Power Supply Control Circuitry for Dynamic Unit Count Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems in redundant configurations for computers, such as servers, face challenges in improving power efficiency due to fluctuations in power supply unit efficiency and varying load rates, making it difficult to optimize power consumption effectively.
Innovation Solution
A power supply control circuitry that includes a storing device and control circuitry to manage multiple power supply units by storing information on load rates and power conversion efficiencies, and adjusting the number of units in operation based on load rates, input voltages, and temperatures to match optimal efficiency conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple power supply units operate in parallel to handle varying loads, then system reliability and load capacity improve, but overall power conversion efficiency deteriorates due to suboptimal operating points
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of operating power supply units based on real-time load conditions. The control circuitry monitors load rates and compares them against stored efficiency data to determine optimal unit count, transitioning from static to dynamic operation. This allows the system to maintain high efficiency by operating fewer units at optimal load points while still meeting reliability requirements through selective unit activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the number of active power supply units based on load rate thresholds. Stored efficiency data corresponding to different load rates guides these parameter changes, allowing the system to shift between operating configurations (1 unit, 2 units, 3 units) to maintain optimal efficiency across varying load conditions while ensuring reliability.
2Productivity
If the number of power supply units is increased to handle higher loads, then load capacity improves, but power consumption increases due to lower efficiency at partial load rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically scales the number of operating units according to actual load demands. The control circuitry continuously monitors load rates and activates or deactivates power supply units based on pre-stored efficiency data. This dynamic adjustment ensures that power consumption is optimized by running fewer units at high efficiency points rather than operating multiple units at inefficient partial load rates, thereby reducing overall energy usage while maintaining necessary load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of unit count based on load rate thresholds derived from efficiency data. By storing efficiency information for different load rates and unit configurations, the control circuitry can make informed decisions about when to increase or decrease the number of active units, optimizing the balance between load capacity and power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power supply units operate at varying load rates to match demand, then adaptability improves, but efficiency optimization becomes difficult due to fluctuating operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing efficiency data for multiple power supply units across various load rates before operation begins. This pre-stored correspondence relationship between load rates and efficiency enables the control circuitry to quickly determine optimal unit counts without real-time calculations, allowing the system to adapt to varying loads while maintaining efficiency optimization through data-driven decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual load rates and comparing them against stored efficiency data to adjust the number of operating units. The control circuitry uses this feedback loop to maintain optimal efficiency across fluctuating conditions, selecting the appropriate number of units based on real-time load information and pre-stored efficiency relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
Power supply control circuitry connected to power supply units, includes a storing device that stores information indicating a relationship between load rates for a load and power conversion efficiencies of the units at the load rates, for each input voltage input to a converter provided in each unit and outputs a voltage to the load, and for each number of units in a power supplying state, and control circuitry that determines a trigger for increasing or decreasing a number of units in the state, based on the load rates, the input voltages and the relationship, and sends, in response to determining that the trigger is met, an instruction to turn on or off the state to each of the units so that the number of units in the state matches an identified number of units based on the load rates, the input voltages and the relationship.