Autonomous Power System with Dual Voltage Buses for Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power systems in computing racks lack effective communication and control between power supply units and load units, leading to potential power overloads and unexpected power failures, which can result in data corruption and hardware damage.

Innovation Solution

A power system with a potential load bus and an actual load bus, each with a control circuit to monitor voltage levels and enable or disable power supply to load units based on available power, using resistors and current sources to scale power delivery and consumption, and voltage comparators to determine sufficient power availability and impending failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If power supply units and load units operate independently without communication, then device complexity is reduced, but power reliability deteriorates due to potential overloads and unexpected failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidpower supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where load units communicate their power requirements to power supply units through monitored voltage levels on shared buses. Power supply units adjust their output based on this feedback, enabling coordinated operation without complex centralized control, thus improving reliability while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Each power supply unit and load unit autonomously monitors and adjusts its own operation based on voltage level indicators. The system enables self-regulating power distribution where units independently determine when to operate or shut down based on collective power availability signals, eliminating the need for external power management hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If power supply capability exceeds load requirements, then power reliability is improved, but energy loss increases due to unused power capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidunused power capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic power management where power supply units continuously adjust their output capacity based on real-time load requirements indicated by voltage levels. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain adequate power reserves for reliability while minimizing energy waste by scaling power delivery to match actual demand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of power output based on monitored voltage levels. When voltage indicates sufficient power availability, units operate at full capacity; when voltage drops indicating near-capacity operation, units reduce or shut down, thereby optimizing the balance between power reliability and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If voltage monitoring is implemented to detect power availability, then power control precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control precisionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the shared power buses serve dual functions: both as power transmission paths and as communication channels for voltage-level-based control signals. This multi-functionality enables precise power monitoring and control without adding separate dedicated control infrastructure, maintaining simplicity while achieving high control precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Voltage levels on shared buses act as intermediaries that convey power availability information between power supply units and load units. This intermediary mechanism enables precise coordination without direct complex communication protocols or additional control hardware, achieving accurate power management through simple voltage threshold monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9941704B2Autonomous power system with variable sources and loads and associated methods

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A number of load units are connected to receive power from a number of power supply units. A potential load bus is connected to have a voltage level representative of both a total potential power requirement of the number of load units and a total potential power supply capability of the number of power supply units. A first control circuit enables operation of the number of load units when the voltage level on the potential load bus indicates that a sufficient supply of power is available. An actual load bus is connected to have a voltage level representative of both an actual total power consumption of the number of load units and an actual total power supply available from of the number of power supply units. A second control circuit signals an impending loss of sufficient power supply based on the monitored voltage level on the actual load bus.