Blade Computer System Removing Midplane Obstructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blade computer systems with centrally located printed circuit assembly midplanes face limitations in architectural flexibility and airflow efficiency due to obstructions, which impede cooling and reduce performance.
Innovation Solution
The design eliminates the fixed midplane by directly connecting blades to power supply-fan units and connectivity modules, allowing for unidirectional airflow and increased architectural flexibility, enabling efficient cooling and adaptable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centrally located printed circuit assembly midplane is used to connect blades to interconnect switches and management circuitry, then connectivity and integration are improved, but architectural flexibility is reduced and airflow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fixed midplane from the system entirely. Each blade is equipped with its own connectivity module that directly interfaces with interconnect switches and management circuitry, eliminating the centralized midplane structure that constrained architectural flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectivity function is segmented from the centralized midplane and distributed to individual blade-level connectivity modules. This segmentation allows each blade to have independent connectivity capabilities, enabling diverse architectural configurations without being constrained by a fixed midplane.
2Temperature
If a centrally located printed circuit assembly midplane is used, then blade integration is improved, but airflow across interconnect switches and management circuitry is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The midplane is extracted from the system to eliminate the physical obstruction it creates in the airflow path. With the midplane removed and connectivity modules distributed at the blade level, airflow can move freely across the enclosure without being blocked by a centralized circuit assembly.
3Productivity
If blades are directly connected to power supply-fan units and connectivity modules, then airflow efficiency and architectural flexibility are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed midplane architecture to a dynamic, configurable blade-level module architecture. Each blade can be independently configured with different connectivity modules and power supply-fan unit arrangements, allowing the system to adapt to various airflow and connectivity requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances cooling efficiency and architectural flexibility, allowing for more direct airflow and scalable designs that reduce costs and improve performance by eliminating obstructions and enabling various blade configurations within the same enclosure.
Implementation Method 1
The fan is configured to draw air through the enclosure and across the blade
Implementation Method 2
An air intake opening is provided in the enclosure adjacent to the fan
Data Source
AI summary
A blade computer system comprises side-by-side computer blades (44, 144), a connectivity module (50, 150, 350) extending across and connected to each of the plurality of side-by-side computer blades (44, 144) along the ends of the computer blades (44, 144) and at least one first power supply-fan unit (46, 146) extending perpendicular to the first axis and directly connected to each of the first plurality of side-by-side computer blades (44, 144) along ends of the plurality of side-by-side computer blades (44, 144) such that the at least one power supply-fan unit (46, 146) draws air across the first plurality of side-by-side computer blades (44, 144) and into the first connectivity module (50, 150, 350).