Abstract:
An apparatus and method for cooling of electronic equipment, for example a computer system, in a subsurface environment including a containment vessel in at least partial contact with subsurface liquid or solid material. The containment vessel may be disposed in a variety of subsurface environments, including boreholes, man-made excavations, subterranean caves, as well as ponds, lakes, reservoirs, oceans, or other bodies of water. The containment vessel may be installed with a subsurface configuration allowing for human access for maintenance and modification. Geothermal cooling is achieved by one or more fluids circulating inside and/or outside the containment vessel, with a variety of configurations of electronic devices disposed within the containment vessel. The circulating fluid(s) may be cooled in place by thermal conduction or by active transfer of the fluid(s) out of the containment vessel to an external, possibly geothermal, heat exchange mechanism, then back into the containment vessel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional 61/698,365, filed on Sep. 7, 2012 and entitled “GEOTHERMALLY COOLED COMPUTER HARDWARE SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR SUBSURFACE INSTALLATION”. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a system and method for geothermally cooling electronic devices, including but not limited to computer systems, by installing the electronic devices in subsurface environments such as boreholes, excavations, or bodies of water. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Large-scale data centers typically house hundreds or thousands of computer systems in high-density configurations (side-by-side racks, with multiple computing nodes per rack) in an above-ground building. Some sources estimate that up to 50% of the electrical power consumption for data centers is dedicated to cooling the environment in which the computer systems operate. 
     The heat generated by the internal electronic components of computing devices has long been a significant factor determining the overall system design of computer systems. The most common forms of heat dissipation in early personal computer designs were direct physical contact between the heat-generating integrated circuit chip and a heat-conducting mass such as aluminum, and non-turbulent airflow, typically generated by electrical fans, to circulate cool air through a space interior to the computer system housing. In the early large-scale computing systems of the 1940s and 1950s, heat dissipation consisted primarily of ventilation apertures in housings, followed by ambient-air fans and blowers which cooled by forced air convection. 
     Zelina, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,958 (1971), describes a means of thermally coupling heat conductors to integrated circuit chips, though without addressing how to transport the heat contained in the heat-conducting material away from the space surrounding the electrical device. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,113 (1972) Rathjen describes a means of stacking planar electronic devices, with spacing between the flat planes, and cooling the entire assembly using fluid flow across the flat surfaces; the cooling fluid exits the entire assembly, thereby transporting heat away from the heat-generating electronics. Austin, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,728 (1973) discloses a mounting structure for fragile heat-generating devices (e.g. devices used in computer apparatuses), as well as uniformity of heat conduction and good heat dissipation away from the core assembly area. These ideas are combined in U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,183 (1975), in which Roush describes a more comprehensive means of constructing a full computer assembly with good heat dissipation characteristics of the individual circuit boards in the module, with fluid flow for removal of heat energy from the assembly. 
     As semiconductor densities in computing devices continued to increase, progressively more heat was generated by the devices. Beginning in the 1980s a series of advancements was made in the heat removal capabilities of computer systems, primarily through the use of liquids. Oktay, in 1980 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,129) described the bonding of a heat sink to the surface of a heat-generating electronic device, and immersing the other surfaces of the heat sink in a liquid, which circulates through tunnels in the heat sink material. This innovation was followed by others too numerous to mention by inventor and patent number, including: jacketing the CPU of a computer and placing liquid coolant directly in contact with the CPU jacket, with or without pumps for circulation of the liquid; increasingly complex valves and other electronically controlled redundant cooling components for one or more CPUs or other heat generating electronic components; various designs for the channels and pipes carrying the liquid coolant; closed loop and open loop systems with physical contact between loop housings and varying degrees of fluid exchange between them. 
