Electrical Harness for Delivering Power to Blockchain Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for delivering low-voltage electrical power to blockchain processing devices like cryptocurrency miners are unreliable, costly, and pose safety risks, particularly when using server or mainframe power supplies, due to overheating, burnout, and accidental short circuits, with a lack of standardized solutions for delivering high currents.
Innovation Solution
A whip-like electrical harness and a two-step method for attaching and sizing the harnesses to server power supplies, allowing for reliable and safe delivery of large currents to miners, featuring soldered joints and insulated connections to prevent overheating and short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If PC ATX power supplies are used to deliver 12V DC output to miners, then cost is reduced and availability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to overheating and burnout of cables and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard PC ATX power supplies, which are inexpensive and widely available, accepting that their components (cables, connectors) have limited lifetimes under high-current mining loads. The system replaces failed components rather than the entire power supply, achieving cost-effective availability while maintaining operational reliability through component replacement cycles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If breakout boards are used to interface miners to server power supplies, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to poor mechanical alignment, oxidation, and wear of power blade connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a custom-designed breakout board as an intermediary device that provides robust mechanical and electrical interfaces between server power supplies and miners. The breakout board features reinforced power blade connectors with improved alignment tolerances, oxidation-resistant plating, and enhanced mechanical coupling, serving as a reliable mediator that protects against the harmful effects of direct connector interfaces.
3Reliability
If specialized OEM mining power supplies are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal breakout board design that can interface with multiple server power supply models and various miner types, eliminating the need for specialized OEM power supplies. The breakout board provides standardized, reliable connections that work across different hardware platforms, achieving reliability through a multi-functional interface rather than dedicated specialized components.
4Power
If high currents are delivered through PCI-e connectors and cables, then power delivery capability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to overheating and burnout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancements at critical high-current interface points, specifically using heavier gauge wiring, improved connector designs with better heat dissipation characteristics, and oxidation-resistant plating on power blade connectors. These localized quality improvements at stress points enable high power delivery while mitigating overheating and burnout risks in the most vulnerable areas.
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 solution provides a reliable, safe, and cost-effective method for delivering high currents to miners, reducing the risk of overheating and short circuits, enabling the use of high-performance server power supplies in a 'plug-and-play' configuration with improved airflow and flexibility in mining facility layouts.
Implementation Method 1
delivering low voltage, high-current electrical power from the regulated DC power supplies
Implementation Method 2
reducing the risk of overheating and short circuits
Implementation Method 3
insulated connections to prevent overheating
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for delivering electrical power from the blade terminals of server power supplies to blockchain processing devices such as cryptocurrency miners, and consisting in a whip-like electrical harness composed of a pair of primary conductors, a joint, a bundle of secondary conductors, a set of connectors, and a tinned pug. A method for attaching a number of said harnesses to the output blades of server power supplies, comprising a step whereby the tinned pug is soldered to the said output blades, and a step whereby a thermoset polymer shield is molded over the junction between the said output blades and harnesses. A method for optimally sizing the said harnesses given a specific type of server power supply and cryptocurrency miner, and comprising several calculation steps. Significant advantages over current industry practices are achieved from the practice of the present invention, namely improved reliability and safety, access to broader choice of high-performance power supplies, and portability.