Computing Workload Control for Building Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers and computation devices generate significant heat energy that is often wasted, while buildings require thermal energy for various uses, highlighting the need for efficient heat recovery and utilization systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat recovery system that includes controllers, computation devices, energy reservoirs, and sensing devices to optimize the extraction, storage, and utilization of heat energy, using phase change materials and feedback mechanisms to adjust operations based on energy demand and pricing signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If computation devices operate to satisfy computation needs, then computation functionality is achieved, but heat energy is wasted without utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by computation devices into a beneficial resource by implementing heat recovery systems that capture and store this thermal energy for later utilization in building heating and hot water needs, thereby transforming energy loss into energy recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The heat recovery system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can provide space heating, domestic hot water, and process heat to different building zones, and can operate in multiple modes including heat pump mode and direct heat transfer mode, making the system adaptable to diverse thermal energy demands
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat recovery system components are optimized for efficient heat extraction and storage, then heat energy utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple system functions into integrated components: the heat recovery system merges computation device integration, heat extraction mechanisms, thermal energy storage, and heat delivery systems into a unified architecture, while the controller integrates multiple control strategies (heat pump control, direct heat transfer control, workload management) into a single control platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate components to manage system complexity: thermal energy storage tanks serve as intermediaries between heat generation and heat utilization, allowing decoupling of these functions; the controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between computation devices, heat recovery mechanisms, and building end-use systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If feedback mechanisms are implemented to adjust heat recovery operations based on energy demand and pricing signals, then system adaptability to environmental and economic conditions is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple feedback loops: the controller receives real-time information about building thermal demands, outdoor conditions, electricity prices, and heat storage status, then dynamically adjusts computation workload assignments, heat pump operation, and direct heat transfer rates to optimize both thermal energy recovery and economic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode between heat pump mode and direct heat transfer mode based on real-time conditions such as outdoor temperature, building demand, and electricity pricing, allowing the system to adapt flexibly to changing environmental and economic conditions without manual intervention
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
The system effectively harnesses and stores heat energy for immediate or future use in buildings, reducing energy consumption and stabilizing temperature, while being adaptable to environmental and economic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more heat reservoirs may include a casing made of one or more phase change material
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a computing device-implemented method includes receiving at least one triggering event signal from one or more components of a heat recovery system. The method also includes determining, based in part on the at least one triggering event signal, a computation workload assignment to be executed on one or more computation devices. The method further includes sending one or more command signals to the one or more computation devices. The one or more command signals include a portion of the computation workload assignment for execution by the one or more computation devices. The method also includes initiating capture of heat energy to be stored in one or more heat reservoirs, the heat energy being generated by the one or more computation device based upon the computation workload assignment.