     The cooling capacity of the earth&#39;s subsurface has long been recognized as a potential energy-saving feature of systems that cool inhabited environments. Because the subsurface maintains essentially a constant temperature at a given depth and the rock and/or artesian mass and volume of the subsurface are vast, heat can be exchanged with either warmer surface fluid, thereby providing cooling, or cooler surface fluid, thereby providing warming. Vignal and Chapuis, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,694 (1976) describe a means of exchanging heat with the earth&#39;s subsurface via a U-shaped line or pipe buried in a deep hole bored in the earth; their design is directed at systems for warming or cooling above-ground air. Many devices since then have been disclosed that improve on various aspects of air-conditioning designs and provide for more efficient heat transfer between above-ground fluids and subsurface rock or liquid. 
     The use of subsurface thermal capacity to control the operating temperature of electronic equipment was disclosed by Enlund in U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,933 (2002) for equipment installed in a station and by Kidwell and Fraim in U.S. Pat. No. 7,363,769 (2008) for the cooling of electronic equipment at the base of an electromagnetic signal transmission/reception tower. The subject matter disclosed by Kidwell and Fraim describes a method and apparatus for using coaxial flow heat exchanging structures for regulating the temperature of heat-generating electronics installed in the base housing of an electromagnetic signal transmission/reception tower. The heat transfer is effected using a fluid flow loop from the surface to the underground environment and back to the surface. Chainer, in U.S. Pat. Application No. 2013/0081781 describes a system for data center cooling wherein heat transfer fluid is removed from the indoor volume of the data center and cooled via ambient air and geothermal heat exchange processes. 
     Attlesey, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,724,517 (2010) disclose a design of a case for a liquid submersion cooled electronic device; the embodiments described therein include a liquid-tight case for enclosing electronic equipment, with at least a portion of one of the walls composed of translucent or transparent material for visibility into the interior of the case. In several subsequent patents, Attlesey describes cooling of electronic equipment by means of a dielectric liquid circulating in and through a fluid-tight container. Tufty et al. disclose a similar approach in U.S. Pat. Application No. 2013/0081790 (April 2013). Campbell, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,961,475 (June 2011) describe an apparatus and method for immersion cooling of one or more electronic subsystems in which cooling fluid passes in and out of one or more containers docked within an electronics rack. 
     In conclusion, the heat generated by computer and other electronic hardware results in significant cooling costs in environments, such as data centers, where systems are deployed in high density configurations. 
     Unless specifically stated as such, the preceding is not admitted to be prior art and no statement appearing in this section should be interpreted as a disclaimer of any features or improvements listed. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At least one embodiment described herein provides a geothermal cooling mechanism for electronic devices and systems of devices, including but not limited to computer hardware systems, installed in a subsurface environment. The design provides a significant improvement in long-term electronic equipment operating costs by eliminating the need to remove heat from the human-inhabited environment of the facility in which the hardware is installed. The increased cooling capability of the subsurface environment is likely to lead to a lower average operating temperature of the hardware, which will translate into a longer average operational lifetime of the hardware. The design also results in a very high security physical installation for electronic equipment systems. 
