Abstract: In a method of designing an apparatus formed of at least one component to substantially minimize exergy destruction, at least one of one or more candidate materials and one or more candidate processes are identified. The one or more candidate materials are capable of being used in forming the at least one component and the one or more candidate processes are associated with either or both of the one or more candidate materials and the at least one component. Exergy destruction values of at least one of the one or more candidate materials and the one or more candidate processes are determined. In addition, at least one of the one or more candidate materials and the one or more candidate processes having the substantially lowest exergy destruction values are selected for the apparatus design.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units for energy efficient operation, in which, the temperature of the air returned (Trat) into the one or more CRAC units and the temperature of the air supplied (Tsat) by the one or more CRAC units is detected. The caloric heat transfer level (Q) is calculated based upon the Trat and the Tsat and it is determined whether the Q is within a predetermined setpoint caloric heat transfer range. In addition, at least one operation of the one or more CRAC units is reduced in response to the Q being within the predetermined setpoint caloric heat transfer range to thereby increase the efficiencies of the one or more CRAC units.

Abstract: In a method for correlating vent tiles with racks, the vent tiles are opened to a first setting and the mass flow rates of air received by the racks and supplied through the vent tiles are determined. In addition, one of the vent tiles is closed to obtain a second setting and the mass flow rates of air received by the racks and supplied through the vent tiles are determined at the second setting. The vent tiles and the racks are correlated based upon the determined mass flow rates of air received by the racks and the mass flow rates of air supplied through the vent tiles at the first and second settings.

Abstract: A system and method to model and design a layout of an Internet Datacenter (IDC) for cooling. The IDC is defined as a collection of cells, the cells of the IDC are pre-characterized, an arrangement of the cells within the IDC is determined, and a profile for one or more parameters of interest for each cell are determined.

Abstract: A device for reducing temperature variation in a plenum includes at least one pipe and a plurality of sumps containing a fluid operable to vary between a liquid state and a gaseous state depending upon a temperature of the fluid. The plurality of sumps are positioned at various locations within the plenum and the at least one pipe is in fluid communication with the plurality of sumps. In addition, the fluid, in the gaseous state, is caused to move through the at least one pipe and condense, thereby reducing the temperature at the location of the sump where the fluid was vaporized and thereby reducing temperature variation in the plenum.

Abstract: In a method for correlating vent tiles with racks based upon vent tile settings and rack inlet temperatures, the vent tiles are set to a first setting, the first vent tile settings are recorded and the temperatures at the inlets of the racks are detected at the first vent tile settings. One of the vent tiles is closed to obtain a second setting, the second vent tile settings are recorded and the temperatures at the inlets of the racks are detected at the second vent tile settings. In addition, the vent tiles and the racks are correlated based upon the settings of the vent tiles and the temperatures detected at the first vent tile settings and the second vent tile settings.

Abstract: A device for sensing at least one environmental condition in a data center. The device includes a chassis, a propelling mechanism, a power supply, a steering mechanism, and a controller supported on the chassis. The chassis also supports at least one environmental condition sensor and is operable to travel through the data center and sense at least one environmental condition at various locations throughout the data center.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, and other embodiments associated with fluid leak detection are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a leak detection jacket that is configured to change properties when contacted by fluid.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for controlling airflow around an air-cooled heat generating device having a plurality of components includes a refrigerant line split into second refrigerant lines, which are arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to each other. Evaporators are positioned along the second refrigerant lines and in the path of airflow supplied into the components or airflow exhausted from the components. The refrigeration system further includes a variable speed compressor and a controller for controlling the speed of the variable speed compressor. Furthermore, the refrigeration system includes a temperature sensor configured to transmit signals related to a detected temperature to the controller, and the controller is configured to vary the speed of the variable speed compressor based upon the detected temperature.

Abstract: In a method of controlling vent tiles, the vent tiles are initially correlated with at least one rack. A vent tile family (VTF) of the at least one rack is determined, where the VTF includes vent tiles that have at least a predefined level of influence over the at least one rack as determined by the correlation between the vent tiles and the at least one rack. In addition, a vent control family (VCF) from the vent tiles in the VTF is identified, where the VCF includes vent tiles having an associated at least one rack whose inlet condition is outside of a predefined threshold. Moreover, the vent tiles in the VCF are controlled on a weighted basis determined by the correlation between the vent tiles and the at least one rack.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a vent for a data center cooling system the vent has a body that has a fluid outlet. The body of the vent also has a member that can be adjusted to obstruct the fluid outlet. Mounted to the body of the vent is an electromechanical assembly for effecting an adjustment of the member. The body also has a battery for powering the electromechanical assembly.

