Power Module Bus Control for Hot-Swappable Data Centre Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium-high voltage power systems face challenges with hot swap capability and on-site installation and maintenance reliability due to the need for optical fiber connections, which hinder efficient system reconstruction and operation.

Innovation Solution

A power system design that utilizes a centralized controller connected to low voltage controllers via a bus, enabling hot swap capability and eliminating the need for on-site optical fiber installation, while allowing for flexible system architecture adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical fiber interface is used for communication between centralized controller and unit controller, then communication reliability is improved, but hot swap capability is lost and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidhot swap capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrical interface as an intermediary communication medium between the centralized controller and unit controller, replacing the optical fiber interface. This electrical interface enables hot swap capability while maintaining communication reliability through standardized electrical connections that support plug-and-play operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If optical fiber installation is required for each power unit, then communication stability is improved, but on-site installation and maintenance reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidon-site installation and maintenance reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical optical fiber installation system with an electrical interface system. The electrical interface uses standardized connectors that eliminate the need for complex optical fiber routing and termination, significantly improving on-site installation and maintenance reliability while maintaining communication stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If optical fiber communication is used between controllers, then control precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication function from the optical fiber interface and implements it through a simplified electrical interface. This extraction removes the complex optical fiber infrastructure while preserving the essential control precision requirements through standardized electrical signaling protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4199292B1Power source system, data centre, and charging device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP4199292B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4199292B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4199292B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power system, a data center, and a charging device are provided, and relate to the field of electronic power. The power system includes a centralized controller (10) and three power modules (11). Each phase of an alternating current power supply is connected to one power module (11), and an input end of each power module (11) is connected to one phase of the alternating current power supply. Each power module (11) includes a low voltage controller (30) and at least two power units (20). Each power unit (20) includes a unit controller (201). The centralized controller (10) is connected to each low voltage controller (30) by using a bus. The centralized controller (10) sends a control signal to each unit controller (201) by using each low voltage controller (30), to control the unit controller (201) and/or a power conversion circuit (210). The power system can implement hot swap of the power module (11) and improve on-site operation reliability.