Gas Supply Shock Absorber for Datacenter Power Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Data centers face significant challenges due to fluctuating gas pressures in areas where natural gas or biogas is used to generate electricity, leading to equipment damage and disruptions in the gas supply network, which can impact the cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency of these facilities.

Innovation Solution

A gas supply shock absorber system that stores gas during positive pressure spikes and releases it during negative spikes, using pressure sensing and regulating valves to stabilize gas flow, and can be integrated with data centers to manage electrical power demands and workload distribution across multiple centers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If natural gas or biogas is used to generate electricity in data centers, then cost-effective power supply is achieved, but gas pressure fluctuations cause equipment damage and network disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower costVSAvoidequipment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a shock absorber device that stores gas during positive pressure spikes and releases it during negative pressure spikes. This preemptive buffering mechanism protects gas-powered generators from pressure fluctuations before they can cause equipment damage, while maintaining the cost-effective use of natural gas or biogas for power generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If gas pressure is allowed to fluctuate freely, then gas supply flexibility is maintained, but equipment damage and network disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas supply flexibilityVSAvoidequipment damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary approach by placing a shock absorber device between the gas supply network and the gas-powered generators. This intermediary component absorbs and mitigates harmful pressure fluctuations while allowing the gas supply system to maintain its natural flexibility and variability, protecting equipment without restricting supply adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If gas storage capacity is increased to absorb pressure spikes, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas pressure stabilityVSAvoidshock absorber complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the compressibility characteristics of gas itself to create a passive shock absorption mechanism. By designing a storage chamber that leverages gas compression during pressure spikes and expansion during pressure drops, the system achieves pressure stabilization without complex active control systems, mechanical moving parts, or sophisticated monitoring equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 smooths out gas pressure fluctuations, reducing equipment damage and network disruptions, allowing data centers to optimize power consumption and workload distribution, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a gas storage that can absorb and level out gas pressure spikes by storing gas during positive pressure spikes and then releasing the stored gas during negative pressure spikes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure spike absorption:

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensing valve that can sense positive pressure spikes in the gas supply and that can control a flow of gas from the gas supply into the gas storage in response to sensing such positive pressure spikes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 3

a pressure regulating valve that can regulate a flow of gas from the gas storage back into the gas supply in response to sensing such negative pressure spikes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS9416904B2Gas supply shock absorber for datacenter power generation

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Gas supply pressure spikes are absorbed and leveled-out by a gas supply shock absorber comprising gas storage, which is charged during positive pressure spikes and utilized during negative pressure spikes. The gas supply shock absorber also comprises pressure sensing and regulating valves, which direct positive pressure spikes to the gas storage and draw gas from storage during negative pressure spikes. A backflow preventer limits shock absorption to co-located equipment, but gas supply shock absorbers operate in aggregate to create additional demand during positive pressure spikes and reduced demand during negative pressure spikes. If the gas storage has sufficient gas, a co-located data center utilizes such gas for increased electrical power generation during increased processing activity, which can be requested or generated. Conversely, if the gas storage has insufficient gas, and a negative pressure spike occurs, the data center throttles down or offloads processing.