Blockchain mining system with load modulation
AssigneeUpstream Data Inc.
InventorStephen Barbour
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems of operating a blockchain mining device using natural gas produced at a hydrocarbon production, storage, or processing site/facility. A generator may be retrofitted to an existing prime mover used to pump the well, and the generator may be used to power the blockchain mining device. Portable mining devices may be hooked up to a casinghead gas supply at a remote, isolated oil facility. Power loading levels may be modulated by adjusting mining transaction levels to correspond with combustible gas production levels.
Claims25
A blockchain mining system connectable to a network that stores or has access to a blockchain database with transactional information for a digital currency, the blockchain mining system comprising:
- a blockchain mining device structured to be connected in use to a source of energy, in which:
- the blockchain mining device has a plurality of mining processors and is configured with a network interface;
- the network interface is configured to, in use, be connected to receive and transmit data through the internet to the network;
- the plurality of mining processors are connected to the network interface and adapted to mine transactions associated with the blockchain database and to communicate with the blockchain database;
- and
- a controller of the blockchain mining system is configured to modulate a power load level exerted by the blockchain mining device on the source of energy, by increasing or decreasing one or more of:
- a maximum number of the plurality of mining processors that are engaged in mining transactions, by powering up or down one or more of the plurality of mining processors;
- or
- a mining activity of one or more of the plurality of mining processors by modifying a hashrate and corresponding power consumption of the one or more of the plurality of mining processors.
A blockchain mining method for mining transactions for a network that stores or has access to a blockchain database that stores transactional information for a digital currency, the blockchain mining method comprising:
- operating a blockchain mining device using electricity from a source of energy, in which:
- the blockchain mining device has a plurality of mining processors and is connected to a network interface;
- the network interface is connected to receive and transmit data through the internet to the network;
- the plurality of mining processors are connected to the network interface and adapted to mine transactions associated with the blockchain database and to communicate with the blockchain database;
- and
- modulating, using a controller, a power load level exerted by the blockchain mining device on the source of energy, by increasing or decreasing one or more of:
- a maximum number of the plurality of mining processors that are engaged in mining transactions, by powering up or down one or more of the plurality of mining processors;
- or
- a mining activity of one or more of the plurality of mining processors by modifying a hashrate and corresponding power consumption of the one or more of the plurality of mining processors.
A blockchain mining system controller for a blockchain mining device of a blockchain mining system, which is connectable to a network that stores or has access to a blockchain database with transactional information for a digital currency, the blockchain mining system having a plurality of mining processors and being configured with a network interface, the network interface being configured to be connected to receive and transmit data through the internet to the network, the blockchain mining system controller comprising:
- a computer readable medium that stores instructions for:
- operating the blockchain mining device to mine transactions associated with the blockchain database and to communicate with the blockchain database;
- and
- modulating a power load level exerted by the blockchain mining device on a source of energy;
- in which the controller is configured to modulate the power load level by sending control signals to increase or decrease one or more of:
- a maximum number of the plurality of mining processors that are engaged in mining transactions, by sending control signals to power up or down one or more of the plurality of mining processors;
- or
- a mining activity of one or more of the plurality of mining processors by sending control signals by modifying a hashrate and corresponding power consumption of the one or more of the plurality of mining processors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.