Patent Description:
A cryptocurrency is a type of virtual asset that is protected using cryptography. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, use blockchain technology to record transactions involving the cryptocurrency in a blockchain ledger. Cryptocurrency mining is the process by which new cryptocurrency tokens are entered into circulation. Cryptocurrency mining includes the process by which new cryptocurrency tokens are entered into circulation and the process of verifying new cryptocurrency transactions to prevent the "double-spending problem" in which a cryptocurrency owner illicitly spends the same cryptocurrency token more than once. Accordingly, cryptocurrency mining forms a critical component of the blockchain ledger's maintenance and development process.

During cryptocurrency mining operations, cryptocurrency transactions are typically verified by solving a complex computational math problem. For example, during Bitcoin mining operations, a bitcoin miner attempts to come up with a <NUM>-digit hexadecimal number (a "hash") that is equal to a target hash. The first bitcoin miner to compute the target hash or the closest value to it receives the next block of bitcoins and the process begins again. Bitcoin miners receive bitcoins as a reward for completing "blocks" of verified transactions, which are added to the blockchain.

Cryptocurrency mining operations require significant computational effort that is typically performed using specialized computing hardware and consumes large amounts of electrical energy and generates large amounts of heat. This process is also known as proof of work (PoW) and cryptocurrency mining includes engaging in this PoW activity to solve the problem and receive cryptocurrency tokens (e.g., in Bitcoins). United States patent application <CIT> discloses a system for collecting waste heat from computing components using heat exchangers and delivering the collected heat to a building or other application. United States patent application <CIT> discloses methods and systems of operating a blockchain mining device using natural gas produced at a hydrocarbon production, storage or processing site/facility. <NPL>, discloses solutions for using the waste heat from cryptocurrency mining processes to supply domestic hot water.

A first aspect of the invention provides a cryptocurrency mining furnace as claimed in claim <NUM>. A second aspect of the invention provides a cryptocurrency mining furnace as claimed in claim <NUM>. A third aspect of the invention provides a method of inducing air flow, from a cryptocurrency mining furnace to a building, by a principal fan positioned in a furnace housing of the cryptocurrency mining furnace as claimed in claim <NUM>. A fourth aspect of the invention provides a method of inducing air flow, from a cryptocurrency mining furnace to a building, by a principal fan positioned in a furnace housing of the cryptocurrency mining furnace as claimed in claim <NUM>. Preferred features are recited in the dependent claims appended hereto. The following summary is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.

According to the first aspect, a cryptocurrency mining furnace is provided. The cryptocurrency mining furnace comprises a furnace housing, at least three separate mining computers, a transformer, and a principal fan. The furnace housing has an air flow path extending from a housing air inlet downstream to a housing air outlet. Each mining computer has at least one cryptocurrency mining board. Each mining computer is positioned in the furnace housing in the air flow path upstream of the housing air outlet. The transformer is positioned in the furnace housing upstream of the mining computers and downstream of the housing air inlet. The transformer is electrically connected to each of the mining computers to power each of the mining computers. The principal fan is positioned in the furnace housing in the air flow path downstream of the transformer and upstream of the mining computers to induce air flow along the air flow path through the transformer and each of the mining computers.

According to the second aspect, a cryptocurrency mining furnace is provided. The cryptocurrency mining furnace comprises a furnace housing, at least three separate mining computers, and a principal fan. The furnace housing has an air flow path extending from a housing air inlet downstream to a housing air outlet. Each mining computer has at least one cryptocurrency mining board. Each mining computer is positioned in the furnace housing in the air flow path. The principal fan is positioned in the furnace housing in the air flow path downstream of the housing air inlet and upstream of the housing air outlet to induce air flow along the air flow path through each of the mining computers. A shortest inlet air flow path length from the housing air inlet to the principal fan is at least <NUM>% of a shortest spatial distance between the housing air inlet and the principal fan; and a shortest outlet air flow path length from the principal fan to the housing air outlet is at least <NUM>% of a shortest spatial distance between the principal fan and the housing air outlet.

Also disclosed is a method of supplying heat to a building using the cryptocurrency mining furnace. The method comprises operating the principal fan to induce air to flow along the air flow path, withdrawing heat from the transformer and the at least three separate mining computers into the air flowing along the air flow path to form heated air, and discharging the heated air from the housing air outlet into ducting of a building fluidly coupled to the housing air outlet.

According to the third aspect, there is provided a method of inducing air flow, from a cryptocurrency mining furnace to a building, by a principal fan positioned in a furnace housing of the cryptocurrency mining furnace. The method comprises inducing air flow from a housing air inlet in the furnace housing downstream to a transformer positioned in the furnace housing. The transformer is electrically connected to at least three separate mining computers positioned in the furnace housing to power each of the mining computers. Further, the method comprises inducing air flow from the transformer downstream to the principal fan and inducing air flow from the principal fan downstream to the mining computers. Each mining computer has at least one cryptocurrency mining board. Additionally, the method comprises inducing air flow from the mining computers downstream to a housing air outlet in the furnace housing; and inducing air flow from the housing air outlet downstream to the building.

According to the fourth aspect, there is provided a method of inducing air flow, from a cryptocurrency mining furnace to a building, by a principal fan positioned in a furnace housing of the cryptocurrency mining furnace. The method comprises inducing air flow from a housing air inlet in the furnace housing downstream to the principal fan, wherein a shortest inlet air flow path length from the housing air inlet to the principal fan is at least <NUM>% of a shortest spatial distance between the housing air inlet and the principal fan. Further, the method comprises inducing air flow from the principal fan downstream to at least three separate mining computers positioned in the furnace housing. Each mining computer has at least one cryptocurrency mining board. Additionally, the method comprises inducing air flow from the mining computers downstream to a housing air outlet in the furnace housing, wherein a shortest outlet air flow path length from the principal fan to the housing air outlet is at least <NUM>% of a shortest spatial distance between the principal fan and the housing air outlet. The method also comprises inducing air flow from the housing air outlet downstream to the building.

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:.

Numerous embodiments are described in this application and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.

As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be "coupled", "connected", "attached", "joined", "affixed", or "fastened" where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be "directly coupled", "directly connected", "directly attached", "directly joined", "directly affixed", or "directly fastened" where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. As used herein, two or more parts are said to be "rigidly coupled", "rigidly connected", "rigidly attached", "rigidly joined", "rigidly affixed", or "rigidly fastened" where the parts are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. None of the terms "coupled", "connected", "attached", "joined", "affixed", and "fastened" distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.

Further, although method steps may be described (in the disclosure and / or in the claims) in a sequential order, such methods may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of methods described herein may be performed in any order that is practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

As used herein and in the claims, a group of elements are said to 'collectively' perform an act where that act is performed by any one of the elements in the group, or performed cooperatively by two or more (or all) elements in the group.

As used herein and in the claims, a first element is said to be "received" in a second element where at least a portion of the first element is received in the second element unless specifically stated otherwise.

Some elements herein may be identified by a part number, which is composed of a base number followed by an alphabetical or subscript-numerical suffix (e.g., 112a, or <NUM><NUM>). Multiple elements herein may be identified by part numbers that share a base number in common and that differ by their suffixes (e.g., <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, and <NUM>). All elements with a common base number may be referred to collectively or generically using the base number without a suffix (e.g., <NUM>).

As used herein and in the claims, "up", "down", "above", "below", "upwardly", "vertical", "elevation" and similar terms are in reference to a directionality generally aligned with (e.g., parallel to) gravity. However, none of the terms referred to in this paragraph imply any particular alignment between elements. For example, a first element may be said to be "vertically above" a second element, where the first element is at a higher elevation than the second element, and irrespective of whether the first element is vertically aligned with the second element.

The computing systems used for cryptocurrency mining operations can consume significant amounts of electrical energy and generate large amounts of heat energy. A cooling system can be used to dissipate the generated heat energy. Different methods may be used to dissipate the generated heat energy. For example, the cooling system can provide a cooling air flow through the computing systems of the cryptocurrency mining apparatus to transport heat energy away from the computing systems.

Described herein are apparatuses and methods that transport the heat energy generated during cryptocurrency mining operations to a building or facility. This can enable the operation of the cryptocurrency mining apparatus as a cryptocurrency mining furnace. Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a schematic illustration of an example cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> fluidly coupled to a building <NUM>. Building <NUM> can include any building, structure or facility used for residential, commercial, industrial, warehouse or other purposes. In some embodiments, the cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> comprises a furnace housing, a transformer, a principal fan, and multiple mining computers. Optionally, the transformer, principal fan, and multiple mining computers may all be positioned within the furnace housing.

Cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> receives electrical energy from building <NUM> through electrical connection <NUM>. The transformer can step down the received voltage and provide electrical power to the principal fan and the multiple mining computers.

The multiple mining computers can consume the received electrical energy and perform cryptocurrency mining operations. Large amounts of heat energy may be generated during the cryptocurrency mining operations.

The principal fan can provide cooling to the transformer and the multiple mining computers by inducing an air flow along an air flow path through the transformer and the multiple mining computers. The air flow can transport heat energy away from the transformer and the multiple mining computers.

