Power Supply Unit Hold Time Extension via Dynamic Load Shedding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern server farms face unpredictable transient fluctuations in AC power, leading to potential shutdowns and significant disruptions, which can result in security breaches and revenue losses due to the vulnerability of commercial power grids to weather conditions and equipment failures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that monitors AC power and generates a power failure signal to switch server components to a low power mode or shut down, extending the hold time of the power supply unit (PSU) during power interruptions, allowing for quick resumption of normal operations when power is restored without the need for time-consuming shutdown and rebooting processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the server system maintains normal power consumption during AC power interruption, then the operational continuity is improved, but the power supply unit hold time is insufficient and the system must shut down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power consumption based on power availability. When AC power is detected as abnormal, the system transitions components from normal power mode to low power mode or shutdown state. This dynamic adaptation allows the server system to extend operational duration during power interruptions by reducing energy consumption in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of components (power consumption levels) in response to power interruption detection. By modifying the power consumption parameter from normal levels to reduced levels, the system extends the hold time of the power supply unit and maintains operational continuity without requiring shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the server system shuts down during power interruption to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but operational continuity is lost and rebooting is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely shutting down the system, the patent applies partial action by switching only specific components to low power mode or shutdown state while maintaining critical operations. This selective power reduction extends operational continuity without requiring a full system shutdown and subsequent rebooting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the server system operates at full power during AC power interruption, then operational performance is maintained, but the power supply unit hold time is exceeded and shutdown occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational performanceVSAvoidpower supply unit hold time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the server system performs shutdown and rebooting processes after power restoration, then system stability is ensured, but the resumption time is extended and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidresumption time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining operational state during power interruptions through dynamic power adjustment. Since the system never fully shuts down, the preliminary action of keeping critical components operational eliminates the need for time-consuming shutdown and rebooting processes when power is restored, significantly reducing resumption time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system skips the traditional shutdown and rebooting sequence by maintaining operational continuity through dynamic power management. When AC power is restored, the system can quickly resume normal operations without going through the time-consuming power-down and rebooting processes that conventional systems must undergo.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS10146285B2Method for extending hold time of power supply units

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 QUANTA COMPUTER INC

AI summary

Various examples of the present technology provide systems and methods for monitoring an AC power to a computing system, generating a power failure signal when the AC power is determined abnormal, and cause one or more components of the computing system to be switched to a low power mode or shut down to reduce power consumption of the computing system. In particular, the various embodiments of the present technology provide a method to extend hold time of a power supply unit (PSU), thus extend power-on time of a server system during an input power interruption.