Power Redundant System with Segmented Switch Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power redundant systems in data-processing centers have poor reliability due to the reliance on a single automatic transfer switch, which can malfunction and cause failure of all power supplies connected to it, affecting the stability of the data-processing center.
Innovation Solution
A power redundant system with an 'n+1' configuration, where multiple switch units and power-supplying units are connected, ensuring that if one unit fails, the remaining units can supply sufficient power to maintain operation, and an operation method that controls switching between input sources to ensure continuous power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single automatic transfer switch is used to supply power to all power supplies, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because a single point of failure can cause complete system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single automatic transfer switch into multiple independent switch units (first switch unit, second switch unit, etc.), each controlling a subset of power supplies. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure, as a malfunction in one switch unit only affects its associated power supplies rather than the entire system.
2Reliability
If multiple switch units and power-supplying units are configured in an n+1 redundant system, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures n+1 power-supplying units where n units are sufficient to meet the load requirement, and the remaining unit(s) serve as hot standby. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when a failure occurs, the standby unit can immediately take over without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the power-supplying units based on system status. When a unit fails, the remaining units can operate at increased capacity or the standby unit is activated, changing the system's power distribution parameters to maintain reliability without requiring permanent over-provisioning.
3Reliability
If one switch unit or power-supplying unit fails in the n+1 configuration, then the reliability is maintained through redundancy, but the loss of time occurs during failover switching
Solution Approach 1:
The standby power-supplying units are pre-configured and kept in a hot standby state with all necessary connections and parameters ready. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time configuration during failover, significantly reducing the time loss when switching from a failed unit to a standby unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the status of all switch units and power-supplying units. When a failure is detected, the control system immediately receives feedback and automatically activates the standby unit, minimizing the time loss through rapid detection and response rather than waiting for manual intervention or complex diagnostic procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A power redundant system includes a switch module, a power-supplying module and a control unit. The switch module includes switch units. Each switch unit switches a power as an input power. The power-supplying module includes power-supplying units. Each power-supplying unit is connected to a switch unit correspondingly and converts the input power into an output power and supplies the output power to a load. The control unit controls the switch units to switch one of input sources of the power as the input power. If one of the switch units or power-supplying units is not operational, an electric power supplied by the power-supplying units connected to the remaining switch units correspondingly is greater than or equal to an electric power required by the load. When one of the input sources is abnormal, the control unit controls the switch units to switch to another input source.