Computing heat transfer for useful applications
AssigneeCryptoponics, Inc.
InventorsAlbert Leung, Greg Brienza, David Sonneborn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for collecting waste heat from computing components and delivering the collected heat for useful applications is provided. At least a first heat exchanger is provided to collect the waste heat generated by the computing components. A further heat exchanger is provided to transfer the heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver it for useful applications. The useful applications can include providing heat to a building (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural building). A controller is provided to operation of the components of the heat exchangers (e.g., fans, pumps, valves) to ensure that the computing components are maintained at a suitable temperature.
Claims30
A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components and providing the collected waste heat for useful applications, comprising:
- an air intake;
- at least one fan, the fan being configured to move the intake air across the computing components to cool the computing components by heat transfer from the computing components to the air;
- at least one temperature sensor, the temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the computing components;
- a first heat exchanger provided downstream of the computing components, the first heat exchanger being configured to collect heat transferred from the computing components to the air;
- a second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver the heat for useful applications;
- at least a first pump for circulating a first working fluid through the first heat exchanger;
- at least a second pump for circulating a second working fluid through the second heat exchanger;
- and
- a controller, the controller being configured to receive temperature signals from the at least one temperature sensor, the controller being further configured to control operation of the at least one fan, the at least first pump, and the at least second pump.
A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components and providing the collected waste heat for air in a room in which the system is located, comprising:
- an air intake;
- at least one fan, the fan being configured to move the intake air across the computing components to cool the computing components by heat transfer from the computing components to the air;
- a heat exchanger, distinct from the at least one fan, that is positioned to further cool the intake air before the intake air reaches the computing components;
- an exhaust configured to expel the air heated by the heat transfer from the computing components to the room;
- at least a first temperature sensor, the first temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the computing components;
- at least a second temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the room;
- and
- a controller, the controller being configured to receive temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensors, the controller being further configured to control operation of the at least one fan,
- wherein the controller is configured to increase the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is below a setpoint, and wherein the controller is configured to decrease the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is above the setpoint.
A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components at a location and providing the collected waste heat for delivery to a room external to the location of the computing components, comprising:
- an air intake;
- at least one fan, the fan being configured to move the intake air across the computing components to cool the computing components by heat transfer from the computing components to the air;
- a heat exchanger positioned downstream from the computing components and in a stream of the air so as to capture at least a portion of the heat transferred to the air from the computing components for delivery to the room external to the location of the computing components;
- at least a first temperature sensor, the first temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the computing components;
- at least a second temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the room;
- and
- a controller, the controller being configured to receive temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensors, the controller being further configured to control operation of the at least one fan,
- wherein the controller is configured to increase the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is below a setpoint, and wherein the controller is configured to decrease the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is above the setpoint.
A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components and providing the collected waste heat for heating a building, surface, or enclosed space, comprising:
- a cooling fluid intake positioned downstream from a cooling system and receiving a cooling fluid therefrom, wherein the cooling fluid is heated after exiting the cooling system by the operation of computing components and prior to receipt by the cooling fluid intake;
- at least one working fluid;
- at least one heat exchanger configured to produce an interface between the cooling fluid and the working fluid, whereby heat is transferred from the cooling fluid to the working fluid at the interface;
- an exhaust for releasing excess cooling fluid;
- at least one controller coupled to and configured to control operation of the cooling fluid intake, the at least one heat exchanger and the exhaust;
- and
- at least one, fan, pump or compressor for increasing a pressure for routing the working fluid through the at least one heat exchanger,
- wherein the at least one controller is configured to increase or decrease operation of the at least one fan, pump or compressor based on a sensed temperature of the computing components and the building, surface, or enclosed space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.