Power Supply System With Independent Paths For Server Power Interchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional DC power supply systems for high-density server racks face challenges in supplying sufficient power due to limitations in connector specifications and power feeder cable capacity, leading to potential power shortages and reduced connector mounting density when upgrading to higher power capacity connectors.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system with two independent power paths for each device, allowing power interchanging between adjacent servers via a local area network switch, ensuring constant power supply from one path while enabling power capping and switching to prevent shortages, without requiring changes to the existing bus bar or power feeder cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a large-type connector is used to increase power supply capacity, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the connector mounting density on the bus bar is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidconnector mounting density

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system divides the power delivery into multiple independent power paths (first power path and second power path) instead of using single large-type connectors. Each power path uses standard-size connectors, maintaining high mounting density while collectively providing the required high power capacity through parallel power delivery channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple power paths are merged at the device level where their power capacities are combined to achieve the total required power supply. The first power path and second power path each contribute to the overall power delivery, enabling high power capacity without requiring individual large-type connectors that would reduce mounting density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If power is interchanged between servers to supply large amounts of electric power, then the power supply capacity is improved, but power shortage may occur in the power supply side server

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary power allocation by assigning dedicated power paths to each device before power interchange occurs. Device 100 has dedicated first and second power paths, and device 200 has dedicated first and second power paths. This preliminary assignment ensures that each device always has guaranteed power supply channels, preventing power shortages during interchange operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a cushioning effect by maintaining multiple independent power paths for each device. When power interchange occurs between devices, the dedicated power paths act as a buffer or cushion, ensuring that the power supply side device always retains sufficient power capacity and never experiences power shortage, thus maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10416743B2Power supply system

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 CLOUD BYTE LLC

AI summary

A power supply system includes two first power paths for supplying electric power to a first device, and two second power paths for supplying electric power to a second device. One of the first power paths is configured to be able to supply power to the second device, and one of the second power paths is configured to be able to supply power to the first device.