A heating system and a heating method

Abstract

A heating system and method for heating by means of at least one processing unit having at least one processor for performing computational tasks. A container unit is arranged for holding a medium, wherein the at least one processing unit is thermally coupled with at least a portion of the container unit for transferring thermal energy produced by the at least one processing unit to the at least one portion of the container unit for heating medium inside the container unit.

1 . A heating system for heating by means of a processing unit, the system comprising at least one processing unit having at least one processor for performing computational tasks, and a container unit for holding a medium, wherein the at least one processing unit is thermally coupled with at least a portion of the container unit by means of at least one heat pipe, wherein the at least one heat pipe is arranged for transferring thermal energy produced by the at least one processing unit to the at least one portion of the container unit for heating the medium inside the container unit. 
     
     
         2 . The heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing unit is arranged below the container unit. 
     
     
         3 . A heating system for heating by means of a processing unit, the system comprising at least one processing unit having at least one processor for performing computational tasks, and a container unit for holding a medium, wherein the at least one processing unit is arranged below the container unit, preferably by means of at least one heat pipe arranged for transferring thermal energy produced by the at least one processing unit to the portion of the container unit for heating the medium inside the container unit. 
     
     
         4 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one heat pipe includes at least one thermosiphon heat pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing unit is directly thermally coupled with a wall portion of the container unit by means of the at least one heat pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing unit is directly thermally coupled with the medium inside the container unit by means of the at least one heat pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The heating system according to  claim 6 , wherein the system further comprises a thermal coupling member arranged for forming a thermal coupling between the at least one processing unit and a portion of the container unit. 
     
     
         8 . The heating system according to  claim 7 , wherein the thermal coupling member comprises a heat pump arranged for transferring thermal energy from the at least one processing unit towards the container unit. 
     
     
         9 . The heating system according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the thermal coupling member comprises a thermoelectric cooler for adjusting a rate of thermal energy transfer to the container unit. 
     
     
         10 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 7 - 9 , wherein the thermal coupling member comprises means for coupling the at least one processing unit to a heat exchanger arranged within the container unit. 
     
     
         11 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 7 - 10 , wherein the thermal coupling member comprises means for coupling the at least one processing unit to a heat exchanger arranged outside around the container unit. 
     
     
         12 . The heating system according to  claim 10  or  11 , wherein the heat exchanger is a spiral heat exchanger. 
     
     
         13 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two processing units are arranged, wherein a first processing unit of the at least two processing units is thermally coupled to a first location at or in the container unit by means of a first heat pipe, and a second processing unit of the at least two processing units is thermally coupled to a second location at or in the container unit by means of a second heat pipe, wherein the first location is different from the second location. 
     
     
         14 . The heating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first processing unit is coupled with a first heat exchanger positioned at the first location at or in the container unit and the second processing unit is coupled with a second heat exchanger positioned at the second location at or in the container unit, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are offset with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction of the container unit. 
     
     
         15 . The heating system according to  claim 14 , wherein, in use, the first processing unit has a higher thermal energy output capacity than that of the second processing unit, wherein the first heat exchanger is arranged closer to an upper end of the container unit than the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         16 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing unit comprises a plurality of components, wherein at least a first component is thermally coupled to a third location at or in the container unit by means of a third heat pipe and at least a second component is thermally coupled to a fourth location at or in the container unit by a fourth heat pipe, the third location being different from the fourth location. 
     
     
         17 . The heating system according to  claim 16 , wherein at least the first component is coupled with a first heat exchanger positioned at the third location at or in the container unit and/or at least the second component is coupled with a second heat exchanger positioned at the fourth location at or in the container unit, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are offset with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction of the container unit. 
     
     
         18 . The heating system according to  claim 17 , wherein, in use, the at least one first component has a higher thermal energy output capacity than the at least one second component, wherein the first heat exchanger is arranged closer to an upper end of the container unit than the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processing unit is arranged on a bottom side of the container unit and is coupled to a bottom portion of the container unit. 
     
     
         20 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a module holder arranged for holding at least one processing unit, wherein the module holder is thermally coupled with the container unit by means of at least one heat pipe. 
     
