Thermal overload transfer device
The power distribution system with dual SCRs and temperature-controlled switching addresses thermal overload issues, ensuring safe operation and continuous power supply by alternating power supply based on thermal thresholds.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VERTIV CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing power distribution systems using silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) face challenges in managing thermal overload, leading to potential device failure due to excessive heat generation, without effective thermal protection mechanisms.
A power distribution system with dual SCRs connected to a heat sink, monitored by temperature sensors, and controlled by a unit that switches between SCRs based on temperature thresholds to manage thermal overload, ensuring safe operation by alternating power supply.
Effectively manages thermal overload by preventing SCR failure through controlled switching, maintaining safe operating temperatures and ensuring continuous power supply to critical loads like data centers.
Smart Images
Figure 2026092697000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 725,023, filed on November 26, 2024. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] Technical Field Apparatuses and methods are provided for transferring thermal overloads within a power distribution system for use in supplying power to a data center or other large electrical / thermal loads.
Background Art
[0003] Background Silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) are widely used in various types of power distribution. For example, an SCR can be used within a power distribution system for supplying power to a data center. An SCR is a unidirectional device that allows current to flow in one direction. Thus, an SCR can be used for rectification to convert alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power. An SCR can also function as a solid - state switch and can turn on or off large amounts of power without using moving parts. Further, since an SCR has a gate terminal that can turn the SCR on or off (e.g., can allow current to flow or not flow), an SCR can be useful in voltage regulation functions.
Summary of the Invention
Means for Solving the Problems
[0004] Summary One aspect of the disclosed embodiment includes a system for thermal protection in a power distribution device utilizing SCRs. The system includes a power distribution system comprising a first silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) connected to a heat sink and a second SCR connected to a heat sink. A first temperature sensor is configured to sense the temperature of the first SCR, and a second temperature sensor is configured to sense the temperature of the second SCR. A control unit is configured to compare a temperature reading from the first temperature sensor with a plurality of temperature thresholds while the second SCR is disconnected from the load. The control unit may generate a first warning in response that the temperature reading from the first temperature sensor exceeds a first temperature threshold but does not exceed a second temperature threshold. The control unit may further disconnect the first SCR from the load and connect the second SCR to the load in response that the temperature reading from the first temperature sensor exceeds a second temperature threshold.
[0005] The first SCR and the second SCR may be part of a power distribution, and each of the first SCR and the second SCR may be connected to an independent power source and arranged to supply power to a load.
[0006] The above operation may also be performed for the second SCR, in which case the same or similar comparison is performed and the same action is taken in response to various thresholds being exceeded. Therefore, when supplying power to a load (e.g., a data center), the control unit may switch between the first SCR and the second SCR, that is, between the first power supply and the second power supply.
[0007] This disclosure will be best understood in conjunction with the attached drawings, as described below. In accordance with common practice, it should be emphasized that various features in the drawings are not to scale. Dimensions of various features have been arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for clarity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1]This is a diagram of a power distribution system using multiple power sources arranged to supply power to a load via corresponding SCRs, in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of a method for controlling a power distribution system using an SCR, in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically illustrates a power distribution system for a data center that conforms to the principles of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Detailed explanation The exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings will now be described in detail, and throughout, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. In this regard, the exemplary embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the description herein.
[0010] The terms “include,” “including,” “comprise,” and / or “comprising,” as used herein, indicate the presence of the described features, integers, steps, actions, elements, and / or parts, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, parts, and / or groups thereof.
[0011] Terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used herein to describe various elements, parts, regions, layers, and / or parts, but it will be further understood that these terms may not limit these elements, parts, regions, layers, and / or parts. These terms are used solely to distinguish one element, part, region, layer, or part from another element, part, region, layer, or part.
[0012] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one or more and all combinations of the relevant enumerated items. Expressions such as "at least one of" apply to the entire enumerated item when they follow an enumerated item, and not to the individual items enumerated.
