Airflow management method using cross-flow fan control

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing airflow in a backup battery unit (BBU) rack are described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the system includes a BBU rack having a plurality of BBU modules, which is used to supply power to a server rack in a data center. The system also includes one or more crossflow fans, each of which is used to dynamically adjust the direction of its airflow in real time; and a rack management controller connected to the server rack, the BBU rack, and the one or more crossflow fans. The crossflow fan is equipped with a rotatable frame for changing the airflow. After receiving a control signal from the rack management controller and / or the BBU rack controller, in response to a power supply event, one or more crossflow fans diffuse cooling air to one or more BBU modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to electronic cooling in a battery module. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to airflow management using cross-flow fans in a battery backup unit (BBU) rack. Background Art

[0002] The use of backup batteries (BBUs) instead of traditional solutions, such as lead-acid based uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, has become popular in the vehicle industry and data centers.

[0003] BBUs can be arranged in a BBU rack or a server rack, where cooling air can be used to cool the battery cells. Moving the airflow requires expensive equipment, especially for mass density systems, such as storage racks or BBU racks in data centers. Therefore, in order to improve the energy efficiency in mass density systems, it is important to improve the efficiency of airflow management.

[0004] The BBU rack can be used as a backup power supply or a supplementary power supply for an external system (such as a server rack in a vehicle or a data center). In addition, the BBU rack can also be used for system power management and optimization. Depending on the way the BBU rack is used, the airflow management may vary. For example, when used as a complete backup power supply, the entire BBU rack requires cooling air. When used as a supplementary power supply or a partial backup power supply, only certain BBU modules require enhanced cooling. In addition, the BBU rack can also use different configurations to improve the availability of the BBU rack or increase the design flexibility. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application proposes a system and method for managing the airflow in a battery backup unit (BBU) rack.

[0006] An embodiment of one aspect of this application proposes a system for managing the airflow in a battery backup unit (BBU) rack, including:

[0007] A BBU rack, which includes a plurality of BBU modules, where the BBU rack is used to supply power to a server rack in a data center;

[0008] One or more cross-flow fans, where each cross-flow fan is used to dynamically adjust the direction of its airflow in real time; and

[0009] A rack management controller, which is connected to the server rack, the BBU rack, and the one or more cross-flow fans, where the rack management controller is used to

[0010] Detect an event in the power supply of the server rack, and

[0011] In response to the event, send a control signal to the BBU rack to control the air chambers therein, and send a control signal to the one or more cross-flow fans to diffuse the cooling air to one or more of the BBU modules.

[0012] In one embodiment, each of the one or more cross-flow fans is connected to one or more air chambers of the BBU rack via an air duct, and each air chamber corresponds to one of the multiple BBU modules.

[0013] In one embodiment, the BBU rack powers the server rack as a backup power source or a supplementary power source.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the rack management controller detects a power outage, the BBU rack serves as a backup power source for the server rack.

[0015] In one embodiment, the rack management controller sends the control signal to the BBU rack to open any air chamber between the BBU rack and the one or more cross-flow fans.

[0016] In one embodiment, the rack management controller sends an additional control signal to the one or more cross-flow fans to control the speed of the one or more cross-flow fans based on the temperature of the server rack.

[0017] In one embodiment, when the rack management controller detects that the server rack requires peak power operation, the BBU rack serves as a supplementary power source for the server rack.

[0018] In one embodiment, the rack management controller identifies one or more of the BBU modules in the BBU rack that will supply supplementary power to the server rack, and sends a control signal to the one or more cross-flow fans to direct their airflow to match one or more air ducts connected to the one or more BBU modules.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present application proposes a method for managing the airflow in a backup battery unit (BBU) rack, including:

[0020] Detect an event in the power supply of a server rack in a data center, where the server rack is powered by a BBU rack including multiple BBU modules, and the BBU rack is coupled to one or more cross-flow fans;

[0021] Send one or more control signals to the BBU rack and the one or more cross-flow fans; and

[0022] Control the one or more cross-flow fans and the air chambers in the BBU rack using the one or more control signals.