     
         21 . The heating system according to  claim 20 , wherein a plurality of processing units are received in the module holder. 
     
     
         22 . The heating system according to  claim 20  or  21 , wherein at least one processing unit is detachably connected with the module holder. 
     
     
         23 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 20 - 22 , wherein the module holder comprises at least one receiving slot arranged for receiving a processing unit, wherein a processing unit of the at least one processing unit is arranged to be sled in a receiving slot of the module holder, e.g. in a position underneath the container unit, wherein the module holder is arranged for providing a thermal coupling between the at least one processing unit inserted in the at least one receiving slot and a portion of the container unit. 
     
     
         24 . The heating system according to  claim 23 , wherein the module holder comprises a plurality of receiving slots each configured for receiving a processing unit. 
     
     
         25 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 20 - 24 , wherein the at least one processing unit in the module holder is cooled by means of a cooling arrangement arranged for transferring heat from the at least one processing unit in the module holder to the medium in the container unit. 
     
     
         26 . The heating system according to any one of the claims, wherein the at least one processing unit is cooled by means of immersion cooling. 
     
     
         27 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container unit comprises an inlet opening for receiving a fluid and an outlet opening for releasing a fluid, wherein the heating system is arranged for increasing the temperature of fluid received at the inlet opening before releasing the fluid at the outlet opening. 
     
     
         28 . The heating system according to  claim 27 , wherein the inlet opening and outlet opening are the same. 
     
     
         29 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the medium inside the container unit is water and the container unit includes a warm water tank arranged for storing warm water. 
     
     
         30 . The heating system according to  claim 29 , wherein the container unit is a warm water tank arranged for storing warm water. 
     
     
         31 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container unit includes an inner tank contained inside an outer containing tank. 
     
     
         32 . The heating system according to  claim 31 , wherein the inner tank comprises an inlet opening for receiving a fluid and an outlet opening for releasing the fluid. 
     
     
         33 . The heating system according to  claim 31  or  32 , wherein the outer containing tank includes a heating fluid at least partially surrounding the inner tank. 
     
     
         34 . The heating system according to  claim 31 ,  32  or  33 , wherein the outer containing tank includes at least one compartment containing a phase change material. 
     
     
         35 . The heating system according to any one of  claims 31 - 34 , wherein the outer containing tank includes at least one heat pipe arranged for transporting heat from a bottom of the outer containing tank upwards. 
     
     
         36 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, including a thermal isolation positioned between at least one processing unit and the container unit, and at least one thermal diode allowing thermal energy to be transferred in a single direction only, from the at least one processing unit to the container unit. 
     
     
         37 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 1 - 36 , wherein the medium inside the container unit is an oil. 
     
     
         38 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 1 - 37 , wherein the medium inside the container unit is phase-change material. 
     
     
         39 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a controlling unit arranged for:
 determining a need for thermal energy output for heating the medium inside the container unit,   selecting one or more computational tasks to be carried out by the at least one processing unit depending on the needed thermal energy output,   operating the at least one processing unit to carry out the one or more computational tasks for obtaining a resulting thermal energy output substantially corresponding to the needed thermal energy output.   
     
     
         40 . The heating system according to  claim 39 , wherein the resulting thermal energy output is increased by selecting more computational tasks. 
     
     
         41 . The heating system according to  claim 39  or  40 , wherein the resulting thermal energy output is increased by reducing an interval between successive tasks. 
     
     
         42 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 39 - 41 , wherein the thermal energy output is increased by selecting a more computational intensive task. 
     
     
         43 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 39 - 42 , wherein the at least one processing unit is connected to an electric power source, wherein the controlling unit is configured for obtaining data representative of a parameter of electricity of the power source and for allocating the one or more computational calculation tasks over time on the basis of the parameter. 
     
     
         44 . The heating system according to  claim 43 , wherein the power source is at least one of a power grid, a local photovoltaic solar unit, or a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         45 . The heating system according to  claim 43  or  44 , wherein the parameter is one or more of a voltage of the electricity of the power grid, a cost per unit of the electricity of the power grid, an availability of renewable energy, or a frequency of electricity of the power source. 
     