     The computer hardware or other electronic equipment can be installed as individual units or in a high-density configuration. Designs are optimized for effective and efficient direct transfer of thermal energy away from heat-generating electronics into the surrounding environment. The computer systems dissipates internally generated heat from the surface of an enclosure to the near-infinite cooling mass of the earth&#39;s underground or a large body of water, either through direct contact, or using a heat-transporting fluid in contact with at least some portion of the outer surfaces of the individual components or subsystems within the installation. Throughout this disclosure and the accompanying claims, fluid is intended to include gases (e.g. atmospheric air, helium, nitrogen, etc), liquids (e.g. mineral oil, silicone oil, water), etc. or a combination of gases and liquids. The exterior surface of the enclosure is preferably composed of materials conducive to heat transfer. The enclosure has entrances, optionally liquid-tight, for power, networking, and other control and monitoring signals and functions. Heat may be transferred from the fluid directly into the subsurface environment via passive or forced circulation, or the fluid may be circulated away from the computer hardware enclosure or containment vessel, cooled in a remote location, then re-circulated back to the computer hardware enclosure or containment vessel at a lower temperature. 
     Multiple configuration options are described optimized for installation into a variety of subsurface environments, such as, but not limited to, a naturally occurring or man-made borehole, excavation, structure, well hole, or body of water (e.g. stock tank, reservoir, lake, pool, river, ocean, sea, stream, wetland, etc.). The installation can be in any orientation and can be positioned at the surface or any distance below the surface, with or without direct contact to the above-surface environment. The computer system casing may be of solid construction, or it may be of a hollow construction that provides an increased surface area and a channel through which may flow fluid for heat transfer. Computer system casing units may be stacked or grouped together to form a single structural unit, or they may be in close proximity as single units not in direct contact with other units. 
     These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the claimed subject matter, but rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter&#39;s functionality. Other systems, methods, features and advantages here provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following FIGUREs and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages that are included within this description, be within the scope of the appended claims and any claims filed later. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in the appended claims and any claims filed later. The disclosed subject matter itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a conceptual cross-section of a convection type geothermal cooled computer hardware system designed for subsurface installation according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  shows a conceptual cross-section of a heat exchanger type geothermal cooled computer hardware system designed for subsurface installation according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 3  shows a conceptual cross-section of a heat exchanger type geothermal cooled computer hardware system designed for a human-accessible subsurface installation according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4  shows a conceptual cross-section of a computer cluster designed for subsurface installation that contains computer component assemblies that are cooled by external cooling fluid circulation according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 5  shows a conceptual cross-section of a computer cluster designed for subsurface installation that contains computer component assemblies that are cooled by interior channel and external cooling fluid circulation according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6  shows a conceptual cross-section of a computer cluster designed for subsurface installation that contains computer component assemblies that are cooled by internal cooling fluid circulation according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7  shows a conceptual cross-section of a computer cluster designed for subsurface installation that contains computer component assemblies that are cooled by interior channel and internal cooling fluid circulation according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although described with reference to certain embodiments, those with skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments have relevance to a wide variety of areas in addition to the specific examples described below. Further, elements from one or more embodiments may be used in other embodiments and elements may be removed from an embodiment and remain within the scope of this disclosure. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein; provided, however, to the extent there exists a conflict between this disclosure and a document incorporated by reference, this disclosure shall control. 
