Patent attributes
The present invention provides an air cooling system for an electronics rack, including: a front inlet area disposed between a lower shelf of the electronics rack and an upper shelf of the electronics rack, substantially adjacent to a middle shelf of the electronics rack, wherein the front inlet area includes a lower front inlet area, a middle front inlet area, and an upper front inlet area; a lower fan assembly disposed substantially adjacent to the lower shelf; and an upper fan assembly disposed substantially adjacent to the upper shelf. The front inlet area, the lower fan assembly, and the upper fan assembly are collectively operable for pulling the cooling air flow into the front of the electronics rack, through the middle shelf, and into a backplane of the electronics rack. The front inlet area, the lower fan assembly, and the upper fan assembly are collectively operable for pulling the cooling air flow into the front of the electronics rack and through the lower shelf and the upper shelf.