Serial Medium-Voltage Power Distribution With Constant Apparent Power

Solution Overview

Problem

The current architecture of data centers is not suited to the increase in computing power of equipment due to high installation costs and excessive overall dimensions, primarily because transformers and electrical connections are sized for significant electrical power consumption, leading to increased manufacturing costs and dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A method of controlling an electrical distribution system where conversion modules are connected in series to a power supply device, converting medium voltage to low voltage, and regulating DC voltage and apparent power to maintain balance, eliminating the need for intermediate low-voltage distribution networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If transformers and electrical connections are sized to support significant electrical power (very high current at low voltage), then the electrical power consumption capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost and overall dimensions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power consumption capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from low voltage (48V-400V) to medium voltage (10kV-35kV) for the distribution network. This parameter change allows the same electrical power to be transmitted with much lower current, thereby reducing the size and cost of transformers and electrical connections while maintaining the required power delivery capacity to racks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If transformers and electrical connections are sized to support significant electrical power (very high current at low voltage), then the electrical power consumption capacity is improved, but the overall dimensions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power consumption capacityVSAvoidoverall dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from low voltage (48V-400V) to medium voltage (10kV-35kV) for the distribution network. This parameter change allows the same electrical power to be transmitted with much lower current, thereby reducing the size and cost of transformers and electrical connections while maintaining the required power delivery capacity to racks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If all electrical loads are connected in parallel to a low-voltage power supply device, then the electrical loads receive stable power, but the electrical infrastructure becomes complex and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery stabilityVSAvoidelectrical infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional parallel low-voltage distribution architecture by implementing a series medium-voltage distribution architecture. Instead of connecting all racks in parallel to a low-voltage source, the racks are connected in series to a medium-voltage source, with each rack having its own conversion module. This inversion simplifies the infrastructure by eliminating the need for a complex low-voltage distribution network while maintaining reliable power delivery through individual rack-level voltage conversion and regulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 approach reduces material costs, particularly copper usage, and improves compactness by transitioning from parallel low-voltage to series medium-voltage distribution, ensuring stable power delivery and operational balance.

Implementation Method 1

each conversion module comprising a converter, connected to the output terminals of the conversion module and configured to deliver to the associated electrical load, a DC voltage comprised between 48 V and 400 V and a DC current, from the AC voltage at the input terminals of the conversion module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Energy Conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250341875A1Method for controlling a serial electrical distribution system and associated serial power distribution system

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS

AI summary

This invention relates to a method of controlling an electrical distribution system comprising a power supply device delivering a medium AC voltage, electrical loads, and a conversion module per electrical load. The input terminals of all modules are connected in series to each other and to the power supply device. Each module includes a converter delivering to its electrical load a low DC voltage from the medium voltage. The method includes, for each module, adjusting the active power delivered by the module based on the operating active power of its electrical load and maintaining a constant apparent power of the module by regulating an amplitude and a phase shift of the voltage at the terminals thereof, based on the active power delivered by the module to its electrical load, the voltage and current delivered by the power supply device to the modules, and the number of modules.