Inter-shelf Power Pooling Bus for Rack Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing facilities, power supply units often fail to match the electrical loads of servers, leading to either excess capacity or insufficient power, and if one power supply unit fails, connected devices are taken out of service, compromising system reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an inter-shelf power-pooling bus system that couples power supply mechanisms across multiple shelves to create a pooled power supply, allowing power to be dynamically allocated and balanced among shelves, with the ability to activate or deactivate power supply units based on operating conditions to maintain optimal power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If power supply units are individually sized for each server, then power distribution precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual power supply units into a pooled power system where power supplies from multiple servers are combined into a shared resource. This allows any server to draw power from any available power supply in the pool, improving reliability while maintaining precise power distribution through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal power pool where power supply units can serve multiple servers rather than being dedicated to a single device. Each power supply unit becomes multi-functional, capable of powering any server in the rack that needs power, thereby improving system reliability without requiring precise individual sizing.
2Reliability
If power supply units are oversized for each server, then reliability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to excess capacity
Solution Approach 1:
By combining power supply units from multiple servers into a pooled system, the total power capacity is shared across all servers. This eliminates the need for each individual power supply to be oversized, reducing energy waste while maintaining reliability through the aggregated capacity of the pool.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation where power distribution is adjusted in real-time based on actual server needs. Power supply units can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on operating conditions, ensuring that power capacity matches actual demand and minimizing energy loss from excess capacity.
3Device complexity
If power supply units are undersized for each server, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when power demand exceeds capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power supply units into a pooled system, creating a larger aggregate power capacity that can meet peak demands of any individual server. This approach maintains simple individual server designs while ensuring reliability through the combined capacity of multiple power supplies working together.
4Ease of operation
If dedicated power supply units are used for each server, then power distribution control is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when a power supply fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power supply control into a centralized pool management system. When a power supply unit fails, the system automatically redistributes its load to other available power supplies in the pool, maintaining fault tolerance while preserving operational control through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor power supply status and dynamically adjust power distribution. When a power supply fails or conditions change, the system receives feedback and automatically reconfigures the power pool to maintain reliability and optimal control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing power to electrical systems in a rack includes pooling power from power supply mechanisms in two or more slots of a rack. Power is supplied from the pooled power to electrical systems in one or more slots in the rack. Power supply mechanisms are activated or deactivated from the pooled power based on conditions of the power supply mechanisms or the electrical systems receiving power from the pooled power supply system.