Self-powered computing buoy
A computing apparatus that is integrated within a flotation module, the system obtaining the energy required to power its computing operations from waves that travel across the surface of a body of water on which the flotation module sets. Additionally, the self-powered computing apparatus employs novel designs to utilize its close proximity to the body of water and/or to strong ocean winds to significantly lower the cost and complexity of cooling their computing circuits.
1. A computational task processing system, comprising:
a buoyant computational task processor coupled to a first local phase array antenna, the buoyant computational task processor having a hull, a power take-off assembly for generating electricity from a movement of ocean waves, a plurality of computers, and a propulsion system; and
a first remote antenna;
wherein the first local phase array antenna is adapted to receive instructions from the first remote antenna and adapted to transmit results to the first remote antenna;
wherein the buoyant computational task processor has a draft greater than its largest horizontal width; and
wherein the plurality of computers are adapted to be powered by electricity generated by the power take-off assembly.
2. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of computers are rigidly mounted to the hull and the power take-off assembly is rigidly mounted to the hull.
3. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , further comprising a second local antenna in communication with a second remote antenna, and wherein the second local antenna is adapted to transmit certain data to the second remote antenna.
4. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first remote antenna is affixed to a land mass.
5. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first remote antenna is adapted to transmit instructions to the first local phase array antenna via a satellite.
6. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of computers are adapted to process a plurality of computational tasks simultaneously.
7. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , wherein the phased array antenna is adapted to cover an area greater than fifty percent of a waterplane area of the buoyant computational task processor.
8. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , wherein the buoyant computational task processor includes a vertically oriented tube extending downward into a water column to stabilize the phased array antenna in pitch and roll.
9. The computational task processing system of claim 8 , wherein the vertically oriented tube has a draft of at least fifteen meters.
10. The computational task processing system of claim 8 , wherein the vertically oriented tube is rigidly affixed to the hull.
11. The computational task processing system of claim 8 , wherein the vertically oriented tube is elliptical in a radial cross section.
12. The computational task processing system of claim 8 , wherein the vertically oriented tube is rectangular is a radial cross section.
13. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , further comprising an energy management mechanism.
14. The computational task processing system of claim 13 , wherein the energy management mechanism is adapted to turn a selected one of the plurality of computers off when available electrical power falls below a predetermined electrical power level.
15. The computational task processing system of claim 13 , wherein the energy management mechanism is adapted to turn on a selected one of the plurality of computers when available electrical power exceeds a predetermined electrical power level.
16. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , further comprising a wall separating an internal cavity of the buoyant computational task processor from an external environment.
17. The computational task processing system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of computers is inside the internal cavity.
18. The computational task processing system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of computers are immersed in a liquid in direct contact with the wall.
19. The computational task processing system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of computers are mounted to the wall.
20. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of computers is adapted to compute a cryptographic hash value.
21. The computational task processing system of claim 1 , further comprising a drone charging station.