     In its most basic embodiment, the design consists of a computer hardware system, either as an individual unit or as a cluster of units, installed in a case designed to conduct heat from the computer hardware system to a fluid within a containment vessel in a subsurface environment; cooling of the computer hardware system is accomplished by geothermal heat transfer from the containment vessel fluid to the external subsurface environment. The containment vessel exists primarily or entirely below ground level, and can have any size, shape, or orientation as dictated by the constraints of the particular installation requirements. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a basic embodiment of the design. The containment vessel  100  is a sealed or unsealed structure which is near or any distance below surface level  108 . The containment vessel  100  is installed in either a removable or non-removable fashion in surrounding physical materials  112  such as earth, water, or concrete. The sealed embodiment will have a sealing cap  104  which may be covered by surrounding physical materials  112 . The unsealed embodiment will have containment vessel walls  110  that extend to the surface of the surrounding physical materials  112 . A liquid-tight connector assembly  114  extends through any sealing cap  104  to provide an entry port for power, control and electrical signal cabling  126  to and from one or more computer hardware systems  116 , each of which consists of one or more individual electronic device subsystems. The cooling fluid  120  with surface level  122  fills some or all of the containment vessel  100  volume and surrounds the computer hardware systems  116 . The cooling fluid  120  is cooled by geothermal heat conduction into the surrounding subsurface mass; the cooled fluid moves downward convectively  124  near the containment vessel  100  wall, and the warmer fluid moves convectively upward  128  as it gains heat from the computer hardware systems  116 . Fluid flow may be augmented by an optional fluid circulator  132  which forces fluid upward from the lower region of the containment vessel  100 . Fluid flow in and around the computer hardware system  116  may be accomplished by embodiments such as those described in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 , and/or  7 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a configuration similar to that of  FIG. 1 , the primary difference being that warmer fluid  172  is removed from the containment vessel  150  at higher temperature and transferred to a remote location for geothermal heat exchange  156  or other method of heat exchange; after the fluid is cooled remotely by geothermal heat exchange  156  or other method, it is transferred  176  back into the containment vessel  150 . The containment vessel  150  is a sealed or unsealed structure which is near or any distance below surface level  158 . The containment vessel  150  is installed in either a removable or non-removable fashion in surrounding physical materials  152  such as earth, water, or concrete. The sealed embodiment will have a sealing cap  154  which may be covered by surrounding physical materials  152 . The unsealed embodiment will have containment vessel walls  160  that extend to the surface of the surrounding physical materials  152 . A liquid-tight connector assembly  164  extends through any sealing cap  154  to provide an entry port for cooling fluid, power, control and electrical signal cabling  162  to and from one or more computer hardware systems  166 , each of which consists of one or more individual electronic device subsystems. The cooling fluid  168  with surface level  170 , which fills some or all of the containment vessel  150  volume, surrounds the electronic devices or systems  166 , each of which consists of one or more electronic devices. In this embodiment the cooling fluid  168  is pumped to a geothermal heat exchange system  156  or other heat exchanger installed external to, and either adjacent to or remote from, the containment vessel  150 . The geothermal heat exchange unit  156  uses primary or secondary geothermal heat exchange such as open or closed loop earth or water geothermal heat sinks, and cools the fluid for reinsertion  176  into the interior of the containment vessel  150 . Fluid flow in and around the computer hardware systems  166  may be accomplished by embodiments such as those described in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 , and/or  7 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a configuration similar to that of  FIG. 2 , the primary difference being the presence of a secondary containment vessel  210  that is sufficiently large and of the correct environment and structure to facilitate human access, inspection, and maintenance of at least a portion of the entire assembly. The containment vessel  200  is installed in either a removable or non-removable fashion inside the secondary containment vessel  210 . The secondary containment vessel  210  is installed in surrounding physical materials  202  such as earth, water, or concrete and contains a human accessible extension to the surface. The containment vessel  200  is a sealed or unsealed structure which is near or any distance below surface level  208 . The sealed embodiment will have a sealing cap  204 ; the sealed and unsealed embodiments will allow human access inside the containment vessel  200 , optionally through an access panel or