Avoiding ungraceful shutdowns in storage devices
Various devices, such as storage devices or storage systems are configured to avoid ungraceful shutdowns utilizing recycled power. Storage devices typically generate heat during normal operations. Energy recycling modules disposed on various components of the storage device recycle this heat. This recycled heat can be captured and converted into electricity that can be stored for later discharge and use. These energy recycling modules can be a series of semiconductors that utilize various natural effects to convert heat applied on one side of the module into electricity that can be delivered to various power storing components. The stored power can be utilized in the event of a sudden power loss in order to power one or more components necessary to perform a graceful shutdown. In this way, even when power is totally cut off from the storage device, there is enough stored recycled electricity that an ungraceful shutdown can be avoided.
1. A device comprising a plurality of components, including:
a processor;
a memory array comprising a plurality of memory devices;
an energy recycling module, wherein the energy recycling module is disposed on top of one or more components; and
an ungraceful shutdown prevention logic configured to:
enable the energy recycling module to capture heat generated from the one or more components;
convert the captured heat into an amount of electricity;
store the converted electricity within the device;
receive a signal associated with a potential ungraceful shutdown; and
utilize, in response to the received signal, the stored electricity, wherein the stored electricity is utilized in one or more components to avoid an ungraceful shutdown within the device.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the energy recycling module is disposed on the processor.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the energy recycling module is disposed on at least a portion of the memory array.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a casing that encloses the plurality of components.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the energy recycling module is integrated into the casing.
6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the energy recycling module is encased within the casing with the other plurality of components.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the energy recycling module is a thermo-electric generator.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the energy recycling module utilizes the Seebeck effect.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein signal is received from a component configured to transmit a signal upon loss of power to the device.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein signal is received from a component configured to transmit a signal upon a predetermined drop in power to the device.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the converted electricity is stored in one or more capacitors.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the converted electricity undergoes a second conversion prior to being stored within the one or more capacitors.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the second conversion is a change in voltage.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the change in voltage is achieved through at least a buck-boost converter.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured with two or more energy recycling modules.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the device operates each of the two or more energy recycling modules based on temperature differences in two or more zones within the device.
17. A system comprising:
a plurality of storage devices;
at least one energy recycling module disposed on each of the storage devices;
wherein each storage device comprises at least:
a processor;
a memory array comprising a plurality of memory devices; and
an ungraceful shutdown prevention logic configured to:
enable the at least one energy recycling module to capture heat generated from one or more components;
convert the captured heat into an amount of electricity;
store the converted electricity within that storage device;
communicate with at least one other storage device within the system;
receive a signal associated with a potential ungraceful shutdown, wherein the ungraceful shutdown is associated with another storage device within the system; and
utilize, in response to the received signal, the stored electricity, wherein the stored electricity is utilized in one or more components to avoid an ungraceful shutdown within a storage device.
18. A method for recycling energy within a storage device, comprising:
enabling an energy recycling module disposed on one or more components of the storage device to capture heat generated from the one or more components;
converting the captured heat into an amount of electricity;
storing the converted electricity within the storage device;
receiving a signal associated with a potential ungraceful shutdown; and
utilizing, in response to the received signal, the stored electricity, wherein the stored electricity is utilized in one or more components to avoid an ungraceful shutdown within the storage device.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the energy recycling module is a thermo-electric generator configured to utilize the Seebeck effect.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the ungraceful shutdown avoidance comprises storing in-flight data into one or more memory devices within the storage device.