Dual Power Supply Hold-Up Time Extension via Reverse Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in maintaining a sufficient hold-up time for power supply when input voltage sources fail, as existing systems often reduce hold-up time when one power supply unit loses input voltage, leading to inefficiencies and potential system failures.

Innovation Solution

A dual power supply system with two power supply units, each equipped with bulk capacitors and standby power circuitry, allows for reverse charging of capacitors in one unit by the other when input voltage is lost, enabling extended hold-up time by sharing power and maintaining voltage levels through capacitors and DC/DC converters in hot spare mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a single power supply unit is used with bulk capacitors, then the system structure is simple, but the hold-up time is insufficient (10 ms) when input voltage fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehold-up timeVSAvoidpower supply structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two power supply units into a single system where both units operate in parallel during normal operation and can support each other during failures. The bulk capacitors from both units are effectively combined to provide extended hold-up time (20 ms total) when both input voltages fail, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and sufficient hold-up time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The standby power circuitry in each power supply unit is pre-configured to automatically activate when the other unit experiences input voltage failure. This preliminary preparation ensures that power sharing and reverse charging can begin immediately without delay, extending the hold-up time while maintaining system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If one power supply unit loses input voltage, then the system can continue operating with one unit, but the hold-up time reduces from 20 ms to 10 ms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem continuityVSAvoidhold-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The standby power circuitry acts as an intermediary that enables power transfer between the two power supply units. When one unit loses input voltage, the standby circuitry activates to allow the other unit to charge its bulk capacitor through reverse charging, maintaining the 20 ms hold-up time and ensuring system continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers the hold-up time capability by utilizing the standby power circuitry to transfer energy from the functioning power supply unit to the failed unit's bulk capacitor. This recovery mechanism ensures that even when one unit fails, the system maintains its full 20 ms hold-up time rather than reducing to 10 ms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Duration of action of moving object

If reverse charging is enabled between power supply units, then the hold-up time is extended to 20 ms, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehold-up timeVSAvoidpower supply control logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The standby power circuitry in each power supply unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides standby power during normal operation and enables reverse charging when the other unit fails. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving extended hold-up time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The dual power supply system effectively doubles the hold-up time from 10 ms to 20 ms when both input voltages are off and maintains system stability by enabling power sharing and reverse charging, reducing the impact of input voltage failures and extending operational time.

Implementation Method 1

The first power supply unit includes a first bulk capacitor, and second standby power circuitry may enable reverse charging of the second bulk capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11205922B2System and method to increase a hold up time of a power supply unit

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A multiple power supply system includes first and second power supply units. The first power supply unit provides a main output voltage while in a normal mode of operation. The first power supply unit includes a first bulk capacitor, and first standby power circuitry. The first standby power circuitry provides a standby voltage while the first power supply unit is in the normal mode of operation. The second power supply unit provides the main output voltage while in the normal mode of operation. The first power supply unit includes a second bulk capacitor, and second standby power circuitry. The second standby power circuitry provides the standby voltage while the first power supply unit is in the normal mode of operation, and enables reverse charging of the second bulk capacitor by the first power supply unit while the second power supply unit is in a reverse charging mode of operation.