Power Module Thermal Protection via Dynamic Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional power systems in information handling systems face inefficiencies, reliability issues, and reduced lifetime due to increased operating temperatures resulting from phase shedding or disabling of power modules, which can lead to undesired shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A power system with a controller that selectively enables and disables power modules based on an efficiency policy, determining if the operating temperature exceeds a threshold and enabling additional modules to mitigate high temperatures, thereby avoiding immediate shutdown and maintaining system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power modules are disabled to maximize power efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but operating temperature increases leading to decreased reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the operating temperature of power modules and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the number of enabled power modules. When temperature exceeds a threshold, the controller enables additional power modules to share the load, thereby reducing individual module temperature and maintaining reliability while preserving efficiency benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static power module configuration to a dynamic one where the number of enabled power modules changes based on real-time temperature conditions. This allows the system to adapt its efficiency strategy according to thermal conditions, maintaining both energy efficiency and reliability across varying operating conditions.
2Loss of energy
If power modules are disabled to maximize power efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but operating temperature increases leading to decreased lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses temperature monitoring feedback to detect when power modules are operating at elevated temperatures that would reduce their lifetime. In response, it enables additional power modules to distribute the electrical current load, reducing the thermal stress on individual modules and thereby extending their operational lifetime while maintaining efficiency improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational configuration of power modules based on real-time temperature conditions. By transitioning from a fixed to a flexible configuration, the system can reduce thermal aging effects on power modules when temperatures become excessive, thereby extending their service life without sacrificing the energy efficiency benefits of selective module disabling.
3Reliability
If traditional shutdown is used to prevent high temperature damage, then component protection is achieved, but system downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively enables additional power modules when temperature approaches critical thresholds, before catastrophic failure occurs. This preliminary action prevents the need for complete system shutdown by addressing thermal issues while the system is still operational, thereby maintaining component protection while avoiding downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of shutting down the system when temperature exceeds a threshold (traditional approach), the patent inverts the response by enabling additional power modules to share the load. This reverse approach transforms a protective shutdown action into a protective load-distribution action, maintaining both component protection and system continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for thermal protection in a power system may be provided. In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for thermal protection in a power system having a plurality of power modules selectively enabled and disabled in accordance with an efficiency policy may be provided. The method may include determining if an operating temperature for the power system is greater than a first threshold temperature. The method may also include enabling one or more power modules disabled in accordance with the efficiency policy in response to a determination that the operating temperature is greater than the first threshold temperature.