port  206 . A liquid-tight connector assembly  214  extends through any sealing cap  204  to provide an entry port for cooling fluid, power, control and electrical signal cabling  212  to and from one or more computer hardware system  216 , each of which consists of one or more individual electronic devices. The cooling fluid  218  with surface level  220 , which fills some or all of the containment vessel  200  volume, surrounds the computer hardware systems  216 , each of which consists of one or more individual electronic device subsystems. The warmer fluid  222  is removed from the containment vessel  200  at higher temperature and transferred to a remote location for geothermal heat exchange  224 ; after the fluid is cooled remotely by a geothermal heat exchange system  224  or other heat exchanger, it is transferred  226  back into the containment vessel  200 . The cooling fluid  222  is pumped to a geothermal heat exchange  224  installed external to, and either adjacent to or remote from, the containment vessel  200 . The geothermal heat exchange unit  224  uses primary or secondary geothermal heat exchange such as open or closed loop earth or water geothermal heat sinks, or other heat exchange system, and cools the fluid  226  for reinsertion into the interior of the containment vessel  200 . Fluid flow in and around the computer hardware systems  216  may be accomplished by embodiments such as those described in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 , and/or  7 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a conceptual cross-section of an embodiment of a grouping of electronic devices or systems; for the purpose of the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and/or 7  such grouping will be called a computer cluster. This embodiment provides an enclosure  300  for the computer cluster, with a fluid filled interior space  304 , and an entry port for power, control and electrical signal cabling  308 . The exterior surface of the enclosure  300  is in contact with a surrounding cooling fluid  312  which circulates and is cooled in any of the manners described for  FIGS. 1, 2 , and/or  3  above. The components which are interior to the enclosure  300  include one or more power supplies  316 , one or more data storage assemblies  320  consisting of disk drives or other type of storage units, one or more motherboard assemblies  324 , and other computer hardware  328  that may be required by a particular application. The motherboard assembly  324 , power supply assembly  316 , data storage assembly  320 , and customized computer assembly  328  are assemblies that contain standard computer components that have been arranged in a manner to facilitate proper computer operation and optimal heat transfer; they may be bracket mounted and open to the interior of the computer cluster enclosure  300  or each assembly may be fully enclosed as a unit in order to either contain a secondary cooling fluid such as a dielectric or to isolate the assembly from direct contract with either the primary or another secondary cooling liquid. Each assembly  324 ,  316 ,  320 ,  328  will have cable entrances for power and electrical signaling that serve to interconnect the assemblies as required for computer operation. Each assembly  324 ,  316 ,  320 ,  328  may be mounted in such a fashion as to transfer heat directly from the assembly to the wall of the computer cluster enclosure. The interior of the computer cluster enclosure  304  may contain fluids separated by interior partitions and control structures that serve to transfer heat from the inward facing surfaces of assemblies  324 ,  316 ,  320 ,  328  to the outer wall of the computer cluster enclosure  300 . The electronic devices or systems interior to the enclosure  300  do not need to be arranged exactly as shown and may have various arrangements to facilitate heat transfer and operation. Multiple computer cluster enclosures  300  may be connected in a single logical and/or physical structure as to form a single operating and/or installed unit. 
       FIG. 5  shows a conceptual cross-section of an embodiment of a computer cluster. This embodiment has a pipe-like cylindrical or tubular enclosure of various cross-sectional geometries and lengths that allow the flow of cooling fluid  360  through one or more channels in its central space. The computer cluster has a computer cluster enclosure  350  with a gas or liquid filled interior space  354 , and an entry port for power, control and electrical signal cabling  358 . The exterior surface of the computer cluster enclosure  350  is in contact with a surrounding cooling fluid  360 . The interior space of the computer cluster enclosure  350  has a sealing cap  366  with an entry port through which the cooling fluid is forced  362 . The cooling fluid  360  is warmed by contact with the surfaces of the computer cluster enclosure  350  as it flows downward  362 ; the cooling fluid  360  exits at the bottom of the computer cluster enclosure, then flows