Thermal Load Balancing in Modular Server Chassis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in efficiently cooling components due to increased heat production, leading to overheating, instability, and power consumption issues, particularly in server chassis with multiple modular systems.

Innovation Solution

A system with modular slots, air movers, and a controller that determines optimal workload allocation based on thermal operational parameters to minimize power consumption and ensure effective cooling, using a chassis controller to manage airflow and workload distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air movers are used to cool information handling systems, then temperature control is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidair mover power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts air mover speeds based on real-time thermal conditions and workload heat generation. The controller continuously monitors temperatures and modifies air mover operation accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic control to optimize the balance between cooling effectiveness and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by allocating workloads based on thermal characteristics of different information handling systems. The controller selects target systems with favorable thermal parameters, thereby reducing the overall cooling demand and allowing air movers to operate at lower power levels while maintaining adequate temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If multiple air movers are deployed to cool all slots, then cooling coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling coverageVSAvoidair mover configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by assigning specific air movers to specific slots or groups of slots based on thermal requirements. Rather than uniformly deploying air movers across all slots, the controller intelligently allocates cooling resources to areas where they are most needed, optimizing cooling coverage while reducing the number of air movers required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Air movers are designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple slots or zones within the chassis. A single air mover can cool multiple information handling systems by directing airflow to different areas, thereby reducing the total number of air movers needed and simplifying the overall system configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If workloads are allocated without considering thermal parameters, then system productivity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload allocation efficiencyVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring thermal parameters of information handling systems and using this information to dynamically adjust workload allocation. The controller receives thermal status information, processes it, and makes real-time decisions about where to allocate workloads, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains thermal stability while optimizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-assessing the thermal characteristics of available information handling systems before allocating workloads. The controller identifies target systems with favorable thermal parameters in advance, preventing thermal instability before it occurs rather than reacting to thermal problems after they arise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 thermal control challenges, optimizes power usage, and enhances the reliability of information handling systems by efficiently allocating workloads and managing airflow, thereby preventing overheating and extending component lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of air movers each configured to cool at least one modular information handling system disposed in at least one of the plurality of slots

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10430251B2Systems and methods for load balancing based on thermal parameters

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a plurality of slots each configured to receive a modular information handling system, a plurality of air movers each configured to cool at least one modular information handling system disposed in at least one of the plurality of slots, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of slots and the plurality of air movers and configured to, based on one or more thermal operational parameters associated with the plurality of slots and the plurality of air movers, determine an optimal allocation of at least one workload to a particular information handling system of a plurality of modular information handling systems received in the plurality of slots.