[0023] In one embodiment, each of the one or more cross-flow fans is connected via an air duct to one or more air chambers of the BBU rack, each air chamber corresponding to one of the plurality of BBU modules.

[0024] In one embodiment, the BBU rack powers the server rack as a backup power source or a supplementary power source.

[0025] In one embodiment, when the rack management controller detects a power outage, the BBU rack serves as a backup power source for the server rack.

[0026] In one embodiment, the one or more control signals sent to the BBU rack are used to open any air chamber between the BBU rack and the one or more cross-flow fans.

[0027] In one embodiment, the one or more control signals sent to the one or more cross-flow fans are used to control the speed of the one or more cross-flow fans based on the temperature of the server rack.

[0028] In one embodiment, when the rack management controller detects that the server rack requires peak power operation, the BBU rack serves as a supplementary power source for the server rack.

[0029] In one embodiment, the rack management controller identifies one or more of the BBU modules in the BBU rack that will provide supplementary power to the server rack, and sends control signals to the one or more cross-flow fans to direct their airflow to match one or more air ducts connected to one or more of the BBU modules.

[0030] Another embodiment of the present application proposes a cross-flow fan, comprising:

[0031] A rear wall;

[0032] A scroll wall; and

[0033] A rotating part, wherein the rotating part is used to rotate the scroll wall and the rear wall to adjust the blowing direction of the airflow received by the cross-flow fan.

[0034] In one embodiment, the cross-flow fan further comprises a housing for accommodating an impeller, wherein the impeller is surrounded by forward-curved blades.

[0035] In one embodiment, the rotating part and the impeller are rotated by two different motors.

[0036] In one embodiment, the intake side and the exhaust side are managed by changing the relative positions of the impeller and the rotating part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements.

[0038] Figure 1 A system for managing airflow in a BBU rack according to one embodiment is shown.

[0039] Figure 2 An example of a cross-flow fan according to one embodiment is shown.

[0040] Figure 3 An example of the use of the system according to one embodiment is shown Figure 2 in.

[0041] Figure 4 An example of the design of a cross-flow fan section according to one embodiment is shown.

[0042] Figure 5 An example of a system used as a supplementary power source according to one embodiment is shown.

[0043] Figure 6 An example of the system according to one embodiment with additional features is shown Figure 5 in.

[0044] Figure 7 A data center PoD according to one embodiment is shown.

[0045] Figure 8 A flowchart showing a method for managing airflow using a cross-flow fan according to one embodiment.

[0046] Figure 9 A flowchart showing another method for managing airflow using a cross-flow fan according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to the details discussed below, and the drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings of the present invention are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Many specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. However, in some instances, well-known or conventional details are not described for the sake of brevity in the discussion of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] A reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in different places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0049] According to various embodiments, systems and methods for managing airflow in a BBU rack are described herein. In one embodiment, the system includes: a BBU rack having a plurality of BBU modules therein, the BBU rack for powering a server rack in a data center. The system further includes one or more cross-flow fans, each cross-flow fan for dynamically adjusting in real time the direction of its airflow; and a rack management controller connected to the server rack, the BBU rack, and the one or more cross-flow fans. The rack management controller can send control signals to the BBU rack to control the air chambers therein, and can send control signals to the one or more cross-flow fans to diffuse cooling air to one or more BBU modules.

[0050] In one embodiment, each cross-flow fan may include a rotatable vortex adjustment frame for adjusting the position of the vortex in the cross-flow fan, thereby adjusting the airflow discharge / diffusion direction of the cross-flow fan. The rotatable vortex adjustment frame includes a vortex wall and a rear wall, combined as a single unit, which is coupled to a rotating part. The rotating part is attached to an electric motor that can rotate the rear wall and the vortex wall in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotatable vortex adjustment frame enables the cross-flow fan to precisely adjust the direction of its airflow, thereby accurately delivering cooling air to a specific target location in the BBU rack.

[0051] Figure 1 A system 100 for managing airflow in a BBU rack according to one embodiment is shown.

