Multi-Power Supply Control for System Threshold Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems with multiple power supplies face challenges in preventing damage from power oversupply, as individual power supplies may not be able to effectively monitor and respond to total power exceeding the system's threshold, leading to potential damage such as melted wires and shorted components.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where power meters and controllers within each power supply measure and combine power inputs, comparing the total power to a system threshold, and automatically shutting off power supplies when the threshold is exceeded to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple power supplies are used to increase system power delivery, then power delivery capability is improved, but the ability to prevent damage from power oversupply deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power monitoring functions of multiple power supplies into a unified control mechanism. The management module aggregates power measurements from all power supplies and coordinates their operation, merging their individual monitoring capabilities into a system-level protection mechanism that can effectively prevent power oversupply damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the management module continuously monitors power measurements from all power supplies, compares the combined power against safety thresholds, and provides control signals to adjust power supply operation. This closed-loop feedback enables effective power oversupply protection despite multiple power sources.
2Device complexity
If each power supply monitors its own power output, then individual power supply control is simplified, but system-level power oversupply detection becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The management module serves multiple functions: it collects power measurements from all power supplies, calculates total system power, compares against thresholds, and controls power supply operation. This multi-functional approach enables system-level power monitoring without significantly increasing individual component complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Power control for computer systems with multiple power supplies including receiving a first measurement of power supplied to a computer system by a first power supply; receiving a second measurement of power supplied to the computer system by a second power supply; calculating a total power supplied to the computer system by combining the first measurement of power supplied to the computer system by the first power supply and the second measurement of power supplied to the computer system by the second power supply; comparing the total power supplied to the computer system to a power threshold of the computer system; and in response to determining that the total power supplied exceeds the power threshold of the computer system, shutting off the first power supply.