Compact UPS Power Converter for Rack Current Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backup power supplies for data centers are often too large for modular data center racks due to the current requirements of computing equipment, making them unsuitable for compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that includes a battery configured to output direct current (DC) power at a high voltage and low current, which is then converted to a lower voltage and higher current by a power converter, allowing a smaller battery to provide adequate current for computing equipment, and an interface to couple this power to a bus-bar power interface within a rack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional battery-based backup power supplies are used to provide adequate current for computing equipment, then the current delivery capability is improved, but the size of the power supply increases making it unsuitable for modular rack designs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power supply function into two separate components: a compact battery unit for energy storage and a power converter for current transformation. This segmentation allows the battery to be small while the converter handles the current conversion to meet equipment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A power converter is introduced as an intermediary device between the battery and computing equipment. The converter transforms the high-voltage low-current battery output into the required low-voltage high-current output, enabling the small battery to adequately power the equipment.
2Reliability
If battery capacity is increased to provide sufficient current for computing equipment, then the backup power capability is improved, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the electrical parameters between battery output and equipment input by using a power converter. The converter transforms high-voltage low-current battery output into low-voltage high-current output, allowing a smaller battery to provide adequate power without increasing space requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a compact power supply design is used to fit within modular racks, then the adaptability to rack designs is improved, but the current delivery capability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter dynamically transforms the electrical characteristics of power from the battery to match the requirements of the computing equipment. This dynamic parameter transformation enables the compact battery unit to deliver adequate current despite its small size.
Solution Approach 2:
The power converter serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the compact battery unit and the computing equipment, transforming the battery's high-voltage low-current output into the equipment's required low-voltage high-current input.
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 enables the use of relatively small batteries as backup power supplies in data centers, reducing space requirements while maintaining sufficient current delivery for computing equipment, thus addressing the size constraints of traditional backup power systems.
Implementation Method 1
a battery configured to output direct current (DC) power at a first voltage and a first current
Implementation Method 2
a power-converter configured to receive DC power from the battery and convert the DC power to output DC power at a second voltage and a second current, the second voltage being less than half the first voltage and the second current being greater than twice the first current
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device, including: a power supply comprising: a battery configured to output direct current (DC) power at a first voltage and a first current; a battery charger coupled to the battery and configured to charge the battery; a power-converter configured to receive DC power from the battery and convert the DC power to output DC power at a second voltage and a second current, the second voltage being less than half the first voltage and the second current being greater than twice the first current; and an interface to couple output power from the power-converter to a bus-bar power interface of a rack configured to hold computing equipment.