| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080212641 | APPARATUS FOR THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION UNDER NON-UNIFORM HEAT LOAD - What is disclosed is an apparatus for determining the cooling characteristics of a cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The apparatus comprising a cooling device thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe having an exposed surface for the selective application of heat thereon. A localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the cooling device. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080215284 | APPARATUS FOR THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION UNDER NON-UNIFORM HEAT LOAD - A method and apparatus for real-time thermal characterization of a fully operating cooling device ( | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080236745 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING OR ALTERING MICROSTRUCTURES USING LOCAL CHEMICAL ALTERATIONS - A method and apparatus for fabricating or altering a microstructure use means for heating to facilitate a local chemical reaction that forms or alters the submicrostructure. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080239539 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENTS - An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080258068 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AN X-RAY POINT SOURCE BY GEOMETRIC CONFINEMENT - A device for generating an x-ray point source includes a target, and an electron source for producing electrons which intersect with the target to generate an x-ray point source having a size which is confined by a dimension of the target. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080281551 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENTS - An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080285232 | Techniques for Data Center Cooling - Techniques for cooling in a data center are provided. In one aspect a computer equipment rack is provided comprising one or more air inlets; one or more exhaust outlets, and one or more of: an air inlet duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the air inlets, the air inlet duct having a lateral dimension that approximates a lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than a length of the computer equipment rack, and an air exhaust duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the exhaust outlets, the air exhaust duct having a lateral dimension that approximates the lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than the length of the computer equipment rack. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080288193 | Techniques for Analyzing Data Center Energy Utilization Practices - Techniques for improving on data center best practices are provided. In one aspect, an exemplary methodology for analyzing energy efficiency of a data center having a raised-floor cooling system with at least one air conditioning unit is provided. The method comprises the following steps. An initial assessment is made of the energy efficiency of the data center based on one or more power consumption parameters of the data center. Physical parameter data obtained from one or more positions in the data center are compiled into one or more metrics, if the initial assessment indicates that the data center is energy inefficient. Recommendations are made to increase the energy efficiency of the data center based on one or more of the metrics. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090150123 | METHOD OF LAYING OUT A DATA CENTER USING A PLURALITY OF THERMAL SIMULATORS - A method is provided for facilitating installation of one or more electronics racks within a data center. The method includes: placing a plurality of thermal simulators in the data center in a data center layout to establish a thermally simulated data center, each thermal simulator simulating at least one of airflow intake or heated airflow exhaust of a respective electronics rack of a plurality of electronics racks to be installed in the data center; monitoring temperature within the thermally simulated data center at multiple locations, and verifying the data center layout if measured temperatures are within respective acceptable temperature ranges for the data center when containing the plurality of electronics racks; and establishing the plurality of electronics racks within the data center using the verified data center layout, the establishing including at least one of reconfiguring or replacing each thermal simulator with a respective electronics rack. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090150129 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING HEATED AIRFLOW EXHAUST OF AN ELECTRONICS SUBSYSTEM, ELECTRONICS RACK OR ROW OF ELECTRONICS RACKS - Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating simulation of heated airflow exhaust of an electronics subsystem, electronics rack or row of electronics racks. The apparatus includes a thermal simulator, which includes an air-moving device and a fluid-to-air heat exchanger. The air-moving device establishes airflow from an air inlet to air outlet side of the thermal simulator tailored to correlate to heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The fluid-to-air heat exchanger heats airflow through the thermal simulator, with temperature of airflow exhausting from the simulator being tailored to correlate to temperature of the heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The apparatus further includes a fluid distribution apparatus, which includes a fluid distribution unit disposed separate from the fluid simulator and providing hot fluid to the fluid-to-air heat exchanger of the thermal simulator. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090150133 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING ONE OR MORE OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ELECTRONICS RACK - Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating simulation of one or more operating characteristics of an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a rack frame, one or more air-moving devices associated with the rack frame, and an adjustable heat source associated with the rack frame. The one or more air-moving devices establish airflow through the rack frame from an air inlet side to an air outlet side thereof, wherein the established airflow through the rack frame is related to airflow through the electronics rack to be simulated. The adjustable heat source heats air passing through the rack frame, with heated air exhausting from the air outlet side of the rack frame simulating heated air exhausting from the electronics rack. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090326879 | Techniques for Thermal Modeling of Data Centers to Improve Energy Efficiency - Techniques for modeling a data center are provided. In one aspect, a method for modeling a data center is provided. The method comprises the following steps. Spatially dense three-dimensional thermal distribution and air flow measurements made in the data center using a mobile off-line surveying system are obtained. A temperature and air flow model for the data center is created using the spatially dense three-dimensional thermal distribution and air flow measurements. The temperature and air flow model is used to make thermal distribution and air flow predictions of the data center. The thermal distribution and air flow predictions are compared with the thermal distribution and air flow measurements made using the mobile off-line surveying system to produce a validated model for the data center. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090326884 | Techniques to Predict Three-Dimensional Thermal Distributions in Real-Time - Techniques for monitoring and predicting environmental operating conditions in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a method for real-time, three-dimensional analysis of environmental operating conditions in a data center includes the following steps. High spatial resolution three-dimensional measurements of one or more environmental variables in the data center made at a time t | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100046574 | APPARATUS FOR THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION UNDER NON-UNIFORM HEAT LOAD - What is disclosed is an apparatus for determining the cooling characteristics of a cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The apparatus comprising a cooling device thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe having an exposed surface for the selective application of heat thereon. A localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the cooling device. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100103721 | Heater and memory cell, memory device and recording head including the heater - A heater includes at least two leads, and a heating element which is formed between the at least two leads, a material of the heating element being different from a material of the at least two leads such that a location of a hot spot in the heater is controllable based on a polarity of current in the heater. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100108131 | Techniques for Use of Nanotechnology in Photovoltaics - Techniques for combining nanotechnology with photovoltaics are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a photovoltaic device is provided comprising the following steps. A plurality of nanowires are formed on a substrate, wherein the plurality of nanowires attached to the substrate comprises a nanowire forest. In the presence of a first doping agent and a first volatile precursor, a first doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the nanowire forest. In the presence of a second doping agent and a second volatile precursor, a second doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the first doped layer. The first doping agent comprises one of an n-type doping agent and a p-type doping agent and the second doping agent comprises a different one of the n-type doping agent and the p-type doping agent from the first doping agent. A transparent electrode layer is deposited over the second doped semiconductor layer. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100307171 | Cooling Infrastructure Leveraging a Combination of Free and Solar Cooling - Energy-efficient data center cooling techniques that utilize free cooling and/or solar cooling are provided. In one aspect, a cooling system is provided including a cooling tower; one or more modular refrigeration chiller units; and a water loop that can be selectively directed through the cooling tower, through one or more of the modular refrigeration chiller units or through a combination thereof. Another cooling system is provided including a solar cooling unit; one or more modular refrigeration chiller units; and a water loop that can be selectively directed through the solar cooling unit, through one or more of the modular refrigeration chiller units or through a combination thereof. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100312498 | Three Dimensional Air Flow Sensors for Data Center Cooling - Techniques for airflow analysis are provided. In one aspect, a mobile sensing device is provided. The mobile sensing device includes an airflow sensing system having a plurality of airflow sensing units arranged in a grid. Each airflow sensing unit includes a first air passage that contains at least one first airflow sensor; a second air passage perpendicular to the first air passage, wherein the second air passage contains at least one second airflow sensor; and a third air passage perpendicular to the first air passage and the second air passage, wherein the third air passage contains at least one third airflow sensor. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100327259 | Ultra-Sensitive Detection Techniques - Techniques for ultra-sensitive detection are provided. In one aspect, a detection device is provided. The detection device comprises a source; a drain; a nanowire comprising a semiconductor material having a first end clamped to the source and a second end clamped to the drain and suspended freely therebetween; and a gate in close proximity to the nanowire. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100330687 | ULTRA-SENSITIVE DETECTION TECHNIQUES - Techniques for ultra-sensitive detection are provided. In one aspect, a detection device is provided. The detection device comprises a source; a drain; a nanowire comprising a semiconductor material having a first end clamped to the source and a second end clamped to the drain and suspended freely therebetween; and a gate in close proximity to the nanowire. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110002576 | Silicide Thermal Heaters for Silicon-on-Insulator Nanophotonic Devices - A thermally switched Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) photo electronic device includes a silicon layer including an optical waveguide and a silicide heating element horizontally adjacent to the waveguide. The waveguide has a refractive index that changes with heat applied to the waveguide. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110010151 | FLUID DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FACILITATING COOLING OF ELECTRONICS RACK(S) AND SIMULATING HEATED AIRFLOW EXHAUST OF ELECTRONICS RACK(S) - Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating simulation of heated airflow exhaust of an electronics subsystem, electronics rack or row of electronics racks. The apparatus includes a thermal simulator, which includes an air-moving device and a fluid-to-air heat exchanger. The air-moving device establishes airflow from an air inlet to air outlet side of the thermal simulator tailored to correlate to heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The fluid-to-air heat exchanger heats airflow through the thermal simulator, with temperature of airflow exhausting from the simulator being tailored to correlate to temperature of the heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The apparatus further includes a fluid distribution apparatus, which includes a fluid distribution unit disposed separate from the fluid simulator and providing hot fluid to the fluid-to-air heat exchanger of the thermal simulator. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110019525 | HEATER AND MEMORY CELL, MEMORY DEVICE AND RECORDING HEAD INCLUDING THE HEATER - A memory cell includes at least one heater, and at least two leads and a heating element which is formed between at least two leads, a material of the heating element being different from a material of at least two leads such that a location of a hot spot in the heater is controllable based on a polarity of current in the heater and at least one storage medium formed adjacent to at least one heater. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110040392 | Measurement and Management Technology Platform - Techniques for implementing system best practices are provided. In one aspect, a method for monitoring, modeling and managing a physical system is provided. The method includes the following steps. A physical data model of the physical system is provided. Real time data is obtained from the physical system. The physical data model is updated based on the real time data. An analytic model of the physical system is created based on the updated physical data model. Operation of the physical system is controlled based on output from the analytic model. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110040529 | Methods and Techniques for Creating and Visualizing Thermal Zones - Techniques for using air flow analysis to model thermal zones are provided. In one aspect, a method for modeling thermal zones in a space, e.g., in a data center, includes the following steps. A graphical representation of the space is provided. At least one domain is defined in the space for modeling. A mesh is created in the domain by sub-dividing the domain into a set of discrete sub-domains that interconnect a plurality of nodes. Air flow sources and sinks are identified in the domain. Air flow measurements are obtained from one or more of the air flow sources and sinks. An air flow velocity vector at a center of each sub-domain is determined using the air flow measurements obtained from the air flow sources and sinks. Each velocity vector is traced to one of the air flow sources, wherein a combination of the traces to a given one of the air flow sources represents a thermal zone in the space. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110040532 | Knowledge-Based Models for Data Centers - Techniques for data center analysis are provided. In one aspect, a method for modeling thermal distributions in a data center is provided. The method includes the following steps. Vertical temperature distribution data is obtained for a plurality of locations throughout the data center. The vertical temperature distribution data for each of the locations is plotted as an s-curve, wherein the vertical temperature distribution data reflects physical conditions at each of the locations which is reflected in a shape of the s-curve. Each of the s-curves is represented with a set of parameters that characterize the shape of the s-curve, wherein the s-curve representations make up a knowledge base model of predefined s-curve types from which thermal distributions and associated physical conditions at the plurality of locations throughout the data center can be analyzed. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110107841 | PIEZORESISTIVE STRAIN SENSOR BASED NANOWIRE MECHANICAL OSCILLATOR - An apparatus is provided and includes compressed conductive elements that each have independently adjustable dimensions sufficient to provide substantially enhanced piezoresistance to a current flowing across each conductive element with each of the conductive elements subjected to compressive strain, the conductive elements being oscillated in a direction parallel to that of the compressive strain at a defined frequency such that a resistance of the conductive elements to the current is thereby substantially reduced. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110165724 | TECHNIQUES FOR USE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN PHOTOVOLTAICS - Techniques for combining nanotechnology with photovoltaics are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a photovoltaic device is provided comprising the following steps. A plurality of nanowires are formed on a substrate, wherein the plurality of nanowires attached to the substrate comprises a nanowire forest. In the presence of a first doping agent and a first volatile precursor, a first doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the nanowire forest. In the presence of a second doping agent and a second volatile precursor, a second doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the first doped layer. The first doping agent comprises one of an n-type doping agent and a p-type doping agent and the second doping agent comprises a different one of the n-type doping agent and the p-type doping agent from the first doping agent. A transparent electrode layer is deposited over the second doped semiconductor layer. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110279967 | Techniques for Data Center Cooling - Techniques for cooling in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a computer equipment rack is provided comprising one or more air inlets; one or more exhaust outlets; and one or more of: an air inlet duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the air inlets, the air inlet duct having a lateral dimension that approximates a lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than a length of the computer equipment rack, and an air exhaust duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the exhaust outlets, the air exhaust duct having a lateral dimension that approximates the lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than the length of the computer equipment rack. