U.S. patent application number 14/147888 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for data center uninterruptible power distribution architecture.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gerald Aigner, Donald L. Beaty, Jimmy Clidaras, William Hamburgen, Benchiao Jai, Ken Krieger, Montgomery Sykora, William H. Whitted. Invention is credited to Gerald Aigner, Donald L. Beaty, Jimmy Clidaras, William Hamburgen, Benchiao Jai, Ken Krieger, Montgomery Sykora, William H. Whitted.
Application Number | 20140122906 14/147888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38778959 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140122906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whitted; William H. ; et
al. |
May 1, 2014 |
Data Center Uninterruptible Power Distribution Architecture
Abstract
Apparatus and associated method and computer program products
involve a highly efficient uninterruptible power distribution
architecture to support modular processing units. As an
illustrative example, a modular processing unit includes an
corresponding uninterruptible power system in which only one
AC-to-DC rectification occurs between the utility AC grid and the
processing circuit (e.g., microprocessor) loads. In an illustrative
data center facility, a power distribution architecture includes a
modular array of rack-mountable processing units, each of which has
processing circuitry to handle network-related processing tasks.
Associated with each modular processing unit is an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) to supply operating power to the network
processing circuitry. Each UPS includes a battery selectively
connectable across a DC bus, and a AC-to-DC rectifier that converts
an AC input voltage to a single output voltage on the DC bus. The
regulated DC bus voltage may be close to the battery's fully
charged voltage.
Inventors: |
Whitted; William H.;
(Woodside, CA) ; Sykora; Montgomery; (Denver,
CO) ; Krieger; Ken; (Jackson, WY) ; Jai;
Benchiao; (Mountain View, CA) ; Hamburgen;
William; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Beaty; Donald L.;
(Red Bank, NJ) ; Aigner; Gerald; (Pfaeffikon,
CH) ; Clidaras; Jimmy; (Los Altos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whitted; William H.
Sykora; Montgomery
Krieger; Ken
Jai; Benchiao
Hamburgen; William
Beaty; Donald L.
Aigner; Gerald
Clidaras; Jimmy |
Woodside
Denver
Jackson
Mountain View
Palo Alto
Red Bank
Pfaeffikon
Los Altos |
CA
CO
WY
CA
CA
NJ
CA |
US
US
US
US
US
US
CH
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
38778959 |
Appl. No.: |
14/147888 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12432567 |
Apr 29, 2009 |
8624433 |
|
|
14147888 |
|
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|
11756939 |
Jun 1, 2007 |
7560831 |
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12432567 |
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60810449 |
Jun 1, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
713/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/30 20130101; Y02B
10/70 20130101; H02J 9/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/300 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/30 20060101
G06F001/30 |
Claims
1. A power distribution system for a data center, the system
comprising: a modular base configured to be supported in one of a
plurality of positions on a rack mounting structure, the base
comprising: a DC load comprising at least one digital processor
operative to process data received over a network; a DC bus
configured to deliver operating power to the DC load, the power
being received from a power source connected across the DC bus; and
an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) supported by the base, the
UPS comprising: a battery circuit configured to operatively connect
a battery across the DC bus during a fault condition in which an AC
input voltage signal from an AC generator falls outside of a normal
operating range; an AC-to-DC rectification stage comprising an
AC-to-DC conversion circuit configured to convert the AC input
voltage signal to a single DC output voltage signal across the DC
bus when the AC input voltage signal is within the normal operating
range, wherein the AC-to-DC conversion circuit is configured to
regulate the DC output voltage signal to a voltage level above and
substantially near a maximum nominal charge voltage of the battery;
and a controller configured to selectively activate the AC-to-DC
conversion circuit to resume supplying operating power to the DC
load in response to a signal that indicates that the AC input
voltage signal has returned to the normal operating range.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/432,567, filed Apr. 29, 2009, which
is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/756,939, filed Jun. 1, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/810,449, filed Jun. 1, 2006.
The entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if
fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The following disclosure relates to a power distribution
architecture for data centers, for example, techniques and
associated apparatus to efficiently deliver uninterruptible power
to scalable and/or modular data processing equipment.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Computers have become widely adopted for various
applications, for both personal and corporate uses. Some computers
operate as stand-alone data processing equipment, with perhaps a
peripheral such as a printer and a display device. Although useful
for many purposes, additional features and benefits may be achieved
if multiple computers are networked together to share information
and resources.
[0004] A computer network may be formed by connecting two or more
computing devices with an information channel. One type of network
is a local area network (LAN). A typical residential LAN, for
example, may connect two computers to a printer. A typical
corporate LAN, for example, may allow many users to share resources
and large amounts of information, including databases and
application software.
[0005] A second type of network is a wide area network (WAN). A
prime example of a WAN is the Internet. WANs such as the Internet
allow many computer devices to communicate messages and share
information. When multiple LANs are interoperable with one or more
WANs, opportunities for computing devices to communicate and share
information greatly expand.
[0006] From the perspective of an individual computing device that
is connected to a network, users may direct the communication of
information over a network with a user interface generated by a web
browser application. A web browser is typically configured to
enable the user to access web sites on the Internet or the World
Wide Web. Web browsers allow users to easily send and receive
messages over a network in packets of information. Such packets of
information may include the address of a search engine website,
such as www.dogpile.com, for example.
[0007] The popularity and simplicity of sharing information over
networks, such as the Internet, has resulted in demand for data
processing and storage capacity to support high network traffic
volume. One mechanism to address this need may be referred to as a
data center. In the context of the Internet, a data center may
provide processing, storage, and support functions that improve
performance or enhance the utility of the Internet. Data centers
may also be deployed in other contexts. Financial institutions, for
example, may employ one or more data centers to store financial
account and transaction information.
[0008] A data center may provide data processing and storage
capacity. In operation, a data center may be connected to a
network, and may receive and respond to various requests from the
network to retrieve, process, and/or store data. In addition to
extensive data processing and data storage capabilities, data
centers typically support high speed data transfer and routing
capabilities. To meet future network demands, data center capacity
may continue to expand.
SUMMARY
[0009] Apparatus and associated method and computer program
products involve a highly efficient uninterruptible power
distribution architecture to support modular processing units. As
an illustrative example, a modular processing unit includes an
uninterruptible power system in which only one AC-to-DC
rectification occurs between the utility AC grid and the processing
circuit (e.g., microprocessor) loads. In an illustrative data
center facility, a power distribution architecture includes a
modular array of rack-mountable processing units, each of which has
processing circuitry to handle network-related processing tasks.
Associated with each modular processing unit is an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) to supply operating power to the network
processing circuitry. Each UPS includes a battery selectively
connectable across a DC bus, and a AC-to-DC rectifier that converts
an AC input voltage to a single output voltage on the DC bus. The
regulated DC bus voltage may be close to the battery's fully
charged voltage.
