Phase-Switchable PDU Balancing With PSU Load Shifting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unbalanced power distribution on input phases of a multi-phase power system leads to increased stress on components and infrastructure, waste of power due to I2R distribution effects, and failure to operate within rated capacity, which existing systems fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for intelligent phase assignment and PSU load shifting using phase-switchable PDUs that dynamically monitor and balance power phases by redirecting input phases to output ports and adjusting PSU loads to achieve optimal power distribution across all redundant PDUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If power is distributed unevenly across input phases of a multi-phase system, then components can be powered from fewer phases, but this causes additional stress on components and infrastructure, and wasted power due to I2R distribution effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches phase assignments for each output port based on real-time monitoring of phase power values. The phase-switchable PDU continuously adjusts which input phase is connected to which output port to maintain balanced power distribution across all phases, transforming a static phase assignment into a dynamic, adaptive system that responds to changing load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring of input phase power values and uses this feedback to determine when phases are unbalanced (exceeding a threshold). Based on this feedback, the system automatically redirects input phases to different output ports to restore balance, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates power waste from unbalanced distribution
2Power
If power is concentrated on fewer phases, then the overall power can be delivered with less distribution infrastructure, but this operates components near their operational limits and reduces available bandwidth for additional capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically redistributes power across all available phases by continuously monitoring and switching phase assignments. This ensures that as loads are added or removed, the power distribution automatically adapts to maintain balanced utilization of all phases, maximizing both the usable power capacity and the operational margins of the distribution infrastructure
3Loss of energy
If intelligent phase assignment and PSU load shifting are implemented, then input phase power balance is improved and power efficiency is increased, but system complexity increases with phase-switchable PDUs and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-switchable PDU autonomously monitors its own phase power values and automatically performs phase redirection and PSU load shifting without external control. The system self-regulates by detecting imbalances and executing corrective switching actions, eliminating the need for complex external coordination systems while achieving optimal power distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A system and related method balance phase power in a power distribution system. The method comprises performing the following operations dynamically and repeatedly, during operation of subcomponents receiving power from a plurality of redundant intelligent PDUs. Input phases of the intelligent PDUs are monitored for power values associated with the input phases that provide power to the subcomponents through the PDUs. A target per-phase power value is determined. When the input phases are not balanced, an input phase at an input port is redirected to an output port of at least one of the PDUs using a switch to bring the not-balanced phases closer to being balanced phases by reducing a difference of phase powers to the target per-phase power value. The method then comprises performing load shifting on the power supply units (PSUs) associated with the redundant PDUs to improve an overall phase power balance across all redundant PDUs.