Redundant Power Supply Startup and Energy Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power supply systems with redundant power supplies in computing platforms experience slow startup times and inefficiencies, leading to increased energy consumption and operating costs due to the use of soft start circuits and standby power supplies.
Innovation Solution
A power supply management system that includes power distribution logic to control the output of both active and redundant power supplies, using charging resistors and capacitors to enable rapid startup without soft start logic, and transitioning redundant power supplies into a cold state to reduce energy consumption by eliminating fixed losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soft start circuits are used to prevent destruction of circuitry and overshoot, then reliability is improved, but startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the output capacitor through a charging resistor before the power supply switch is closed. This preparatory charging of the capacitor prevents the rush current that would otherwise occur at startup, eliminating the need for soft start circuits while maintaining circuit protection.
2Reliability
If redundant power supplies are kept in standby mode to ensure availability, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to fixed losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning the redundant power supply from a static standby state to a dynamic cold state. In this cold state, the power supply is completely shut down with no fixed losses, yet remains rapidly activatable through the pre-charged capacitor mechanism, enabling energy-efficient dynamic operation while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the redundant power supply from continuous standby operation to periodic activation. By using the pre-charged capacitor to enable rapid startup, the system can transition the redundant supply between off and active states based on actual needs, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining power availability.
3Productivity
If redundant power supplies are rapidly activated without pre-charging, then productivity is improved, but energy losses increase due to rush current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the output capacitor through a charging resistor before rapid activation is needed. This preliminary charging eliminates the rush current that would occur during rapid startup, allowing the system to achieve both fast activation and low energy losses simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging resistor serves as an intermediary element that enables rapid activation without energy losses. It provides a controlled charging path for the output capacitor during the brief period before activation, mediating between the need for rapid startup and the need to prevent energy-wasting rush current.
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
The system achieves rapid power supply startup and significant energy savings by disabling soft start logic and transitioning redundant power supplies into a cold state, reducing energy consumption and operating costs in computing platforms.
Implementation Method 1
A power supply management system is provided including a redundant power supply, a charging resistor coupled to an output of the redundant power supply, and a charging capacitor coupled to the charging resistor
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes at least a first power supply module and at least one redundant power supply module. The at least one power supply module supplies power to an output terminal. The at least one redundant power supply module operates in a first state and in a second state. In the first state the second power supply module supplies power to the output terminal. In the second state the second power supply module provides standby power and operates in a burst mode (for example, such as a discontinuous conduction mode).