[0010] In some embodiments, a power distribution system for a data
center includes a modular base configured to be supported in one of
a plurality of positions on a rack mounting structure. The base can
include a DC load comprising at least one digital processor
operative to process data received over a network; a DC bus
configured to deliver operating power to the DC load, the power
being received from a power source connected across the DC bus; and
an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) supported by the base. The
UPS can include a battery circuit configured to operatively connect
a battery across the DC bus during a fault condition in which an AC
input voltage signal from an AC generator falls outside of a normal
operating range; an AC-to-DC rectification stage comprising an
AC-to-DC conversion circuit configured to convert the AC input
voltage signal to a single DC output voltage signal across the DC
bus when the AC input voltage signal is within the normal operating
range, wherein the AC-to-DC conversion circuit is configured to
regulate the DC output voltage signal to a voltage level above and
substantially near a maximum nominal charge voltage of the battery;
and a controller configured to selectively activate the AC-to-DC
conversion circuit to resume supplying operating power to the DC
load in response to a signal that indicates that the AC input
voltage signal has returned to the normal operating range.
[0011] The controller can further control a switch to selectively
connect the battery across the DC bus. In some implementations, the
battery includes one or more cells electrically connected in
series. In some implementations, the battery includes one or more
cells electrically connected in parallel. The AC input voltage
signal can be originated from one or more electric generator types
selected from the group consisting of: a generator in an electric
utility plant; a gas turbine; a steam turbine; a wind turbine; a
water turbine; a solar cell; an electronic circuit; a flywheel;
and, a fuel-powered motor-generator. The AC input voltage signal
can include a phase voltage signal and a neutral signal from a
three phase AC system.
[0012] In some implementations, the AC input voltage has an r.m.s.
value of about 208 Volts. In some implementations, the AC input
voltage has an r.m.s. value between about 85 Volts and at least
about 480 Volts. In some implementations, the AC input voltage
substantially comprises a sinusoidal waveform at frequency of
between about 45 Hz and at least about 500 Hertz. In some
implementations, the AC input voltage is connected to WYE-connected
voltage source. In some implementations, the AC input voltage is
connected to a DELTA-connected voltage source. A cell in the
battery can include a battery chemistry selected from the group
consisting of: lead acid; nickel metal hydride; nickel cadmium;
alkaline; and, lithium ion.
[0013] The system can further include a charger configured to
charge the battery through a path connected across the DC bus. In
some implementations, the single DC bus voltage is less than about
26 Volts. In some implementations, the single DC bus voltage is
between about 10 Volts and about 15 Volts. In some implementations,
the single DC bus voltage is about 13.65 Volts. In some
implementations, the AC-to-DC conversion circuit regulates the DC
output voltage signal to approximately 1 Volt above the maximum
nominal charge voltage of the battery. The DC bus voltage can
provide sufficient voltage for a linear regulator connected in
series with the battery across the DC bus to trickle charge the
battery to a fully charged state according to battery
specifications. The DC bus can include a first electrical path at a
first voltage, and further comprises a second electrical path at a
second voltage. In some implementations, one of the first and
second voltages is substantially at a ground reference potential.
In some implementations, the system has only one rectification
circuit configured to convert an AC waveform to a DC waveform. In
some implementations, a first terminal of the battery is configured
to connect directly to a first rail of the DC bus, and the second
terminal of the battery is selectively connected to a second rail
of the DC bus.
[0014] The system can further include a data store, wherein the
AC-to-DC converter resumes regulating the DC output voltage signal
a delay time after the at least one processor receives a signal
indicative of the removal of the fault in the AC voltage input
signal, said delay time corresponding to a delay time parameter in
the data store. One of the at least one digital processors can
determine the stored delay time parameter. The stored delay time
parameter can include a pseudo-randomly generated value.
[0015] In some implementations, the base can be configured for
mounting in any available one of a plurality of positions in a rack
or frame. The DC load can include a central processing unit, a data
storage device, a math coprocessor, or a digital signal
processor.
[0016] The system can further include at least one DC-DC converter
configured to convert a voltage supplied on the DC bus to at least
one additional DC voltage. In some implementations, the additional
voltage is selected from the group consisting of: -5; 1; 3; 3.3.;
5; 7.5; 10; about 18-20; and, about 20-26 Volts.
[0017] The DC load can further include one or more
information-containing signals transmitted to a load external to
the DC load and supported by the base. The transmitted signals can
be transmitted through at least one medium selected from the group
consisting of: a conductive channel; a wireless channel; and, an
optical channel. The DC load can further include a data store
containing delay time parameter information, wherein the controller
is configured to activate the AC-to-DC conversion circuit to resume
supplying power to the DC load a delay time after the controller
receives a signal that indicates an end of the AC input voltage
signal fault, said delay time corresponding to the delay time
parameter information stored in the data store.
[0018] The DC bus can include a series element for detecting an
electrical parameter. In some implementations, the series element
includes a low value resistance. In some implementations, the
battery circuit includes an element in series connection with the
battery. The element in series with the battery can include a low
value resistance. The element in series with the battery can
include an inductor. The element in series with the battery can
include a hall effect sensor.
[0019] In some implementations, a modular processing system with a
distributed uninterruptible power architecture for a data center
includes a plurality of rack mounting structures, each rack
mounting structure comprising a plurality of tray locations; and a
plurality of modular trays, each tray configured to be mounted in
one of the plurality of tray locations.
[0020] In some implementations, each tray includes a DC load
comprising at least one processor operative to process data
received over a network; a DC bus configured to deliver operating
power to the DC load, the power being received from a power source
connected across the DC bus, wherein power delivered to the DC load
is rectified from AC-to-DC at most one time; and an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) supported by the tray. In some implementations,
the UPS includes a battery circuit configured to operatively
connect a battery across the DC bus during a fault condition in
which an AC input voltage signal falls outside of a normal
operating range; a single AC-to-DC rectification stage comprising
an AC-to-DC conversion circuit configured to convert the AC input
voltage signal to a DC output voltage signal across the DC bus when
the AC input voltage signal is within the normal operating range,
wherein the AC-to-DC conversion circuit is configured to regulate
the DC output voltage signal to a voltage level above and
substantially near a maximum nominal charge voltage of the battery;
and a controller configured to selectively activate the AC-to-DC
conversion circuit to resume supplying operating power to the DC
load in response to a signal that indicates that the AC input
voltage signal has returned to the normal operating range.
[0021] In some implementations, a method of providing
uninterruptible power to a motherboard in a data center includes
connecting a DC bus to supply a single DC voltage to at least one
DC load, each DC load comprising at least one processor; and
operating an AC-to-DC converter when an AC input voltage signal
from the electric utility grid is within a normal voltage range.
