Shared UPS Battery Power Bus for Data Center Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in maintaining continuous power availability across multiple resource zones, as existing systems do not effectively share or supplement power between zones, leading to potential equipment failures and increased battery capacity requirements.
Innovation Solution
A power bus system is introduced to share DC power between uninterruptable power supply (UPS) batteries across different resource zones, allowing for parallel operation and selective power distribution based on need, along with supplemental power storage elements that can be located separately from the UPS units, reducing the need for redundant power storage within each zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each resource zone has its own dedicated UPS and batteries, then each zone can maintain independent power supply, but the battery capacity requirements and cost increase for each zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power storage resources of multiple resource zones by introducing a power bus that interconnects UPS batteries across different zones. This allows the batteries to function as a shared reservoir, where power can be drawn from any zone's batteries to support any other zone experiencing power failure, thereby reducing the total battery capacity required while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The UPS batteries are designed to serve multiple functions: they can power their own local UPS during power failures and simultaneously serve as supplemental power sources for other zones through the power bus. This multi-functionality allows a single battery system to provide both local and regional backup power, reducing redundancy requirements.
2Reliability
If redundant power sources are provided in each resource zone, then continuous operation during power failures is ensured, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the previously separate and redundant power source systems into a unified shared power network through the power bus. Instead of each zone having independent redundant sources, the system merges all UPS batteries into a single interoperable network, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power bus acts as an intermediary that enables power sharing between zones without requiring direct point-to-point connections between each UPS and every other zone. This intermediary infrastructure simplifies the system architecture by providing a standardized interface for power exchange, reducing the complexity of power distribution management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If supplemental power storage elements are located at separate locations external to resource zones, then power sharing between zones is enabled, but the infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power bus infrastructure is designed to serve multiple purposes: it connects UPS batteries across zones for power sharing, provides a common interface for supplemental power storage elements, and enables both local and regional power distribution. This multi-functionality reduces infrastructure complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single system rather than requiring separate dedicated infrastructure for each function.
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 enhances the duration of UPS operation during power outages, reduces battery capacity requirements within individual zones, and allows for more efficient power management by enabling power supplementation between zones, thereby improving overall data center reliability and reducing the risk of equipment failures.
Implementation Method 1
A power bus is provided to share DC power between uninterruptable power supply (UPS) batteries of the different resource zones
Implementation Method 2
supplemental power storage elements that can be located separately from the UPS units, reducing the need for redundant power storage within each zone
Data Source
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AI summary
In a data center having multiple resource zones, each of the zones has an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and associated power storage elements such as batteries. A power bus may be provided between the resource zones to connect the outputs of the power storage elements of the resource zones. The power storage elements may thereby be shared between the UPS's so that an individual resource zone may be operated for a longer duration under anomalous conditions.