Closed-Loop Thermal Management for Third-Party Smart Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in providing power and thermal budget support for third-party resources, particularly smart devices with their own controllers and temperature sensors, in implementing closed-loop thermal control algorithms.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system comprising a processor, an information handling resource with a controller and temperature sensor, and a management controller that periodically receives and stores temperature data to perform closed-loop thermal management, using air movers for cooling based on sensed temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If third-party smart devices with their own controllers and temperature sensors are integrated into the information handling system, then the system gains enhanced functionality and versatility, but the complexity of implementing closed-loop thermal control increases due to the need to maintain forward compatibility of custom thermal settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of third-party smart devicesVSAvoidthermal control implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal thermal management interface that allows the management controller to communicate with and control thermal settings for both built-in components and third-party smart devices through a standardized mechanism. This enables the system to handle diverse thermal control requirements without creating device-specific compatibility issues, as the interface can adapt to different device types while maintaining a consistent control framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements closed-loop thermal control by continuously monitoring temperature sensor data from information handling resources and using this feedback to dynamically adjust thermal settings. The management controller receives periodic temperature information, stores it in data records, and uses this feedback to make real-time thermal management decisions, enabling adaptive control that works across different device types without requiring forward compatibility planning for each specific device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If periodic temperature monitoring and closed-loop thermal management is implemented, then thermal control precision and reliability are improved, but the use of energy and processing resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal control reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption for thermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic temperature monitoring where the information handling resource communicates temperature information to the management controller at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains reliable thermal control and enables timely detection of temperature changes while significantly reducing the energy consumption and processing overhead associated with continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors temperature information and processes thermal data only when necessary to maintain thermal control, rather than continuously processing all possible thermal parameters. The management controller stores temperature data in data records and uses closed-loop control algorithms that process information selectively, achieving reliable thermal management with minimized energy and processing resource usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive 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 solution reduces the need for maintaining forward compatibility of custom thermal settings, enabling effective thermal management and preventing overheating in information handling systems by using closed-loop thermal control algorithms.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature associated with the information handling resource

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

air movers (e.g., cooling fans and blowers) have often been used in information handling systems to cool information handling systems and their components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection cooling: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10761548B2Systems and methods for providing sensor information from an intelligent device for closed-loop thermal control

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A method for use in an information handling system comprising a processor, an information handling resource communicatively coupled to the processor, the information handling resource including a controller and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature associated with the information handling resource, and a management controller communicatively coupled to the processor and the information handling resource, and having stored thereon a program of instructions configured to perform thermal management of the information handling system, may be provided. The method may include periodically communicating information indicative of the temperature from the information handling resource to the management controller, storing by the management controller the information indicative of the temperature in a data record associated with the temperature sensor, and based on information stored in the data record, performing by the program of instructions closed-loop thermal management of the information handling system.