[0052] As shown, the system 100 includes a plurality of cross-flow fans 101 and 102 placed within a cross-flow fan section 103, which can be an independent section attached to the BBU rack 104 or a portion of the BBU rack 104. The BBU rack 104 may include a plurality of BBU modules (e.g., BBU modules 107 and 108). The system may include air chambers between the cross-flow fan section 103 and each BBU module.

[0053] For example, an air chamber 105 is placed between the cross-flow fan section 103 and the BBU module 107, and an air chamber 110 is placed between the cross-flow fan section 103 and the BBU module 108.

[0054] Each BBU module may include a group of battery cells connected in series, in parallel, or a combination thereof. The battery cells can be of any type, such as lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, etc. The battery cells are used to supply the battery energy stored in the battery cells to a load (e.g., the load can be at least one server described herein) and to draw power from an external power supply (or power source) to charge the battery cells. In one embodiment, the module may include only one battery cell instead of multiple battery cells.

[0055] In one embodiment, each air chamber can be used as an air reservoir for storing the cooling air from the cross-flow fan and discharging the accumulated cooling air to the corresponding BBU module. Each air chamber has an opening (e.g., opening 109) on the side of the BBU module and on the side of the cross-flow fan section 103. The opening on the side of the cross-flow fan section is used to draw the cooling air coming out of the cross-flow fan (e.g., cross-flow fan 101) into the BBU module. The opening on the side of the BBU module (e.g., BBU module 108) is used to discharge the cooling air accumulated in the air chamber to the BBU module.

[0056] In one embodiment, the pressure of the cooling air accumulated in each air chamber can be higher than the pressure of the air in the BBU module. A higher pressure may be required to push the cooling air into the BBU module to better cool the entire battery cell therein. To maintain the higher pressure, the opening on the side of the BBU module can be smaller than the opening on the side of the cross-flow fan section 103. Due to the pressure management, the cooling air can be supplied to the BBU module at a faster air speed compared to the air speed at which the cooling air is pushed into the air chamber by the cross-flow fan. Therefore, the air flow can be more effectively arranged and delivered to the battery cells in the BBU module, thereby cooling the battery cells in the BBU module more effectively and / or more quickly.

[0057] In one embodiment, each battery module may include ventilation holes that allow warm air to leave the module. Specifically, the BBU module may include one or more vents or perforations on the side of the air chamber, and / or may include vents or perforations on the back of the BBU module.

[0058] As further shown, an air valve (e.g., valve 111) between the air chambers for the BBU module can be closed or opened as needed. When the air valve for the air chamber is closed, the cooling air accumulated in the air chamber can only be distributed to the corresponding BBU module. When the air valve for the BBU module is opened, the accumulated cooling air can be distributed to the adjacent air chamber, so that the cooling air can be distributed to the BBU module corresponding to the adjacent air chamber. In one embodiment, in the case where all valves are opened, the cooling air accumulated in any air chamber can be used to cool the entire BBU rack, and fan A 101 and fan B 102 can be understood as backup units for each other.

[0059] In one embodiment, all the air valves in the BBU rack 104 can be closed. In this embodiment, each BBU module can only be cooled by the cooling air accumulated in its corresponding air chamber. This embodiment can be used when only the BBU rack with some BBU modules started is used as a supplementary power source. In another embodiment, all the air valves in the BBU rack 104 can be opened. In this embodiment, the respective air chambers can share the accumulated cooling air with each other. This embodiment can be used when the BBU rack 104 is used as a standby power source or an auxiliary power source in some power management scenarios, where each BBU module is started and thus needs to be cooled.

[0060] As Figure 1 Further shown, each cross-flow fan can blow the cooling air into 4 BBU modules in the BBU rack 104 through different air ducts 113. The number of BBU modules in the BBU rack, the number of cross-flow fans, and the number of BBU modules connected to each cross-flow fan are for illustrative purposes. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in the actual implementation, the respective numbers can vary based on the system design requirements.

[0061] In one embodiment, each cross-flow fan can include a rotatable vortex adjustment frame, which includes a rotating part (not shown), a vortex wall, and a rear wall. The motor coupled to the rotating part can receive a control signal from the rack management controller and, in response, operate to rotate the vortex wall and the rear wall so that the cross-flow fan can blow the cooling air into a specific air duct.