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20120038377 | CORROSION SENSORS - Corrosion sensor apparatus are disclosed for detection of contamination affecting metal based components and devices. For example, an apparatus comprises: a set of corrosion sensor elements comprising a first corrosion sensor element and at least a second corrosion element, each corrosion sensor element being coupled between a source and a monitor, wherein a width of the first corrosion sensor element is different than a width of the second corrosion sensor element, wherein each corrosion sensor element is susceptible to corrosion caused by an operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements; and a set of reference elements comprising a first reference sensor element and at least a second reference sensor element, each reference sensor element being coupled between the source and the monitor, wherein a width of the first reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the first corrosion sensor element and a width of the second reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the second corrosion sensor element, wherein each reference sensor element is not substantially susceptible to corrosion caused by the operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120078417 | Detecting Energy and Environmental Leaks In Indoor Environments Using a Mobile Robot - Techniques for energy and environmental leak detection in an indoor environment using one or more mobile robots are provided. An energy leak detection system is provided. The energy leak detection system includes one or more mobile robots configured to move throughout at least a portion of a building and to take temperature and air flow measurements at a plurality of locations within the building. An environmental leak detection system is also provided. The environmental leak detection system includes one or more mobile robots configured to move throughout at least a portion of a building and to take airborne matter measurements at a plurality of locations within the building. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120176148 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF GASEOUS CORROSIVE CONTAMINANTS - A corrosion sensor includes a plurality of metal strips having different thicknesses. A first metal strip with the least thickness is first employed to provide sensitive corrosion detection. After an exposed portion of the first metal strip is consumed, a second metal strip having a second least thickness can be employed to provide continued sensitive corrosion detection employing a remaining un-corroded portion of the second metal strip. The plurality of metal strips can be sequentially employed as exposed portions of thinner metal strips become unusable through complete corrosion and un-corroded exposed portions of thicker metal strips become thin enough to provide sensitive corrosion detection. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120193536 | THERMALLY EXCITED NEAR-FIELD SOURCE - A high resolution material observation system includes an object having at least one spatial dimension sufficient to support production of near-field infrared emissions, a holder adapted to receive a sample to be observed, the holder further adapted to position the sample in the near-field infrared emissions, and a thermal excitation unit, adapted to be thermally coupled to at least one of the object and the sample. The thermal excitation unit is further adapted to causing black body radiation in either the object or the sample within the infrared spectrum. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120201004 | APPARATUS FOR THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION UNDER NON-UNIFORM HEAT LOAD - A method and apparatus for real-time thermal characterization of a fully operating cooling device ( | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120201956 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING OR ALTERING MICROSTRUCTURES USING LOCAL CHEMICAL ALTERATIONS - A method and apparatus for fabricating or altering a microstructure use means for heating to facilitate a local chemical reaction that forms or alters the submicrostructure. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120203516 | Techniques for Determining Physical Zones of Influence - Techniques for analyzing flow of a quantity in a given domain are provided. In one aspect, a method for modeling regions in a domain affected by a flow of a quantity is provided which includes the following steps. A physical representation of the domain is provided. A grid that contains a plurality of grid-points in the domain is created. Sources are identified in the domain. Given a vector field that defines a direction of flow of the quantity within the domain, a boundary value problem is defined for each of one or more of the sources identified in the domain. Each of the boundary value problems is solved numerically to obtain a solution for the boundary value problems at each of the grid-points. The boundary value problem solutions are post-processed to model the regions affected by the flow of the quantity on the physical representation of the domain. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120245738 | Minimizing Aggregate Power from HVAC Cooling and IT Equipment in a Data Center - A mechanism is provided for minimizing aggregate power from HVAC cooling and IT equipment in a data center. The mechanism selects a high HVAC set point for low-utilization and selects a low HVAC set point for high utilization. For each cooling zone in a data center, the mechanism monitors the average utilization of equipment in the cooling zone and selects the appropriate HVAC set point based on utilization. The mechanism may determine efficiency to determine whether to adjust universal HVAC set points or the HVAC set points for each given cooling zone. That is, the mechanism may dynamically adjust HVAC set points for optimal efficiency. Alternatively, the mechanism may go beyond binary control and compute actual data center efficiency metrics to decide on intermediate set points. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120253673 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL DYNAMIC MEASUREMENTS IN WATER SYSTEM - Techniques are disclosed for measuring one or more physical properties of a water system. For example, in one embodiment, a method comprises the following steps. A measurement platform is positioned at a first location of a given water system, wherein the measurement platform comprises a plurality of sensor devices distributed over a three dimensional space and configured to acquire data relating to one or more physical properties of the water system. A first set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the first location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform. The measurement platform is moved along a predetermined path to at least a second location in the water system. At least a second set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the second location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform. The method may further comprise generating an image based on the first set of measurement data and the at least a second set of measurement data, wherein the image represents the one or more physical properties of the water system. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120284216 | Knowledge-Based Models for Data Centers - Techniques for data center analysis are provided. In one aspect, a method for modeling thermal distributions in a data center includes the following steps. Vertical temperature distribution data is obtained for a plurality of locations throughout the data center and is plotted as an s-curve, wherein the vertical temperature distribution data reflects physical conditions at each of the locations which is reflected in a shape of the s-curve. Each of the s-curves is represented with a set of parameters that characterize the shape of the s-curve, wherein the s-curve representations make up a knowledge base model of predefined s-curve types from which thermal distributions and associated physical conditions at the plurality of locations throughout the data center can be analyzed. The set of parameters that characterize the shape of the s-curve are associated with the physical conditions at the plurality of locations throughout the data center using a machine-learning model. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120290135 | UNIFIED AND FLEXIBLE CONTROL OF MULTIPLE DATA CENTER COOLING MECHANISMS - Techniques are described for controlling the climate in a data center. Using the input of an administrator, multiple desired attributes of a data center (e.g., temperature, energy consumption, costs, or system performance) may be balanced using a utility function that maximizes the utility of the computing systems in the data center according to the administrator's preferences. Additionally, a cooling model is generated that represents the affect of a control parameter (e.g., the fan speed of a CRAC) on the desire attributes of the data center. The cooling model may then be substituted into the utility function to replace the desired attributes. Using this new utility function, the control parameters may be varied such that the maximum utility is achieved. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20130013206 | Meteorological Parameter Forecasting - A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for forecasting a meteorological parameter. The method includes analyzing geographically distributed sensor network data to assess spatial and temporal variation of a meteorological parameter in real-time, correlating at least two portions of data from the sensor network to identify a temporal and spatial evolution of the meteorological parameter, and forecasting the meteorological parameter based on the temporal and spatial evolution of the meteorological parameter. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130085611 | UNIFIED AND FLEXIBLE CONTROL OF MULTIPLE DATA CENTER COOLING MECHANISMS - Techniques are described for controlling the climate in a data center. Using the input of an administrator, multiple desired attributes of a data center (e.g., temperature, energy consumption, costs, or system performance) may be balanced using a utility function that maximizes the utility of the computing systems in the data center according to the administrator's preferences. Additionally, a cooling model is generated that represents the affect of a control parameter (e.g., the fan speed of a CRAC) on the desire attributes of the data center. The cooling model may then be substituted into the utility function to replace the desired attributes. Using this new utility function, the control parameters may be varied such that the maximum utility is achieved. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130103214 | Provisioning Aggregate Computational Workloads And Air Conditioning Unit Configurations To Optimize Utility Of Air Conditioning Units And Processing Resources Within A Data Center - Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for provisioning aggregate computational workloads and air conditioning unit configurations to optimize utility of air conditioning units and processing resources within a data center are provided. Embodiments include for each air conditioning unit within the data center, determining a thermal zone generated by the air conditioning unit; for a given aggregate computational workload, identifying a plurality of computational workload configurations, each computational workload configuration indicating spatial assignments of the aggregate computational workload among a plurality of processing resources within the data center; for each computational workload configuration, calculating a total minimum energy consumption of the air conditioning units and the processing resources; and selecting the computational workload configuration with the lowest total minimum energy consumption and the determined lowest power air conditioning unit configuration corresponding with the selected computational workload configuration. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130103218 | PROVISIONING AGGREGATE COMPUTATIONAL WORKLOADS AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT CONFIGURATIONS TO OPTIMIZE UTILITY OF AIR CONDITIONING UNITS AND PROCESSING RESOURCES WITHIN A DATA CENTER - Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for provisioning aggregate computational workloads and air conditioning unit configurations to optimize utility of air conditioning units and processing resources within a data center are provided. Embodiments include for each air conditioning unit within the data center, determining a thermal zone generated by the air conditioning unit; for a given aggregate computational workload, identifying a plurality of computational workload configurations, each computational workload configuration indicating spatial assignments of the aggregate computational workload among a plurality of processing resources within the data center; for each computational workload configuration, calculating a total minimum energy consumption of the air conditioning units and the processing resources; and selecting the computational workload configuration with the lowest total minimum energy consumption and the determined lowest power air conditioning unit configuration corresponding with the selected computational workload configuration. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130149195 | CORROSION SENSORS - Corrosion sensor apparatus for detection of contamination affecting metal based components and devices. For example, an apparatus includes: a set of corrosion sensor elements, wherein a width of a first corrosion sensor element is different than a width of a second corrosion sensor element, wherein each corrosion sensor element is susceptible to corrosion caused by an operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements; and a set of reference elements wherein a width of a first reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the first corrosion sensor element and a width of a second reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the second corrosion sensor element, wherein each reference sensor element is not substantially susceptible to corrosion caused by the operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130159351 | Asset Identity Resolution Via Automatic Model Mapping Between Systems With Spatial Data - Techniques for mapping between data models where objects represented in the data models include common physical objects or assets are provided. In one aspect, a method for mapping between data models, each of which describes a location of objects in a physical area includes the following steps. Common attributes are found in each of the data models. Location attributes are found among the common attributes in each of the data models, i.e., those attributes that describe the location of the objects in the physical area. The location attributes are used to identify a given one of the objects common to each of the data models, based on a placement of the given object by the data models at a same location (at a same time) in the physical area to establish a common identity of the object within the models. Attributes other than location attributes may then be mapped. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130166241 | DATA CENTER THERMAL MANAGEMENT - Historical high-spatial-resolution temperature data and dynamic temperature sensor measurement data may be used to predict temperature. A first formulation may be derived based on the historical high-spatial-resolution temperature data for determining a temperature at any point in 3-dimensional space. The dynamic temperature sensor measurement data may be calibrated based on the historical high-spatial-resolution temperature data at a corresponding historical time. Sensor temperature data at a plurality of sensor locations may be predicted for a future time based on the calibrated dynamic temperature sensor measurement data. A three-dimensional temperature spatial distribution associated with the future time may be generated based on the forecasted sensor temperature data and the first formulation. The three-dimensional temperature spatial distribution associated with the future time may be projected to a two-dimensional temperature distribution, and temperature in the future time for a selected space location may be forecasted dynamically based on said two-dimensional temperature distribution. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130166258 | Techniques for Thermal Modeling of Data Centers to Improve Energy Efficiency - Techniques for modeling a data center are provided. In one aspect, a method for modeling a data center is provided. The method comprises the following steps. Spatially dense three-dimensional thermal distribution and air flow measurements made in the data center using a mobile off-line surveying system are obtained. A temperature and air flow model for the data center is created using the spatially dense three-dimensional thermal distribution and air flow measurements. The temperature and air flow model is used to make thermal distribution and air flow predictions of the data center. The thermal distribution and air flow predictions are compared with the thermal distribution and air flow measurements made using the mobile off-line surveying system to produce a validated model for the data center. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130265064 | CORROSION DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR UNIVERSAL ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTION IN DATA CENTERS - A compact corrosion measurement apparatus and system includes an air fan, a corrosion sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a heater element, and an air flow sensor all under control to monitor and maintain constant air parameters in an environment and minimize environmental fluctuations around the corrosion sensor to overcome the variation commonly encountered in corrosion rate measurement. The corrosion measurement apparatus includes a structure providing an enclosure within which are located the sensors. Constant air flow and temperature is maintained within the enclosure where the corrosion sensor is located by integrating a variable speed air fan and a heater with the corresponding feedback loop control. Temperature and air flow control loops ensure that corrosivity is measured under similar conditions in different facilities offering a general reference point that allow a one to one comparison between facilities with similar or different pollution levels. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20140063729 | Techniques for Data Center Cooling - Techniques for cooling in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a computer equipment rack is provided comprising one or more air inlets; one or more exhaust outlets; and one or more of: an air inlet duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the air inlets, the air inlet duct having a lateral dimension that approximates a lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than a length of the computer equipment rack, and an air exhaust duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the exhaust outlets, the air exhaust duct having a lateral dimension that approximates the lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than the length of the computer equipment rack. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140074444 | Techniques for Evaluating Optimum Data Center Operation - Techniques for modeling a data center are provided. In one aspect, a method for determining data center efficiency is provided. The method includes the following steps. Target parameters for the data center are obtained. Technology pre-requisite parameters for the data center are obtained. An optimum data center efficiency is determined given the target parameters for the data center and the technology pre-requisite parameters for the data center. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140111229 | CORROSION SENSORS - Corrosion sensor apparatus for detection of contamination affecting metal based components and devices. For example, an apparatus includes: a set of corrosion sensor elements, wherein a width of a first corrosion sensor element is different than a width of a second corrosion sensor element, wherein each corrosion sensor element is susceptible to corrosion caused by an operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements; and a set of reference elements wherein a width of a first reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the first corrosion sensor element and a width of a second reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the second corrosion sensor element, wherein each reference sensor element is not substantially susceptible to corrosion caused by the operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140230524 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF GASEOUS CORROSIVE CONTAMINANTS - A corrosion sensor includes a plurality of metal strips having different thicknesses. A first metal strip with the least thickness is first employed to provide sensitive corrosion detection. After an exposed portion of the first metal strip is consumed, a second metal strip having a second least thickness can be employed to provide continued sensitive corrosion detection employing a remaining un-corroded portion of the second metal strip. The plurality of metal strips can be sequentially employed as exposed portions of thinner metal strips become unusable through complete corrosion and un-corroded exposed portions of thicker metal strips become thin enough to provide sensitive corrosion detection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140252103 | IRRIGATION SYSTEM - A method of operating a drip irrigation system is provided and includes providing drip irrigation lines aside a diverter line with T-junctions interleaved between adjacent ones of the drip irrigation lines and each T-junction including a three-way line coupled to the diverter line, a check valve operably disposable between the three-way line and a downstream end of an upstream one of the drip irrigation lines to permit fluid flow in only a forward direction and a controllable valve operably disposable between the three-way line and an upstream end of a downstream one of the drip irrigation lines. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140252112 | IRRIGATION SYSTEM - An irrigation system including a diverter line is provided. The system includes drip irrigation lines, T-junctions interleaved between adjacent drip irrigation lines, each T-junction including a three-way line coupled to the diverter line, a check valve operably disposable between the three-way line and a downstream end of an upstream one of the drip irrigation lines to permit fluid flow in only a forward direction and a controllable valve operably disposable between the three-way line and an upstream end of a downstream one of the drip irrigation lines. The controllable valve is operable to permit fluid flow in only the forward direction and to prevent the fluid flow. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140252113 | IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An irrigation system is provided and includes a main irrigation line, one or more lateral driplines, each lateral dripline being divided into zones and including a plurality of emitters at each zone and a plurality of controllable valves disposed along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders. Each one of the plurality of controllable valves is actuatable to activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone in a zone by zone cycle and each one of the plurality of emitters is replaceable to vary an amount of deliverable fluid by the zone by zone cycle. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140252114 | IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of operating an irrigation system is provided and includes coupling one or more lateral driplines to a main irrigation line, dividing each lateral dripline into zones and providing each lateral dripline with a plurality of replaceable emitters at each zone, disposing a plurality of controllable valves along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders and actuating each one of the plurality of controllable valves to thereby activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140252117 | CONTROLLABLE EMITTER - A controllable emitter of an irrigation apparatus including a drip line having pressurized fluid therein is provided. The controllable emitter includes a container coupled to the drip line, the container being formed to define an interior and including an inlet through which the pressurized fluid is receivable in the interior from the drip line and an outlet through which the pressurized fluid is exhaustible from the interior, a magnetic stopper, which is normally disposable in a first position such that the magnetic stopper prevents a flow of the pressurized fluid through the outlet and which is actively disposable in a second position such that the magnetic stopper permits the flow and a controllable actuator configured to generate a magnetic field operable to urge the magnetic stopper to move from the first position to the second position. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140252133 | CONTROLLABLE EMITTER - A controllable emitter of an irrigation apparatus including a drip line and a control station configured to control a pressure of pressurized fluid in the drip line is provided. The controllable emitter is disposable along the drip line and includes a container coupled to the drip line, the container being formed to define an interior and including an inlet through which the pressurized fluid is receivable in the interior from the drip line and an outlet through which the pressurized fluid is exhaustible from the interior, a piston, including a magnetic element, disposed at least partially in the container to occupy a position in accordance with the pressure of the pressurized fluid and a sensor configured to sense a position of the magnetic element and to communicate a sensed position to the control station. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140253093 | SERVER RACK FOR IMPROVED DATA CENTER MANAGEMENT - Methods and systems for data center management include collecting sensor data from one or more sensors in a rack; determining a location and identifying information for each asset in the rack using a set of asset tags associated with respective assets; communicating the sensor and asset location to a communication module; receiving an instruction from the communication module; and executing the received instruction to change a property of the rack. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140257699 | WIRELESS NETWORK OF LOW POWER SENSING AND ACTUATING MOTES - Embodiments include a wireless mote network having a plurality of motes, wherein each of the plurality of motes includes a processing unit in communication with a communications device. Each of the motes includes at least a sensor configured to monitor an environmental condition in an area around the mote or an actuator configured to control one or more external systems. The wireless mote network also includes a central communications device configured to communicate with one or more of the motes within a range of the central communications device and a controller configured to communicate with the central communications device, to receive one or more signals indicative of the environmental condition of one or more of the plurality of motes, and to transmit one or more control signals indicating an operation of the actuator to one or more of the plurality of motes. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140257754 | WIRELESS NETWORK OF LOW POWER SENSING AND ACTUATING MOTES - Embodiments include a wireless mote network having a plurality of motes, wherein each of the plurality of motes includes a processing unit in communication with a communications device. Each of the motes includes at least a sensor configured to monitor an environmental condition in an area around the mote or an actuator configured to control one or more external systems. The wireless mote network also includes a central communications device configured to communicate with one or more of the motes within a range of the central communications device and a controller configured to communicate with the central communications device, to receive one or more signals indicative of the environmental condition of one or more of the plurality of motes, and to transmit one or more control signals indicating an operation of the actuator to one or more of the plurality of motes. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140283682 | FILTER REPLACEMENT LIFETIME PREDICTION - Methods and systems for predicting a filter lifetime include building a filter effectiveness history based on contaminant sensor information associated with a filter; determining a rate of filter consumption with a processor based on the filter effectiveness history; and determining a remaining filter lifetime based on the determined rate of filter consumption. Methods and systems for increasing filter economy include measuring contaminants in an internal and an external environment; determining a cost of a corrosion rate increase if unfiltered external air intake is increased for cooling; determining a cost of increased air pressure to filter external air; and if the cost of filtering external air exceeds the cost of the corrosion rate increase, increasing an intake of unfiltered external air. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140320607 | Multifunctional Sky Camera System for Total Sky Imaging and Spectral Radiance Measurement - A multifunctional sky camera system and techniques for the use thereof for total sky imaging and spectral irradiance/radiance measurement are provided. In one aspect, a sky camera system is provided. The sky camera system includes an objective lens having a field of view of greater than about 170 degrees; a spatial light modulator at an image plane of the objective lens, wherein the spatial light modulator is configured to attenuate light from objects in images captured by the objective lens; a semiconductor image sensor; and one or more relay lens configured to project the images from the spatial light modulator to the semiconductor image sensor. Techniques for use of the one or more of the sky camera systems for optical flow based cloud tracking and three-dimensional cloud analysis are also provided. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324350 | Machine Learning Approach for Analysis and Prediction of Cloud Particle Size and Shape Distribution - Techniques for analysis and prediction of cloud particle distribution and solar radiation are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing cloud particle characteristics includes the steps of: (a) collecting meteorological data; (b) calculating solar radiation values using a radiative transfer model based on the meteorological data and blended guess functions of a cloud particle distribution (c) optimizing the cloud particle distribution by optimizing the weight coefficients used for the blended guess functions of the cloud particle distribution based on the solar radiation values calculated in step (b) and measured solar radiation values; (d) training a machine-learning process using the meteorological data collected in step (a) and the cloud particle distribution optimized in step (c) as training samples; and (e) predicting future solar radiation values using forecasted meteorological data and the machine-learning process trained in step (d). | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140324352 | Machine Learning Approach for Analysis and Prediction of Cloud Particle Size and Shape Distribution - Techniques for analysis and prediction of cloud particle distribution and solar radiation are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing cloud particle characteristics includes the steps of: (a) collecting meteorological data; (b) calculating solar radiation values using a radiative transfer model based on the meteorological data and blended guess functions of a cloud particle distribution (c) optimizing the cloud particle distribution by optimizing the weight coefficients used for the blended guess functions of the cloud particle distribution based on the solar radiation values calculated in step (b) and measured solar radiation values; (d) training a machine-learning process using the meteorological data collected in step (a) and the cloud particle distribution optimized in step (c) as training samples; and (e) predicting future solar radiation values using forecasted meteorological data and the machine-learning process trained in step (d). | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140327769 | Multifunctional Sky Camera System for Total Sky Imaging and Spectral Radiance Measurement - A multifunctional sky camera system and techniques for the use thereof for total sky imaging and spectral irradiance/radiance measurement are provided. In one aspect, a sky camera system is provided. The sky camera system includes an objective lens having a field of view of greater than about 170 degrees; a spatial light modulator at an image plane of the objective lens, wherein the spatial light modulator is configured to attenuate light from objects in images captured by the objective lens; a semiconductor image sensor; and one or more relay lens configured to project the images from the spatial light modulator to the semiconductor image sensor. Techniques for use of the one or more of the sky camera systems for optical flow based cloud tracking and three-dimensional cloud analysis are also provided. | 11-06-2014 |