[0013] Various terms are used to refer to specific system components. While different companies may use different names for certain components, this document does not intend to distinguish between components that have different names but the same function.
[0014] This specification may not describe in detail matters that are obvious to those skilled in the art to the extent of these exemplary embodiments.
[0015] Figure 1 shows a power distribution system using multiple power sources arranged to supply power to a load via corresponding SCRs. System 100 includes a load 120 configured to receive power from either input power source 103A or input power source 103B. SCRs 106A and 106B supply power to the load from input power sources 103A and 103B, respectively. Each of SCRs 106A and 106B performs a switching function, which is shown here by switches 107A and 107B, but is actually performed using the control terminals of the SCRs themselves. However, alternative embodiments are possible and conceivable in which switches 107A and 107B are provided separately from SCRs 106A and 106B.
[0016] Each of the SCR106A and SCR106B is connected to a heatsink 111. Since the amount of current carried by the active of the two power supplies 103A and 103B can be large, each of the SCR106A and SCR106B can generate a considerable amount of heat when active. Therefore, the heatsink 111 is provided to dissipate heat from the SCR106A and SCR106B in order to keep them operating within safe temperature limits.
[0017] The amount of heat generated by SCR106A and SCR106B may be monitored by temperature sensors 105A and 105B, respectively. Temperature readings from these sensors are provided to the control unit 110, which can perform various control operations based on the provided temperature readings.
[0018] In some embodiments, a single instance of an input power supply (103A or 103B) powers the load (via its respective SCR 106A or SCR 106B) while the other is in standby. The control unit 110 receives temperature readings from temperature sensors 105A and 105B and compares these readings for SCR 106A or SCR 106B (depending on the active power supply). If the temperature reading exceeds a first threshold, the control unit 110 may issue a warning to indicate, for example, to maintenance personnel, that the corresponding SCR is approaching its thermal limit. If it exceeds a (higher) second threshold, the control unit 110 may switch the active power supply. For example, if sensor 105A reports that the reading exceeds the second threshold while power supply 103A is powering load 120 via SCR 106A, the control unit 110 may switch operation so that power supply 103B supplies power. To perform this switching, the control unit 110 can turn off SCR106A by putting it into block mode, thereby bringing SCR106A out of forward conduction mode (and into block mode), while turning on SCR106B by putting it into forward conduction mode. Since the heatsink 111 is in physical contact with both SCR106A and SCR106B, it continuously draws heat from both regardless of the mode they are currently operating in. For the inactive of the two SCR106A and SCR106B, the rate of heat dissipation may be higher because no current is passing through it.
[0019] By performing this switch, some of the heat generated by SCR106A can be dissipated through the heat sink 110. Meanwhile, the control unit 110 can start monitoring the heat generated by SCR106B based on the temperature reading received from sensor 105B and perform the same function as described above for SCR106A. Therefore, while the heat sink 111 dissipates heat from SCR106A and SCR106B, the control unit 110 may switch back and forth between power supply 103A and power supply 103B when power is supplied to the load by utilizing the functionality provided by SCR106A and SCR106B.
[0020] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a power distribution system using SCRs. Method 200 can be executed in various embodiments of the above system 100. It is further possible and contemplated to extend the methods addressed herein to embodiments having three or more power sources, i.e., three or more SCRs.
[0021] Method 200 includes supplying power to a load via a first SCR (block 205) and comparing the temperature of the first SCR with a first threshold value and a second threshold value (block 210). In this embodiment, the first threshold value is smaller than the second threshold value. If the temperature is below the first threshold value (block 215, No), the method returns to block 205 and power continues to be supplied to the load via the first SCR. If the temperature is higher than the first threshold value (block 215, Yes) but below the second threshold value (block 220, No), the control unit generates a warning (block 225) but power continues to be supplied from the power source to the load via the first SCR.