In <FIG>, the induced air flow is represented schematically using directional arrows. Cool air from the environment can be induced through a housing air inlet into cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> via duct <NUM>. The induced air can flow through the transformer and the multiple mining computers and carry away generated heat energy. The temperature of the induced air flow may increase as it removes heat energy generated by the transformer and the multiple mining computers. The resulting warmer air can be induced to flow out from a housing air outlet of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to building <NUM> via duct <NUM>, thereby providing furnace operation for building <NUM>. A portion of the warmer may be induced to flow out from a housing air outlet of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to the external environment via duct <NUM>.

In some embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may provide <NUM>-<NUM> kW (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> kW, <NUM>-<NUM> kW) of heat energy to building <NUM> depending on the operating conditions and the cryptocurrency mining operations being performed.

Challenges associated with using cryptocurrency mining furnaces may include noise generation and power consumption of the cryptocurrency mining furnace. Noise generation challenges may relate to noise generated by furnace components like fans and/or noise generated by the air flow itself (e.g., noise generated by turbulent air flows). The described apparatuses and methods can help address these challenges. As described in greater detail herein with reference to <FIG>, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> can include specific arrangements of the transformer, the fan and the multiple mining computers to reduce the generated noise. Cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> can also include specific geometries of the induced air flow path to reduce the generated noise. Additionally, the air flow induced by the principal fan can provide sufficient cooling for the multiple mining computers allowing them to be operated without individual, additional processor cooling fans for each mining computer. This can enable reduction of noise and power consumption associated with the individual, additional processor cooling fans.

<FIG> shows cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> fluidly connected to building <NUM>. As shown, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may be located inside building <NUM>. Alternatively, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> can be located outside building <NUM>. Additionally, <FIG> shows a single cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> providing furnace operations for building <NUM>. In some embodiments, multiple cryptocurrency mining furnaces <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> cryptocurrency mining furnaces <NUM>) may be fluidly coupled to building <NUM> to provide furnace operations for building <NUM>.

The described apparatuses and methods may enable the owner of a cryptocurrency mining apparatus to harness heat energy that may otherwise be dissipated as waste energy. For example, an owner of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may install cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> at a building owned by a different owner. The furnace owner may pay for the cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> and the consumed electrical energy and retain the mined cryptocurrency tokens. The building owner may receive free furnace operations (i.e., heating) from the cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> in return for allowing installation of the cryptocurrency mining furnace at the building <NUM>. In this arrangement, the advantage gained by the furnace owner is access to electrical energy. Specifically, government regulations may prohibit the furnace owner from operating a great number of cryptocurrency mining furnaces <NUM> at their own facility because of the burden it would place upon the electrical system. However, those regulations may not prohibit the furnace owner from distributing the same number of mining furnaces <NUM> among many different building owners. Synergistically, the building owners gain the benefit of free heating, which may offset the perceived wastefulness of the energy spent to mine cryptocurrency.

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein are different views of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. <FIG> shows a perspective view of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>, <FIG> shows a schematic top cross-sectional view of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> and <FIG> shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include one or more (or all) of a furnace housing <NUM>, a housing air inlet <NUM>, a housing air outlet <NUM>, a transformer <NUM>, a principal fan <NUM>, and mining computers <NUM>. Furnace housing <NUM> may define an air flow path <NUM> extending downstream from housing air inlet <NUM> to housing air outlet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, air flow path <NUM> may pass through transformer <NUM>, principal fan <NUM> and mining computers <NUM> positioned in furnace housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may also include control device <NUM>. In other embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may not include control device <NUM>.

Furnace housing <NUM> may have any design that provides an enclosure suitable for housing the elements of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, transformer <NUM>, principal fan <NUM>, and mining computers <NUM> are positioned within the enclosure of furnace housing <NUM>. Placing all of these components within a unitary housing <NUM> may provide furnace <NUM> with a compact design and smaller footprint, all things being equal. In alternative embodiments, transformer <NUM> may be located external to furnace housing <NUM>.

Furnace housing <NUM> can be made of any rigid material providing sufficient structural strength and integrity to support the elements of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> positioned within furnace housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, where cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> is located outside of building <NUM> in an outdoor environment, the material used to make furnace housing <NUM> may also be weather-resistant and capable of withstanding the outdoor environment. In some embodiments, furnace housing <NUM> may be made using metallic materials like steel, aluminum, or sheet metal, which may be bare, galvanized, coated, and/or painted. In other embodiments furnace housing <NUM> may be made using non-metallic materials. In some embodiments where cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> is located outside of building <NUM> in an outdoor environment, a shipping container may be repurposed as furnace housing <NUM>.

Furnace housing <NUM> can be of any size suitable to house other elements of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> including transformer <NUM>, principal fan <NUM>, and mining computers <NUM>. In some embodiments, furnace housing <NUM> may have a height <NUM> of <NUM> or less (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), a width <NUM> of <NUM> or less (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) and a depth <NUM> of <NUM> or less (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). A furnace of this size may provide sufficient interior space to support the other components of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>, including a sufficient number of mining computers <NUM> to generate a profitable amount of cryptocurrency, while also not being so big as to be difficult to ship or to become a burden for the building owner where the furnace <NUM> will be located. In other embodiments, one or more of the height <NUM>, width <NUM> and depth <NUM> may be larger than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) and <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) respectively. This may allow furnace housing <NUM> to have capacity to support a larger transformer <NUM> and greater number of mining computers <NUM>.

Furnace housing <NUM> may include one or more sections that are fluidly coupled and collectively provide air flow path <NUM>. For example, furnace housing <NUM> may include one or more (or all) of (a) a transformer section <NUM> including housing air inlet <NUM> and transformer <NUM>; (b) a fan and miner section <NUM> housing principal fan <NUM> and mining computers <NUM>; and (c) an exhaust section <NUM> housing the housing air outlet <NUM>. For the example furnace housing shown in <FIG>, transformer section <NUM>, fan and miner section <NUM> and exhaust section <NUM> are arranged vertically. In other embodiments (e.g., a shipping container repurposed as a furnace housing), transformer section <NUM>, fan and miner section <NUM> and exhaust section <NUM> may be arranged horizontally.

In some embodiments, transformer section <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM> or less (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). A transformer section of this size may provide sufficient interior space to support the other components of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>, including transformer <NUM>, while also not being so big as to make cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> difficult to ship or to become a burden for the building owner where it will be located. In other embodiments, transformer section <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM> or more (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). This may allow transformer section <NUM> to have capacity to support a larger transformer <NUM>.

In some embodiments, fan and miner section <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM> or less (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). A fan and miner section of this size may provide sufficient interior space to support the other components of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>, including principal fan <NUM> and including a sufficient number of mining computers <NUM> to generate a profitable amount of cryptocurrency transformer <NUM>, while also not being so big as to make cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> difficult to ship or to become a burden for the building owner where it will be located. In other embodiments, fan and miner section <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM> or more (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). This may allow fan and miner section <NUM> to have capacity to support a larger principal fan <NUM> and/or a greater number of mining computers <NUM>.

In some embodiments, exhaust section <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM> or less (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). An exhaust section of this size may provide sufficient interior space to support the other components of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>, including housing air outlet <NUM>, while also not being so big as to make cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> difficult to ship or to become a burden for the building owner where it will be located. In other embodiments, exhaust section <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM> or more (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). This may allow exhaust section <NUM> to have capacity to support a larger housing air outlet <NUM>.

Housing air inlet <NUM> may include one or more air inlets. For example, as shown in <FIG>, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> includes two housing air inlets 108a and 108b. In other embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include greater than two (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) housing air inlets. This may allow larger amounts of air to be induced into air flow path <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in some embodiments, one or more housing air inlets <NUM> (e.g., housing air inlet 108b) can be fluidly coupled to the outdoor environment around cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to induce exterior air flow <NUM> from the outdoor environment into air flow path <NUM>. This may permit exterior cool air to be induced into air flow path <NUM> to provide cooling for the components within furnace housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, none of housing air inlets <NUM> are fluidly coupled to the outdoor environment. In some embodiments, one or more of housing air inlets <NUM> can be fluidly coupled to building <NUM> (e.g., using duct <NUM>) to induce interior air flow <NUM> from interior environment of building <NUM> into air flow path <NUM>. This may permit interior warm air to be mixed with exterior air induced through an exterior-coupled inlet (e.g., housing air inlet 108b) to provide temperature control of air induced into furnace housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, none of housing air inlets <NUM> are fluidly coupled to interior environment of building <NUM>.

Housing air inlets <NUM> can have any design suitable for admitting air into air flow path <NUM>. For example, housing air inlets <NUM> may include one or more of ducts, louvers, hood or awning assemblies. As shown in <FIG>, housing air inlet <NUM> of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> is illustrated with an inlet damper assembly <NUM>. The inlet damper assembly <NUM> can have any design and size suitable for inducing the required amount of air into air flow path <NUM> to cool the components within furnace housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the inlet damper assembly <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM>"-<NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>") and a width <NUM> of <NUM>"-<NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"). This may permit a great amount of air flow to be induced into air flow path <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM>. As one example, the inlet damper assembly <NUM> can be <NUM>" high and <NUM>" wide. In other embodiments, the height <NUM> of the inlet damper assembly <NUM> can be smaller than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>") or larger than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"), and the width <NUM> of the inlet damper assembly <NUM> can be smaller than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>") or larger than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"). This may permit connections to building ducts (e.g., duct <NUM> of building <NUM>) of different sizes.