The operating step can include converting the AC input voltage
signal to a DC voltage on the DC bus, wherein the converting step
comprises the only AC-to-DC rectification of electric power
generated by the electric utility grid and delivered to the DC
load; regulating the converted DC bus voltage to a set point
voltage, the set point voltage being substantially close to a
voltage in a nominal voltage range for a back-up battery; and in
response to detecting a fault condition of the AC input voltage
signal, connecting a battery circuit directly across the DC bus to
enable the back-up battery in the battery circuit to provide
operating power to the DC load such that the DC load continues to
operate for a period of time after detecting the fault.
[0022] In some implementations, DC-to-AC conversion is not
performed between the input to the AC-to-DC converter and the input
to the DC load. In some implementations, the set point voltage is
substantially close to a nominal fully charged voltage for the
back-up battery. In some implementations, the method further
includes continuously providing operating power to operate the DC
load substantially without interruption for at least 10 seconds. In
some implementations, the method further includes dynamically
selecting the set point voltage based on operating conditions of
the back-up battery. In some implementations, the method further
includes detecting a fault condition of the AC input voltage
signal.
[0023] In some implementations, an architecture for providing
uninterruptible power to a plurality of data processors includes a
DC bus to deliver operating power at a DC voltage; a processing
unit electrically connected across the DC bus; an AC-to-DC
converter that performs the only AC-to-DC rectification that occurs
on power delivered to the DC bus from an AC generator; a battery;
means for selectively connecting the battery across the DC bus; a
processor; and a plurality of memory locations coupled to the
processor to store executable instructions that, when executed by
the processor, cause operations to be performed to control the
connecting means. In some implementations, the operations include
i) electrically connecting the battery across the DC bus in
response to a fault condition on the AC mains voltage, wherein the
battery supplies electric power to operate the DC load when the
battery is electrically connected across the DC bus; and ii)
electrically disconnecting the battery from across the DC bus in
response to a stop discharge signal.
[0024] In some implementations, the stop discharge signal is
generated in response to expiration of a fixed time interval, the
interval being started in response to the fault condition on the AC
mains voltage. In some implementations, the stop discharge signal
is generated in response to an end of the fault condition on the AC
mains voltage. The connecting means can include means for charging
the battery. The connecting means can include means for discharging
the battery across the DC bus to supply operating power to the DC
load. In some implementations, the processing unit includes at
least one processor. The processing unit can further include a
tray. The processing unit can further include a rack. The
processing unit can further include a building.
[0025] In some implementations, a computer program product is
tangibly embodied in an information carrier and contains
instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to perform operations to provide uninterruptible power to
a plurality of data processors. The operations can include
electrically connecting a battery across a DC bus in response to a
fault condition on an AC mains voltage generated by an electric
utility source, wherein the battery supplies electric power to the
DC load when the battery is electrically connected across the DC
bus; and electrically disconnecting the battery from across the DC
bus in response to a stop discharge signal, wherein the DC bus is
configured to deliver operating power to the DC load from the
battery when the battery is electrically connected across the DC
bus, and the DC bus is further configured to deliver operating
power to the DC load from an AC-to-DC converter, wherein the
AC-to-DC converter performs the only AC-to-DC rectification that
occurs on power from an AC utility grid source that the AC-to-DC
converter delivers to the DC bus.
[0026] In some implementations, the stop discharge signal is
generated in response to expiration of a fixed time interval, the
interval being started in response to the fault condition on the AC
mains voltage. In some implementations, the stop discharge signal
is generated in response to an end of the fault condition on the AC
mains voltage.
[0027] In some implementations, a system for providing operating
power to multiple processors in a data center includes a plurality
of processing units. Each processing unit can include a DC load
comprising at least one processor; and an uninterruptible power
source (UPS) configured to deliver power to the DC load. The UPS
can include an AC-to-DC converter for converting an AC signal to a
DC voltage and for regulating the voltage on the DC bus, wherein
the AC signal originates from an AC voltage generator, and wherein
the AC-to-DC converter provides the only rectification from
AC-to-DC between the AC voltage generator and the DC load; a
battery; and a switch configured (1) to prevent the battery from
discharging into the DC load when the AC signal is in the normal
operating range, and (2) to connect the battery substantially in
parallel with the DC load when the AC signal falls out of a normal
operating range.
[0028] In some implementations, the AC-to-DC converter is
configured to regulate the DC bus to between about 6 Volts and
about 26 Volts. In some implementations, the AC-to-DC converter is
configured to regulate the DC bus to between about 9 Volts and
about 15 Volts. In some implementations, the AC-to-DC converter is
configured to regulate the DC bus to about 13.65 Volts.
[0029] In some implementations, a method of facilitating data
processing includes communicating over a network with at least one
of a plurality of processing units in a data center. Each
processing unit can include a DC load comprising at least one
processor; and an uninterruptible power source (UPS) configured to
deliver power to the DC load. The UPS can include an AC-to-DC
converter for converting an AC signal to a DC signal and for
regulating a voltage to the DC load, wherein the AC signal
originates from an AC voltage generator, and wherein the AC-to-DC
converter provides the only rectification from AC-to-DC between the
AC voltage generator and the DC load; a battery; and a switch
configured (1) to prevent the battery from discharging into the DC
load when the AC signal is in the normal operating range, and (2)
to connect the battery substantially in parallel with the DC load
when the AC signal falls out of a normal operating range. The
processing unit further can further include a tray configured to
support the DC load. The processing unit can further include a
rack. The processing unit can further include a building.
[0030] Some embodiments may provide one or more advantages. For
example, a single rectification UPS architecture may substantially
reduce complexity and parts count, and may increase expected mean
time between failures. In addition, manufacturing flexibility and
component procurement and/or volume pricing benefits may be
achieved for such a system. In some embodiments, a modular
architecture can facilitate reduced material and/or labor costs for
installing, maintaining, and/or replacing data center processing
units. Moreover, low cost, light weight, high volume modular
processing units with corresponding uninterruptible power supplies
may be quickly deployed or re-deployed, as needed, in scalable
systems or in a wide range of facilities. Some embodiments may also
provide hot-swap capabilities. Various implementations may
substantially improve electrical power conversion efficiency, for
example, by providing a modular processing unit with an
uninterruptible power system in which only a single AC-to-DC
rectification occurs between the utility mains and the
microprocessor. Improved power conversion efficiency may yield
substantial energy savings, which may yield further benefits such
as reduced conductor (e.g., copper) requirements and reduced
thermal (e.g., air conditioning) loads, for example.
[0031] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and
advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and
from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
power distribution architecture for a data center in which each of
a number of modular rack-mounted trays includes an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) and a computer motherboard.
[0033] FIGS. 2-4 are block diagrams that illustrate exemplary power
distribution architectures for delivering power to operate DC loads
that have a processor.
[0034] FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic diagrams showing details of a
battery circuit in an exemplary power distribution
architecture.
[0035] FIGS. 6-7 are flow diagrams illustrating exemplary methods
that may be performed in embodiments of the power distribution
architecture.
