Server rack fuel cell
US9563483B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Computing devices receive power from multiple fuel cells, consuming natural gas and outputting electrical energy natively consumable by the computing devices. The fuel cells are sized to provide power to a set of computing devices, such as a rack thereof. The computing devices of a failed fuel cell can receive power from adjacent fuel cells. Additionally, the fuel cells and computing devices are positioned to realize thermal symbiotic efficiencies. Controllers instruct the computing devices to deactivate or throttle down power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is increasing faster than the power being sourced by fuel cells, and instruct the computing devices to activate or throttle up power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is decreasing faster than the power being sourced by the fuel cells. Supplemental power sources, supplementing the fuel cells' inability to quickly change power output, are not required.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.