Voltage Regulator Bank Current Balancing for Thermal Imbalance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed power delivery systems in information handling systems often experience thermal imbalances between voltage regulator phase banks, leading to performance issues and increased cooling system fan speeds.
Innovation Solution
A power system with a power controller that monitors temperature imbalances between voltage regulator banks and adjusts electrical currents delivered by the phases to minimize these imbalances, thereby maintaining thermal balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If voltage regulator phases are distributed into multiple banks to meet performance and power requirements, then power delivery capability is improved, but thermal imbalances occur between banks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor the temperature of each voltage regulator bank, and the controller adjusts the current distribution based on detected thermal conditions. This closed-loop control dynamically balances heat generation across banks while maintaining required power delivery levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different current levels to different voltage regulator banks based on their local thermal conditions. Banks with lower temperatures receive higher current allocation, while hotter banks receive reduced current, creating non-uniform current distribution that compensates for thermal imbalances.
2Reliability
If thermal imbalances exist between voltage regulator banks, then performance of powered components deteriorates, but increasing cooling system fan speeds can reduce temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses temperature feedback to dynamically adjust current distribution, preventing thermal imbalances that would otherwise require increased cooling. This proactive thermal management maintains component performance while minimizing cooling system workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of thermal imbalances into a useful control signal. By monitoring temperature differences and using them to adjust current distribution, the system turns thermal variations from a problem into a mechanism for achieving thermal balance.
3Temperature
If current distribution is increased to hot voltage regulator banks to balance thermal loads, then thermal balance improves, but power delivery capacity may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current distribution that continuously adapts to changing thermal conditions and power demands. The controller can shift current allocation in real-time, allowing the system to maintain both thermal balance and high power delivery capacity under varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the current parameter dynamically based on temperature measurements. When thermal balance is needed, current to hot banks is reduced; when power delivery is prioritized, current distribution can be increased while still maintaining acceptable thermal conditions through continuous adjustment.
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
The solution effectively reduces thermal imbalances between voltage regulator banks, enhancing the performance of information handling systems by optimizing thermal management and reducing cooling system loads.
Implementation Method 1
A first temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors may be coupled to a first voltage regulator phase of the plurality of voltage regulator phases and may generate a first sensed temperature indicative of a temperature of the first voltage regulator phase
Implementation Method 2
controlling electrical currents delivered by the plurality of voltage regulator phases as a function of the temperature imbalance in order to minimize the temperature imbalance
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system may include one or more information handling resources and a power system comprising a plurality of voltage regulator phases each configured to generate an output voltage at its output from an input voltage, the plurality of voltage regulator phases distributed among a plurality of voltage regulator banks comprising at least a first voltage regulator bank and a second voltage regulator bank. The information handling system may also include a power controller configured to monitor a temperature imbalance between the first voltage regulator bank and the second voltage regulator bank and control electrical currents delivered by the plurality of voltage regulator phases as a function of the temperature imbalance in order to minimize the temperature imbalance.