Computing Device Waste Heat Capture for Industrial Drying and Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for utilizing waste heat from computing devices are limited, as they often require facilities near buildings that can benefit from the heat, which is not practical for all locations, especially in warmer climates.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a device rack for computing devices that output hot exhaust air and a heat chamber with a work item rack, temperature control means, and a heat transfer mechanism to capture and utilize the waste heat for various applications such as food processing, drying, or curing of materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If waste heat is used for commercial or residential space heating, then environmental and financial benefits are achieved, but this solution is not practical for facilities in warmer climates or locations not near buildings requiring heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of waste heat utilizationVSAvoidwaste heat recovery feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the waste heat to serve multiple purposes: space heating when needed, and industrial processing applications (food dehydration, plastic curing, ceramic drying, brick drying) when space heating is not required. This universal approach allows the same heat source to adapt to different operational needs and climatic conditions, resolving the contradiction between energy recovery feasibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional heat sinks and fans are used to remove waste heat, then the computing device can operate within temperature range, but the waste heat is simply expelled without beneficial use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing device temperature controlVSAvoidwaste heat utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat that would otherwise be expelled into a beneficial resource for industrial processing applications. By directing the hot exhaust air from computing devices through ductwork to heat treatment chambers, the system transforms energy loss into useful thermal energy for dehydration, curing, drying, and other industrial processes, thereby eliminating waste while maintaining reliable temperature control of computing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If waste heat is directed to heat chamber for work items, then useful work such as growing, dehydrating, cooking, baking, curing or smoking food can be performed, but system complexity increases with heat transfer mechanisms and temperature control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuseful work output from waste heatVSAvoidheat transfer and temperature control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by using the waste heat from computing devices to automatically provide thermal energy for industrial processing operations. The heat transfer mechanism captures excess thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted and directs it to heat chambers where work items are processed, reducing or eliminating the need for external energy inputs and minimizing active control requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a heat transfer mechanism as an intermediary component that bridges the computing devices and the heat chamber. This intermediary system includes ductwork for transporting hot exhaust air and temperature control means to regulate thermal energy delivery, enabling productive use of waste heat while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system allows for flexible and efficient utilization of waste heat from computing devices, enabling its use in diverse applications beyond traditional heating needs, thereby providing environmental and financial benefits.

Implementation Method 1

a means for transferring heat from the heated exhaust air from the computing devices to the heat chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a means for controlling the temperature within the heat chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature control: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20250052449A1System and method for using waste heat from computing devices

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 CORE SCI INC

AI summary

A system and method for using waste heat from computing devices is disclosed. Computing devices may be positioned in a device rack and output exhaust air such that heat is transferred into a heat chamber with controllable temperature and a work item rack that is configured to hold one or more work items. By transferring the heat from the computing devices to heat or preheat the heat chamber, the captured heat can be used for useful work such as dehydrating, baking, drying or curing. Humidity can also be controlled, and conveyors may be used to improve the flow of work items. The energy reused may be calculated, recorded and attributed to the work items processed or the work performed by the computing devices.