The inlet damper assembly <NUM> can be adjustable in incremental positions between an open position and a closed position. The inlet damper assembly <NUM> may provide greater resistance to the ingress of air through housing air inlet <NUM> in the closed position than in the open position. In some embodiments, inlet damper assembly <NUM> in the closed position may entirely inhibit airflow through housing air inlet <NUM>. In other embodiments, inlet damper assembly <NUM> in the closed position may not entirely inhibit airflow through housing air inlet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the inlet damper assembly <NUM> may be electronically controlled, for example, by control device <NUM>. In other embodiments, the inlet damper assembly <NUM> may not be electronically controlled. For example, inlet damper assembly <NUM> may be manually user adjustable (i.e., by hand) to move between the open and closed position. The movements of the inlet damper assembly <NUM> described herein below may be automatically controlled by control device <NUM> (e.g., in accordance with computer-readable instructions executed by control device <NUM>) or may be manually user performed (e.g., by hand).

In embodiments where one or more housing air inlets <NUM> are fluidly coupled to the interior environment of building <NUM> ("indoor housing air inlets") and one or more other housing air inlets <NUM> are fluidly coupled to the outdoor environment ("outdoor housing air inlets"), the adjustable positions of the inlet damper assemblies <NUM> can control the mixture of interior and outdoor air that is induced into air flow path <NUM>. For example, in winter, spring or fall weather, the interior environment temperature of building <NUM> may be warmer than the outdoor environment temperature. The positions of the inlet damper assemblies <NUM> can be adjusted to control the mixture of interior and outdoor air that is induced into air flow path <NUM>. To increase the proportion of outdoor air in the mixture, the inlet damper assembly <NUM> of the indoor housing air inlet(s) <NUM> may be moved towards the closed position and the inlet damper assembly <NUM> of the outdoor housing air inlet(s) <NUM> may be moved towards the open position. This can increase the proportion of outdoor air induced into air flow path <NUM> thereby pressurizing building <NUM>. Pressurizing building <NUM> relative to the colder outdoor environment can improve comfort levels for human occupants of building <NUM> by reducing cold drafts and resulting cold zones caused by air leaks in building <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the temperature of the air induced into air flow path <NUM> may range between -<NUM> to <NUM>. For example, the inlet damper assemblies <NUM> may be adjusted to control the temperature of the air induced into air flow path <NUM> to be greater than <NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) in winter weather. This may mitigate problems with condensation forming on the components within furnace housing <NUM>. In summer, spring and fall weather, the inlet damper assemblies <NUM> may be adjusted to close the fluid coupling with the interior environment of building <NUM>. For example, whenever the outdoor air is warmer than the indoor air of building <NUM>, or whenever the outdoor air is warmer than a prescribed temperature (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>), the inlet damper assemblies of indoor housing air inlets <NUM> may be closed. Accordingly, the temperature of the air induced into air flow path <NUM> may correspond to temperature of the outdoor environment around cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. This may avoid burdening the building <NUM> with the cost of cooling the components within cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>.

Cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include one or more housing air outlets <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> includes two housing air outlets 112a and 112b. In other embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include greater than two (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) housing air outlets. This may allow larger amounts of air to be induced out of furnace housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, one or more of housing air outlets <NUM> can be fluidly coupled to building <NUM> (e.g., using duct <NUM>) to induce air flow <NUM> from cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to interior environment of building <NUM>. This may permit warm air from cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to be induced into interior environment of building <NUM> to provide heating for building <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more housing air outlets <NUM> (e.g., housing air outlet 112b) can be fluidly coupled to the outdoor environment around cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to induce air flow <NUM> from cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to the outdoor environment. This may permit diversion of some of the warm air from cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to the outdoor environment when only a portion (or none) of the warm air from cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> is required for heating building <NUM>. In other embodiments, none of housing air outlets <NUM> are fluidly coupled to the outdoor environment around cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>.

Housing air outlets <NUM> can have any design suitable for inducing air flow out of air flow path <NUM>. For example, housing air outlets <NUM> may include one or more of ducts, louvers, hood or awning assemblies. As shown in <FIG>, housing air outlet <NUM> of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> includes an outlet damper assembly <NUM>. The outlet damper assembly <NUM> can have any design and size suitable for inducing the required amount of air out of air flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> can have a height <NUM> of <NUM>"-<NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>") and a width <NUM> of <NUM>"-<NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"). This may permit a great amount of air flow to be induced from air flow path <NUM> at housing air outlet <NUM>. As one example, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> can be <NUM>" high and <NUM>" wide. In other embodiments, the height <NUM> of the outlet damper assembly <NUM> can be smaller than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>") or larger than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"), and the width <NUM> of the outlet damper assembly <NUM> can be smaller than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>") or larger than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"). This may permit connections to building ducts (e.g., duct <NUM> of building <NUM>) of different sizes.

The outlet damper assembly <NUM> can be adjustable in incremental positions between an open position and an air flow shutoff position. The outlet damper assembly <NUM> may provide greater resistance to the egress of air through housing air outlet <NUM> in the closed position than in the open position. In some embodiments, outlet damper assembly <NUM> in the closed position may entirely inhibit airflow through housing air outlet <NUM>. In other embodiments, outlet damper assembly <NUM> in the closed position may not entirely inhibit airflow through housing air outlet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> may be electronically controlled, for example, by control device <NUM>. In other embodiments, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> may not be electronically controlled. For example, outlet damper assembly <NUM> may be manually user adjustable (i.e., by hand) to move between the open and closed position. The movements of the outlet damper assembly <NUM> described herein below may be automatically controlled by control device <NUM> (e.g., in accordance with computer-readable instructions executed by control device <NUM>) or may be manually user performed (e.g., by hand).

The air flow induced out of air flow path <NUM> at housing air outlet <NUM> may transport heat energy away from transformer <NUM> and mining computers <NUM> and the air temperature may be warmer compared with the temperature of air flowing in at air inlet <NUM>. The temperature of air flow out of housing air outlet <NUM> ("air outlet temperature") may depend on various factors including the temperature of air at housing air inlet <NUM>, amount of air principal fan <NUM> propels through air flow path <NUM> (propelled by principal fan <NUM>), and the amount of heat energy generated by transformer <NUM> and mining computers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the air outlet temperature may be greater than <NUM>. Alternatively, or in addition, the difference in air temperature ("delta air temperature") between air induced into air flow path <NUM> at an exterior-coupled inlet and the air outlet temperature may be greater than <NUM> degrees (i.e., outlet temperature minus inlet temperature is greater than <NUM> degrees). An air outlet temperature of greater than <NUM> and/or a delta air temperature of greater than <NUM> may be advantageous because air of this temperature can have utility for use as heating for climate control in a building <NUM>. Further, an outlet temperature of greater than <NUM> and/or a delta air temperature of greater than <NUM> may indicate that principal fan <NUM> is not generating excessive flow rate (e.g., in CFM) through air flow path <NUM>. For example, an indication that principal fan <NUM> is undersized or running too hard - and thereby producing excessive noise and consuming excessive energy - may include that the air outlet temperature is less than <NUM> (while mining computers are running at load) and/or a delta air temperature of less than <NUM>.

Alternatively, or in addition, the air outlet temperature may be less than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> -<NUM>). An air outlet temperature of less than <NUM> may provide safety in that it is unlikely to cause injury (e.g., burns) in the event that the outlet air impinges on a bystander. An air outlet temperature of less than <NUM> may also be compliant with certain types of ducting and ducting accessories and peripherals, which can be damaged by excessive temperature.

In alternative embodiments, the air outlet temperature may be lower than <NUM> and/or a delta air temperature may be less than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> -<NUM>). This may indicate that the temperature of the equipment (e.g., transformer <NUM> and mining computers <NUM>) in the air flow path <NUM> have been greatly reduced, which may allow them to run more efficiently or at higher load. In other embodiments, the air outlet temperature may be greater than <NUM> and/or the delta air temperature may be greater than <NUM>. This may allow cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> to supply very hot air to support processes (e.g., manufacturing or industrial processes) within a building <NUM> that requires air of this temperature.

In embodiments including at least one additional housing air outlet <NUM> fluidly coupled to the outdoor environment, the adjustable positions of the outlet damper assemblies <NUM> can control the exhaust ratio of quantity of warm air flowing out of interior-coupled outlets (e.g., housing air outlet 112a to building <NUM>) to the quantity of warm air flowing out of exterior-coupled outlets (e.g., housing air outlet 112b to the outdoor environment). For example, if higher heating is required for building <NUM>, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> at housing air outlet 112a coupled to the interior environment of building <NUM> may be moved towards the open position to increase the quantity of warm air flowing out to building <NUM>. The outlet damper assembly <NUM> at housing air outlet 112b coupled to the outdoor environment may be moved towards the closed position to reduce the quantity of warm air flowing out to the outdoor environment.

In another example, if reduced heating is required for building <NUM>, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> at housing air outlet 112a coupled to the interior environment of building <NUM> may be moved towards the closed position to reduce the quantity of warm air flowing out to building <NUM>. The outlet damper assembly <NUM> at housing air outlet <NUM> coupled to the outdoor environment may be moved towards the open position to increase the quantity of warm air flowing out to the outdoor environment.

Cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include at least one transformer <NUM> positioned within furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, transformer <NUM> may be positioned in air flow path <NUM> downstream of housing air inlet <NUM> and upstream of mining computers <NUM>.

Transformer <NUM> can have any design suitable for receiving electrical power supply from building <NUM> (e.g., through electrical connection <NUM>) and distributing the received electrical energy to other elements of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In some embodiments, a power meter <NUM> may be positioned at electrical connection <NUM> to measure the power consumed by cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In other embodiments, a power meter may not be positioned at electrical connection <NUM>. Transformer <NUM> can be electrically connected to provide electrical power to the other elements of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> including principal fan <NUM> and mining computers <NUM>.

In some embodiments, transformer <NUM> can be a voltage step-down transformer. For example, transformer <NUM> can receive 600V input voltage and provide stepped-down output voltage (e.g., 416V L-L / 240V L-N). Transformer <NUM> can enable transmission of input electrical energy to cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> at a higher voltage resulting in reduced current and reduced I<NUM>R heat energy loss during transmission. Transformer <NUM> can also enable provision of electrical energy at the stepped-down voltage that is compatible with the electrical components of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In other embodiments, transformer <NUM> may not be a voltage step-down transformer.

Transformer <NUM> can have any nominal power rating suitable for providing sufficient power to one or more (or all) of the electrical components of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. For example, transformer <NUM> can have nominal power rating of <NUM>-<NUM>. This may permit transformer <NUM> to provide sufficient power for principal fan <NUM> to induce required amount of air flow through air flow path <NUM> and for mining computers <NUM> to mine a profitable amount of cryptocurrency, while also not being so big as to be difficult to ship or to become a burden for the building owner where the cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> will be located. As described herein below, transformer <NUM> may operate at higher power ratings when forced cooling of transformer <NUM> is provided. This may permit usage of transformer <NUM> with lower nominal power rating (e.g., 75kVA) that may be less expensive, smaller, and lighter than a transformer <NUM> with higher nominal power rating (e.g., <NUM>. 5kVA), all else being equal.

In some embodiments, transformer <NUM> can be a forced air-cooled transformer that includes one or multiple cooling ducts between sections of the transformer windings that allow forced air to pass through the transformer windings. Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a schematic top view of a portion of transformer <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, three-phase transformer <NUM> may comprise three sets of winding <NUM>, core <NUM> and multiple cooling ducts <NUM>. Cooling ducts <NUM> can have any design suitable for providing a pathway for forced air to pass between the turns of winding <NUM>. This can permit induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> to transport away heat energy generated by transformer <NUM>. The forced air-cooling may enable transformer <NUM> to operate at higher power ratings. For example, when forced air-cooled, transformer <NUM> may be safely operated at <NUM>-<NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>%, such as <NUM>-<NUM>%) of the nominal power rating of transformer <NUM>. In one example, a forced air-cooled transformer having a nominal power rating of 75kVA may safely operate at up to 90kVA when forced air-cooled as described herein. For example, three-phase transformers may be manufactured in National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standard sizes of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and 300kVA. The operation of a 75kVA transformer at the nominal load of 83kVA can avoid the requirement for a <NUM>. 5kVA transformer. In some embodiments, transformer <NUM> may be capable of operation at power ratings higher than 90kVA (e.g., 90kVA-120kVA). This may permit installation of a larger number of mining computers <NUM> in cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> without the need for additional space for a larger transformer or the associated extra cost.

Referring back to <FIG>, the induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> can provide air-cooling of transformer <NUM> and may enable transformer <NUM> to operate at higher power ratings. As shown in <FIG>, air flow path <NUM> may comprise a primary air flow path <NUM> and a secondary air flow path <NUM>. Primary air flow path <NUM> can include the portion of the induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> that runs through transformer <NUM> and provides forced air-cooling. Secondary air flow path <NUM> can include the remaining portion of the induced air flow that extends around the exterior of transformer <NUM> and runs in parallel to primary air flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, primary air flow path <NUM> may include <NUM>-<NUM>% of the induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> and secondary air flow path <NUM> may include the remaining <NUM>-<NUM>% of the induced air flow of air flow path <NUM>. This may enable sufficient cooling for safe and efficient operation of transformer <NUM> while enabling a large portion of the induced air flow to flow through the lower resistance path, i.e., secondary air flow path <NUM>. In other embodiments, primary air flow path <NUM> may include less than <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%-<NUM>%) of the induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> with secondary air flow path <NUM> including the remaining portion (e.g., <NUM>%-<NUM>%) of the induced air flow. This may enable more efficient operation of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> by enabling a larger portion of the induced air flow to flow through the lower resistance path, i.e., secondary air flow path <NUM>. In other embodiments, primary air flow path <NUM> may include greater than <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%-<NUM>%) of the induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> with secondary air flow path <NUM> including the remaining portion (e.g., <NUM>%-<NUM>%) of the induced air flow. This may enable higher amount of forced air-cooling of transformer <NUM> thereby permitting transformer <NUM> to be operated at higher nominal power ratings.

In some embodiments, transformer <NUM> may not be a forced air-cooled transformer. For example, transformer <NUM> may include a different method of cooling and air flow path <NUM> may not include primary air flow path <NUM> (e.g., all of the induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> may flow through secondary air flow path <NUM>). This may permit operation of principal fan <NUM> at lower speeds for identical mining operations, all else being equal. In another example, transformer <NUM> may be located outside of furnace housing <NUM>. This may permit furnace housing <NUM> to be smaller and lighter, all else being equal.

Cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include at least one principal fan <NUM> positioned within furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM>. Principal fan <NUM> can have any design suitable for inducing air flow along air flow path <NUM> from housing air inlet <NUM> to housing air outlet <NUM> and through transformer <NUM> and mining computers <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> includes a single principal fan <NUM>. Specifically, principal fan <NUM> can be the only fan in furnace housing <NUM> located upstream or downstream of mining computers <NUM>. As compared to several smaller fans of equal combined fan power, the single principal fan may have larger blades that spin slower and may generate less noise (and lower pitched noise) and operate more efficiently.

In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may be positioned in air flow path <NUM> downstream of transformer <NUM> and upstream of mining computers <NUM>. The relative positioning of principal fan <NUM> with respect to housing air inlet <NUM>, housing air outlet <NUM>, transformer <NUM> and mining computers <NUM> may help reduce noise generated by air flow along air flow path <NUM>.

A shortest inlet air flow path length <NUM> from housing air inlet <NUM> to principal fan <NUM> can be the shortest path length from any inlet position on housing air inlet <NUM> to where air enters principal fan <NUM> along air flow path <NUM>. A shortest spatial distance <NUM> between housing air inlet <NUM> and principal fan <NUM> can be the shortest <NUM>-dimensional linear distance from any point where air enters housing air inlet <NUM> to any position where air enters principal fan <NUM>. In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> is relatively positioned with respect to housing air inlet <NUM> such that the shortest inlet air flow path length <NUM> is at least <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%-<NUM>%) of the shortest spatial distance <NUM>. This may enable reduction in noise generated by air flow along air flow path <NUM> compared with a design where the shortest inlet air flow path length <NUM> is less than <NUM>% of the shortest spatial distance <NUM>. For example, the shortest inlet air flow path length <NUM> can be <NUM> and the shortest spatial distance <NUM> can be <NUM>. In other embodiments, principal fan <NUM> is relatively positioned with respect to housing air inlet <NUM> such that the shortest inlet air flow path length <NUM> is from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the shortest spatial distance <NUM>. This may enable a smaller, lighter, and more compact design for furnace housing <NUM>.

A shortest outlet air flow path length <NUM> from principal fan <NUM> to housing air outlet <NUM> can be the shortest path length from where air exits principal fan <NUM> to any outlet position on housing air outlet <NUM> along air flow path <NUM>. A shortest spatial distance <NUM> between principal fan <NUM> and housing air outlet <NUM> can be the shortest <NUM>-dimensional linear distance from any point where air exits principal fan <NUM> to any point where air exits housing air outlet <NUM>. In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> is relatively positioned with respect to housing air outlet <NUM> such that the shortest outlet air flow path length <NUM> is at least <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%-<NUM>%) of the shortest spatial distance <NUM>. This may enable reduction in noise generated by air flow along air flow path <NUM> compared with a design where the shortest outlet air flow path length <NUM> is less than <NUM>% of the shortest spatial distance <NUM>. In other embodiments, principal fan <NUM> is relatively positioned with respect to housing air outlet <NUM> such that the shortest outlet air flow path length <NUM> is from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the shortest spatial distance <NUM>. This may enable a smaller, lighter, and more compact design for furnace housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> is relatively positioned with respect to housing air outlet <NUM> such that the shortest outlet air flow path length <NUM> is from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the shortest spatial distance <NUM>. This may enable higher noise reduction, but at the cost of a larger and heavier design.

Principal fan <NUM> may include a fan housing <NUM>, a fan impeller <NUM> and an impeller motor <NUM>. In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may be a centrifugal backwards curved fan that may provide significant energy savings compared with other designs. In other embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may not be a centrifugal backwards curved fan. For example. a different fan design may be used because of size or cost constraints.

