Power Temperature Converter for Data Center Server Energy Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power measurement systems for data centers are impractical due to high costs and maintenance requirements for numerous current sensors and wires needed to measure power consumption across multiple servers, making efficient energy management challenging.
Innovation Solution
A power measurement system utilizing power temperature converters attached to power supply lines, which generate heat corresponding to current flow, and optical fibers for temperature measurement, allowing for the analysis of power consumption without the need for extensive wiring, using a system with a current coil, rectifier, capacitor, switch, and resistance heating element to measure temperature changes and calculate power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current sensors and wires are used to measure power consumption of numerous servers, then power measurement capability is achieved, but system cost and maintenance complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator device that couples to the power supply line and converts electrical current information into thermal signals. This intermediary approach allows power measurement without direct electrical connections between each server and the measurement apparatus, thereby reducing wiring complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical measurement system (current sensors and wires) with a thermal-based measurement system. By converting electrical current into heat through a temperature converter and measuring the resulting temperature changes, the system eliminates the need for complex electrical wiring while achieving power measurement
2Measurement precision
If current sensors are installed on each server, then individual power measurement is enabled, but installation and maintenance costs become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator device serves as an interface between the power supply line and the measurement apparatus, enabling individual server power measurement through a single coupling point per server. This eliminates the need for multiple current sensors and extensive wiring, dramatically reducing installation costs while maintaining individual measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive electrical current sensing infrastructure with a thermal measurement system. The temperature converter and non-contact temperature measurement apparatus provide individual power measurement at lower installation and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for traditional current sensors and wiring infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If numerous current sensors and wires are deployed, then power measurement coverage is comprehensive, but maintenance requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator device consolidates the measurement function at a single point in the power supply line, eliminating numerous wire connections that would require maintenance. The optical or wireless communication between the mediator and measurement apparatus further reduces maintenance requirements by eliminating physical contact points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a thermal and optical/wireless measurement system. This substitution eliminates wear and tear associated with electrical connections, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining comprehensive power measurement coverage across all servers
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 solution reduces costs and maintenance by enabling efficient power measurement across multiple servers with minimal additional power consumption, allowing for effective energy management and negligible increase in data center energy usage, while providing accurate power consumption data for optimizing air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
a power temperature converter attached to a power supply line of an electric instrument and having a temperature changed corresponding to a current flowing through the power supply line
Implementation Method 2
a temperature measurement apparatus configured to measure the temperature of the power temperature converter
Data Source
AI summary
A power measurement system includes: a power temperature converter attached to a power supply line of an electric instrument and having a temperature changed corresponding to a current flowing through the power supply line; a temperature measurement apparatus configured to measure the temperature of the power temperature converter; and an analyzer configured to analyze power consumed by the electric instrument by using a measurement result of the temperature of the power temperature converter obtained by the temperature measurement apparatus.