Power Supply Thermal Management via Preliminary Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data processing systems face challenges in maintaining optimal thermal operating ranges for their components, leading to potential damage, degradation, and undesirable operation due to exposure to thermal environments outside their rated limits, which can impact the reliability and efficiency of providing computer-implemented services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a power supply system that includes a gas mover, a heating element, and a power manager to actively manage the thermal environment by heating components when necessary, ensuring they operate within their rated thermal ranges, thereby preventing damage and ensuring reliable operation across a wider range of thermal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive cooling is used for power supply components, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when operating outside rated thermal ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal conditioning by heating components to their rated operating temperature range before they are activated for service. This preliminary action ensures that when components are turned on, they are already within their safe thermal operating ranges, preventing thermal damage without requiring complex active cooling systems during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system uses its own internal heating elements and temperature sensors to self-condition its components. The system monitors its own thermal state and activates heating elements to bring components to their rated operating temperature, eliminating the need for external thermal management systems or complex passive cooling infrastructure.
2Temperature
If active cooling systems are implemented, then thermal management capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using active cooling systems to remove heat from components, the invention inverts the approach by using controlled heating to bring components to their rated operating temperature. This inversion eliminates the need for complex cooling infrastructure while achieving the same goal of maintaining components within their thermal operating ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal parameter state of components from ambient or sub-optimal temperatures to their rated operating temperature range. By controlling the temperature parameter through selective heating, the system optimizes component performance without requiring complex active cooling mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If components operate outside rated thermal ranges, then adaptability to environmental conditions is improved, but reliability and component lifespan deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of components to their rated operating temperature before activation, ensuring that even in extreme environmental conditions, components start within their safe operating ranges. This preliminary action enables the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions while maintaining component reliability and lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor the thermal state of components and feedback this information to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller activates heating elements only when necessary to maintain components within their rated thermal ranges, enabling environmental adaptability without compromising reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of data processing systems by maintaining components within their optimal thermal operating ranges, reducing the likelihood of damage, improving uptime, and enabling cost-effective operation across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element; and a power manager adapted to: prevent the primary power supply from attempting to provide the conditioned power while the temperature of the primary power supply is below the threshold temperature, and while the temperature of the primary power supply is below the threshold temperature: increase, with the gas mover, the heating element, and the startup power supply, the temperature of the primary power supply to exceed the threshold temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for thermal management of components of a data processing system that may be used to provide computer implemented services are disclosed. The disclosed thermal management method and systems may improve the likelihood of data processing systems providing desired computer implemented services by improving the likelihood that desired power is provided by power supplies. To improve the likelihood of power supplies providing desired power, the power supplies may proactively take into account the thermal environment and/or thermal states of components of the power supply.