In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> can provide induced air flow along air flow path <NUM> in any amount suitable to provide adequate cooling for the other components within furnace housing <NUM> in a range from <NUM>-<NUM> CFM. This may permit sufficient cooling of components including transformer <NUM> and mining computers <NUM>. In other embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may provide induced air flow lower than 3000CFM (e.g., 1000CFM-3000CFM). This may permit operation of principal fan <NUM> at lower speeds thereby reducing total power consumption of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In other embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may provide induced air flow higher than 7500CFM (e.g., 7500CFM-<NUM>,000CFM). This may permit operation of higher number of mining computers <NUM> in cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>.

Principal fan <NUM> may have any number of fan impellers <NUM>. In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may include a single fan impeller <NUM>. In some embodiments, larger and higher power cryptocurrency mining furnaces <NUM> may include larger number of fan impellers. For example, a 225kW cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include three fan impellers <NUM>. In other embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnaces <NUM> may include greater than three fan impellers <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>) for providing higher power operation.

The fan impeller <NUM> can have any design suitable to induce the required air flow along air flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, the fan impeller <NUM> may be at least <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>) in diameter. The large size of fan impeller <NUM> may enable principal fan <NUM> to provide the same air flow (CFM) while operating at slower speed (RPM) compared with principal fans <NUM> including a smaller fan impeller. The slower RPM speed may enable lower noise generation (and lower pitched noise) compared with principal fans <NUM> including a smaller fan impeller. In other embodiments, the fan impeller <NUM> may be smaller than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) in diameter. This may permit furnace housing <NUM> to be smaller and lighter. In other embodiments, the fan impeller <NUM> may be larger than <NUM> in diameter. This may permit larger air flows (CFM) while operating at slow RPM speeds.

Principal fan <NUM> may include at least one impeller motor <NUM> that drives the fan impeller <NUM> at variable speeds. The impeller motor <NUM> may receive electrical energy from transformer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the impeller motor may have any design suitable for driving the fan impeller <NUM> such as an AC induction motor, DC brushed motor, or an electronically commutated (EC) motor. In the illustrated example, impeller motor <NUM> is an EC motor. The EC motor may provide more energy-efficient operation compared with AC induction motors and DC brushed motors. In other embodiments, the impeller motor may not be an EC motor. For example, a different motor may be used based on cost constraints.

Fan housing <NUM> may include a fan housing air inlet <NUM> and a fan housing air outlet <NUM>. Fan housing <NUM> can have any size suitable to house the fan impeller <NUM> and the impeller motor <NUM>. In some embodiments, fan housing <NUM> may have an outside dimension <NUM> in a range from <NUM>-<NUM>. For an example embodiment including a <NUM> diameter fan impeller <NUM>, fan housing <NUM> may have an outside dimension <NUM> of <NUM>. In other embodiments, fan housing <NUM> may have an outside dimension smaller than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) or larger than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) depending on the size of the fan impeller <NUM> and the impeller motor <NUM>. In some embodiments, fan housing <NUM> may have a height <NUM> in a range from <NUM>-<NUM>. This may permit sufficient housing space to house fan impeller <NUM> and impeller motor <NUM>. For the example shown in <FIG>, fan housing <NUM> may have a height <NUM> of <NUM>. In other embodiments, fan housing <NUM> may be smaller than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) in height. This may permit a smaller and lighter furnace housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, fan housing <NUM> may be larger than <NUM> in height (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). This may permit fan housing <NUM> to house larger fan impeller <NUM> or impeller motor <NUM>.

Principal fan <NUM> can operate at different speeds depending on the induced air flow requirements of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In some embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may operate at speeds less than 4000RPM (e.g., in a speed range from <NUM>-<NUM> RPM). The operating speed of principal fan <NUM> can be much lower than the operating speeds that would be required for smaller fans with a combined equivalent induced air flow (CFM). The lower operating speed may enable principal fan <NUM> to generate less noise and lower pitched noise compared with the smaller fans. As an example, principal fan <NUM> may operate at a lower speed of 1000RPM during winter weather when the temperature of the air induced into air flow path <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM> is lower compared with summer weather. Principal fan <NUM> may operate at a higher speed of 2000RPM during summer weather. In other embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may operate at speeds lower than 1000RPM (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> RPM). This may enable lower noise generation during operation of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In other embodiments, principal fan <NUM> may operate at speeds higher than 2500RPM (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> RPM). This may permit principal fan <NUM> to generate larger amounts of induced air flow into air flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, the operating speed of principal fan <NUM> may be controlled by control device <NUM>. In other embodiments, the operating speed of principal fan <NUM> may not be controlled by control device <NUM>. For example, the operating speed of principal fan <NUM> may be controlled by an independent circuit, e.g., a circuit using a temperature input signal to control the operating speed of principal fan <NUM>.

The power consumption of principal fan <NUM> may vary based on the variable operating speeds of principal fan <NUM>. In some embodiments, the average power consumption of principal fan <NUM> may vary from <NUM>. 5kW to <NUM>. For example, the average power consumption of principal fan <NUM> can be <NUM>. 75kW during winter weather when the temperature of the air induced into air flow path <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM> is <NUM>. The average power consumption of principal fan <NUM> can be <NUM>. 83kW during summer weather when the temperature of the air induced into air flow path <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM> is <NUM>. The average power consumption of principal fan <NUM> can be 4kW during summer weather when the temperature of the air induced into air flow path <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM> is <NUM>. In other embodiments, the average power consumption of principal fan <NUM> may be different under identical operating conditions.

Cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include at least three separate mining computers <NUM> positioned within furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM>. For example, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include <NUM>-<NUM> mining computers <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> mining computers <NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM> mining computers <NUM>). In the illustrated example there are <NUM> separate mining computers <NUM>. In some embodiments that use a three-phase transformer to power the mining computers, the total number of mining computers <NUM> may be a multiple of three to balance the load on each phase.

Mining computers <NUM> can have any design suitable for performing cryptocurrency mining operations. In some embodiments, mining computers <NUM> may belong to the Whatsminer® series of mining computers. For example, the mining computers may belong to the M20, M30 or M50 series of Whatsminer® mining computers. In other embodiments, mining computers <NUM> may not belong to the Whatsminer® series of mining computers.

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a schematic illustration of an example mining computer <NUM> adapted for use in cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, mining computer <NUM> may include one or more (or all) of a computer housing <NUM>, a cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>, a computer power supply <NUM>, a power supply fan <NUM> and a computer control board <NUM>.

Computer control board <NUM> can have any design suitable for controlling various operations of mining computer <NUM>. In some embodiments, computer control board <NUM> may control various operations of cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>, computer power supply <NUM> and power supply fan <NUM>. For example, computer control board <NUM> may control the mining operations of cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>. In some embodiments, computer control board <NUM> may also enable network communication for mining computer <NUM> to communicate with external devices and servers during the cryptocurrency mining operations.

In some embodiments, computer control board <NUM> may not be in communication with control device <NUM>. In other embodiments, computer control board <NUM> may be in communication with control device <NUM>. Control device <NUM> may provide instructions to control cryptocurrency mining operations performed by mining computer <NUM>.

Computer power supply <NUM> can have any design suitable for providing power supply to different components of mining computer <NUM> including one or more (or all) of cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>, power supply fan <NUM> and computer control board <NUM>. Computer power supply <NUM> may receive input power supply from transformer <NUM>. In some embodiments, computer power supply <NUM> may receive 240V AC input power supply from transformer <NUM> and provide suitable DC output power supply to one or more (or all) of cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>, power supply fan <NUM> and computer control board <NUM>. In some embodiments, computer power supply <NUM> may receive greater than or less than 240V AC input power supply from transformer <NUM> (e.g., 200V-240V, 240V-300V). For example, computer power supply <NUM> may receive 277V AC input power supply from transformer <NUM> to enable overclocked operation of mining computer <NUM>.

Power supply fan <NUM> can have any design suitable for providing air cooling of computer power supply <NUM>. Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, shown therein is a schematic illustration of air flows through mining computer <NUM> positioned within the furnace housing of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. The directional arrows in <FIG> and <FIG> indicate the direction of induced air flows. Power supply fan <NUM> may induce air flow <NUM> to provide cooling for computer power supply <NUM>. The air flow induced by the principal fan may cause the power supply fans <NUM> to overspeed and generate loud, high-frequency noise. Accordingly, in some embodiments, power supply fan <NUM> may be positioned outside of air flow path <NUM> and may not induce air flow along air flow path <NUM>. Accordingly, power supply fan <NUM> may not provide any air flow through any cryptocurrency mining boards <NUM> located in air flow path <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, air flow <NUM> may comprise air entering from fan and miner section <NUM>, transporting heat away from computer power supply <NUM> and exiting back to fan and miner section <NUM>. In some embodiments, mining computer <NUM> may not include power supply fan <NUM>. This may permit reduction in power consumed and noise generated by mining computer <NUM>.

