Computer Rack Power Redundancy With Automatic Feed Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power supply failures in computer racks can lead to downtime due to improper connections of redundant power feeds, which traditional verification methods fail to detect reliably without human intervention.

Innovation Solution

Implementing unique signals in power feeds from different sources, allowing automatic detection of redundant power supply connections through signal comparison by status components within the computer racks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant power feeds are connected to computer racks, then power supply reliability is improved, but connection errors may go undetected without human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidconnection verification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-verification by automatically detecting unique signals from power feeds and comparing them to confirm proper redundant connections, eliminating the need for manual inspection while ensuring connection correctness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The status component provides feedback about the power feed connections by detecting and comparing unique signals, allowing the system to automatically verify and report on the redundancy configuration status

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual verification of power feed connections is performed, then connection accuracy is improved, but downtime increases due to human intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically verifies its own connections by detecting and comparing unique signals from power feeds, eliminating manual intervention and enabling continuous self-monitoring without requiring human downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Unique signals are embedded in power feeds beforehand, allowing automatic detection and verification to occur continuously without requiring manual inspection or intervention at any time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If unique signals are added to power feeds for automatic detection, then verification automation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification automationVSAvoidpower feed complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system modifies the electrical parameters of power feeds by embedding unique identifiable signals (such as specific frequency components or signal patterns) that enable automatic detection and comparison without fundamentally changing the power delivery function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The unique signals act as intermediary markers that carry identification information about power feed sources, allowing the status component to distinguish and compare different power feeds without adding complex switching or control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250318067A1Computer Rack Power Supply Redundancy

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The description relates to ensuring redundancy of computer rack power supplies. One example can include a rack holding multiple computers and first and second leads associated with the rack. The example can also include a status component positioned in the rack and receiving power from the first and second leads to power the multiple computers. The status component configured to compare power received from the first lead and power received from the second lead to determine whether the first lead and the second lead are supplying power from two different power sources or from a single power source.