[0062] For example, the cross-flow fan 101 includes a vortex wall 117 and a rear wall 115. By rotating the vortex wall 117 and the rear wall 115, the cross-flow fan 101 can adjust the direction of its air flow to accurately spread the cooling air into 4 corresponding air ducts 1, 2, 3, and 4 (one at a time). The rear wall 115 is custom-designed on its discharge side to match the air duct to eliminate air leakage and ensure that the air is delivered to one of the air ducts #1 to #8.

[0063] In one embodiment, each air duct has a preset angle relative to the position of the corresponding cross-flow fan. The information about the angle of each air duct can be stored in the rack management controller, and the rack management controller uses this information to determine the angle by which the vortex adjustment frame needs to be rotated so that the cross-flow fan blows the air into a specific air duct.

[0064] Figure 2 An example of a cross-flow fan according to an embodiment is shown. As shown, the cross-flow fan 200 can include a rotating part 203, a vortex wall 211, and a rear wall 209. The three units 203, 211, and 209 are integrated into the vortex adjustment frame, which can be rotated to certain predetermined angles.

[0065] In one embodiment, the rotating part 203 is coupled to the motor 205, and the motor 205 causes the rotating part 203 to rotate in response to a control signal received from the rack management controller 206. Since the three units 203, 211, and 209 are combined into a single unit, when rotating about the axis 210, the rotating part 203 can change the positions of the scroll wall 211 and the rear wall 209 without changing the relative positions of each key unit in the cross-flow fan 200 with respect to the impeller 213. However, since the rotating part 203 can change the corresponding absolute scroll position, the air flow supply / diffusion direction 207 of the cross-flow fan 200 can be changed. Similarly, the rotating part 203 can change the corresponding air flow introduction position 201.

[0066] The rotating part 203 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Figure 2 An embodiment is shown in which the rotating part 203 rotates clockwise from the perspective of a person on the left side of the cross-flow fan 200. In one embodiment, the impeller 213 can be rotated by the motor 205 or other motors. In one embodiment, the impeller 213 can be constructed using standard components, and its length can be shorter than the length required for the cross-flow fan 200. Therefore, the impeller 213 may not have the length required to construct the cross-flow fan 200. In this case, multiple impellers (e.g., the impeller 213) can be cascaded in series to form a longer impeller.

[0067] For example, if an impeller constructed using standard components is 20 cm long, but a 40 cm long impeller is required to construct the cross-flow fan 200, then two 20 cm long impellers can be combined in series to make a 40 cm long impeller.

[0068] In one embodiment, the combined impeller can rotate on a single axis of rotation and can have a set of scroll walls and rear walls, or two sets of such walls, attached to the housing that houses the combined impeller. In one embodiment, different numbers of impellers and such walls can be combined in the cross-flow fan 200.

[0069] Figure 3 The usage of the system 200 according to one embodiment is shown. In Figure 2 this case, since the rotatable scroll adjustment frame is rotated by the motor in response to a control signal from the rack management controller, the cross-flow fan 101 blows cooling air towards the air duct #2 301, and the cross-flow fan 102 blows cooling air towards the air duct #7 303.

[0070] In the usage scenario, all valves between the air chambers in the BBU rack are open. The open valves turn the air chambers into a single shared area. Thus, even though the cross-flow fans 101 and 102 only supply cooling air to the air ducts 301 and 303, all BBU modules in the BBU rack can receive the cooling air. In one embodiment, even if a cross-flow fan (either cross-flow fan 101 or 102) supplies cooling air to one air duct, all BBU modules will receive the cooling air.

[0071] Figure 4 A design example of the cross-flow fan section 103 according to an embodiment is shown. As shown, the cross-flow fan section 103 may include a plurality of air barriers 405, 407, 409, and 411. The air barriers may provide a structure for mounting the cross-flow fans 101 and 102, and may also block or separate the air 404 inhaled from the top from the air 403 and 401 inhaled from the back of the cross-flow fans 101 and 102. The positions where the air barriers 405, 407, 409, and 411 and the air are inhaled into the cross-flow fan section 103 may help form a laminar air flow.