Computer housing <NUM> may provide an enclosure for the various components of mining computer <NUM> including cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>, computer power supply <NUM>, power supply fan <NUM> and computer control board <NUM>. In some embodiments, computer housing <NUM> may include at least one mining board section air inlet <NUM> and at least one mining board section air outlet <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a schematic illustration of air flows through mining computer <NUM> positioned in cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> includes air guide or deflector <NUM>. Air guide <NUM> can have any design suitable to redirect air flow <NUM> (of air flow path <NUM>) exiting principal fan <NUM> upwards towards mining computer <NUM>. In the absence of air guide <NUM>, the air flow <NUM> exiting principal fan <NUM> can hit the walls of furnace housing <NUM> causing vibration and additional noise. Instead, air guide <NUM> can redirect the air flow <NUM> exiting principal fan <NUM> towards mining computer <NUM>. The redirected air flow <NUM> of air flow path <NUM> may flow from fan and miner section <NUM> into computer housing <NUM> at mining board section air inlet <NUM>. Air flow <NUM> of air flow path <NUM> may flow out of computer housing <NUM> from mining board section air outlet <NUM> to exhaust section <NUM>. Air flow <NUM> can provide air cooling of cryptocurrency mining board <NUM> positioned inside computer housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, mining computer <NUM> may not include computer housing <NUM>.

A conventional mining computer provided by an OEM supplier may include one or more mining computer fans positioned in the computer housing to induce air flow into mining board section air inlet and out of mining board section air outlet. For example, a conventional mining computer may include a first mining computer fan positioned at the mining board section air inlet to induce air flow into the computer housing and a second mining computer fan positioned at the mining board section air outlet to induce air flow out of the computer housing. An example cryptocurrency mining furnace with <NUM> mining computers may include <NUM> mining computer fans, each consuming additional power and generating additional noise. Furthermore, the air flow induced by the principal fan may cause the mining computer fans to overspeed and generate loud, high-frequency noise.

The described apparatuses and methods can provide an advantage over using such conventional mining computers by excluding the mining computer fans. In the illustrated example, all of air flow <NUM> of air flow path <NUM> is induced by principal fan <NUM>. This allows principal fan <NUM> to provide all of the required cooling air flow through the mining board section, thereby enabling operation of mining computer <NUM> without (i.e., free of) mining computer fans. For clarity, the cryptocurrency mining boards <NUM> may be fanless and none of mining computers <NUM> may have an air moving device (fan or otherwise) that provides cooling to their cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>.

In some embodiments, computer control board <NUM> that may have been designed for conventional mining computers may require the presence and operation of mining computer fans to allow operation of cryptocurrency mining board <NUM>. Mining computer <NUM> may include specialized firmware that simulates the presence and operation of the mining computer fans to meet the operating requirements of computer control board <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a spacer <NUM> may be used during positioning of mining computers <NUM> in furnace housing <NUM>. Spacer <NUM> may be attached on one side to mining computer <NUM> at mining board section air outlet <NUM> and may occupy the space that would otherwise be occupied by a mining computer fan in a conventional mining computer. Spacer <NUM>, along with mining computer <NUM>, may be mounted to plate <NUM>. Plate <NUM> can be made of any rigid material providing sufficient structural strength and integrity to support mining computer <NUM> and spacer <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a perspective view of fan and miner section <NUM> of furnace housing <NUM>. Furnace housing <NUM> may include multiple rails <NUM> disposed at the boundary between fan and miner section <NUM> and exhaust section <NUM> (<FIG>). Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, multiple plates <NUM> along with corresponding attached mining computers <NUM> and spacers <NUM> may be slid into position along rails <NUM>. Plates <NUM> can enable multiple mining computers <NUM> to be mounted adjacent to each other in a row and slid into position along rails <NUM>. In some embodiments, furnace housing <NUM> can include multiple rows, with each row including multiple mining computers <NUM>. Rails <NUM> can be made of any rigid material providing sufficient structural strength and integrity to support mining computers <NUM>, spacers <NUM> and plates <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, spacers <NUM> can prevent direct air flow between fan and miner section <NUM> and exhaust section <NUM> that bypasses mining computer <NUM>. Presence of spacer <NUM> can force induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> to flow into mining board section air inlet <NUM>, through mining computer <NUM> and out from mining board section air outlet <NUM> to exhaust section <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, mining computer <NUM> may include any number of cryptocurrency mining boards <NUM>. In some embodiments, mining computer <NUM> may include three cryptocurrency mining boards <NUM>. This may enable mining computer <NUM> to have sufficient processing power to profitably mine cryptocurrency. In other embodiments, mining computer <NUM> may include one or two cryptocurrency mining boards <NUM>. This may enable reduction in power consumption of mining computer <NUM>. In other embodiments, mining computer <NUM> may include more than three cryptocurrency mining boards <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> cryptocurrency mining boards <NUM>). This may enable higher processing power for mining computer <NUM>.

Cryptocurrency mining board <NUM> can have any design suitable for performing cryptocurrency mining operations. In some embodiments, cryptocurrency mining board <NUM> may include any processing device suitable for contributing computing power for running a hashing algorithm for mining cryptocurrency. For example, the processing device may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphical processing unit (GPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In the illustrated example, cryptocurrency mining board <NUM> may be a hashboard. In many cases, a hashboard may provide better mining power efficiency (i.e., a lower power consumption to mining hashrate ratio) than other options. In other embodiments, cryptocurrency mining board <NUM> may not be a hashboard.

In some embodiments, cryptocurrency mining board <NUM> may include heatsink structures <NUM> to dissipate heat generated during cryptocurrency mining operations. The induced air flow of air flow path <NUM> may flow through the space around the heat sink structures <NUM> transporting heat energy away from mining computers <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the hashrate of mining computer <NUM> may be greater than 50Th/s, such as for example 50Th/s to 1500Th/s (e.g., 68Th/s to 126Th/s). The higher hashrates may permit faster mining of cryptocurrency by mining computer <NUM>. In other embodiments, the hashrate of mining computer <NUM> may be less than 50Th/s (e.g., 30Th/s to 50Th/s). This may enable mining computer <NUM> to operate at lower power consumption levels. In other embodiments, the hashrate of mining computer <NUM> may be greater than 150Th/s. This may enable mining computer <NUM> to mine cryptocurrency at higher rates.

The power consumption of mining computer <NUM> may be greater than 2000W, such as for example 2000W to 5000W (e.g., 3200W to 3750W). Mining computer <NUM> with higher power consumption can typically provide higher hashrates and faster mining of cryptocurrency. In other embodiments, the power consumption of mining computer <NUM> may be less than 2000W (e.g., 1500W to 2000W). This may enable operation of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> with reduced cooling air flow requirements and reduced noise levels. In other embodiments, the power consumption of mining computer <NUM> may be greater than 5000W (e.g., 5000W to 10000W). This may enable mining computer <NUM> to provide higher hashrates and faster mining of cryptocurrency.

In some embodiments, mining computers <NUM> may be operated in an overclocked configuration that consumes at least <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%-<NUM>%) more power compared with non-overclocked operation. This may permit mining computer <NUM> to operate at higher hashrates but at the cost of higher power consumption resulting in higher heat generation. In some embodiments, computer control board <NUM> may control timing of when mining computers <NUM> are overclocked. For example, mining computers <NUM> may only be overclocked during <NUM>-<NUM> cooler months of the year and not overclocked during the remaining warmer months of the year. In other examples, computer control board <NUM> may not control the timing of when mining computers <NUM> are overclocked and mining computers <NUM> may be overclocked during all months of the year or never overclocked.

Referring back to <FIG>, in some embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include air filter <NUM> positioned in furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM> upstream of transformer <NUM>. Air induced through housing air inlets <NUM> into furnace housing <NUM> may include dust particles that can attach to and clog up various component of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>, e.g., heatsink structures <NUM> (<FIG>) of mining computers <NUM> and fan impeller <NUM> of principal fan <NUM>. The contamination of the heatsink structures may reduce cooling efficiency of the heatsink structures that can result in overheating and/or shutdown of the mining computers. This may cause reduction in operation lifetime of the mining computers and thereby reduce the profitability of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. Additionally, the clogging up of various components by dust particles may impair proper air flow of induced air along air flow path <NUM> and principal fan <NUM> may have to operate at higher speeds (resulting in increased power consumption and noise production) to provide required amounts of induced air flow along air flow path <NUM>. Air filters <NUM> can filter out at least a portion of the dust particles from air induced through housing air inlets <NUM> and can enable efficient operation of the heatsink structures and proper air flow of induced air along air flow path <NUM>.

Cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include any number of air filters <NUM>. For example, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include a total of eight air filters. Four air filters (two of which, air filter 344a and air filter 344b are shown in <FIG>) may be positioned to filter induced air flow entering housing air inlet 108a. Four air filters (two of which, air filter 344c and air filter 344d are shown in <FIG>) may be positioned to filter induced air flow entering housing air inlet 108b. In other embodiments, depending on relative size of the housing air inlets <NUM> and air filters <NUM>, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include fewer than or greater than eight air filters (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>). In some embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include no air filters.

Air filter <NUM> can have any design suitable for filtering dust and other particulates out of induced air flow entering furnace housing <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM>. In some embodiments, air filter <NUM> may be at least <NUM>" in width (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"), at least <NUM>" in height (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>") and at least <NUM>" in depth (e.g., <NUM>"-<NUM>"). Larger width and height dimensions of air filter <NUM> can enable greater surface area allowing for same level of air filtration (as a smaller air filter) with less pressure drop along air flow path <NUM>. Larger width, height and depth dimensions of air filter <NUM> may enable larger capture volumes allowing air filter <NUM> to be replaced less often. As an example, air filter <NUM> may be <NUM>"x20"x4" in size. In other embodiments, air filter <NUM> may have a width smaller than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>" to <NUM>"), a height smaller than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>" to <NUM>") and/or a depth smaller than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>" to <NUM>"). This may permit a smaller and lighter design of furnace housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, air filter <NUM> may have a width larger than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>" to <NUM>"), a height larger than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>" to <NUM>") and/or a depth larger than <NUM>" (e.g., <NUM>" to <NUM>"). This may permit larger amounts of induced air to be filtered at low pressure drops along air flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, a larger depth of <NUM>" may enable "self cleaning" operation of air filters <NUM> wherein captured dust particles collect at the bottom enabling longer operation lifetimes before air filters <NUM> need to be replaced.

