Dynamic Power Distribution Management for Networking Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution systems for networking equipment face challenges in balancing efficiency, redundancy, and responsiveness to rapid changes in power demand, leading to issues like brown-outs and suboptimal efficiency due to inadequate tracking of demand fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution system with multiple power supplies and a power control module that dynamically adjusts the operation of each supply based on load demand changes, using a performance objective function to optimize efficiency and redundancy by switching between active and standby modes, and prioritizing energy efficiency, redundancy, and demand tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two power supplies are arranged to always remain active to provide redundancy, then reliability is improved, but efficiency deteriorates due to inability to track rapid demand changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply management where standby power supplies can be rapidly activated in response to demand changes or failures. The system transitions from static active/standby configuration to dynamic reconfiguration, allowing power supplies to switch roles based on real-time conditions, thus maintaining reliability while improving efficiency during low-demand periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains power supplies in a pre-configured standby state with sufficient capacity to immediately take over if needed. This preliminary preparation ensures rapid response to failures or demand spikes without requiring full activation of all power supplies continuously, resolving the contradiction between reliability and efficiency
2Device complexity
If power supplies operate in fixed active/standby modes, then system simplicity is maintained, but responsiveness to demand changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power supply operational states based on real-time demand monitoring. When demand exceeds capacity of active supplies, standby supplies are activated; when demand drops, supplies return to standby mode. This dynamic behavior enables rapid response to demand changes without requiring complex continuous modulation of each power supply
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the power supply system into discrete active and standby segments that can be independently controlled and switched. This segmentation allows simple on/off control of individual power supplies while achieving complex overall system responsiveness, balancing simplicity and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations disclosed herein include a power distribution system that provides flexible and/or multi-source supply capacity in response to changes in load power demand relative to active power supply capacity, and based at least in part on a performance objective function. In some implementations, a power distribution system includes a plurality of power supplies, and a power control module connected to control the plurality of power supplies. The power supplies are configured to deliver a current to a power supply node, and are also configured to responsively adjust the current in response to a control command. The power control module provides control commands that are produced in response to threshold changes in load power demand relative to active power supply capacity provided by one or more of the plurality of power supplies, and based at least in part on a performance objective function, such as efficiency, redundancy, and demand tracking.