Patent Publication Number: US-9839160-B2

Title: Water-based computing system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to data centers, and more specifically, to placing computer systems of a data center in a water-based computing environment to facilitate powering and cooling of the computer systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A data center is generally a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as processing, storage and telecommunications systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and security devices. A typical large-scale data center consumes massive amounts of power and requires expensive cooling systems to support high network traffic volume demand for data processing and/or storage capacity. 
     SUMMARY 
     The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to obviating the high costs associated with powering and cooling the computer systems of a data center by placing it in a water-based computing environment. A water-based data center according to the various embodiments of the present invention can use wave, tidal or osmotic energy generated from a body of water to facilitate powering and cooling of the computer systems in the data center. In addition, the various embodiments of the present invention can use renewable energy sources like wind energy and solar energy to facilitate powering of the computer systems in the data center. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed. In this embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of interconnected computer nodes each placed in a waterproof container floating in a body of water. Each computer node is configured to generate power for use thereof and for other interconnected computer nodes. 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention, a water-based data center is disclosed. In this embodiment, the water-based data center comprises a platform floating in a body of water. A plurality of interconnected computer nodes is secured to the platform. Each of the computer nodes is placed in a waterproof container that is semi-submergible in the water while secured to the platform. Each waterproof container is configured to generate power for use thereof and for other interconnected computer nodes. 
     In a third embodiment of the present invention, a water-based computing system is disclosed. In this embodiment, the water-based computing system comprises one or more compute modules semi-submersible in a body of water and interconnected by a set of communication links, one or more data storage modules semi-submersible in the body of water and in communication with the compute modules, and one or more power storage modules interconnected with the compute modules and the data storage modules. At least one of the compute modules, the data storage modules and the power storage modules includes a power generation device selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of electroactive polymers configured to be tethered between the compute modules, the data storage modules, and the power storage modules to generate power as a function of wave motion in the body of water, a wave motion power generator that generates power as a function of the wave motion in the body of water, a solar power device adapted to be located on portions of the compute modules, the data storage modules and the power generation modules, a thermoelectric power device that uses the body of water and heat generated from the compute modules, the data storage modules and the power generation modules to generate power based on the Peltier Seebeck effect, an arrangement of a plurality of liquid metal dynamos fastened to the compute modules, the data storage modules and the power generation modules that generate power as a function of the wave motion of the body of water, and combinations thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a water-based data center according to an embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the water-based data center depicted in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of a cabinet or container that can house a computer node or computer system in the water-based data center of  FIGS. 1-2  having a solar power device, a battery power device and a thermoelectric power device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of a container that can house a computer system in the water-based data center of  FIGS. 1-2  having an arrangement of amorphous or liquid metal dynamos according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of containers that can house computer systems in the water-based data center of  FIGS. 1-2  having an electroactive power device formed of electroactive polymers according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of a wave motion power generator in operation with a container that can house a computer system used in the water-based data center of  FIGS. 1-2  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of a computer system depicted in the water-based data center of  FIGS. 1-2  with compute modules, data storage modules, and power storage modules according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of a computer system depicted in the water-based data center of  FIGS. 1-2  with compute modules, data storage modules, and power storage modules that can have a power generation device formed from a combination of power generation devices according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows a schematic of a water-based data center  100  containing a multitude of interconnected computer systems  105  forming computer nodes in the data center. Each computer node includes a waterproof cabinet or container that generally contains compute modules, data storage modules, and power storage modules. The compute modules generally include the systems that enable high performance computing, grid computing or cloud computing. The data storage modules generally include the systems that enable storage of operating systems, programs and data. The power storage modules generally include transformers and batteries for storing power that is generated in one of the approaches described herein. It is understood that each computer node can have other modules, such as, for example, network modules to facilitate communication between all of the modules in the node and communication with the other computer nodes in data center  100 . 
