IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,037,330
Granted Patent B2
US 8,037,330 · App. 12/098,784 · Granted Oct 11, 2011

Non-identical power supply units for higher efficiency in redundant mode

Assignee: Dell Products, LP
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,037,330
App. No.
12/098,784
Filed
Apr 7, 2008
Granted
Oct 11, 2011
Kind
B2
Examiner
CHEN, XUXING
Art Unit
2115
USPC
713/320
Abstract

A power supply system for a server includes a first power supply, a second power supply, a first variable slope circuit, and a second variable slope circuit. The first power supply unit is adapted to activate if a load is below a predetermined level, and adapted to deactivate if the load is above the predetermined level. The second power supply unit is adapted to activate if the load is above the predetermined level, and adapted to deactivate if the load is below the predetermined level. The first and second variable slope circuits are adapted to receive information about the load applied to the power supply units. The first variable slope circuit is adapted to deactivate the first power supply unit if the load is above the predetermined level. The second variable slope circuit is to deactivate the second power supply unit if the load is below the predetermined level.

Claims (32)

1. A power supply system for a server, the power supply system comprising:

a first power supply unit in communication with an output, the first power supply unit adapted to activate if a load of the server connected to the power supply system is below a predetermined level, and adapted to deactivate if the load is above the predetermined level, wherein the first power supply unit is adapted to have a high efficiency at a light load;

a first variable slope circuit adapted to receive information about the load applied to the first power supply unit and to deactivate the first power supply unit if the load is above the predetermined level;

a second power supply unit in communication with the output, the second power supply unit adapted to activate if the load is above the predetermined level, and adapted to deactivate if the load is below the predetermined level, wherein the second power supply unit is adapted to have the high efficiency at a high load, wherein the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are connected in a redundant mode configuration; and

a second variable slope circuit connected to the first variable slope circuit, the second variable slope circuit adapted to receive information about the load applied to the second power supply unit and to deactivate the second power supply unit if the load is below the predetermined level.

2. The power supply system of claim 1 wherein the first power supply unit further comprises a current module coupled to the output, the current module adapted to determine the load applied to the power supply system.

3. The power supply system of claim 1 wherein the second power supply unit further comprises a current module coupled to an output, the current module adapted to determine the load applied to the power supply system.

4. The power supply system of claim 1 wherein the power supply system is adapted to have the high efficiency at all loads.

5. A power supply system for a server, the power supply system comprising:

a first power supply unit in communication with an output, the first power supply unit adapted to activate if a load of the server connected to the power supply system is below a predetermined level, and adapted to deactivate if the load is above the predetermined level;

a first current module coupled to the output, the first current module adapted to determine the load applied to the power supply system, wherein the first current module determines the load based on measuring an amount of current drawn by the server;

a second power supply module in communication with the output, the second power supply unit adapted to activate if the load is above the predetermined level, and adapted to deactivate if the load is below the predetermined level, wherein the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are connected in a redundant mode configuration; and

a second current module coupled to the output, the second current module adapted to determine the load applied to the power supply system, wherein the second current module determines the load based on measuring the amount of current drawn by the server.

6. The power supply system of claim 5 further comprising:

a controller and supervisor module in communication with the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit, the controller and supervisor module adapted to determine whether the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are completely activated.

7. The power supply system of claim 6 wherein the controller and supervisor module is further adapted to prevent the first power supply unit from being deactivated until the second power supply unit is completely activated.

8. The power supply system of claim 6 wherein the controller and supervisor module is further adapted to prevent the second power supply unit from being deactivated until the first power supply unit is completely activated.

9. The power supply system of claim 5 wherein the power supply system is adapted to have a high efficiency at all loads.

10. The power supply system of claim 5 wherein the first power supply unit is adapted to have a high efficiency at a light load.

11. The power supply system of claim 5 wherein the second power supply unit is adapted to have a high efficiency at a high load.

12. A method for controlling a power supply system for a server, the method comprising:

receiving a status signal from a current module indicating a load on the power supply system;

if the load is below a predetermined level, activating a first power supply unit;

if the load exceeds the predetermined level, activating a second power supply unit, and deactivating the first power supply unit only after the second power supply unit is fully activated; and

maintaining a high efficiency at a light load based on activating the first power supply unit when the load is below the predetermined level, wherein the first power supply unit has a high efficiency at the light load, wherein the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are connected in a redundant mode configuration.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

if the load is below a predetermined level, receiving a first control signal from a controller and supervisor module to activate the first power supply unit; and

if the load exceeds the predetermined level, receiving a second control signal from the controller and supervisor module to activate the second power supply unit, and receiving a third control signal from the controller and supervisor module to deactivate the first power supply unit.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein both the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are adapted to individually carry a full load on the power supply system.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the power supply system is adapted to have a high efficiency at all loads.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are adapted to have different efficiency profiles.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the second power supply unit is adapted to have a high efficiency at a high load.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2008
From: LIVESCU, CONSTANTIN D.; MATHEW, ABEY K.
To: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
Reel/Frame 020766/0898 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090254768A1 · Oct 8, 2009