Abstract: A system configured for cooling electronic devices comprises a pair of opposing, active manifolds that control a flow of cooling liquid through pipes or through an immersion tank past the electronic devices. A controller detects and/or predicts localized hotspots and adjusts flow control devices associated with inlets and outlets of the manifolds to direct proportionately more cooling liquid to the hotspots. The flow control devices can be any combination of variable speed pumps and/or adjustable valves, vents, and/or baffles. Manifolds can be placed on two opposing sides of the devices, on four opposing sides, and/or above and/or below the devices. Temperatures proximate the devices can be measured by separate sensors and/or sensors integral to components of the electronic devices. Hotspots can be predicted by monitoring current flows, power flows, and/or voltages of the electronic devices, and/or inferred from network activity and/or from a workload queue.

Abstract: A data center cooling system comprises a cooling loop through which a coolant is caused to flow to a plurality of electronic devices by a variable speed pump under control of a controller. Separate variable speed liquid and vapor pumps are provided in embodiments where the coolant is vaporized by the absorbed heat. In response to changing cooling requirements, the coolant flow rate is adjusted by varying the pump speeds, without reliance on a flow control valve. Cooling is thereby optimized while minimizing pump energy consumption. The cooling loop can be branched into flow paths, each of which can include a separately controlled isolation valve. A plurality of cooling loops can include dedicated, separately controlled variable speed pumps. The pumps can be controlled reactively according to temperature measurements, and/or predictively according to measured electrical current flows to the electronic devices and/or device workload predictions.

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.