across the computer cluster enclosure  350  surfaces as it rises  364 ; the cooling fluid  360  is circulated and cooled in any of the manners described for  FIGS. 1, 2 , and/or  3  above. The computer components interior to the computer cluster enclosure  350  include one or more power supplies  370 , one or more data storage assemblies  374  consisting of disk drives or other type of storage units, one or more motherboard assemblies  378 , and other computer hardware  382  that may be required by a particular application. The motherboard assembly  378 , power supply assembly  370 , data storage assembly  374 , and customized computer assembly  382  are assemblies that contain standard computer components that have been arranged in a manner to facilitate proper computer operation and optimal heat transfer; they may be bracket mounted and open to the interior of the computer cluster enclosure  350  or each assembly may be fully enclosed as a unit in order to either contain a secondary cooling fluid such as a dielectric or to isolate the assembly from direct contract with either the primary or another secondary cooling fluid. Each assembly  378 ,  370 ,  374 ,  382  will have cable entrances for power and electrical signaling that serve to interconnect the assemblies as required for computer operation. Each assembly  378 ,  370 ,  374 ,  382  may be mounted in such a fashion as to transfer heat directly from the assembly to the wall of the computer cluster enclosure. The interior of the computer cluster enclosure  354  may contain gases and/or liquids separated by interior partitions and control structures that serve to transfer heat from the inward facing surfaces of assemblies  378 ,  370 ,  374 ,  382  to the outer wall of the computer cluster enclosure  350 . The computer components interior to the enclosure  350  do not need to be arranged exactly as shown and may have various arrangements to facilitate heat transfer and operation. The circulation of the cooling fluid  360  may be reversed by moving the sealing cap  366 , through which the cooling fluid is forced  362 , to the bottom of the computer cluster enclosure  350 . Multiple computer cluster enclosures  350  may be connected in a single logical and/or physical structure as to form a single operating and/or installed unit. 
       FIG. 6  shows a conceptual cross-section of an embodiment of a computer cluster. This embodiment has a pipe-like cylindrical or tubular enclosure of various cross-sectional geometries and lengths that allow the flow of cooling fluid  410  through the interior of the computer cluster enclosure  400  and around the interior assemblies  418 . The computer cluster enclosure  400  has a fluid filled interior space  404  and an entry port for power, control, and electrical signal cabling  408 . The exterior surface of the computer cluster enclosure  400  is in contact with a surrounding cooling fluid  410 . The computer cluster enclosure  400  has a sealing cap  416  with an entry port through which the cooling fluid is forced  412 . The cooling fluid  410  is warmed by contact with the interior assemblies  418  and exits the enclosure  414  through the exit ports  440  into the containment vessel. The cooling fluid  410  is circulated and cooled in any of the manners described for  FIGS. 1, 2 , and/or  3  above. The computer components interior to the computer cluster enclosure  400  include one or more power supplies  420 , one or more data storage assemblies  424  consisting of disk drives or other type of storage units, one or more motherboard assemblies  428 , and other computer hardware  432  that may be required by a particular application. The motherboard assembly  428 , power supply assembly  420 , data storage assembly  424 , and customized computer assembly  432  are assemblies that contain standard computer components that have been arranged in a manner to facilitate proper computer operation and optimal heat transfer; each assembly is fully enclosed as a unit in order to either contain a secondary cooling fluid such as a dielectric or to isolate the assembly from direct contract with either the primary or another secondary cooling fluid. Each assembly  428 ,  420 ,  424 ,  432  will have cable entrances for power and electrical signaling that serve to interconnect the assemblies as required for computer operation. Each assembly  428 ,  420 ,  424 ,  432  may be mounted in such a fashion as to transfer heat directly from the assembly to the wall of the computer cluster enclosure. Alternatively or additionally, each assembly  428 ,  420 ,  424 ,  432  could be mounted in a fashion to maximize the assembly&#39;s  428 ,  420 ,  424 ,  432  contact with cooling fluid  410  within computer cluster enclosure  400 . The computer components interior to the enclosure  400  do not need to be arranged exactly as shown and may have various arrangements to facilitate heat transfer and operation. The circulation of the cooling fluid  410  may be reversed by moving the sealing cap  416  through which the cooling fluid  412  is forced to the bottom of the computer cluster enclosure  400 . Multiple computer cluster enclosures  400  may be connected in a single logical and/or physical structure as to form a single operating and/or installed unit. 
