Transfused Power Card for Server Intravoltage Port Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In remote-managed datacenters, diagnosing malfunctioning computing machinery is challenging due to the need for local power to access remote management components, which is time-consuming and expensive, especially when the machinery is not receiving sufficient electrical power.

Innovation Solution

A system for sharing power between power sharing servers using a transfused power card that determines if it's receiving electrical current from a power supply unit, exporting or importing current via an intravoltage port to maintain power to remote management components, ensuring continuous access for diagnostics even if the primary power fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If remote diagnostics are performed, then troubleshooting efficiency is improved, but local power availability is required which may not be present when primary power fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetroubleshooting efficiencyVSAvoidpower availability for remote management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the power state parameters of the intravoltage port dynamically - switching between exporting power (when surplus is available) and importing power (when deficit occurs) based on real-time power conditions, enabling remote management to maintain operation across varying power scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The intravoltage port acts as an intermediary power sharing mechanism between servers, transferring electrical power from servers with surplus capacity to those experiencing power failure, thereby ensuring continuous operation of remote management components during power anomalies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If an administrator travels to the datacenter for local diagnostics, then direct access to malfunctioning equipment is achieved, but time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect access to equipmentVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service remote diagnostics by ensuring remote management components remain powered through automatic power sharing, allowing administrators to perform troubleshooting remotely without requiring physical presence at the datacenter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If power is shared between servers, then power reliability for remote management is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidpower sharing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intravoltage port is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a standard communication interface and as a power sharing conduit, thereby adding power sharing capability without requiring separate dedicated hardware infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8959376B2Sharing power between two or more power sharing servers

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 LENOVO INT LTD

AI summary

Methods, systems, and power sharing servers that include a computer processor; a computer memory operatively coupled to the computer processor; a power supply unit coupled to a power domain unit via a power supply unit port; an intravoltage port configured to receive a shared power cable coupled to an intravoltage port of a different power sharing server; and a transfused power card coupled to the power supply unit via a primary input power line, the transfused power card further coupled to the intravoltage port via a shared power line, the transfused power card configured to export electrical current via an intravoltage port when the transfused power card is receiving electrical current, above a threshold, from the power supply unit, and import electrical current via the intravoltage port when the transfused power card is not receiving electrical current, above the threshold, from the power supply unit.