[0022] If the temperature is higher than the first threshold value (block 215, Yes) and higher than the second threshold value (block 220, Yes), the power passing through the first SCR is disconnected from the load and the power passing through the second SCR is connected to the load (block 230). Disconnecting the power via the first SCR from the load may include changing the operating mode of the first SCR from the forward conduction mode to the blocking mode. Connecting the power via the second SCR to the load may include changing the operating mode from the blocking mode to the forward conduction mode. After the switch, power from the second power source is supplied to the load via the second SCR while the temperature of the second SCR is compared with the first threshold value and the second threshold value.
[0023] If the temperature of the second SCR is below the first threshold (block 240, No), the operation returns to block 235 because the second power supply continues to supply power to the load through the second SCR while the temperature is being monitored. If the temperature is higher than the first threshold (block 240, Yes) but below the second threshold (block 245, No), the control unit generates a warning (block 250) and the operation returns to block 235. If the temperature is higher than the first threshold (block 240, Yes) and higher than the second threshold (block 245, Yes), the power from the second power supply passing through the second SCR is cut off from the load and the power from the first power supply passing through the first SCR is connected to the load (block 255), and the method returns to block 205. The switching may be achieved again by changing the operating mode of the SCRs, for example, changing the first SCR from the blocking mode to the conducting mode while changing the second SCR from the conducting mode to the blocking mode.
[0024] FIG. 3 schematically shows a power distribution system for a data center according to the present disclosure. The system 300 includes a power supply 303A and a power supply 303B, a power distribution unit 303B, and a data center / server 302. The power distribution unit 305 includes an SCR, a control unit, and a heat sink, similar to the device shown in FIG. 1. Embodiments with a separate switch connected between the SCR and the load are also possible and contemplated. The operation of the power distribution unit 305 in various embodiments follows the above, and includes an operation of switching the power supply based on the temperature reading value of the SCR.
[0025] The data center / server 302 represents an exemplary load and may include many different servers and other computers. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such types of loads. Thus, the load 302 in other embodiments may be any load suitable for power supply through an SCR.
[0026] It will be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limiting and should be considered for illustrative purposes only. Descriptions of features or aspects in each exemplary embodiment may be considered applicable to other similar features or aspects in other exemplary embodiments.
[0027] While illustrative embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, a person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications may be made to the form and details of these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A system for thermal protection, wherein the system is A first SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) connected to a heatsink, A second SCR connected to the heat sink, A first temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the first SCR, A second temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the second SCR, It comprises a control unit, and the control unit is While the second SCR is blocking power to the load, the temperature reading from the first temperature sensor is compared with a plurality of temperature thresholds. A first warning is generated in response to the temperature reading from the first temperature sensor exceeding a first temperature threshold but not exceeding a second temperature threshold. A system configured to shut off the power supplied to the load via the first SCR and to connect the power supplied to the load via the second SCR in response to the temperature reading from the first temperature sensor exceeding the second temperature threshold.
2. The control unit further, While the first SCR is blocking the supply of power to the load, the temperature reading from the second temperature sensor is compared with the plurality of temperature thresholds. A second warning is generated in response to the temperature reading from the second temperature sensor exceeding the first temperature threshold but not exceeding the second temperature threshold. The system according to claim 1, configured to shut off the power supplied to the load via the second SCR and connect power to the load via the first SCR in response to the temperature reading from the second temperature sensor exceeding the second temperature threshold.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is The system further comprises a first power supply connected to the first SCR, the first power supply being configured to supply power to the load via the first SCR when the first SCR is connected to the load, and the system is A system further comprising a second power supply connected to the second SCR, wherein the second power supply is configured to supply power to the load via the second SCR when the second SCR is connected to the load.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are configured to generate AC power.
5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the first SCR and the second SCR are configured to convert AC power to DC power.
6. When closed, the first switch connects the first SCR to the load, The system according to claim 1, further comprising a second switch that, when closed, connects the second SCR to the load.
7. The control unit further, The first SCR is operated in forward conduction mode to supply power to the load. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first SCR is configured to operate in a forward blocking mode to interrupt the supply of power to the load via the first SCR.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the load includes one or more server computers in a data center.