       FIG. 7  shows a conceptual cross-section of an embodiment of a computer cluster. This embodiment has a pipe-like cylindrical or tubular enclosure of various cross-sectional geometries and lengths that allow the flow of cooling fluid  460  through one or more channels in its central space, into the interior of the computer cluster enclosure  450 , and around the interior assemblies  468 . The computer cluster enclosure  450  has a fluid filled interior space  454  and an entry port for power, control and electrical signal cabling  458 . The exterior surface of the computer cluster enclosure  450  is in contact with a surrounding cooling fluid  460 . The computer cluster enclosure  450  has one or more upper and lower sealing caps  466  through which the cooling fluid is forced  462 . The cooling fluid  460  enters the interior space  454  through one or more entry ports  470 ; once inside the interior space  454 , the cooling fluid  460  is warmed by contact with the interior assemblies  468 , and the cooling fluid  460  exits the enclosure  464  through the exit ports  490  into the containment vessel. The cooling fluid  460  is circulated and cooled any of the manners described for  FIGS. 1, 2 , and/or  3  above. The computer components interior to the computer cluster enclosure  450  include one or more power supplies  474 , one or more data storage assemblies  478  consisting of disk drives or other type of storage units, one or more motherboard assemblies  482 , and other computer hardware  486  that may be required by a particular application. The motherboard assembly  482 , power supply assembly  474 , data storage assembly  478 , and customized computer assembly  486  are assemblies that contain standard computer components that have been arranged in a manner to facilitate proper computer operation and optimal heat transfer; each assembly is fully enclosed as a unit in order to either contain a secondary cooling fluid such as a dielectric or to isolate the assembly from direct contract with either the primary or another secondary cooling fluid. Each assembly  482 ,  474 ,  478 ,  486  will have cable entrances for power and electrical signaling that serve to interconnect the assemblies as required for computer operation. Alternatively or additionally, each assembly  482 ,  474 ,  478 ,  486  could be mounted in a fashion to maximize the assembly&#39;s  482 ,  474 ,  478 ,  486  contact with cooling fluid  460  within computer cluster enclosure  450 . Each assembly  482 ,  474 ,  478 ,  486  may be mounted in such a fashion as to transfer heat directly from the assembly to the wall of the computer cluster enclosure. The computer components interior to the enclosure  450  do not need to be arranged exactly as shown and may have various arrangements to facilitate heat transfer and operation. The circulation of the cooling fluid  460  may be reversed by removing the warmed fluid from one or more channels in central space of the computer cluster enclosure  450  and introducing the cooled fluid into the computer cluster enclosure  450  via the exit ports  490 . Multiple computer cluster enclosures  450  may be connected in a single logical and/or physical structure as to form a single operating and/or installed unit. 
     Although example diagrams to implement the elements of the disclosed subject matter have been provided, one skilled in the art, using this disclosure, could develop additional embodiments to practice the disclosed subject matter and each is intended to be included herein. Although many of the embodiments refer to a computer system or systems, this is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure as the disclosed subject matter could be employed by someone skilled in the art, with the assistance of this disclosure, to cool any item which produces heat. Additionally, although discussed throughout as using geothermal cooling as the heat transfer process, one skilled in the art, with the assistance of this disclosure, could implement the teachings using alternate forms of heat transfer. Further, although discussed throughout as being positioned predominantly subsurface, one skilled in the art, with the assistance of this disclosure, could implement the teachings in a non-subsurface position. Finally, the embodiments disclosed could function without the need for traditional forced or passive air cooling. 
     In addition to the above described embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this disclosure has application in a variety of arts and situations and this disclosure is intended to include the same. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 1. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 100 
                 Containment vessel 
               