     
         46 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 43 - 45 , wherein the data representative of the parameter is based on a prediction. 
     
     
         47 . The heating system according to any one of the  claims 43 - 46 , wherein the controlling unit is configured for:
 determining data representative of a quantity of thermal energy needed within a time frame for heating the medium inside the container unit to a desired temperature,   determining a prediction of the parameter of electricity of the power source for at least a part of the time frame, and   allocating the one or more computational calculation tasks over the time frame on the basis of the prediction of the parameter and the data representative of the quantity of thermal energy needed.   
     
     
         48 . The heating system of  claim 47 , wherein the data representative of the quantity of thermal energy needed is based on a prediction. 
     
     
         49 . The heating system according to  claim 47  or  48 , wherein the prediction of the parameter and/or the prediction of the quantity of thermal energy needed is an ongoing prediction. 
     
     
         50 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container unit is thermally insulated so as to store thermal energy in the medium inside the container unit. 
     
     
         51 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container unit is an upstanding vessel. 
     
     
         52 . The heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged to guard the temperature in the vessel so as to protect from overheating the electronic computer equipment of the at least one processing unit. 
     
     
         53 . The heating system according to  claim 52 , arranged to, when the temperature in the vessel exceeds a first temperature threshold, indicate to a that a limited time is remaining before the processing unit will be slowed down and/or halted, and/or, when the temperature in the vessel exceeds a second temperature threshold, slowing down and/or halting the processing unit. 
     
     
         54 . The heating system according to  claim 53 , arranged to present the user with an estimated time remaining before the second temperature threshold may be reached. 
     
     
         55 . A heating system for heating a medium by means of a processing unit, the system comprising at least one processing unit having at least one processor for performing computational tasks, and a container unit for holding the medium, wherein the at least one processing unit is thermally coupled for transferring thermal energy produced by the at least one processing unit to the medium, wherein the at least one processing unit is connectable to an electric power source, wherein the controlling unit is configured for obtaining data representative of a parameter of electricity of the power source and for allocating one or more computational calculation tasks over time on the basis of the parameter, wherein the data representative of the parameter is based on a prediction of said parameter. 
     
     
         56 . The heating system according to  claim 55 , wherein the controlling unit is configured for determining data representative of a quantity of thermal energy needed within a time frame for heating the medium to a desired temperature, determining the prediction of the parameter of electricity of the power source for at least a part of the time frame, and allocating the one or more computational calculation tasks over the time frame on the basis of the prediction of the parameter and the data representative of the quantity of thermal energy needed. 
     
     
         57 . The heating system of  claim 56 , wherein the data representative of the quantity of thermal energy needed is based on a prediction. 
     
     
         58 . The heating system according to any one of  claims 43 - 57 , wherein the electric power source is at least one of a power grid, a local photovoltaic solar unit, or a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         59 . The heating system according to  claim 43 - 58 , wherein the parameter of electricity of the power source is one or more of a voltage of the electricity of the power grid, a cost per unit of the electricity of the power grid, an availability of renewable energy, or a frequency of electricity of the power source. 
     
     
         60 . Container unit for use in the heating system according to  claims 1 - 59 . 
     
     
         61 . Processing unit for use in the heating system according to  claims 1 - 59 . 
     
     
         62 . Module holder for use in the heating system according to  claims 20 - 54 . 
     
     
         63 . Method for heating by means of a processing unit, the method comprising
 providing at least one processing unit having at least one processor for performing computational tasks, and a container unit holding a medium inside,   thermally coupling the at least one processing unit with at least a portion of the container unit by means of at least one heat pipe arranged transferring thermal energy produced by the at least one processing unit to the at least one portion of the container unit so as to heat the medium inside the container unit.   
     
     
         64 . Method according to  claim 63 , wherein a controlling unit is employed for:
 determining a need for thermal energy output for heating the medium inside the container unit,   selecting one or more computational tasks to be carried out by the at least one processing unit depending on the needed thermal energy output,   operating the at least one processing unit to carry out the one or more computational tasks for obtaining a resulting thermal energy output substantially corresponding to the needed thermal energy output.