[0036] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
power distribution architecture 100 for a data center 105 in which
each of a number of modular rack-mounted bases (which may also be
referred to as trays) 110 includes an uninterruptible power supply
(UPS) 115 and a computer motherboard 120. Efficient power delivery
may be achieved by configuring the UPS 115 to perform the only
AC-to-DC rectification that occurs between the AC mains power
received from the electric utility grid and the DC power consumed
by the motherboard 120. In this example, AC mains refers to the AC
power source available at the point of use in the data center 105.
When received in the data center 105 at the UPS 115, the AC mains
voltage is a substantially sinusoidal AC signal (e.g., 50 Hz, 60
Hz) that was generated, transmitted, and distributed by the
electric utility. The AC mains input voltage is converted to a
single DC voltage on a DC bus that delivers operating power to the
motherboard 120. In the event of a fault on the AC mains, a battery
circuit is electrically connected across the DC bus to supply
operating power to the motherboard 120.
[0038] In the depicted example, the data center 105 includes a
number of racks 125A, 125B, 125C that contain a number of the trays
110. The racks 125A-125C may be powered by three phase AC power
line voltages that are delivered to the data center 105 from an
electric utility 130. The AC power line voltages delivered to each
of the racks 125A-125C may originate from an AC generator (e.g.,
operated by the electric utility). The AC voltage signals, which
are substantially sinusoidal, may be transmitted to a distribution
point, such as a substation (not shown) in the utility grid, for
example. The power line voltages (e.g., 480 V line-to-line) may be
distributed from the substation to the data center 105. In the data
center 105, individual phase voltages (e.g., 208 V line-to-neutral)
are routed to the individual racks 125A-125C. Suitable AC-to-AC
transformers (not shown) may be employed, as necessary, to deliver
the AC power at a specified AC voltage. For example, step-down
transformers may transform AC power from high voltage levels
suitable for transmission to levels that can be substantially
directly applied to the UPS 115. In some three phase
configurations, for example, such transformers may make appropriate
transformations between WYE and DELTA connections if required.
[0039] Unless otherwise indicated, references to AC voltages are
understood to refer to substantially sinusoidal voltages, and
voltage amplitudes are understood to refer to root mean square
(r.m.s.) values. The utility 130 may deliver substantially
symmetric three phase voltages suitable for powering substantially
balanced three phase loads.
[0040] In the depicted example, one phase voltage and a neutral
line are distributed to each rack 125. The racks 125 and trays 110
may be configured in to form a substantially balanced load. In
other embodiments, a similar distribution may be used if the data
center 105 included additional (or fewer) racks 125. As an example,
the exemplary tray 110 (shown in magnified detail) in the rack 125A
receives a phase A voltage and the neutral line. Each of the trays
110 in the rack 125A receives the same AC input voltage signal,
namely the Phase A-to-neutral voltage.
[0041] Similarly, each of the trays 110 in the rack 125B receives a
Phase B-to-neutral as the AC input voltage signal, and each of the
trays 110 in the rack 125C receives Phase C-to-neutral as the AC
input voltage signal. In other implementations, different phase
voltages may be distributed among the trays 110 in one of the racks
125A-125C, and/or the AC input voltage signal to each of the trays
110 may be line-to-line voltages instead of line-to-neutral
voltages. In various embodiments, any practical number of phases
(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . 12 or more) may be distributed to
provide operating power to individual trays 110.
[0042] Each of the trays 110 in the depicted example is coupled to
a network connection 140. The network connection 140 provides an
information channel to a network 145, which may include, for
example, a local area network, virtual private network, wide area
network (e.g., the Internet), or a combination of such networks,
which may be wired, fiber optic, and/or wireless. A remote computer
150 represents one of many possible devices that could communicate
data directly or indirectly with one or more trays to access,
store, process, and/or retrieve information using a processor 160
and associated memory 165 on the motherboard 120. In some
implementations, additional processors (e.g., servers) may
facilitate such communication. For example, the exemplary remote
computer device 150 may be included in a server, a desktop
computer, a laptop computer, and/or a handheld processor-based
device. One or more servers may pre- or post-process, supervise,
route, and/or balance the flow of data associated with the
communication.
[0043] In various embodiments, the motherboard 120 may include two,
three, four, or any other practicable number of processors 160. In
some embodiments, the motherboard 120 may be replaced with tray of
data storage devices (e.g., hard disc drives, flash memory, RAM, or
any of these or other types of memory in combination). In such
embodiments, the data storage devices and the UPS 115 with the
battery 185 may be supported on the tray 110. In various
embodiments, a digital processor may include any combination of
analog and/or digital logic circuits, which may be integrated or
discrete, and may further include programmable and/or programmed
devices that may execute instructions stored in a memory. The
memory 165 may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may
be read and/or written to by the processor 160. The motherboard 120
may further include some or all of a central processor unit(s)
(CPU), memory (e.g., cache, non-volatile, flash), and/or disk
drives, for example, along with various memories, chip sets, and
associated support circuitry.
[0044] In some embodiments, the motherboard 120 may provide one or
more DC-to-DC converters to convert the DC bus voltage to a
suitable voltage for operating the circuitry in the motherboard
120. For example, one or more DC-to-DC converters may provide
regulated output voltages, which may include, for example. a +3.3
VDC power signal, a +5 VDC power signal, a -5 VDC power signal, a
+12 VDC power signal, and a -12 VDC power signal.
[0045] In an exemplary implementation, the processor 160 and the
memory 165 on the motherboard 120 may form at least a part of a
processing system configured to handle network operations. As an
illustrative example, the motherboard 120 may help to process
Internet requests. The motherboard may process information either
alone or in combination with other parallel processes running on
other processor-based devices, such as one or more other trays 110
in the data center 105.
[0046] An AC input voltage signal is delivered to each of the trays
110 to be processed by the UPS 115. In some examples, the AC input
voltage signal may be received from the AC mains. The UPS 115
includes an AC-to-DC converter 170 that converts the AC input
voltage signal to a regulated DC voltage. The converter 170 outputs
the regulated DC voltage onto a DC bus 175. In some embodiments,
the AC-to-DC converter 170 may regulate the DC voltage to a static
set point. In some other embodiments, the set point may be
dynamically determined. In some of the static and dynamic
embodiments, the set point may be based on a characteristic of the
battery. Examples of such set point regulation will be described in
additional detail with reference to FIG. 3.