               
                 104 
                 Sealing cap 
               
               
                 108 
                 Surface level 
               
               
                 110 
                 Containment vessel walls extending to surface (optional) 
               
               
                 112 
                 Surrounding physical material 
               
               
                 114 
                 Liquid-tight connector assembly 
               
               
                 116 
                 Computer hardware system 
               
               
                 120 
                 Cooling fluid 
               
               
                 122 
                 Cooling fluid surface level 
               
               
                 124 
                 Fluid cooled by geothermal heat transfer 
               
               
                 126 
                 Power and signal cabling 
               
               
                 128 
                 Fluid warmed by computer hardware systems 
               
               
                 132 
                 Fluid circulator (optional) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 2. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 150 
                 Containment vessel 
               
               
                 152 
                 Surrounding physical materials 
               
               
                 154 
                 Sealing cap 
               
               
                 156 
                 Geothermal heat exchange system (or other heat exchanger) 
               
               
                 158 
                 Surface level 
               
               
                 160 
                 Containment vessel walls extending to surface (optional) 
               
               
                 162 
                 Power and signal cabling 
               
               
                 164 
                 Liquid-tight connector assembly 
               
               
                 166 
                 Computer hardware system 
               
               
                 168 
                 Cooling fluid 
               
               
                 170 
                 Cooling fluid surface level 
               
               
                 172 
                 Fluid warmed by computer hardware systems 
               
               
                 176 
                 Re-entering fluid cooled by geothermal (or other) heat exchange 
               
               
                   
                 method 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 3. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 200 
                 Containment vessel 
               
               
                 202 
                 Surrounding physical materials 
               
               
                 204 
                 Sealing cap 
               
               
                 206 
                 Optional panel or port for human access to containment vessel 
               
               
                   
                 interior 
               
               
                 208 
                 Surface level 
               
               
                 210 
                 Secondary containment vessel 
               
               
                 212 
                 Power and signal cabling 
               
               
                 214 
                 Liquid-tight connector assembly 
               
               
                 216 
                 Computer hardware system 
               
               
                 218 
                 Cooling fluid 
               
               
                 220 
                 Cooling fluid surface level 
               
               
                 222 
                 Fluid warmed by computer hardware systems 
               
               
                 224 
                 Geothermal heat exchange system (or other heat exchanger) 
               
               
                 226 
                 Re-entering fluid cooled by geothermal (or other) heat exchange 
               
               
                   
                 method 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 4. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 300 
                 Computer cluster enclosure 
               
               
                 304 
                 Fluid-filled interior space 
               
               
                 308 
                 Power and signal cabling 
               
               
                 312 
                 Surrounding cooling fluid 
               
               
                 316 
                 Power supply assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 320 
                 Data storage assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 324 
                 Motherboard assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 328 
                 Customized computer assembly or subsystem 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 5. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 350 
                 Computer cluster enclosure 
               
               
                 354 
                 Fluid-filled interior space 
               
               
                 358 
                 Power and signal cabling 
               
               
                 360 
                 Cooling fluid 
               
               
                 362 
                 Forced flow of cooling fluid 
               
               
                 364 
                 Upward flow of cooling fluid warmed by contact with electronic 
               
               
                   
                 devices or assemblies 
               
               
                 366 
                 Sealing cap 
               
               
                 370 
                 Power supply assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 374 
                 Data storage assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 378 
                 Motherboard assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 382 
                 Customized computer or other electronics assembly 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 6. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 400 
                 Computer cluster enclosure 
               
               
                 404 
                 Fluid-filled interior space 
               
               
                 408 
                 Power and signal cabling 
               
               
                 410 
                 Cooling fluid 
               
               
                 412 
                 Forced flow of cooling fluid into enclosure 
               
               
                 414 
                 Forced flow of cooling fluid out of enclosure 
               
               
                 416 
                 Sealing cap 
               
               
                 418 
                 Cooling fluid warmed by contact with electronic devices or 
               
               
                   
                 assemblies 
               
               
                 420 
                 Power supply assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 424 
                 Data storage assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 428 
                 Motherboard assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 432 
                 Customized computer or other electronics assembly 
               
               
                 440 
                 Exit port 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 7. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 450 
                 Computer cluster enclosure 
               
               
                 454 
                 Fluid-filled interior space 
               
               
                 458 
                 Power and signal cabling 
               
               
                 460 
                 Cooling fluid 
               
               
                 462 
                 Forced flow of cooling fluid into enclosure 
               
               
                 464 
                 Forced flow of cooling fluid out of enclosure 
               
               
                 466 
                 Sealing cap 
               
               
                 468 
                 Cooling fluid warmed by contact with electronic devices or 
               
               
                   
                 assemblies 
               
               
                 474 
                 Power supply assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 478 
                 Data storage assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 482 
                 Motherboard assembly or subsystem 
               
               
                 486 
                 Customized computer or other electronics assembly 
               
               
                 490 
                 Exit port