     A top view of data center  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  shows more clearly the interconnection of computer systems  105  in data center  100 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , computer systems  105  can be configured in a grid arrangement such that each system in data center  100  are interconnected. It is understood that computer systems  105  can be arranged in other configurations. In one embodiment, computer systems  105  can be operationally coupled together through wired connections  110  such as electrical cabling or through wireless communications  115 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the waterproof containers containing computer systems  105  are buoyant such that the containers can be semi-submergible in a body of water  120  like an ocean, a sea, a bay, a sound, a river, a lake, a pond, etc. As shown in  FIG. 1 , computer systems  105  can be secured to a platform  125  floating in water  120  such that each of the interconnected computer systems has a portion of their waterproof containers submerged in the water. Platform  125  can be secured in water  120  by using an anchor and cable configuration  127  or the like to maintain the position of the platform, and hence data center  100  in the water. It is understood that platform  125  is only an example of one approach that can be used to secure computer systems  105  in water  120 , and those skilled in the art will appreciate that other buoyant containers, rigs, vessels can be configured to maintain the interconnected computer systems in a particular location, and to have portions of the waterproof containers holding them partially submersible in a body of water. Furthermore, it is understood that data center  100  may include more than one platform  125  or containment area securing the interconnected computer systems  105 . In this scenario, each containment area could have rows of computer systems containing compute modules, data storage modules and power storage modules, each powered and cooled in the manner described below. In another embodiment, the interconnected computer systems can be configured in a body of water without a platform  125  or containment area. In this scenario, the computer systems can be secured to a particular location in the body of water with an anchor and cable configuration or the like to maintain the position of the systems in the water while generating power and cooling in the manner described below. 
     Although not shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , conventional modalities, such as for example, fiber cable laid underneath the floor of the body of water  120  can be used to move data to and from data center  100  to ground-based locations. In another embodiment, it is envisioned that future wireless communications will have the bandwidths to move data between data center  100  and ground-based locations, and is thus, another option for use with the water-based data center described herein. 
     The various embodiments of the present invention as described below in more detail can utilize wave energy from the movement or motion of waves  130  forming in water  120  to power the interconnected computer systems  105  in data center  100 , obviating the need for an external power supply to provide power to the data center. Furthermore, as described below, the various embodiments of the present invention can use water  120  to provide cooling of computer systems  105  in data center  100 , obviating the need to use expensive cooling systems to cool the data center. 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of a container  135  used to hold a computer system  105  from data center  100  that can contain modules such as compute modules, data storage modules, and power storage modules. In one embodiment, a solar power device  140  can be used in conjunction with the computer system  105  and its respective compute modules, data storage modules, and power storage modules that reside in container  135 . Solar power device  140  can include, but is not limited to, solar panels containing modules of photovoltaic devices and concentrated solar power systems. Solar power device  140  can be located on the top surface or even portions of the side surfaces of container  135 . 
     In this embodiment, power generated from solar power device  140  can be used to power the compute modules, the data storage modules, and the power storage modules in container  135  of computer system  105 . In addition, any excess power generated from solar power device  140  that is not used by the compute modules, the data storage modules, and the power storage modules of computer system  105  can be stored in the power storage modules. In this manner, the excess power stored in the power storage modules can be used to power the compute modules and the data storage modules in the container, as well as to provide that power to the other interconnected computer systems  105  in data center  100 . 
     It is understood that there may be some limitations in the amount of power generated from solar power device  140  if used with each container  135  in data center  100 . Therefore, it may be desirable to use solar power device  140  in conjunction with other power generation techniques to generate power sufficient to power the interconnected computer systems  105  in data center  100 . 
     A battery power device  145  is another power generation modality that can be used with computer system  105  to power the compute modules, the data storage modules, and the power storage modules therein, as well as provide power to the other interconnected computer systems  105  in data center  100 . Like solar power device  140  and other power generation modules described herein, this power generation device can be used in conjunction with other power generation devices to supplement the power generated for each of the interconnected computer systems  105 . 
     In one embodiment, battery power device  145  can include a Lithium type battery. For example, battery power device  145  can include a Lithium-air battery that has a higher energy density due to lighter cathodes and uses oxygen as its primary fuel. Another Lithium type battery that can be used includes a Lithium seawater battery for applications where the water-based data center  100  is implemented in a large body of water like an ocean, a sea, a sound, etc. A Lithium seawater battery generally makes use of both dissolved oxygen and the reduction of water to generate power. Lithium seawater batteries use the water as the positive electrode and are generally denser than the Lithium-air batteries. Although battery power device  145  is shown on the exterior of container  135 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that such batteries can be placed on the interior. For example, battery power device  145  can be placed in the power storage modules associated with computer system  105 . 
