Server Chassis Fan Speed Control for Power Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in managing cooling fan power consumption effectively, leading to non-linear thermal performance and potential power supply shutdowns due to varying thermal conditions and shared resources in multi-node systems.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that adjust cooling fan operating parameters based on power consumption, using a fan controller to set fan speeds according to thermal conditions and available power resources, implementing a reduced power configuration to cap maximum fan speeds and balance power usage across shared resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling fan speed is increased to improve thermal management, then thermal energy removal is improved, but power consumption increases non-linearly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy removalVSAvoidcooling fan power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic fan speed adjustment based on real-time thermal conditions and power availability. The system transitions from static fan speed settings to dynamic control where fan speeds are continuously adjusted according to thermal sensors readings and power supply status, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (fan speed) based on varying conditions (thermal state and power availability). By monitoring thermal conditions and power supply status, the system adjusts fan speed to optimal levels that balance cooling effectiveness with power consumption, avoiding both overheating and excessive energy use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If a single component cooling request increases fan speed, then that component's thermal conditions improve, but overall rack power draw increases disproportionately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent cooling effectivenessVSAvoidrack power draw

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual component cooling requests into a coordinated rack-level cooling strategy. Instead of responding to each component's cooling request independently, the system aggregates thermal conditions across all components and adjusts fan speeds to meet overall rack thermal requirements, achieving linear power-to-cooling performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools individual components while also managing overall rack thermal conditions and optimizing power consumption. The unified control approach allows the same cooling infrastructure to address diverse thermal needs across different rack configurations and workloads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If cooling fan power draw is increased to meet thermal demands, then thermal management improves, but power supply shutdown or performance throttling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management effectivenessVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring thermal conditions, power consumption, and power supply status. When thermal demands approach power supply limits, the system receives feedback about power availability and adjusts fan speeds accordingly, preventing power supply shutdown or CPU throttling while maintaining adequate cooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential power supply limitations by monitoring power consumption trends and thermal conditions in advance. When power draw approaches critical thresholds, the system proactively adjusts fan speeds to prevent power supply shutdown, cushioning against the harmful effect before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 improves overall system performance by optimizing fan speed behavior based on power consumption, ensuring balanced thermal management and reduced power consumption, preventing thermal hotspots and maintaining normal operations even under power constraints.

Implementation Method 1

passing a cooling airflow over the heat sinks to remove the thermal energy from the information handling system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

attaching heat sinks to components that generate thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

passing a cooling airflow over the heat sinks to remove the thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9329586B2Information handling system dynamic fan power management

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Power resource allocation at a chassis that supports plural server information handling systems is enhanced with modifications to power consumption by plural cooling fans based upon available power resources. As available power decreases, at least some of the cooling fans operate at reduced speeds for a given thermal condition to consume less power. In one embodiment, a maximum allowed cooling fan speed is set with a delta value over the fan speed of one or more other cooling fans, such as a delta over the lowest commanded cooling fan speed of the chassis.