主权项

1. A system for storing data, comprising:
a rack; and one or more data storage modules coupled to the rack, at least one of the data storage modules comprising:
a chassis, having an inlet end and an exhaust end, that at least partially encompasses a chassis interior;two or more backplanes coupled to the chassis in a staggered configuration, such that a particular one of the backplanes that is coupled to the chassis proximate to the inlet end is elevated relative to another one of the backplanes that is coupled to the chassis proximate to the exhaust end;one or more mass storage devices coupled to at least one of the backplanes;an inlet air plenum extending beneath at least one of the backplanes in the chassis interior from the inlet end to the exhaust end, wherein the inlet air plenum is progressively narrowed from the inlet end to the exhaust end and is configured to enable an inlet airflow, of air that has been received into the chassis interior, from the inlet end to at least one of the two or more backplanes to remove heat from at least one of the mass storage devices; andan exhaust air plenum extending above at least one of the backplanes in the chassis interior from the inlet end to the exhaust end, wherein the exhaust air plenum is progressively expanded from the inlet end to the exhaust end and is configured to enable an exhaust airflow, of air that has removed heat from at least one of the mass storage devices, from the at least one of the mass storage devices to exit the chassis interior through the exhaust end.