Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for monitoring disk drives to predict failure. One embodiment includes a disk drive having a plurality of different types of sensors that sense events over a lifetime of the disk drive. Data from the events is aggregated to predict when the disk drive will fail.

Abstract: In a method of generating governing metrics, a high-level goal to be met in a provisioned system is identified. In addition, a low-level governing policy designed to facilitate achievement of the high-level goal is selected and properties relating to the selected low-level governing policy are identified. The identified properties are formulated to define governing metrics relevant to the selected low-level governing policy and the formulated governing metrics are outputted. The formulated governing metrics are configured to be used in at least one of evaluating and controlling resource provisioning in the provisioned system.

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: In a method of managing a structure configured to perform a service a net power value for implementing the structure is determined. A structure available energy value is calculated from the net power value and a fuel available energy value is calculated from the structure available energy value. The fuel available energy value is a function of the structure available energy value and an environmental sustainability of the structure. In addition, the structure is managed based upon the calculated fuel available energy value.

Abstract: A virtual cooling infrastructure includes a demand manager having logical descriptions of a plurality of heat loads and the demand manager is configured to determine cooling load demands of the heat loads. The infrastructure also includes a capacity manager having logical descriptions of a plurality of cooling system components configured to supply cooling resources to cool the heat loads. The infrastructure further includes a service operator configured to map the cooling resources of the cooling system components to the cooling load demands of the heat loads.

Abstract: An electronic system includes a first circuit board having a first optical element and a second circuit board having a second optical element positioned to electronically communicate with the first optical element over free space. The system also includes a cold plate having openings positioned to enable the optical communications over free space is positioned between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The system further includes a condenser and a fluid conduit containing a cooling fluid configured to absorb heat through the cold plate and to convey the heat to the condenser, where the fluid conduit connects the cold plate and the condenser.

Abstract: A system for cooling an electronic device having a heat-generating component includes a passive cooling device having a cooling ability designed to expire after a predetermined amount of heat is absorbed from the heat-generating component and an active cooling device configured to at least one of dissipate heat generated by the heat-generating component and cool the passive cooling device, when the active cooling device is activated. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the active cooling device after a determination that a predetermined threshold condition has occurred, wherein the predetermined threshold condition is selected to occur after the passive cooling device cooling ability has substantially expired, to thereby substantially minimize power consumption of the active cooling device in cooling the heat-generating component.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implementable instructions for insuring delivery of an electronic document in a data processing system. A request is received from a requestor to insure delivery of the electronic document. In response to receiving the request, a payment amount to insure delivery is identified based on network characteristics of a network in which the electronic document is to be transmitted. An acknowledgment of the electronic document is sent to the requestor, wherein the acknowledgment includes the payment amount. The electronic document is delivered in response to receiving a reply to the acknowledgment from the requestor accepting the identification of the payment amount. The requestor is notified of a successful delivery of the electronic document in response to receiving an acknowledgment from the recipient.

Abstract: A digital media drive failure prediction system comprises a prediction module configured to analyze a current draw associated with a digital media drive measured at least two different operating times of the digital media drive to automatically determine whether a different between the measured current draws indicates an impending failure of the digital media drive.

Abstract: Signature analysis of streamed download data narrows a list of likely candidates after a search engine search has been performed. “Streamed download” means that the data is brought byte by byte to the searcher's computer and then discarded. During the streaming process the subject data, in binary form, is parsed into segments and each segment is provided with a signature based on the content of the segment. The signatures of the individual segments are then compared to signatures of the material that may have been infringed. If there are no matches, the streamed download data is discarded. If there are enough matches of the signatures, the offending data is displayed for visual inspection. Only caching and display takes place if a potential infringing segment is discovered.

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: A computer system comprising a plurality of electronic components disposed within a chassis. The electronic components generate a cooling load of at least 50 CFM at 2 inches of water or greater. An air mover is disposed within said chassis and is operable to generate airflow of at least 50 CFM at 2 inches of water or greater. An air distribution system is coupled to the air mover and is operable to distribute the airflow to the plurality of electronic components.

Abstract: A method of cooling components across a continuum having a plurality of levels includes receiving and evaluating detected data related to the components across the continuum. A control scheme is developed based upon the evaluated data, where the control scheme is configured to manipulate one or more actuators across a plurality of levels. In addition, one or more of the actuators across the plurality of levels are manipulated in accordance with the developed control scheme.

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: A projection system has at least one heat source. A closed-loop heat pipe has at least one heat receiving portion thermally coupled with the at least one heat source, and at least one heat rejecting portion thermally coupled with a heat sink. A heat carrying fluid circulating through the heat pipe receives heat from the at least one heat source and releases heat to the heat sink.

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: A method for controlling cooling provisioning for heat generating devices includes correlating the heat generating devices with primary actuators, such that the heat generating devices are associated with primary actuators having at least a predefined level of influence over the respective heat generating devices. The flow rates of air supplied by the primary actuators are set based upon volume flow rate requirements of the heat generating devices, such that the volume flow rate setting for a primary actuator is based upon the volume flow rate requirement for the heat generating devices associated with the primary actuator. In addition, the temperatures of the airflow supplied by the primary actuators are varied to substantially maintain associated heat generating devices within predetermined temperature ranges.

Abstract: In a method for controlling temperature using a sensor network, the sensors of the sensor network are commissioned and one of a plurality of control schemes for operating a primary actuator configured to vary temperatures of the sensors based upon energy utilization requirements of the plurality of control schemes is selected. In addition, the selected one of the plurality of control schemes is implemented to vary the temperatures detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A method for commissioning sensors includes determining correlation data between the sensors and a plurality of actuators. The correlation data is based upon conditions detected by the sensors at a plurality of actuator settings. Correlation indexes are calculated from the correlation data, where a correlation index for a sensor is a function of the plurality of actuator settings and a particular actuator. In addition, each of the sensors is assigned to at least one of a plurality of actuator families based upon the calculated correlation indexes of the sensors to thereby commission the sensors.