[0047] The AC-to-DC converter 170 may maintain voltage regulation
on the DC bus 175 when the AC input voltage signal is in a normal
range. A normal range for a typical sinusoidal AC signal may be
specified in various ways. For example, one or more thresholds may
be specified between about 80 V and 500 V for line frequencies that
may be between about 40 Hz and 1000 Hz, such as around 50 Hz, 60
Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 300 Hz, 400 Hz, 500 Hz, . . . , and up to about
1000 Hz or more. As an illustrative example, for a 120 V nominal AC
input voltage signal, a fault may be identified if the AC peak
input voltage falls below a first threshold of 90 V in any half
cycle, or if the r.m.s. voltage drops below a second threshold of
100 V for a predetermined amount of time. Fault conditions may
include, without limitation, blackouts, brownouts, voltage sags,
surges, instabilities related to switchgear operation, or other
electrical transient associated with the AC mains. In some
implementations, a fault condition may cause or potentially cause
improper operation of a processing unit in the DC load, for
example, if the AC-to-DC converter 170 is unable to maintain
adequate regulation of the voltage on the DC bus 175, and/or to
supply sufficient current to operate the DC loads serviced by the
DC bus 175.
[0048] If the AC input voltage signal falls outside of a normal
range, such as during a fault condition, a detection circuit (not
shown) may send a signal indicative of this condition. In response
to detecting the fault condition, a battery circuit 180 may be
configured to connect a battery 185 across the DC bus 175 so that
the motherboard 120 can continue to operate substantially without
interruption. The battery 185 may continue to provide operating
power to the circuits on the motherboard 115 until the battery 185
substantially discharges. The battery circuit 180 may include
circuitry capable of controlling the charging and/or discharging
the battery across the DC bus 175 in various operating modes. An
exemplary battery circuit is described in further detail with
reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B.
[0049] FIGS. 2-4 are block diagrams that illustrate exemplary power
distribution architectures for delivering power to operate DC loads
that have at least one processor. For example, the motherboard 120
may constitute a DC load in various embodiments. In these examples,
the AC-to-DC converter 170 provides the only AC-to-DC rectification
that occurs between the AC utility grid (e.g., substation
transformer, transmission line, generator, and the like) and the
microprocessor 160 in any of the trays 110.
[0050] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary power distribution architecture in
a system 300, which may be implemented in a large facility with
large power requirements, for example. The system 200 includes a
utility AC mains generator 205 to supply AC mains voltage from a
utility such as the electric utility 130. The exemplary system 200
also includes two back-up AC generators, including a diesel fuel
powered generator 210 and a co-located (e.g., turbine) generator
215. Power from the generators 205, 210, 215 may be combined and/or
selected by the AC switchgear 220, and then delivered to the tray
110 via an AC bus 225. In the event of a fault on the AC mains from
the generator 205, the generators 210, 215 may provide a backup AC
input voltage signal on the AC bus 225.
[0051] In some implementations, a substantially asynchronous energy
source may be used to generate a substantially sinusoidal AC
voltage signal. For example, a flywheel energy storage and recovery
system may be used. Wind or solar generated energy, such as that
provided by a wind farm or a solar farm, respectively, may serve as
sources of energy to generate a substantially sinusoidal AC voltage
in an electric utility grid. In such implementations, the generated
substantially sinusoidal signal is transmitted through the utility
grid to an input of the AC-to-DC converter 170 without intervening
AC-to-DC rectification.
[0052] In cooperation with the battery backup provided by the
battery 185, the generators 205, 210, 215 may provide substantially
uninterruptible power to operate a DC load 230 on the tray 110 for
short, intermediate, and/or longer term periods.
[0053] An exemplary use of the generators 210, 215, may be
illustrated in the event of a fault (e.g., brownout, blackout) or
unavailability (e.g., circuit maintenance) of the AC mains voltage
from the generator 205. In response to detecting the fault on the
AC input voltage signal, the battery 185 is connected to deliver
substantially battery voltage across the DC bus 175. As such, short
term (e.g., at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 seconds at full load)
operation of the DC load is maintained by power supplied from the
battery 185. The diesel generator 210 may be started to provide
power to the AC bus 225, preferably before the battery 185 fully
discharges. For more extended AC power faults, the co-located
generator 215 may be brought on-line to provide a more
cost-effective operation, or to avoid exceeding
government-regulated limits on diesel fuel generation.
[0054] In some implementations, one or both of the generators 210,
215 may provide peak load shedding capability. For example, the
co-located generator 215 may be used during expected peak demand
hours each day. In some cases, this may permit negotiation of
preferential rates for electric power from the electric utility
130.
[0055] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary schematic in additional detail. In
various embodiments, the AC-to-DC converter 170 may regulate the
single output voltage on the DC bus to a set point. The set point
may be a static value in some embodiments, or it may be dynamically
determined during operation. For example, the set point may be
based, at least in part, on one or more electrical characteristics
of the battery.
[0056] Characteristics on which a set point can be established may
include battery characteristics such as battery chemistry, battery
age, charge/discharge history, nominal maximum charge, temperature,
charging profile (e.g., voltage charge rate under constant
current), estimates of battery internal impedance, or other
parameters relating to the electrical performance of the
battery.
[0057] In addition to internal battery characteristics, the set
point may be based at least in part on electrical circuit
parameters of the battery circuit 180 and the DC bus 175. In some
embodiments, the set point to which the AC-to-DC converter 170
regulates the voltage on the DC bus 175 can be a function of a
battery charging circuit topology. If the battery charging circuit
provides a voltage boost circuit (e.g., boost converter, charge
pump, flyback), then the set point voltage may be substantially at
or below a desired maximum charge voltage. If the battery charging
circuit only provides a voltage step-down (e.g., linear regulator,
buck converter) capability, then the set point can be set to a
value sufficiently above the maximum nominal charge voltage to
achieve the required charge performance over relevant temperatures,
taking account of tradeoffs in power loss and charging current and
corresponding charge time. In light of such trade-offs, the set
point may be only as high as necessary to meet charge time
specifications. For example, the set point may be set to between
about 0.050 and about 1 Volt above the nominal expected battery
voltage.
[0058] In various embodiments, the set point voltage may be set
based on a specified temperature, such as 0, 10, 25, 30, 40, 50, .
. . , 80 degrees Celsius. In an illustrative example, the set point
may be dynamically adjusted based on a temperature in or around the
battery 185 as measured by at least one temperature sensor (not
shown).
[0059] In the depicted embodiment, the UPS 115 includes a
charge/discharge control circuit 305 in series connection with the
battery 185, and further includes the controller 245 in operative
connection with a non-volatile memory (NVM) 310.
[0060] The series connected battery 185 and circuit 305 are
connected across the DC bus 175. Responsive to a signal indicative
of a fault on the AC input voltage signal, the circuit 305 can
operatively connect the battery 185 across the DC bus 175 to permit
the battery to discharge to the DC load 230 through a low impedance
path. When the AC input voltage signal on the AC bus 225 is not
faulted, the circuit 305 may selectively permit charging current to
flow from the DC bus 175 to charge the battery 185. If multiple
batteries or battery strings are connected in electrical parallel,
individual strings or groups of strings may be independently
charged at different rates according to a defined charging
algorithm.
