Computer-Based Building Heating Using Recovered Processing Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating apparatuses for buildings are inefficient in utilizing energy conversion and do not provide a useful by-product, whereas computer systems can efficiently convert energy into heat, which is typically wasted.
Innovation Solution
A heating apparatus that integrates a controller, a computer system with a data and program store, and a thermal energy distribution means to produce and distribute thermal energy based on heating needs, utilizing processor implementable instructions to generate heat as a by-product, potentially linked to internet server functions or data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional heating apparatus converts fuel energy to thermal energy, then heating function is provided, but energy efficiency is limited and no useful by-product is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides useful computational processing during non-heating periods and serves as a heating apparatus when thermal energy is required. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same device adaptable to different operational modes, eliminating energy waste while providing versatile utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the typically wasted thermal energy from computer processing into a beneficial heating function. By redirecting the heat that would otherwise be discarded to provide space heating or hot water, the system transforms a harmful waste product into a useful by-product, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If computer system operates at high processing speed, then computational productivity increases, but thermal energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures the thermal energy generated during high-speed processing and converts it from waste into a useful heating resource. This allows the computer to maintain high productivity while eliminating the associated energy waste, as the heat is now utilized for building heating requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer system serves its own thermal energy needs by utilizing its own processing-generated heat for heating the building. This self-service approach eliminates the need to discard thermal energy and simultaneously reduces the requirement for separate heating systems.
3Loss of energy
If computer system is used solely for heating, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but computer processing utility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system is designed to be universal, performing both computational tasks and heating functions. During periods when heating is not required, the system provides full computer processing utility. When heating is needed, it transitions to serving as a heating apparatus, thus maintaining both utilities without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its primary function based on operational conditions. It can switch between providing computer processing services and providing heating services depending on the building's needs, thereby maintaining adaptability while improving energy efficiency in either mode.
4Reliability
If dedicated heating apparatus is installed, then heating reliability is ensured, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By making the computer system multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for a separate dedicated heating apparatus. The same device that provides computational services also provides heating services, thereby ensuring heating reliability while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the computer system and heating apparatus into a single integrated device. This combination reduces the number of separate components and systems required, thereby reducing device complexity and installation cost while maintaining reliable heating functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances energy efficiency by converting almost all consumed energy into heat, providing a useful by-product and allowing for flexible thermal energy distribution, potentially reducing waste and optimizing heating demands through computer processing resources.
Implementation Method 1
the computer system may serve as very efficient heating apparatus for a building, since almost all of the energy consumed by the computer system is converted into heat
Implementation Method 2
a thermal energy distribution means arranged for transferring the thermal energy from the computer system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a heating apparatus for a domestic or commercial building. The apparatus comprises a controller for determining whether there is a need for heating in the building and a computer system for installation in the building. The computer system includes a data store, a program store storing processor implementable instructions, and at least one processor coupled to the data and program stores for implementing the stored instructions to thereby produce thermal energy. The apparatus also comprises a thermal energy distribution means arranged for transferring the thermal energy from the computer system to at least one other location in the building, to a thermal energy storage means and/or to an industrial process. The apparatus is arranged to operate the computer system to implement processor implementable instructions, to thereby produce thermal energy, in response to the determination of a need for heating in the building. The apparatus may additionally comprise a computer network interface means for coupling the computer system to a computer network, and the computer system may be arranged for implementing processor implementable instructions received over the computer network interface means in response to the detection of a need for heating in the building.