Modular Automatic Transfer Switch and Power Supply Units for Datacenter Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems for datacenters are large and expensive, lacking efficient and cost-effective solutions for redundant power supply to ensure continuous operation during primary power source interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A power system comprising a backplane assembly, detachably mountable automatic transfer switch and power supply units (ATSPSUs), and battery modules, which autonomously and communicatively manage direct current (DC) power distribution, switching between primary and secondary AC power sources, and battery backup, optimizing power usage and recharging to avoid overloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing power management systems use secondary power sources to ensure continuous operation during power interruptions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into modular components: multiple AC power sources, a backplane assembly with control circuitry, and detachable automatic transfer switch and power supply units (ATSPSUs). Each ATSPSU is a self-contained module that can be independently configured and replaced, allowing the system to provide redundant power protection without requiring a single large complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between primary and secondary AC power sources using automatic transfer switches that respond to power interruptions in real-time. The ATSPSUs can be detachably mounted or removed based on operational needs, providing flexible and adaptive power management rather than a fixed static configuration.
2Reliability
If redundant power supply systems are implemented to protect against power source failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backplane assembly serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connections between power sources and ATSPSUs, houses control circuitry for monitoring power quality, enables detachable mounting of ATSPSUs, and coordinates switching between power sources. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining comprehensive power failure protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic transfer switches within each ATSPSU autonomously detect power interruptions and switch between primary and secondary AC power sources without requiring external control signals. The system self-manages the redundancy coordination, eliminating the need for complex centralized control logic and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic transfer switch and power supply units (ATSPSUs) and related methods condition switching to a second AC power source to allow a battery module to supply DC power to a load. An ATSPSU includes a power supply unit (PSU), an automatic transfer switch (ATS), and an ATSPSU controller configured to control the ATS to switch to the second AC power source in response to the voltage of the first AC power source having decreased in magnitude by a voltage drop value over a period of time greater than an allowable amount of time for the voltage drop value, and at least one of a voltage differential between DC power supply lines being less than a voltage threshold value, and a state of charge of a battery module operatively coupled with the DC power supply lines being less than a threshold state of charge.