[0061] In the depicted embodiment, the NVM 310 may store set point
information for regulating the output of the AC-to-DC converter
170. The set point information may be stored during manufacturing
time, upon first use, and/or dynamically updated during operation
of the tray 110. The controller 245 and/or the AC-to-DC converter
170 may read and/or use the stored set point information to
determine how to control the AC-to-DC converter 170. In addition to
set point information, information about threshold conditions for
switching over between AC input and battery operation may be stored
in the NVM 310, for example.
[0062] Access to information stored in the NVM 310 may be provided
through a serial or parallel interface (which may have a wired
and/or infrared physical layer), for example, between the NVM 310
and one or more processors 160 on the DC load 230. The processors
160 may be used to access and/or update information in the NVM 310
via the network connections 140 (FIG. 1) to each tray 110.
[0063] Additional data storage devices may be provided on the DC
load 230. In the depicted example, the DC load 230 includes two
processors 160 in operative connection with the memory 165 and a
hard disc drive (HDD) 315.
[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary power distribution
architecture 400 on the rack 125. In the architecture 400, the UPS
115 delivers power through the DC bus 175 to multiple DC loads 230
in a processing unit 405. Each DC load 230 is connected in parallel
across the DC bus 175. Power delivered to the DC loads 230 is
rectified from AC-to-DC only one time between the utility mains 205
and the DC load 230. In one embodiment, a processing unit 405
includes an array of disks, an interconnect card, and an
uninterruptible power supply with a battery.
[0065] In various implementations, each DC load 230 may have
similar circuits or different circuits. Various ones of the DC
loads may provide primarily data storage, data processing, data
communication, or a combination of these or other functions. In one
embodiment, the DC loads 230 are located on multiple trays in the
rack 125. In another embodiment, the entire processing unit 405 is
located on one of the trays 110. In some embodiments, the UPS 115
is included on a single tray 110 with the processing unit 110. In
other embodiments, the UPS 115 may be located elsewhere on the rack
125. Processing unit 405 may refer to a one or more trays, racks,
or other structure containing one or more DC loads 230, which
structure may include at least one bay, cabinet, portable or
stationary building, or an entire facility, such as the data center
105, for example.
[0066] FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic diagrams showing details of a
battery circuit in an exemplary power distribution
architecture.
[0067] FIG. 5A shows an exemplary schematic 500 for a portion of
the charge/discharge control circuit 305, which is described with
reference to FIG. 3. The schematic 500 includes a comparator
circuit 505 to toggle a signal Vups when the voltage on the DC bus
175 falls below a threshold, Voff. The schematic 500 also includes
a comparator circuit 510 to toggle a signal VBatt when the voltage
on the DC bus 175 falls below a threshold, Batt_Low. The signals
Vups and Vbatt are described in additional detail with reference to
FIGS. 6-7.
[0068] The schematic 500 further includes an over-current
protection element 515, which in this example includes a fuse. One
terminal of the fuse 515 connects to a positive terminal of the
battery, and the other terminal connects to a positive rail of the
DC bus 175. In other examples, additional series and/or shunt
devices to provide over-current, over-voltage, reverse protection,
EMI mitigation, and/or other functions.
[0069] In the depicted embodiment, a pair of terminals (+Battery,
-Battery) is connectable to a battery. The negative battery
terminal (-Battery), connects to two parallel paths, each of which
is controllable by operation of a switch. One of the parallel paths
connects the negative battery terminal to a negative rail of the DC
bus 175 through a resistor 520 and a switch 525. This path permits
a charging current to flow when the switch is closed. The amplitude
of the charging current is substantially limited by the value of
the resistance 520 and the difference between the voltage on the DC
bus 175 and the battery (not shown). The internal resistance of the
battery is typically much less than the value of the resistance
520. In some applications, the voltage drop across the resistance
520 may be used to measure and/or control the charging current.
[0070] The other parallel path connects the negative battery
terminal to a negative rail of the DC bus 175 through a switch 530.
When the switch 530 is closed, the battery is operatively connected
across the DC bus 175. In this state, the battery can discharge and
supply operating power to any DC loads (not shown) that are also
connected across the DC bus 175.
[0071] The switches 525, 530 may be passive and/or actively
controlled. An exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 5B, is
illustrative of one implementation, and is not to be taken as
limiting.
[0072] In FIG. 5B, the battery 185 is modeled with a series
resistance 540 that may represent internal and/or contact
resistance, for example. The ideal switch 525 (FIG. 5A) for
charging the battery is implemented as a diode with no active
control input. In this implementation, the AC-to-DC converter 170
(not shown) may regulate the DC bus 175 to a voltage that is
sufficient to forward bias the diode (switch) 525 over temperatures
of interest and to provide a desired charging current. As such, the
set point may be at least the maximum charging voltage plus a diode
drop voltage.
[0073] In the depicted example of FIG. 5B, the battery charging
current is determined, at least in part, by a series resistance and
a unidirectional current mechanism, such as a diode or other
semiconductor switch, for example. In other embodiments, the
battery charger may include a series-pass regulator (e.g., low drop
out (LDO) linear regulator) or a switch mode power converter (e.g.,
buck, boost, buck-boost, Cepic, Cuk, flyback, charge pump, or
resonant, etc.), either alone or in combination. The battery charge
current may be controlled by current mirror techniques, or using
current measurement feedback techniques involving current sense
resistance or inductive coupling measurement, for example.
[0074] The ideal switch 530 (FIG. 5A) for discharging the battery
is implemented as a back-to-back MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor
field effect transistor) switch configured to block current in both
directions when in a non-conductive state. This switch 530 opens
and closes in response to a control signal 535 that may be
generated, for example, by the controller 245 (FIG. 3), for
example. In various embodiments, the switches 525, 530 may include
Schottky diodes, insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), or
other semiconductor or electro-mechanical switches (e.g.,
relays).
[0075] FIGS. 6-7 are flow diagrams illustrating exemplary methods
that may be performed in embodiments of the power distribution
architecture.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart 600 illustrates an
exemplary method that the UPS 115 may perform to handle a fault
condition on the AC input voltage signal. In some embodiments, the
UPS 115 may perform the method to coordinate switchover to and/or
from the battery as a temporary power source. In some cases,
performing the method may substantially reduce and/or prevent
performance disruptions (e.g., data errors) as a consequence of the
AC fault condition. For example, the battery 185 may provide
sufficient operating power to maintain operation of the DC loads
230 until an AC source, such as the utility mains 205 or backup
generators 210, 215, can be brought on-line. In some embodiments,
the battery 185 may continue to provide operating power while the
DC loads 230 execute instructions to perform graceful power-down
operations. Such graceful shutdown operations can vary widely, but
generally attempt to mitigate performance disruptions that could
result from the fault condition. Such disruptions may, for example,
manifest themselves as stale data when the processing system is
subsequently restarted.