9. A method for thermal protection of a load, wherein the method is The method includes using a control unit to compare the temperature of a first SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) with a first threshold and a second threshold, wherein the first SCR is connected to a load configured to draw power from a first power source through the first SCR, and the method further includes, A first warning is generated in response to the temperature of the first SCR exceeding a first threshold but not exceeding a second threshold, In response to the temperature of the first SCR exceeding the second threshold, the power supplied from the first power supply to the load is disconnected using the first SCR, and a second power supply is connected so that power is supplied to the load via the second SCR. A method comprising using the control unit to compare the temperature of the second SCR with the first threshold and the second threshold.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising generating a second warning in response that the temperature of the second SCR exceeds the first threshold but does not exceed the first threshold.
11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising using the second SCR to disconnect the power supplied to the load in response to the temperature of the second SCR exceeding the second threshold, and using the first SCR to connect power to the load from the first power source.
12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising generating AC power using the first power supply and the second power supply.
13. Converting AC power to DC power using the first SCR, The method according to claim 12, further comprising converting AC power to DC power using the second SCR.
14. By closing the first switch, the first SCR is connected to the load, By opening the first switch, the first SCR is disconnected from the load, By closing the second switch, the second SCR is connected to the load, The method according to claim 9, further comprising disconnecting the second SCR from the load by opening the second switch.
15. The first SCR is operated in a forward conduction mode to supply power from the first power supply to the load, The first SCR is operated in forward blocking mode to interrupt the power supply from the first power source to the load, The second SCR is operated in the forward conduction mode to supply power from the second power supply to the load, The method according to claim 14, further comprising operating the second SCR in the forward blocking mode to interrupt power from the second power supply to the load.
16. A first SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) is configured to supply power to an electrical load from a first power source, A second SCR is configured to supply power to the electrical load from a second power source, A heat sink connected to the first SCR and the second SCR, configured to remove heat from the first SCR and the second SCR, It comprises a control unit, and the control unit is The first SCR transmits power from the first power source to the electrical load, and the second SCR controls the first SCR and the second SCR to block power from the electrical load. Temperature values are received from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, which are connected to the first SCR and the second SCR, respectively. The first temperature value received from the first temperature sensor is compared with the first threshold and the second threshold. A first warning is generated in response to the fact that the first temperature value exceeds the first threshold but does not exceed the second threshold. A thermal management system configured to perform a first switching operation in response to the first temperature value exceeding the second threshold, wherein, following the performance of the first switching operation, the first SCR blocks power from the first power source to the electrical load, and the second SCR transmits power from the electrical load.
17. The thermal management system according to claim 16, wherein the first SCR is configured to convert AC power received from the first power source into DC power, and the second SCR is configured to convert AC power received from the second power source into DC power.
18. The control unit, The first SCR is configured to switch to a forward conduction mode, and in the forward conduction mode, the first SCR is configured to transmit power from the first power supply to the electrical load, and the control unit further, The first SCR is configured to switch to a forward blocking mode, and when the first SCR is operating in the forward blocking mode, it is configured to prevent power received from the first power supply from being transmitted to the electrical load, and the control unit further, The second SCR is configured to switch to the forward conduction mode, and in the forward conduction mode, the second SCR is configured to transmit power from the second power supply to the electrical load, and the control unit further, The thermal management system according to claim 16, wherein the second SCR is configured to switch to the forward blocking mode, and when the second SCR is operating in the forward blocking mode, it is configured to prevent power received from the second power supply from being transmitted to the electrical load.
19. The control unit is further configured to perform a second switching operation in response to a second temperature value exceeding a second threshold, the second temperature value being received from the second temperature sensor at the same time the second SCR operates in the forward conduction mode, and the second switching operation being performed, the second SCR blocking power from the second power supply to the electrical load, and the first SCR transmitting power from the first power supply to the electrical load, according to claim 18.
20. When closed, the first switch connects the first SCR to the electrical load, The thermal management system according to claim 17, further comprising a second switch that, when closed, connects the second SCR to the electrical load.