During operation of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>, the air flow resistance of air filter <NUM> may increase (compared with initial installation) as amount of dust and other particulates captured by air filter <NUM> increases. Accordingly, principal fan <NUM> may be required to operate at higher speeds to maintain the same amount of induced air flow through air flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, the operation speed of principal fan <NUM> may be automatically increased based on usage status of air filter <NUM>. The usage status of air filter <NUM> may be based on, for example, volume of air (e.g., cubic feet) that has been filtered, or amount of time (e.g., hours) of runtime, or measured pressure values within air flow path <NUM> (e.g., difference in air pressures measured on either side of air filter <NUM>). For example, Control device <NUM> may provide the control signal for automatic speed adjustment of principal fan <NUM>. In other embodiments, the operation speed of principal fan <NUM> may not be automatically increased based on usage status of air filter <NUM>.

In some embodiments, furnace housing <NUM> may comprise noise cancelling panel <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of fan and miner section <NUM>. Furnace housing <NUM> may include any number of noise cancelling panels <NUM>. For example, furnace housing <NUM> may include four noise cancelling panels <NUM> (one on each side of furnace housing <NUM> and two of which, 348a and 348b, are shown in <FIG>) surrounding at least a portion (and preferably a majority or entirety) of fan and miner section <NUM>. In some embodiments, noise cancelling panels <NUM> may entirely surround fan and miner section <NUM> providing higher noise reduction compared with embodiments where noise cancelling panels <NUM> only partially surround fan and miner section <NUM>. Depending on the noise reduction requirements and the geometry of furnace housing <NUM> and noise cancelling panels <NUM>, in other embodiments, furnace housing <NUM> may include fewer or more than four noise cancelling panels <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM> to <NUM>). Alternatively, or in addition, furnace housing <NUM> may include noise cancelling panels <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of (e.g., a majority of or an entirety of) transformer section <NUM> and/or exhaust section <NUM>. This may enable reduction in noise generated within transformer section <NUM> and/or exhaust section <NUM> from travelling outside furnace housing <NUM>. For an example cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> including housing air outlets <NUM> on two sides of exhaust section <NUM>, furnace housing <NUM> may include three noise cancelling panels <NUM> surrounding exhaust section <NUM> on the remaining two sides and the top.

Noise cancelling panel <NUM> can have any design suitable for reducing noise generated within furnace housing <NUM> from travelling outside furnace housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, a noise cancelling panel <NUM> may include a foam and foil style glue back insulation. In other embodiments, noise cancelling panel <NUM> may include sheet metal or fabric style insulation material. As one example, noise cancelling panel <NUM> may provide a noise reduction of at least <NUM>%, such as <NUM>% to <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%) at a distance of <NUM> from housing air outlet <NUM>. For example, noise cancelling panel <NUM> may provide a noise reduction from 94dB to 52dB at a distance of <NUM> meter from housing air outlet <NUM>. The reduction in noise may provide less disturbance to occupants of building <NUM> (<FIG>) and adjacent neighbors. In other examples, noise cancelling panel <NUM> may provide smaller (e.g., <NUM>% to <NUM>%) or larger (e.g., <NUM>% to <NUM>%) noise reductions.

In some embodiments, temperature sensor <NUM> may be positioned in furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM>. Any number of temperature sensors <NUM> may be positioned in furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM>. For example, three temperature sensors <NUM> may be positioned in furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM> - a first temperature sensor 352a may be mounted inside the center winding of transformer <NUM> to monitor the temperature of transformer <NUM>, a second temperature sensor 352b may be mounted above principal fan <NUM> in fan and miner section <NUM>, and a third temperature sensor 352c may be mounted in exhaust section <NUM>. In other embodiments, fewer than three (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) temperature sensors <NUM> may be positioned in furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM>. This may reduce cost and complexity of control circuitry. In other embodiments, more than three (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>) temperature sensors <NUM> may be positioned in furnace housing <NUM> in air flow path <NUM>. This may permit temperature measurements at greater number of locations and/or multiple temperature measurements at a location thereby providing higher accuracy and additional monitoring of components of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, in some embodiments, additional temperature sensor 352d may be positioned in building <NUM>. For example, the additional temperature sensor 352d may be positioned in building <NUM> up to 100ft away from furnace housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, additional temperature sensor 352d may not be positioned in building <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, temperature sensor <NUM> can have any design suitable for sensing temperature. In some embodiments, temperature sensor <NUM> may provide sensed temperature data to control device <NUM>. Control device <NUM> may use the sensed temperature data to control operations of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. As one example, control device <NUM> may use the sensed temperature data to control the temperature of air induced into air flow path <NUM> by adjusting the positions of inlet damper assemblies <NUM> at housing air inlets <NUM> to control mixing of air induced from the interior environment of building <NUM> and air induced from the outdoor environment. As another example, control device <NUM> may use the sensed temperature data to control the exhaust ratio of quantity of warm air flowing out of interior-coupled outlets to the quantity of warm air flowing out of exterior-coupled outlets by adjusting the outlet damper assemblies <NUM> at housing air outlets <NUM>. For example, if the sensed temperature data indicates that the temperature of building <NUM> is lower than a setpoint temperature, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> at an interior-coupled outlet <NUM> may be moved towards the open position to warm up building <NUM> by providing larger amount of warm air flow to building <NUM>. If the sensed temperature data indicates that the temperature of building <NUM> is higher than a setpoint temperature, the outlet damper assembly <NUM> at an interior-coupled outlet <NUM> may be moved towards the closed position to reduce warming of building <NUM> by reducing the amount of warm air flow to building <NUM>. In other embodiments, the sensed temperature data may not be provided to control device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> may include a high temperature switch <NUM> configured to detect a high temperature event, for example, a fire. High temperature switch <NUM> may be hardwired to stop principal fan <NUM> and move the inlet and outlet damper assemblies towards the closed position. In some embodiments, all the inlet damper assemblies <NUM> and outlet damper assemblies <NUM> may include a spring-return motorized mechanism that can close all the damper assemblies if the sensed temperature data indicates a high temperature or fire event. This can stop air flow being induced into air flow path <NUM> and prevent oxygen being added to the fire event.

In some embodiments, control device <NUM> may be positioned on furnace housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, control device <NUM> may not be positioned on furnace housing <NUM>. control device <NUM> may be electrically connected to one or more of mining computers <NUM>, transformer <NUM>, principal fan <NUM>, inlet damper assemblies <NUM>, outlet damper assemblies <NUM> and temperature sensor <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a schematic illustration of a control device <NUM>. In some embodiments, control device <NUM> may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) <NUM>, an I/O module <NUM> and a display panel <NUM>. The PLC <NUM> of control device <NUM> can have any design suitable to perform the control operations provided by control device <NUM> described herein. The I/O module <NUM> can have any design suitable to receive analog and/or digital inputs from, and to provide analog and/or digital outputs to components of the cryptocurrency mining furnace including, for example, the principal fan, the inlet and outlet damper assemblies, and the temperature sensors. In some embodiments, the I/O module may include separate modules for analog and digital signals. In some embodiments, the I/O module <NUM> may be integrated within PLC <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> of control device <NUM> may include a human machine interface (HMI), for example, a touchscreen display positioned on an external surface of furnace housing <NUM> (<FIG>).

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is an example user interface <NUM> provided by the display panel <NUM> of control device <NUM>. User interface <NUM> may include window <NUM>, window <NUM> and window <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, window <NUM> may display the setpoint and actual measured temperatures of interior environment of building <NUM>. The actual measured temperature may be provided, for example, by temperature sensor 352d. Window <NUM> may enable a user to provide control input to change the setpoint temperature of interior environment of building <NUM>. Window <NUM> may display an icon representing cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> and information including status of inlet damper assemblies <NUM> and outlet damper assemblies <NUM>, status of air filter <NUM>, temperature of transformer <NUM>, temperature of air flow of air flow path <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM> and housing air outlet <NUM>, and fan speed status of principal fan <NUM>. Window <NUM> may also enable a user to provide control input to change the status of one or more of the inlet damper assemblies <NUM> and outlet damper assemblies <NUM>, change the weather-based settings of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> and fan speed of principal fan <NUM>. In other embodiments, user interface <NUM> may include fewer or more windows, display additional or fewer information and provide additional or fewer control options to a user. In some embodiments, control device <NUM> may not provide user interface <NUM>. For example, control device <NUM> may execute computer-readable instructions to provide automatic control of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a schematic illustration of device <NUM>. As shown, device <NUM> is generally illustrated as having hardware components, which may represent the configuration of one or more of the elements of control device <NUM> (<FIG>). Generally, device <NUM> can be a server computer, desktop computer, notebook computer, tablet, PDA, smartphone, a PLC/ special purpose device or another computing device. In at least one embodiment, device <NUM> includes a connection with a network <NUM> such as a wired or wireless connection to the Internet or to a private network. In some cases, network <NUM> includes other types of computer or telecommunication networks.