     In another embodiment, a computer system  105  in data center  100  can include a thermoelectric power device  150  that uses the difference in temperature of the water in which container  135  is submerged and the temperature of the computer system to generate power. In particular, a temperature gradient will develop between the “hotter” computer system  105  and the “colder” water in which the container holding the computer system is floating in. Per the well known Peltier-Seebeck effect, the temperature gradient can generate a thermoelectric voltage that is used by thermoelectric power device  150  to produce thermoelectric energy. Thermoelectric power device  150  can use this thermoelectric energy to provide power to the computer system  105  in container  135  including its compute modules, data storage module and power storage modules, as well as provide power to the other interconnected computer systems. Any excess power generated from thermoelectric power device  150  can be stored in the power storage module of computer system  105  and used to power itself or provided to the interconnected computer systems. 
       FIG. 3  also shows that container  135  can include sensors  155  to measure operational data associated with computer system  105  including the compute modules, the data storage modules, the power storage modules, the network modules and any of the power generation devices described herein. For example, sensors  155  can measure items such as water pressure, power, data transfer rates, etc. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that such items are only examples of data that can be measured by sensors implemented with computer system  105  and are not meant to be limiting. Furthermore, it is understood that sensors  155  are shown on the exterior of computer system  105  on container  135 , however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that sensors could be located on the interior of the container. 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of a dynamo power device  160  in use with computer system  105  according to another embodiment. Dynamo power device  160  can be used to power the compute modules, the power storage module and the data storage modules in container  135 , as well as provide power to the other interconnected computer systems  105  in data center  100 . In one embodiment, dynamo power device  160  can include an arrangement of amorphous or liquid metal dynamos  165  that are configured to generate power as a function of the wave motion  130  of water  120  through a range of six degrees of motion that container  135  may move in the water. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , dynamos  165  can include a column  170  such as a self-contained rod with coils  175  such as copper winding and an amorphous liquid  180  stored at opposite ends of the column. Within column  170  is a magnet  185  (e.g., a Neodymium magnet) that is configured to travel up and down the column as a function of wave motion in water  120  “shaking” dynamo  165 , enabling the dynamo to generate power. Amorphous liquid  180  stores kinetic energy produced from magnet  185  traveling up and down column  170 . This kinetic energy can provide a “high” bounce so that when magnet  185  hits amorphous liquid  180 , it can then travel or bounce several times. The high elasticity provided by amorphous liquid  180  extends the period that magnet  185  will continue to move in column  170 , and thus, generate power for the computer system within container  135  including the compute modules, the power storage modules, the data storage modules and any other modules, and for the other interconnected computer systems. In this manner, dynamos  165  can provide maximum power generation as energy from wave motion allows magnet  185  within dynamo  165  to bounce against amorphous liquid  180  multiple times between waves, thus increasing energy generation time between waves. Any excess power generated from dynamos  165  can be stored in the power storage module in container  135  for powering computer system  105  and its respective modules, and for providing power to any of the other interconnected computer systems. 
     Amorphous liquid  180  can take the form of any amorphous metal alloy that is characterized with high elasticity in order to facilitate the travel of magnet  185  within column  170 , and thus maximize power generation from dynamos  165  due to energy arising from wave motion in water  120 . Other properties that amorphous liquid  180  can have include high strength to reduce fractures so that it can continually store the kinetic energy and be non-magnetic in order to function with magnet  185 . LIQUIDMETAL and VITRELOY are commercially available amorphous liquids that are suitable for use with dynamos  165 . It is understood that these amorphous liquids are only examples, and are not meant to limit the scope of the various embodiments described herein. 
     In one embodiment, dynamos  165  can be arranged on the exterior of container  135  in a vertical orientation, a horizontal orientation or a mix of both as shown in  FIG. 4 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that placing dynamos  165  in a combination of a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation can ensure maximum power generation irrespective of any motion created by waves in water  120 . Regardless of the orientation, dynamos  165  can harness the wave energy resulting from the motion of waves in water  120 . 
       FIG. 4  also shows that an electric magnet  190  can be placed in proximity to one of the ends of column  170  near amorphous liquid  180  in dynamo  165 . In this manner, electric magnet  190  can be used to stop the motion of dynamo  165  during a storm. In such a situation as a storm, high wave activity can occur which can cause the generation of more power than is desirable leading to potential damage or overloading of component in data center  100 . In one embodiment, a power monitor can be used to measure the amount of power generated from dynamos  165 . If the power exceeds a predetermined threshold that is indicative of too much or an undesirable amount of power, then power generation from dynamos  165  can be shut off by. The power can then be fed back into electric magnet  190  causing magnet  185  with column  170  to be fixed in place, thus preventing further power generation until the power monitor determines that it is acceptable to again have dynamos  165  generate power. 
       FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of an electroactive polymer (EAP) power device  195  having an arrangement of EAPs  200  in use with containers  135  holding computer systems  105  for data center  100  according to another embodiment. In one embodiment, the EAP power device  195  with arrangement of EAPs  200  can be configured to move and generate power as a function of the wave motion of water  130  through a range of six degrees of motion that containers  135  may move in the water. EAPs are generally polymers that generate electricity when stretched to change in size or shape and return to its original shape. As a result, movement of EAPs  200  in water through six degrees of motion can be used to generate power from the electricity that arises during such movement. In this manner, EAP power device  195  can generate power for each computer system within containers  135  including their compute modules, power storage modules and data storage modules. In addition, the power generated from the EAP power device  195  can be used to power the other interconnected computer systems. As in other embodiments described heretofore, any excess power generated from the arrangement of EAPs  200  in EAP power device  195  can be stored in the power storage modules of the computer systems  105  in data center  100  for supplemental power. 
     In embodiments described herein, EAPs  200  can be used to generate power when in a bending or flexing position, and to stop the power generation when in a rigid or contracting position. As a result, some of EAPs  200  in  FIG. 5  can be classified as flexing EAP devices that are configured to generate power when flexed in response to movement of containers  135  due to wave energy in water. Other EAPs  200  in  FIG. 5  can be classified as contracting EAP devices that are configured to receive the power from the flexing EAP and contract to a rigid state to slow down or stop further power generation from EAP power device  195 . 
     Stopping power generation can be beneficial during storms or high wave activity which would likely cause EAP power device  195  to generate too much power which could lead to damage or failure of components in data center  100 . In one embodiment, a power monitor can be used to measure the amount of power generated from EAP power device  195 . If the power exceeds a predetermined threshold that is indicative of too much or an undesirable amount of power, then power generation from EAP power device  195  can be shut off by creating a rigid linkage between the computer systems containing compute modules, power storage modules and data storage modules. In particular, EAP power device  195  can be configured to feed power from one or more of the flexing EAPs to one or more of the contracting EAPs. This causes the contracting EAPs to contract, thereby stiffening the entire EAP power device  195  into the rigid linkage, creating a single solid platform for the computer systems. 
     This stops the computer systems from bobbing up and down in the water, reducing and/or stopping further power generation. Once a power monitor determines that the wave activity is at an acceptable level, then the flexing EAPs can stop diverting power to the contracting EAPs, thereby creating a more flexible EAP power device  195  that is able to generate power used for data center  100 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of a wave motion power generator device  205  for use with a container  135  containing a computer system  105  according to another embodiment. In one embodiment, wave motion power generator device  205  can float in water  120  while tethered to a bottom surface of the body of water. Generally, wave motion power generator device  205  moves two degrees of motion relative to the wave action  130  in water  120 . Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , wave motion power generator device  205  can have a mechanical-type energy converter (e.g., a hydraulic energy converter) such as a wave energy converter that generates power as a function of the relative movement of the device to the wave action in water  120 . Wave motion power generator device  205  can be tethered and wired to container  135  and the computer system held therein through a connection  210 . In another embodiment, connection  210  can be made to platform  105  ( FIG. 1 ) to provide power to computer system  105  in container  135  and to the other interconnected systems in data center  100 . In another embodiment, wave motion power generator device  205  can be integrated with container  135 . 
     In one embodiment, wave motion power generator device  205  can take the form of a wave buoy point absorber that uses a buoy that floats above the water surface. The buoy can reside in a fixed cylinder that moves relative to wave action  130  in water  120 . This motion will drive the energy converter to generate power for the compute modules, data storage modules, power modules in the computer system  105  held in container  135  and can provide this power to the other computer systems in data center  100 . 
     In operation, movement of container  135  in the waves  130  of water  120  would cause wave motion power generator device  205  to generate power that can be fed be into the compute modules, data storage modules, power storage modules or any other modules that can be used in a computer system  105 . The power from wave motion power generator device  205  can also be provided to other computer systems that are interconnected to container  135 . In addition, any excess power generated from wave motion power generator device  205  can be stored in the power storage modules of container  135  and used later by the computer system therein or by one of the other interconnected computer systems in the data center. 
       FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of a computer system  105  that can be implemented in the water-based data center  100  depicted in  FIGS. 1-2  without the waterproof containers or cabinets illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 . In particular,  FIG. 7  shows modules  215  of computer system  105  that are placed on racks in the container housing the system. As mentioned above, these modules  215  can include compute modules, data storage modules, power modules, network modules for connecting these modules, and any other modules that can be implemented. Each of these modules can be housed in a waterproof container  217  to provide further waterproofing protection to components  220  that form modules  215 . 
     In one embodiment, the aforementioned Peltier-Seebeck effect can be used to cool the computer system  105 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a cooling module  225  can be attached to the waterproof container  217  housing components  220  to provide cooling thereto. In one embodiment, cooling module  225  can include a cooling heat sink containing a non-electrical conductive liquid that is sealed off from components  220 . In this manner, the sealed cooling heat sink can provide heat transfer to components  220 , thereby cooling computer system  105 . In one embodiment, the non-electrical conductive liquid can include a commercially available electronics coolant liquid like FLUORINERT. In one embodiment, the cooling heat sink can include a Peltier-Seebeck heat sink that uses the difference in the “cold” temperature of the non-electrical conductive liquid and the “hot” temperature of components  220  to facilitate a heat transfer between the heat sink and the components. 
       FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of a combination of some of the aforementioned power generation devices in use with container  135  containing a computer system  105  from data center  100  according to another embodiment. This combination of power generation devices can be used to power any of the modules in computer system  105  such as, for example, the compute modules, the data storage modules, and the power storage modules. In addition, this combination of power generation devices can be used to power any of the other interconnected computer systems in data center  100 . 
     It is understood that the other power generation devices may be suitable for use with the computer systems  105  in data center  100 . For example, a renewable energy power generation device may be used with each computer system  105  in data center  100  in order to enable the computer system to generate power for its use and use by any of the other interconnected computer systems. As used herein, a renewable energy power generation device encompasses any types of wind, wave, solar, tidal or osmotic power generation device that enables a computer system in a water-based data center that is semi-immersed in a body of water to collect power for use by the computer system, and for use by any of the other interconnected computer systems in the data center. 
     As in other embodiments, any excess power generated from the combination of power generation devices can be stored in a power storage module of computer system  105  or in another power storage module of a computer system in the data center, and be used to power any of the modules in the computer systems. 
     In this embodiment, any combination of the power generation devices described with respect to  FIGS. 3-7  can be used. As an example,  FIG. 8  shows container  135  containing a computer system can be configured with a solar power device  140 , an arrangement of amorphous metal dynamos  165 , an EAP power device  195 , and a wave motion power generator device  205 . In one embodiment, solar power device  140  can be the primary source of power generation, and use of at least one of amorphous metal dynamos  165 , EAP power device  195 , and wave motion power generator device  205  can be initiated to generate power if power generated from the solar power device is insufficient. 
     It is understood that the implementation illustrated in  FIG. 8  is only an example of how the power generation devices described herein can be used in combination with each other to make each computer system  105  in a data center  100  capable of generating power, as well as providing power that they have generated to the other interconnected computer systems  105  in data center  100 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other combinations can be configured in other implementations. 
     Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other power generation devices can utilize wave energy in a body of water to generate power can be implemented with computer system  105  in water-based data center  100 , enabling these computer nodes with the capability of generating power and providing power to other computer systems. For example, computer systems  105  in data center  100  can be oriented to form a chamber so that water enters through a sub-surface opening into the chamber with air trapped above it. In this manner, the water column can move like a piston to force air through an opening in the chamber that is connected to turbines generating power for the compute nodes. In another embodiment, computer systems  105  in data center  100  can be oriented parallel to the direction of waves in the water to form wave energy attenuators. Computer systems  105  can then be interconnected with hydraulic pumps. In this manner, changes in wave height will cause flexing of the interconnected compute node joints. The flexing components connected to the hydraulic pumps can then be converted into power for compute nodes formed by the computer systems  105  that make up the water-based data center  100 . 
     It is apparent that there has been provided with this invention an approach for providing a water-based computing system such as a data center. While the invention has been particularly shown and described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.