Direct DC Backup Power to Server Motherboards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems in data centers are inefficient, leading to significant power loss and increased cooling requirements, while alternative solutions like local backup batteries on motherboards incur high maintenance and cooling costs and lack redundancy.
Innovation Solution
A system that ties DC voltage directly to multiple server motherboards, utilizing a centrally monitored and thermally isolated backup power source with a higher DC voltage, which is stepped down using DC/DC regulators, and includes a generator for auxiliary power during utility failures, eliminating the need for UPS systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UPS system is used to provide backup power, then backup power is provided, but power loss increases and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backup battery from the UPS system and places it directly on the server motherboard. This eliminates the inefficient AC-to-DC conversion stage of the UPS, allowing the battery to provide DC power directly to the motherboard, thereby reducing power loss while maintaining backup power capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the backup power function from the main power distribution system by implementing dedicated backup batteries on each motherboard. This segmentation allows independent battery management and direct DC coupling, improving efficiency by eliminating the need for UPS conversion while providing localized backup power
2Reliability
If a UPS system is used to provide backup power, then backup power is provided, but cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the backup battery function from the centralized UPS system and placing it directly on motherboards, the patent eliminates the heat-generating AC-to-DC conversion equipment. This reduces the thermal load in the data center, thereby reducing cooling requirements while maintaining backup power capability
3Reliability
If backup batteries are placed on each motherboard, then backup power is provided, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by placing individual backup batteries on each motherboard, which enables independent battery replacement and management. This modular approach allows failed batteries to be replaced without affecting other servers, actually reducing overall maintenance complexity and costs despite the distributed architecture
4Reliability
If backup batteries are placed on each motherboard, then backup power is provided, but cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inefficient UPS conversion equipment that generates significant heat, and replaces it with direct DC battery connections to motherboards. This extraction of the heat-generating conversion stage eliminates the need for additional cooling capacity while providing backup power
5Reliability
If backup batteries are placed on each motherboard, then backup power is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup power function into independent modular units on each motherboard, each with its own battery and control circuitry. This modular segmentation simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex centralized UPS infrastructure, conversion equipment, and interconnections, while providing reliable backup power
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 solution reduces power loss and maintenance costs, provides redundancy, and minimizes cooling requirements by using a centralized backup power system with efficient voltage conversion and monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a backup battery mounted on the motherboard... the backup battery can supply power in the event of a utility power failure
Implementation Method 2
the UPS uses a portion of the utility power to charge a battery within the UPS, using an internal rectifier to convert the AC power from the utility service into DC power for charging the battery
Implementation Method 3
the UPS provides temporary backup power to the site by using an inverter to convert the DC power stored in its battery into AC power
Data Source
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AI summary
The need for an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) in a data center is obviated by tying a DC voltage from a backup power source directly to the motherboards of multiple servers in the data center. AC power received from a power utility service is converted into a lower voltage by a site transformer and then provided to one or more power distribution units at a site. The power distribution units supply power to a plurality of servers, which include power supplies that convert the AC electrical power to DC electrical power for use by the servers' motherboards. In the event of a failure of power from the utility service, the backup power source provides DC electrical power to the motherboards, e.g., for sufficient time to start up a generator to provide power in place of the utility service.