Abstract: In a method for correlating vent tiles with racks based upon vent tile settings and rack inlet temperatures, the vent tiles are set to a first setting, the first vent tile settings are recorded and the temperatures at the inlets of the racks are detected at the first vent tile settings. One of the vent tiles is closed to obtain a second setting, the second vent tile settings are recorded and the temperatures at the inlets of the racks are detected at the second vent tile settings. In addition, the vent tiles and the racks are correlated based upon the settings of the vent tiles and the temperatures detected at the first vent tile settings and the second vent tile settings.

Abstract: In a method for correlating vent tiles with racks, the vent tiles are opened to a first setting and the mass flow rates of air received by the racks and supplied through the vent tiles are determined. In addition, one of the vent tiles is closed to obtain a second setting and the mass flow rates of air received by the racks and supplied through the vent tiles are determined at the second setting. The vent tiles and the racks are correlated based upon the determined mass flow rates of air received by the racks and the mass flow rates of air supplied through the vent tiles at the first and second settings.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units for energy efficient operation, in which, the temperature of the air returned (Trat) into the one or more CRAC units and the temperature of the air supplied (Tsat) by the one or more CRAC units is detected. The caloric heat transfer level (Q) is calculated based upon the Trat and the Tsat and it is determined whether the Q is within a predetermined setpoint caloric heat transfer range. In addition, at least one operation of the one or more CRAC units is reduced in response to the Q being within the predetermined setpoint caloric heat transfer range to thereby increase the efficiencies of the one or more CRAC units.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electronic system having at least one heat-generating component includes at least one fan and an operation level setting mechanism. The at least one fan is configured to blow air through the electronic system to thereby dissipate heat generated by the heat-generating component. The operation level setting mechanism is configured to set maximum operation level of the at least one fan, wherein the maximum operation level is based on one or more characteristics of the at least one heat-generating component.

Abstract: An enclosure forms a plurality of tiers vertically stacked in a longitudinal dimension. Each tier is a 1U modular computer system having a computer chassis configured for mounting in the multi-tiered support, and computer components that need cooling within the computer chassis. A cooling system is formed by a plenum pressurized by a blower. The plenum defines a plurality of configurable orifices in the chassis, each directing pressurized air toward a component. The plenum includes adjustable valves to controllably limit airflow through the orifices, and a controller to control the air pressure within the plenum and the orifice flow rates through the valves.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units configured to receive return air for energy efficient operation. In the method, the temperature of the air returned (Trat) into the one or more CRAC units is detected. It is determined whether the Trat is within a predetermined setpoint temperature range and at least one operation of the one or more CRAC units is reduced in response to the Trat being within the predetermined setpoint temperature range to thereby increase the efficiencies of the one or more CRAC units.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units for energy efficient operation, in which, the temperature of the air returned (Trat) into the one or more CRAC units and the temperature of the air supplied (Tsat) by the one or more CRAC units is detected. The caloric heat transfer level (Q) is calculated based upon the Trat and the Tsat and it is determined whether the Q is within a predetermined setpoint caloric heat transfer range. In addition, at least one operation of the one or more CRAC units is reduced in response to the Q being within the predetermined setpoint caloric heat transfer range to thereby increase the efficiencies of the one or more CRAC units.

Abstract: A control system for controlling airflow through a vent. The system includes a vent assembly having a frame. The frame includes an opening to allow air to flow through the frame. The vent assembly also includes a movable damper for variably restricting the fluid flow through the opening in the vent assembly, a motor for controlling movement of the damper, and a sensor for determining the position of the damper. In addition, a controller is provided to control the motor to vary the position of the damper to thereby vary the airflow through the opening in the vent assembly.

Abstract: A system and method to model and design a layout of an Internet Datacenter (IDC) for cooling. The IDC is defined as a collection of cells, the cells of the IDC are pre-characterized, an arrangement of the cells within the IDC is determined, and a profile for one or more parameters of interest for each cell are determined.