Electric radiator using calculating processors as a heat source

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating systems in data centers face inefficiencies in heat removal from computer servers, leading to increased energy and financial costs due to the need for extensive cooling systems, as heat is typically removed from concentrated servers rather than being utilized effectively on-site.

Innovation Solution

An electric radiator system that utilizes computing processors as both a heat source and a computing resource, with a control interface to manage energy dissipation, allowing for efficient heat transfer and utilization of heat generated by processors for heating purposes, while also providing computing power through a network interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If computer servers are concentrated in data centers to provide computing resources, then computing power and service capacity are improved, but heat generation increases and requires extensive cooling systems leading to high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing service capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption for cooling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful heat generated by processors into a beneficial resource for heating spaces. The heating body directly utilizes processor-generated heat to warm ambient air or fluids, transforming waste thermal energy into useful heating capacity and eliminating the need for separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides computing services and heating capabilities. The same processor system serves dual purposes: performing computational tasks while its thermal byproduct is harnessed for space heating, reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If processors are used as heat source in radiators, then heating efficiency is improved, but the complexity of managing both computing and heating functions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidsystem control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages the relationship between computing and heating functions. The control interface monitors processor activity and automatically adjusts heating output based on real-time thermal generation, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination between computing and heating operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control interface continuously monitors processor thermal output and adjusts heating system operation accordingly. This closed-loop control simplifies management by automatically balancing computing workload with heating requirements based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If heat is removed from concentrated servers in data centers, then processor temperature control is improved, but the need for extensive air conditioning systems increases energy consumption and costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor temperature controlVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of removing heat from processors as in traditional cooling systems, the patent inverts the approach by directly utilizing the generated heat for heating purposes. The heating body is positioned to capture thermal energy at the source, eliminating the need for complex heat removal infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution enables efficient and localized heat management, reducing energy consumption and costs by utilizing heat generated by processors for heating, while also providing a computing resource that can be accessed remotely, thereby enhancing the reliability of computer services through grid computing.

Implementation Method 1

the latter being connected to a dissipating block to remove heat in the heating body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Heat transfer between each body is made by a combination of conduction, convection and radiation effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

Heat transfer between each body is made by a combination of conduction, convection and radiation effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9746203B2Electric radiator using calculating processors as a heat source

Publication Date: 2017.08.29 QARNOT COMPUTING

AI summary

An electric radiator is provided using calculating processors as a heat source and includes a heating body where the heat transfer between the heat source and the ambient air takes place; a number of processors distributed over a number of printed circuit boards forming the heat source of the radiator and a power resource carrying out calculations by external computer systems; a man-machine interface enabling the control of the calculating and calorific power supplied by the radiator; a power source stabilized for the different electrical components; and a network interface for connecting the radiator to the external networks.