[0077] Generally, the method includes operations that may be
performed by a controller (e.g., the controller 245). The
operations may further be performed under the control, supervision,
and/or monitoring of one or more of the processors 160 in the
system 100. Operations may also be supplemented or augmented by
other processing and/or control elements that may be in operative
communication with the controller through a network connection 140
coupled to the tray 110. Some or all of the operations may be
performed by one or more processors executing instructions tangibly
embodied in a signal. The processing may be implemented using
analog and/or digital hardware or techniques, either alone or in
cooperation with one or more processors executing instructions.
[0078] The method begins at step 605 when the controller determines
that there is a fault on the AC input voltage signal. For example,
the controller may identify the occurrence of AC power failures by
monitoring, for example, the AC bus 225, a voltage status condition
signal provided by a voltage monitoring/fault detection circuit on
the tray 110, and/or an output voltage (e.g., V.sub.UPS in FIG. 5A)
at the DC bus 175. In some embodiments, the UPS 115 may include an
analog to digital converter that converts V.sub.UPS into a digital
value (e.g., a 10 bit digital value). When the controller detects
that a key voltage drops below a threshold, the controller may
initiate an AC power fault routine. In other embodiments, the
controller may receive signals from an external component, such as
a power combiner in the AC switchgear 220. Such signals may
indicate a failure in the AC input voltage signal. In other
embodiments, the AC-to-DC converter 170 may send a message to the
controller to indicate an AC power fault.
[0079] If the controller determines that the AC power is not
faulted, then step 605 is repeated. If the controller determines
that the AC power is in a fault condition, then, in step 610, the
controller switches the UPS 115 from AC operation to battery
operation. For example, the controller may send signals to open the
switch 525 and to close the switch 530 (FIG. 5A) to operatively
connect the battery 185 across the DC bus 175 such that the battery
185 can support the DC loads 230. Next, in step 615, the controller
sets a timer to a backup duration time. The timer may be a register
in the controller to decrement or increment as time advances. In
some embodiments, the backup duration time may represent a duration
that the battery power may be used or relied upon. For example, the
controller may compute the backup duration time using an estimate
of an expected battery life, less the time required for the DC
loads 230 to perform graceful power down operations. In other
embodiments, the controller may load the backup duration time from
the NVM 310. In step 620, the controller determines whether the AC
power is restored. For example, the controller may receive a
message from the AC-to-DC converter about the present status of the
AC input power. As another example, the controller may poll the
AC-to-DC converter to determine whether the AC power is restored.
If the controller determines that the AC power is restored, then
the controller may perform operations in step 625 to switch back to
operating from AC power, and the method 600 then ends. An exemplary
method for switching from battery power to AC power is described in
further detail with reference to FIG. 7.
[0080] If, at step 620, the controller determines that the AC power
is not restored, then in step 630 the controller checks whether
V.sub.UPS is less than a minimum voltage for battery backup
(V.sub.OFF). If the controller determines that V.sub.UPS is less
than V.sub.OFF, then the controller may set the timer to a power
down time in step 630. For example, the power down time may be an
estimation of the time required for the DC loads to perform the
power down operations. In some examples, the power down operations
of the DC loads may prevent data loss and/or avoid damage due to
sudden loss of DC power. If, in step 630, the controller determines
that V.sub.UPS is not less than V.sub.OFF, then, in step 640, the
controller may determine whether an output voltage of the battery
(V.sub.BATT) is less than a battery low threshold (BATT_LOW). In
some embodiments, when V.sub.BATT is lower than BATT_LOW, it may
indicate that the power stored in the battery is low and proper
power down operations may be executed to prevent data loss, for
example. If the controller determines that V.sub.BATT is less than
BATT_LOW, then the step 635 is performed. If the controller
determines that VBATT is not less than BATT_LOW, then the
controller may check whether the backup duration time is expired.
If the controller determines that the backup duration time is
expired, then the step 635 is performed. If the controller
determines that the backup duration time is not expired, then the
step 620 is repeated.
[0081] After the controller sets the timer to the power down time
in step 635, the controller may check whether the AC power is
restored in step 650. If the controller determines that the AC
power is restored, then the step 625 is performed. If the
controller determines that the AC power is not restored, then the
controller determines whether the power down time is expired in
step 655. If the controller determines that the power down time is
not expired, then the step 650 is repeated. If the controller
determines that the power down time is expired, then the controller
may, in step 660, power down the UPS (e.g., open the switch 530 in
FIG. 5) and the method ends.
[0082] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart that illustrates an exemplary
method 700 of operations for switching from battery backup power to
AC input power. For example, a controller may switch from battery
operation to AC operation after AC power is restored after an AC
power failure (e.g., see step 625 of FIG. 6), or after a
maintenance operation (e.g., a battery test operation).
[0083] In some embodiments, the controller may delay the transfer
from battery power operation to AC power operation to mitigate, for
example, high peak (e.g., inrush) currents into the data center
105. A small fixed delay may further be provided to ensure that the
AC input voltage is stable.
[0084] As described with reference to step 625 (FIG. 6), the method
700 may begin when the controller determines that the AC input
power is restored. First, in step 710, the controller may determine
a random delay parameter. For example, a random delay parameter may
be stored in the NVM 310 that represents a length of time (e.g.,
time, clock cycles) to delay (e.g., 1 ms, 0.5 ms, 0.025 ms, etc.)
before switching to AC powered operation.
[0085] In some embodiments, the random delay parameter may be
randomly or pseudo-randomly determined. For example, the controller
may generate a pseudo-random delay parameter using a seed (e.g., a
serial number stored in a memory register on the UPS 115 and/or the
motherboard 120, a machine time when the tray is first started-up,
etc.). The delay parameter may then be used by the controller 245
and/or stored in the NVM 310. In another example, the delay
parameter may be a random number (e.g., recorded from a physical
process such as radioactive decay) that is stored in the NVM 310
during manufacturing process of the UPS 115.
[0086] In one embodiment, the controller sets a timer to the random
delay at step 715. In other embodiments, the controller may monitor
the delay using a counter, a real time clock, an analog ramp or
decay circuit with a threshold comparator, or other suitable delay
device. Then, the controller determines, in step 720, whether
V.sub.BATT is less than BATT_LOW. If V.sub.BATT is less than
BATT_LOW, indicating that the battery is running out of charge,
then the controller may switch from battery power to AC power in
step 725 and the method 700 ends. For example, the controller may
switch off battery power by opening the switch 530 in the circuit
500 (FIG. 5A). In the exemplary data center 105, it is unlikely
that all the batteries will reach a discharge limit at the same
time, so this method is not expected to substantially increase peak
currents on the AC input voltage lines in most embodiments.
[0087] If V.sub.BATT is not less than BATT_LOW in step 725, then,
in step 730, the controller checks whether the timer has expired.
If the specified delay is not reached, then the step 725 is
repeated. If the specified delay is reached, then the step 720 is
repeated and the method 700 ends.
