Subterranean Dome Data Center Cooling Without HVAC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern data centers face challenges in meeting high equipment density power and cooling requirements, with traditional HVAC systems consuming significant power and increasing operating costs, while also being vulnerable to environmental conditions and disasters.
Innovation Solution
The development of free air, passively cooled structures that eliminate the need for traditional HVAC systems, utilizing subterranean construction for thermal regulation and seismic protection, with controllable air inlets and vents, and earth cooling chambers to maintain ambient temperatures and withstand natural disasters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional HVAC systems are used for cooling, then cooling requirements are met, but power consumption and operating costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional HVAC system from the data center and replaces it with a passive cooling structure. The building itself is designed to provide cooling through its subterranean configuration and thermal mass, extracting the active cooling mechanism and replacing it with passive architectural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The building structure serves its own cooling needs through passive design features. The subterranean construction and thermal mass automatically regulate temperature without requiring external active cooling systems, allowing the structure to self-regulate its thermal environment.
2Ease of manufacture
If data centers are built above ground, then construction is easier, but vulnerability to environmental conditions and disasters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent takes preliminary protective action by placing the data center below ground level before any disaster can occur. This subterranean positioning preemptively protects against earthquakes, floods, and other environmental hazards that would affect above-ground structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The earth surrounding the subterranean data center acts as a cushioning protective layer against external forces. The soil provides natural shock absorption and protection from seismic waves, flood waters, and other environmental threats before they can reach the equipment.
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 significantly reduces power consumption and operating costs, provides efficient temperature regulation, and enhances the structural integrity and resilience of data centers against environmental hazards and disasters.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing subterranean construction for thermal regulation
Implementation Method 2
earth cooling chambers to maintain ambient temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A building may include a floor, a dome having a vent, and an internal ceiling that divides areas underneath the dome into first and second chambers. The internal ceiling may have an aperture that is structured to allow air to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. The building may also include an air inlet configured to allow air to travel from outside the building into the first chamber and an air moving device that is configured to facilitate the movement of the air. The building may also include an air cooling element that is configured to cool the air as it travels from outside the building into the first chamber.