Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of computing devices comprises: periodically collecting status information from the plurality of computing devices; providing a user interface including: a first control to select one or more of the plurality of computing devices; and a second control to select one of a plurality of operating modes, the plurality of operating modes including: a manual mode in which the one or more selected computing devices are operated according to user selected settings; and an intelligent mode in which the one or more selected computing devices are operated according to dynamic settings; and in response to one or more of the plurality of computing devices being selected with the first control and one of the plurality of operating modes being selected with the second control, applying the selected operating mode to the one or more selected computing devices.

Abstract: A system for cooling a two-dimensional array of computing devices is disclosed. A fan is configured to move air through the array of computing devices, which may be fan-less. The fan's width and height may correspond to the two-dimensional array's width and height. The two-dimensional array may be radially configured, and a shroud may be connected between the fan and the array of computing devices. The shroud may have profiles matching the fan and the array of computing devices.

Abstract: A method for power distribution may include providing, via a power distribution unit, power to a plurality of computing devices, the computing devices including a respective processor and memory; monitoring electrical current consumption of the plurality of computing devices for a plurality of phases; determining if a difference between the electrical current consumption of a phase of the plurality of phases and the electrical current consumption of one or more other phases of the plurality of phases exceeds a threshold; and/or balancing the electrical current consumption of the plurality of phases, if the difference exceeds the threshold, such that the difference does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: System and methods for managing large numbers of network-enabled devices such as computing devices in a facility such as a data center are disclosed. A management application selects and instructs one of the devices to enter a low power state. The power draw from outlets in a power distribution unit supplying the devices are monitored, and an outlet that is detected as dropping below a predetermined threshold of power usage is then mapped to the selected device. This process is repeated for other devices. This permits the power outlet and device associate to be automatically verified to ensure accurate device location identification and power-based billing for the devices in a facility.

Abstract: A system for improved air cooling of circuit boards such as cryptographic hash boards is disclosed. The system may comprise a tubular case and a number of circuit board support brackets affixed to the inside of the case in a radial pattern. Fans may be coupled to one or both ends of the tubular case to draw air through the tubular case. The tubular case may be cylindrical or a regular polygonal prism and may have a central channel for cables and controller cards.

Abstract: A heat sink for cooling computing devices is disclosed. The heat sink includes a plurality of fin stages arranged in spaced relation between an intake side and an exhaust side. The plurality of fin stages each include a plurality of fins extending along a flow direction. At least one of the plurality of fin stages is distinct in fin width and/or fin height from another one of the plurality of fin stages.

Abstract: A method of computer operation may include (a) providing a first computer and a second computer; (b) operating the second computer; (c) modifying settings of the second computer; (d) monitoring, via the first computer, changes to a plurality of operational parameters of the second computer after the settings are modified to identify a plurality of covariant parameters of the plurality of operational parameters; and/or (e) controlling, via the first computer, operation of the second computers according to the identified plurality of covariant parameters to increase computational efficiency of the second computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computing devices in a data center based on collected environmental data are disclosed. Temperature data from the computing devices is periodically gathered along with environmental data from sensors inside and outside the data center. The collected data is used to create a correlation model between the outside environmental data, the inside environmental data, and the device environmental status. Weather data for the geographic location of the data center may also be incorporated into the correlation model, which may be used to predict future heat spikes and trigger preventative measures such as adjusting device fans, operating frequencies, reducing or shifting workloads, adjusting vents, and engaging cooling units.

Abstract: A system for the reclamation of energy generated from computing devices disposed within a data center may include at least one rack, an exhaust duct, and a damper. The at least one rack may include a plurality of computing devices. The exhaust duct may be disposed adjacent to the at least one rack and may be configured to receive exhaust air from the computing devices. The damper may be disposed within the exhaust duct and may be configured to release at least some of the exhaust air into the data center when an ambient temperature of the data center reaches a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of operating computers may include connecting a computer with a proxy computer; obtaining, via the proxy computer, a list of pools compatible with the computer; selecting a pool from the list of pools; obtaining a header for the selected pool; providing, via the proxy computer, the header to the computer; authenticating the computer with a pool computer; performing compute tasks, via the computer, corresponding to the selected pool; and/or submitting output information from the compute tasks to the pool computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing airflow for cooling computing devices (e.g. in a data center) in normal and cold environments are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises positioning the computing devices on a plurality of racks with air barriers to create hot and cold aisles. The computing devices may be configured in a first mode to draw in cool air the cold aisles and exhaust heated air into the hot aisles. Temperatures in the cold aisles may be periodically measured. In response to temperatures below a predetermined threshold, one or more of the cold aisles may be converted into a temporary hot aisle by adjusting ventilation openings and configuring a subset of the computing devices to temporarily draw in warm air from the temporary hot aisle.