[0072] Figure 5 An example of a system 500 used as a supplementary power source according to an embodiment is shown. For example, the BBU rack 104 serves as an energy storage for a row of server racks, and the BBU modules 507 and 509 are dedicated to a certain or certain server racks. If one or more server racks require additional power to operate (e.g., in a power management mode), the corresponding BBU modules in the BBU rack need to be specifically cooled. In another mode, all BBU modules can be used for any server rack through a parallel bus. Thus, the operation sequence can start from the first BBU module and change to the second BBU module if the first BBU module runs out of energy. In this case, the delivery of the cooling air will be changed by adjusting the cross-flow fans.

[0073] As shown, the system 500 does not include any air chambers between the cross-flow fan section 103 and the BBU rack 104. Due to the lack of any air chambers, the cooling air pushed into any air duct can only spread to the corresponding BBU module and cannot be distributed to any other BBU modules.

[0074] In one embodiment, the cross-flow fan 101 sucks in air 505 and 503 from the top and back of the fan. The cross-flow fan 102 sucks in air 501 only from the back. The air diffusion / blowing direction of the cross-flow fan 101 rotates to the air duct #2, and the air diffusion / blowing direction of the cross-flow fan 102 rotates to the air duct #8. Therefore, the airflows 502 and 506 can be accurately delivered to the BBU module 507 and the BBU module 509 respectively. In this embodiment, the BBU modules 507 and 509 are used to provide additional power or backup energy to the loads or server racks in the data center.

[0075] However, in an alternative embodiment, in Figure 5 , an air chamber can be provided between each air duct and its corresponding BBU channel. The air chamber can have a larger opening on the side of the air duct and a smaller opening on the side of the BBU to enhance the airflow management of the air chamber. However, each air chamber does not need to have an air valve on each side. As a supplementary source, the BBU rack 104 only needs to open certain BBU modules. The cross-flow fans 101 and 102 can be used to blow cooling air only to those BBU modules that do not share the cooling air therein with other BBU modules.

[0076] Figure 6 A system 500 with additional features according to one embodiment is shown. The system 500 can include multiple additional features to accommodate different types of data center configurations. For example, a cooling door 602 can be added to the side of the BBU rack opposite to the cross-flow fan section 103.

[0077] In one embodiment, the cross-flow fans 101 and 102 can suck in air 605, 603, and 601 from the top and back of the cross-flow fans and blow the air into specific air ducts. The air from the cross-flow fans 101 and 102 can become a cooling airflow to pass through the BBU module to cool the battery cells in the BBU module.

[0078] The cooling airflow entering the BBU module can absorb the heat generated by forced convection. Specifically, the cooling airflow is pushed towards the battery cells and contacts the hot (or heated) surface of the battery cells. Since the airflow is colder than the surface, heat exchange occurs, resulting in warm air.

[0079] Figure 6 The cooling door 602 in can be used to cool the warm airflow before the warm airflow leaves the BBU rack 104 and enters the computer room housing the BBU rack 104. The cooling door 602 can be a closed-loop or open-loop system. Either a single-phase cooling fluid or a two-phase cooling fluid can be used to operate the cooling door 602.

[0080] Figure 7FIG. 0 shows a data center PoD 700 according to an embodiment. The figure shows an implementation of a BBU rack with cross-flow fans in the data center PoD 700.

[0081] As used herein, a Pod represents a delivery point, which represents a module of network, computing, storage, and application components that work together to deliver network services. The data center PoD 700 is a repeatable design pattern, and its components can maximize the modularity, scalability, and manageability of the data center.

[0082] In one embodiment, due to the nature of the BBU enclosure, different types of BBU racks 709, 711, and 715 can be used. Each BBU rack can have one or more BBU modules and uses an air-cooling system to cool the battery units in the BBU rack. The BBU racks 709, 711, and 715 are used as backup power or supplementary power to supply power to the server racks 701 and 703. Each of the server racks 701 and 703 can have cooling doors 705 or 707, and a fluid loop 719 can be provided between the cooling doors 705 and 707 to act as an additional cooling mechanism.