In the example shown, device <NUM> includes a memory <NUM>, an application <NUM>, an output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, a secondary storage device <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and an input device <NUM>. In some embodiments, device <NUM> includes multiple of any one or more of memory <NUM>, application <NUM>, output device <NUM>, display device <NUM>, secondary storage device <NUM>, processor <NUM>, and input device <NUM>. In some embodiments, device <NUM> does not include one or more of applications <NUM>, secondary storage devices <NUM>, network connections, input devices <NUM>, output devices <NUM>, and display devices <NUM>.

Memory <NUM> can include random access memory (RAM) or similar types of memory. Also, in some embodiments, memory <NUM> stores one or more applications <NUM> for execution by processor <NUM>. Applications <NUM> correspond with software modules including computer executable instructions to perform processing for the functions and methods described herein. Secondary storage device <NUM> can include a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD drive, DVD drive, Blu-ray drive, solid state drive, flash memory or other types of non-volatile data storage.

In some embodiments, device <NUM> stores information in a remote storage device, such as cloud storage, accessible across a network, such as network <NUM> or another network. In some embodiments, device <NUM> stores information distributed across multiple storage devices, such as memory <NUM> and secondary storage device <NUM> (i.e., each of the multiple storage devices stores a portion of the information and collectively the multiple storage devices store all of the information). Accordingly, storing data on a storage device as used herein and in the claims, means storing that data in a local storage device, storing that data in a remote storage device, or storing that data distributed across multiple storage devices, each of which can be local or remote.

Generally, processor <NUM> can execute applications, computer readable instructions or programs. The applications, computer readable instructions or programs can be stored in memory <NUM> or in secondary storage <NUM>, or can be received from remote storage accessible through network <NUM>, for example. When executed, the applications, computer readable instructions or programs can configure the processor <NUM> (or multiple processors <NUM>, collectively) to perform the acts described herein with reference to control device <NUM>, for example.

Input device <NUM> can include any device for entering information into device <NUM>. For example, input device <NUM> can be a keyboard, keypad, cursor-device, touchscreen, camera, or microphone. Input device <NUM> can also include input ports and wireless radios (e.g., Bluetooth®, or <NUM>. 11x) for making wired and wireless connections to external devices. As another example, <FIG> shows an example of user interface <NUM> on an input device <NUM> that is a touchscreen device.

Display device <NUM> can include any type of device for presenting visual information. For example, display device <NUM> can be a computer monitor, a flat-screen display, a projector or a display panel. As another example, display device <NUM> can be display panel <NUM> (<FIG>) of control device <NUM>.

Output device <NUM> can include any type of device for presenting a hard copy of information, such as a printer for example. Output device <NUM> can also include other types of output devices such as speakers, for example. In at least one embodiment, output device <NUM> includes one or more of output ports and wireless radios (e.g., Bluetooth®, or <NUM>. 11x) for making wired and wireless connections to external devices.

<FIG> illustrates one example hardware schematic of a device <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, device <NUM> contains fewer, additional or different components. In addition, although aspects of an implementation of device <NUM> are described as being stored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these aspects can also be stored on or read from other types of computer program products or computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, including hard disks, floppy disks, CDs, or DVDs; a carrier wave from the Internet or other network; or other forms of RAM or ROM.

Referring now to <FIG>, shown therein is a flowchart illustrating an example method <NUM> of operation of a cryptocurrency mining furnace. For example, method <NUM> may be executed for operation of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, method <NUM> may be performed at various times, for example by control device <NUM>, for the operation of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. Method <NUM> may be operated independently. For example, method <NUM> may be performed continuously or at a specific duration of time when cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> is in use or at regular time intervals. Method <NUM> may also be performed in response to a trigger condition, for example, a received user input or received sensor data.

At step <NUM>, air flow may be induced from a housing air inlet in the furnace housing downstream to a transformer positioned in the furnace housing. For example, control device <NUM> may induce air flow from housing air inlet <NUM> of furnace housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, control device <NUM> may induce the air flow by controlling speed of principal fan <NUM> and/or adjusting the position of inlet damper assemblies <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM>. control device <NUM> may induce the air flow in response to temperature data received from temperature sensor <NUM>. As one example, the temperature data may indicate that cooling of transformer <NUM> or mining computers <NUM> is required. As another example, the temperature data may indicate that heating of building <NUM> is required.

At step <NUM>, air flow may be induced from the transformer downstream to the principal fan. For example, control device <NUM> may induce the air flow from transformer <NUM> downstream to principal fan <NUM>. In cases where control device <NUM> induced the air flow at step <NUM> in response to temperature data indicating that cooling of transformer <NUM> is required, control device <NUM> may control speed of principal fan <NUM> and/or adjust the position of inlet damper assemblies <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM> to provide sufficient induced air to provide required cooling for transformer <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, air flow may be induced from the principal fan downstream to the mining computers. For example, control device <NUM> may induce the air flow from principal fan <NUM> downstream to mining computers <NUM>. In cases where control device <NUM> induced the air flow at step <NUM> in response to temperature data indicating that cooling of mining computers <NUM> is required, control device <NUM> may control speed of principal fan <NUM> and/or adjust the position of inlet damper assemblies <NUM> at housing air inlet <NUM> to provide sufficient induced air to provide required cooling for mining computers <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, air flow may be induced from the mining computers downstream to the housing air outlet. For example, control device <NUM> may induce the air flow from mining computers <NUM> downstream to housing air outlet <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, air flow may be induced from the housing air outlet downstream to the building. For example, control device <NUM> may induce the air flow from housing air outlet <NUM> downstream to building <NUM>. In cases where control device <NUM> induced the air flow at step <NUM> in response to temperature data indicating that additional heating of building <NUM> is required, control device <NUM> may adjust the position of outlet damper assemblies <NUM> at housing air outlet <NUM> to increase the quantity of warm air flowing out of interior-coupled outlets to building <NUM>.

The described apparatuses and methods can reduce noise generated during cryptocurrency mining operations compared to an apparatus without one or more (or all) of the use of a principal fan, omission of the mining computer fans on mining computers for their cryptocurrency mining boards, extension of the air flow path length from the housing air inlet to the principal fan relative to the spatial distance between the housing air inlet and the principal fan, extension of the air flow path length from the principal fan to the housing air outlet relative to the spatial distance between the principal fan and the housing air outlet, and provision of noise cancelling panels. In some embodiments, the described apparatuses and methods may provide an average noise reduction of at least 6dB, such as 6dB to 18dB (e.g., 10dB). The reduction in noise may provide less disturbance to occupants of building <NUM> (<FIG>) and adjacent neighbors. In other embodiments, the described apparatuses and methods may provide an average noise reduction smaller than 6dB (e.g., 3dB to 6dB) or greater than 18dB (e.g., 18dB to 24dB). In some embodiments, the removal of the mining computer fans may provide noise reduction of 12dB to 14dB in the <NUM> to <NUM> range that corresponds to a sensitive audio range for humans.

Table <NUM> below provides a summary of example noise level measurements at a distance of one meter from corresponding cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> locations. The example noise level measurements were conducted for an example cryptocurrency mining furnace including a principal fan that generates 87dB noise at the fan housing air inlet and 94dB noise at the fan housing air outlet. The example noise level measurements at each location were conducted for two different conditions - with the corresponding damper assembly (i.e., inlet damper assembly <NUM> for a housing air inlet <NUM> and outlet damper assembly <NUM> for a housing air outlet <NUM>) fully open and fully closed. The example noise level measurements were conducted in summer weather corresponding to higher average fan speeds and higher noise compared with winter weather operations.

The noise level measurements can vary based on different factors including the fan speed of principal fan <NUM>, amount of air flow induced through air flow path <NUM> and presence of noise cancelling panels <NUM>. Accordingly, the example noise level measurements summarized in table <NUM> may not be representative of all operating conditions of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM>. The noise level measurements may be higher or lower under different operation conditions. Additionally, the noise level measurements may be higher or lower for different embodiments of cryptocurrency mining furnace <NUM> depending on factors including number and power rating of mining computers <NUM>; number, type and size of principal fan <NUM>; number, type and size of housing air inlet <NUM> and housing air outlet <NUM>; and path lengths of different portions of air flow path <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cryptocurrency mining furnace (<NUM>) comprising:
a furnace housing (<NUM>) having an air flow path (<NUM>) extending from a housing air inlet (<NUM>) downstream to a housing air outlet (<NUM>);
at least three separate mining computers (<NUM>), each mining computer having at least one cryptocurrency mining board (<NUM>), each mining computer positioned in the furnace housing in the air flow path upstream of the housing air outlet;
a transformer (<NUM>) positioned in the furnace housing upstream of the mining computers and downstream of the housing air inlet, the transformer electrically connected to each of the mining computers to power each of the mining computers; and
a principal fan (<NUM>) positioned in the furnace housing in the air flow path downstream of the transformer and upstream of the mining computers to induce air flow along the air flow path through the transformer and each of the mining computers.