From Google's new "Water-Based Data Center" patent: "A system includes a floating platform-mounted computer data center comprising a plurality of computing units, a sea-based electrical generator in electrical connection with the plurality of computing units, and one or more sea-water cooling units for providing cooling to the plurality of computing units. "
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220080209234%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20080209234&RS=DN/20080209234 |
Thanks for the tip, hadn't seen that article! Either way an interesting patent considering the number of DCs near rivers not to mention the Netherlands wind-powered data center. This Patent also mentions wind machines anchored to the ocean floor. |
The other article doesn't seem to mention wind machines at sea... That strikes me as being an important innovation. On that note, here is an interesting like about capturing high-altitude wind power: www.google.com/corporate/green/energy/makani.pdf |
Is this patent granted?
I doubt it, as similar mechanisms were used in other applications rather then data center. Any electronic to heat source can use. |
I'm not a legal or patent expert but, I'm pretty certain it's been granted as it was filed in 2007... |
The state of intellectual property makes me sad some days. |
Well, we may say it's sinking ;-) |
I can't see on this article _1_ single innovation that could grant it a patent; just a bunch of old and well known techs put together doesn't make it innovating, but guess money talks louder... |
Data Center in New Mexico Without Air Conditioning
Intel has a paper by Don Atwood and John G. Miner about running a data center without air conditioning when the outside temperature is below 90° F (32° C). By not running air conditioning it saves power and money with a minor difference in failure rate.
A test data center in New Mexico had 900 servers that ran for ten months. Half used air conditioning and half were cooled with outside air via an air economizer.
"Reducing Data Center Cost with an Air Economizer" http://www.intel.com/it/pdf/Reducing_Data_Center_Cost_with_an_Air_Economizer.pdf (pdf)
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