[0083] The cross-flow fan section can be attached to one side of each BBU rack. For example, the cross-flow fan section 713 is attached to the BBU rack 709, the cross-flow fan section 710 is attached to the BBU rack 711, and the cross-flow fan section 717 is attached to the BBU rack 715.

[0084] The combination of the cross-flow fan section and the BBU rack represents different configurations. For example, in one configuration, the cross-flow fan section 717 is attached to the longer side of the BBU rack 715 to create a larger air-flow inlet, which is important when using cross-flow fans. In another configuration, the cross-flow fan section 710 is attached to the rear side of the BBU rack 711. In yet another configuration, the cross-flow fan section 713 is attached to the side of the BBU rack 709. In this configuration, the BBU rack 709 can be equipped with axial fans, and the cross-flow fan section 713 is added to provide additional local cooling air flow as needed. For different application scenarios, different configurations can more effectively implement the proposed solutions in different data center computer room environments and BBU rack configurations.

[0085] Figure 8 FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a method 800 for managing air flow using cross-flow fans according to an embodiment. The method 800 can be executed by a processing logic, which can include software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, the method 800 can be executed by Figure 2 the rack management controller 206 described in

[0086] As shown in the figure, in operation 801, the processing logic maintains one or more cross-flow fans in an idle state or at the minimum speed of the fans. The cross-flow fans are used to blow cooling air into multiple BBU modules in the BBU rack, and the BBU rack supplies power to the server rack in the data center as a backup power supply or supplementary power supply. The cross-flow fans can be positioned in the cross-flow fan section, which is attached to the BBU rack or is part of the BBU rack.

[0087] The server rack can be the only server rack in the data center or one of many server racks in the data center. When there are multiple server racks configured as PoDs, BBU racks can be attached to each server rack.

[0088] In operation 803, the processing logic detects an event that occurs in the power supply to the server rack. This event may be a power outage that causes the server rack to completely lose power supply, or the server rack exceeds its rated power. When the server rack exceeds its rated power, the existing power supply will not be able to meet the power demand of the server rack. This may occur during peak hours or when the server rack is processing a very heavy workload, resulting in a temporary surge in power consumption.

[0089] In operation 805, the processing logic determines which type of event has occurred.

[0090] In operation 807, the processing logic determines that the event is a power outage and sends a control signal to the BBU rack to open all the air valves in the air chamber section. The processing logic also sends a control signal to one or more cross-flow fans to start the fans to blow cooling air into any air duct. Since the air valves are opened, the air chamber is a shared area, and the cooling air blown into any air chamber can be distributed to all the BBU modules in the BBU rack.

[0091] In operation 813, the processing logic controls the speed of the cross-flow fans based on the temperature of the entire server rack or system design requirements. For example, if the temperature is higher than the threshold, the processing logic can increase the speed of the cross-flow fans. If the temperature of the server rack is lower than the threshold, the processing logic can reduce the speed of the fans.

[0092] In operation 809, the processing logic determines that the event is not a power outage but that the server rack exceeds its rated power. Then, the processing logic identifies the server rack and the associated BBU rack and determines one or more BBU modules used to supply supplementary power to the server rack.

[0093] In operation 811, the processing logic sends control signals to one or more cross-flow fans that supply cooling air to one or more identified BBU modules. Each cross-flow fan includes a rotatable scroll adjustment frame that can change the direction of the fan's air flow when rotated. The control signals cause each fan to rotate the scroll adjustment frame of the cross-flow fan so that the direction of the fan's air flow matches one or more air ducts, thereby pushing the cooling air towards one of the one or more identified BBU modules. The speed of the fan can be controlled based on the temperature of the BBU module and the system design requirements.

[0094] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing another method 900 of managing air flow using cross-flow fans according to an embodiment. Method 900 can be executed by processing logic, which can include software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, method 900 can be executed by Figure 2 the rack management controller 206 described in

[0095] In operation 901, the processing logic detects an event in the power supply to a server rack in a data center, where the server rack is powered by a BBU rack including a plurality of BBU modules, and the BBU rack is coupled to one or more cross-flow fans. In operation 903, the processing logic sends one or more control signals to the BBU rack and one or more cross-flow fans. In operation 905, the processing logic uses the one or more control signals to control the air chambers in the one or more cross-flow fans and the BBU rack.