Abstract: A system and method for using waste heat from computing devices is disclosed. Computing devices may be positioned in a device rack and output exhaust air such that heat is transferred into a heat chamber with controllable temperature and a work item rack that is configured to hold one or more work items. By transferring the heat from the computing devices to heat or preheat the heat chamber, the captured heat can be used for useful work such as dehydrating, baking, drying or curing. Humidity can also be controlled, and conveyors may be used to improve the flow of work items. The energy reused may be calculated, recorded and attributed to the work items processed or the work performed by the computing devices.

Abstract: A system and method for recapturing waste heat from computing devices are disclosed. The system includes at least one computing device, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, an exhaust duct leading from the computing device to the HVAC unit, a bypass duct fluidly connected to the exhaust duct for bypassing the HVAC unit, a control valve disposed in the exhaust duct, and a controller operatively connected to the control valve. The control valve is switchable between an open position where a flow of exhaust air is sent to the HVAC unit, and a closed position where the flow of exhaust air is redirected to the bypass duct.

Abstract: A method for automated switching of workloads on computing devices to increase returns such as rewards or transaction fees in a cryptocurrency blockchain network is disclosed. A plurality of signals impacting the profitability of mining for a plurality of different cryptocurrencies and plurality of different mining pools are monitored. In response to the plurality of signals indicating a different cryptocurrency and mining pool combination is more profitable, the computing device workload is automatically switched. Switching cost may be calculated and used to prevent unprofitable switches. The signals may be used to train a machine learning model that may be used to predict future profitability for automatic switching.

Abstract: A rack and system for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rack supports a plurality of computing devices and comprises a plurality of planar annular sector or trapezoidal shelves, each having one or more positions for holding computing devices. A number of vertical supports may hold the shelves in a vertically spaced arrangement, and an air barrier may be affixed to the rack. The air barrier may have openings for the computing devices to permit exhaust air to flow through the air barrier into a hot aisle. The rack maybe configured to be connected to other similar racks to form a vertical annular hyperboloid or a vertical hyperbolic annular paraboloid, and the computing devices may be installed to discharge exhaust at an angle relative to a centerline of the vertical annular hyperboloid or a vertical hyperbolic annular paraboloid to improve airflow.

Abstract: A heat sink for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. The heat sink includes a plurality of fin stages arranged in spaced relation between an intake side and an exhaust side. The plurality of fin stages have a height that increases from the intake side to the exhaust side.

Abstract: An adjustable cooling duct for improved facility (e.g., data center) cooling is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cooling duct comprises a cylindrical flexible membrane (e.g., fabric) having a first annular end and a second annular end, and a cincture mechanism connected around the perimeter of the cylindrical flexible membrane between the first annular end and the second annular end. The cincture mechanism may be motorized and that may be controlled by a management computer based on pressure sensor readings. The cincture mechanisms may be automated for coordinated control of multiple ducts in parallel by the management computer based on environmental sensor readings to improve facility cooling.

Abstract: A rack and system for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rack supports a plurality of computing devices and comprises a plurality of planar annular sector or trapezoidal shelves, each having one or more positions for holding computing devices. A number of vertical supports may hold the shelves in a vertically spaced arrangement, and an air barrier may be affixed to the rack and have openings that permit exhaust air to flow from the computing devices through the air barrier into a hot aisle. The rack may be configured to be connected to other similar racks to form a vertical annular cylinder, which may be tapered, and the computing devices may be installed to discharge exhaust at an angle relative to a centerline of the vertical annular cylinder to improve airflow.

Abstract: A rack and system for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rack supports computing devices and comprises planar annular sector or trapezoidal shelves, each having one or more positions for holding computing devices. The rack may be configured to be connected to other similar racks to form a vertical geometric prism or annular cylinder, which may be tapered, and the computing devices may be installed to discharge exhaust at an angle. A number of vertical supports may hold the shelves in a vertically spaced arrangement to from a helix within the prism or cylinder. An air barrier may be affixed to the rack and have openings permitting exhaust air to flow from the computing devices through the air barrier. The helix formed by the shelves may channel the airflow generated by the computing devices into a vortex to improve cooling.

Abstract: A system and method for easily managing a data center with multiple computing devices such as cryptocurrency miners from different manufactures is disclosed. A first computer includes a management application to manage the selected computing devices and periodically read and store status information from them into a database. Controls are presented to enable selection of one or more of the devices and to apply an operating mode, including manual, semi-automatic, automatic, and intelligent modes. Machine learning may be used to determine recommended settings for the selected set of computing devices.