IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,648,777
Granted Patent B2
US 9,648,777 · App. 14/147,636 · Granted May 9, 2017

Water-based computing system

Inventor: Peter G. Finn (Markham, CA)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
H05K7/1497Y10T307/313
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,648,777
App. No.
14/147,636
Granted
May 9, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A water-based computing system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of interconnected computer nodes each placed in a waterproof container floating in a body of water. Each computer node is configured to generate power for use thereof and for the other interconnected computer nodes.

Claims (16)

1. A water-based data center, comprising:

a platform floating in a body of a water; and

a plurality of interconnected computer nodes secured to the platform, each of the computer nodes placed in a waterproof container that is semi-submergible in the water while secured to the platform, wherein each computer node is configured to generate power for use thereof and for other interconnected computer nodes;

wherein at least one of the computer nodes comprises a plurality of electroactive polymer power devices each coupling the waterproof container and computer node placed therein to an adjacent waterproof container and computer node placed therein, the plurality of electroactive polymer devices configured to generate power through various ranges of movement in the body of water;

wherein the plurality of electroactive polymer power devices comprises a plurality of flexing electroactive polymer power devices and a plurality of contracting electroactive polymer power devices, wherein the plurality of flexing electroactive polymer power devices are configured to generate power when flexed in response to movement of the plurality of interconnected computer nodes in the body of water due to wave energy, and wherein the plurality of contracting electroactive polymer power devices are configured to receive the power from the plurality of flexing electroactive polymer power devices when the wave energy in the body of water exceeds a predetermined threshold, the plurality of contracting electroactive polymer power devices contract in response to receiving the power from the plurality of flexing electroactive polymer power devices slowing down power generated from the plurality of flexing electroactive polymer power devices.

2. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , wherein at least one computer node comprises a solar power device.

3. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , wherein at least one computer node comprises a thermoelectric power device.

4. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , wherein at least one computer node comprises a wave motion power generator device.

5. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , wherein at least one computer node comprises a dynamo power device having an arrangement of a plurality of amorphous metal dynamos each configured to generate power through various ranges of movement in the body of water.

6. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , further comprising a cooling module attached to each of the waterproof containers of each of the plurality of interconnected computer nodes to provide cooling to each computer node.

7. The water-based data center according to claim 6 , wherein each cooling module comprises a sealed cooling heat sink containing a non-electrical conductive liquid that provides heat transfer to the computer node coupled thereto.

8. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , wherein each computer node comprises at least one compute module, at least one data storage module, and at least power storage module.

9. The water-based data center according to claim 8 , wherein the power storage module is configured to store excess power generated by the computer node and for subsequent use by the computer node or any other of the interconnected computer nodes.

10. The water-based data center according to claim 8 , wherein the power storage module comprise a battery power device.

11. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , wherein each computer node comprises a data connection that transmits and receives data to and from a remote location.

12. The water-based data center according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one anchoring device that anchors the platform within the body of water.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2014
From: FINN, PETER G.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031917/0113 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150194813A1 · Jul 9, 2015