[0096] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It is apparent that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0097] As previously explained, embodiments of the present disclosure can be (or include) a non-transitory machine-readable medium (such as a microelectronic memory) storing instructions that program one or more data processing components (collectively referred to herein as "processors") to perform air flow management operations, such as controlling the fan speed of one or more fans of a battery module (and / or BBU rack). In other embodiments, some of these operations can be performed by specific hardware components including hardwired logic. Optionally, these operations can also be performed by any combination of the programmed data processing components and fixed hardwired circuit components of any of the battery modules described herein.

[0098] Although certain aspects have been described and illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that these aspects are merely illustrative and not a limitation on the broad disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, as various other modifications may be contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the description is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0099] In some aspects, the present disclosure may include language such as, "[Element A] and at least one of [Element B]." Such language may refer to one or more of the elements. For example, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "A," "B," or "A and B." Specifically, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "at least one of A and at least one of B," or "at least one of A or B." In some aspects, the present disclosure may include language such as, "[Element A], [Element B], and / or [Element C]." Such language may refer to any one of the elements or any combination thereof. For example, "A, B, and / or C" may refer to "A," "B," "C," "A and B," "A and C," "B and C," or "A, B, and C."

Claims

1. A system for managing air flow in a backup battery unit (BBU) rack, comprising: A BBU rack, which includes a plurality of BBU modules, and the BBU rack is used to supply power to a server rack in a data center; One or more cross-flow fans, where each cross-flow fan is used to dynamically adjust the direction of the air flow it blows in real time; and A rack management controller, which is connected to the server rack, the BBU rack, and the one or more cross-flow fans, and the rack management controller is used to detect events in the power supply of the server rack, and In response to the event, send a control signal to the BBU rack to control the air chamber therein, and send a control signal to the one or more cross-flow fans to diffuse the cooling air to one or more of the BBU modules; Wherein each of the one or more cross-flow fans is connected to one or more air chambers of the BBU rack via an air duct, each air chamber corresponds to one of the plurality of BBU modules, each air chamber has an opening on the side of the BBU module and on the side of the cross-flow fan part, the opening on the side of the BBU module is smaller than the opening on the side of the cross-flow fan part, and an air valve is provided between adjacent air chambers.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the BBU rack supplies power to the server rack as a backup power source or a supplementary power source.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein when the rack management controller detects a power outage, the BBU rack serves as a backup power source for the server rack.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the rack management controller sends the control signal to the BBU rack to open any air chamber between the BBU rack and the one or more cross-flow fans.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the rack management controller sends an additional control signal to the one or more cross-flow fans to control the speed of the one or more cross-flow fans based on the temperature of the server rack.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein when the rack management controller detects that the server rack requires peak power operation, the BBU rack serves as a supplementary power source for the server rack.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the rack management controller identifies one or more of the BBU modules in the BBU rack that will provide supplementary power to the server rack, and sends a control signal to the one or more cross-flow fans to direct their air flow to match one or more air ducts connected to one or more of the BBU modules.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1-7, the cross-flow fan comprising: A rear wall; A vortex wall; and A rotating part, wherein the rotating part is used to rotate the vortex wall and the rear wall to adjust the direction of the air flow received by the cross-flow fan.

9. The system according to claim 8, the cross-flow fan further includes a housing for accommodating an impeller.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the rotating part and the impeller are rotated by two different motors.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the intake side and the exhaust side are managed by changing the relative positions of the impeller and the rotating part.

12. A method for managing airflow in a backup battery unit (BBU) rack, applied to the system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: detecting an event in the power supply of a server rack in a data center, wherein the server rack is powered by a BBU rack including a plurality of BBU modules, and wherein the BBU rack is coupled to one or more crossflow fans; sending one or more control signals to the BBU rack and the one or more crossflow fans; and using the one or more control signals to control the one or more crossflow fans and the air chambers in the BBU rack.

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