[0088] In various embodiments, the battery voltage may be above
and/or below the regulated voltage on the DC bus. In some
embodiments, the AC-to-DC converter may regulate to a set point
voltage that is within 50, 100, 200, 250, 400, 500, . . . , 1000 mV
of the battery's nominal fully charged voltage. In various
implementations, the regulation set point may be dynamically
determined, for example, based on battery characteristics, such as
the age, usage history, temperature, internal resistance, charge
time response, discharge time response, or other battery
circuit-related characteristics. If the battery voltage is above
the set-point voltage, then the charger may include a step-up
and/or buck-boost type converter circuit.
[0089] In some embodiments, a tray 110 may be a modular support
structure configured to be mounted in one of a number of locations,
slots, or positions in the rack 125. Each tray 120 may include a
substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), on which the UPS
175 and the motherboard 120 and/or other DC loads 230 may be
integrated. The trays 110 may provide features for a thermal
management system, including ports for air flow, when installed in
one of the racks 125. The term "tray" is not intended to refer to a
particular arrangement, but instead refers to any arrangement of
computer-related components coupled together to serve a particular
purpose, such as on a motherboard. Trays may be generally mounted
parallel to other trays in a horizontal or vertical stack, so as to
permit denser packing than would otherwise be possible with
computers having free-standing housings and other components. The
term "blade" may also be employed to refer to such apparatuses.
Trays may be implemented in particular configurations, including as
computer servers, switches (e.g., electrical and optical), routers,
drives or groups of drives, and other computing-related
devices.
[0090] Embodiments of the UPS 115 may be configured to accept
various primary or secondary battery technologies. Technologies may
include, but are not limited to sealed lead acid, nickel metal
hydride, nickel cadmium, wire wound lead acid, alkaline, and
lithium ion. The UPS 115 may include circuitry to auto-detect
battery chemistry, and adapt charging and discharge profile
information according to the determined battery characteristics. In
some embodiments, the set point to which the AC-to-DC converter 170
regulates the DC bus 175 may be responsive to the auto-detected
battery characteristics. In various embodiments, the battery
voltage may be between about 8 Volts and about 26 Volts, such as
about 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, . . . , 23, 24, or 25 Volts.
[0091] For example, a nominal 12 Volt lead acid battery may have a
corresponding set point regulation on the DC bus of about 13.65
Volts, for example, to provide for substantially fully charging the
battery. In the event of a switchover from 13.65 Volts regulation
on the DC bus to battery voltage, the transient step (in this case,
a drop) in voltage on the input to the DC load will be relatively
small, such as less than 1 Volt, for example. Such a small change
in the input voltage may substantially mitigate adverse transients
in the DC loads.
[0092] The battery 185 may be a single cell, or a combination of
cells arranged in series and/or parallel. In some embodiments, one
or more batteries in a UPS may be hot swappable in modes other than
battery back-up mode in which the battery is discharging into the
load during a fault condition on the AC bus 225. A visual or
audible indicator may be provided to alert service personnel
whether the battery may be hot swapped.
[0093] When mounted on a tray 110, a battery may be located and
supported for quick and convenient replacement. Various quick
connect/quick disconnect wire harnesses (e.g., Fast-on style
connectors), spring-biased electrical contacts, snap features,
locking tabs, or the like may be employed to retain batteries for
secure connection and quick replacement.
[0094] AC mains voltage, as used herein, may refer to AC voltage
sources that typically have a fundamental frequency between about
47 Hz and about 500 Hz, without being necessarily so limited.
Sources of AC voltage may be derived from stationary or mobile
sources, examples of which may include AC generators on transport
vehicles, trucks, trains, ships, aircraft, or the like. AC
generators include, for example, sources of electric power that
substantially derive from coupling a time-varying magnetic field to
one or more conductors to produce a substantially sinusoidal
voltage. In some implementations, a magnetic field is rotated
relative to one or more conductive windings. In some other
implementations, one or more conductive windings are rotated
relative to a stationary magnetic field.
[0095] The AC-to-DC converter 170, being the only AC-to-DC
rectification in the power path from the AC generator to the DC
load 230, may include features to reduce harmonic distortion,
mitigate conducted emissions, manage inrush current, and the like.
Accordingly, the converter 170 may incorporate hardware, software,
or a combination thereof, to provide power factor correction,
spread spectrum (e.g., frequency hopping) switching frequency,
filtering, and/or current controlled start-up, for example.
[0096] Regulation of the DC bus voltage output by the converter 170
may be accomplished by employing any suitable switching converter
and control strategy for providing the single output voltage at a
determined set point. Switching topologies may include, but are not
limited to, forward, flyback, Cuk, SEPIC, buck, buck-boost, or any
suitable resonant or quasi-resonant AC-to-DC converter. In one
illustrative embodiment, the AC-to-DC rectification and conversion
is accomplished, at least in part, with appropriate operation of an
active switching matrix having four controllable switches that
modulate the AC input voltage applied to an inductive element in a
buck arrangement. In another illustrative embodiment, the AC input
voltage is rectified by an uncontrolled diode rectifier stage,
followed by a magnetically coupled DC-to-DC conversion stage using
a forward or flyback topology, for example. In yet another
illustrative example, a power factor input stage is followed by one
or more cascaded step-down DC-to-DC converter stages to yield the
regulated voltage at the determined set point. Linear regulation
may be used in combination with switch-mode power conversion. From
this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a
number of implementations for the AC-to-DC converter 170.
[0097] With reference for example to FIG. 4 as an illustrative
example, some embodiments of the system 400 may operate in any of
at least four modes. In a first mode, the processing unit 405 is
shut down, as is the UPS 115. In a second mode, the battery 185 is
charged using power received from the DC bus 175. In this second
mode, the battery 185 may fast charge or trickle charge according
to a charging algorithm. In a third mode, the battery is "floated"
being effectively disconnected from the DC bus and neither charging
nor discharging while the AC-to-DC converter supplies operating
power to the DC load 230. In a fourth mode, the battery is
operatively connected to the DC bus 175, and discharges to supply
operating power to the DC loads 230. This fourth condition may be
initiated in response to a fault condition on the AC bus 225.
[0098] In various implementations, transfers between voltage
sources may involve certain transition sequences. The AC switchgear
220 (FIG. 2), for example, may transfer between any of the
generators 205, 210, 215 using either a substantially
make-before-break or a substantially break-before-make transfer
sequence. When switching from AC input operation to battery
operation, the UPS 115 may, in some embodiments, disable operation
of the AC-to-DC converter before, substantially during, or after
the battery 185 is connected across the DC bus 175. If all the
converter 175 output current passes through a series diode, for
example, then the converter 175 may be disabled by simply disabling
operation of the DC-to-DC switching at the switch-mode controller
(not shown). In other embodiments, the output may be actively
disconnected by a semiconductor switch, for example.
[0099] A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless,
it will be understood that various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed
embodiments. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if
the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different
sequence, if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a
different manner, or if the components were replaced or
supplemented by other components. Accordingly, other embodiments
are within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *
References