Branching power cord system
View Patent ↗The invention addresses the needs associated with the entire data center power distribution lifecycle—design, build, operation and upgrades. The design and construction is facilitated by a system for prefabricating power whips that accommodate changing data center needs. The invention also allows for upgrading power supply components without powering down critical equipment. Improved power and network strips and associated logic further facilitate data center operation.
1 . A power cord apparatus, comprising:
a primary power cord for connecting to a power port of a power source;
at least one junction assembly for electronically interconnecting said primary power cord to each power cord of a set of power cords, wherein:
each power cord of the set of power cords is electrically connected in a serial configuration with respect to the primary power cord;
the at least one junction assembly comprises:
a first junction housing supporting a first junction; and
a second junction housing supporting a second junction, wherein the first and second junction housings are fixed to each respective power cord of the set of power cords; and
said set of power cords includes a flexible power cord for interconnecting the first and second junction housings; and
a support structure between said first and second junction housings, said support structure having a longitudinal dimension no greater than a length of said flexible power cord, wherein said support structure is configured to:
support and restrain movement of the at least one junction assembly and allow mounting of the junction assembly along a longitudinal axis on a server rack in a data center.
2 . An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said junction assembly includes at least one mini-junction assembly having a maximum pin spacing dimension of no more than about 12 mm.
3 . An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said maximum pin spacing is no more than about 10 mm.
4 . An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said mini-junction assembly is a female junction assembly having recesses for receiving pins of a male coupler and said maximum pin dimension is defined by two of said recesses.
5 . An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising a power connector assembly for connecting said mini-junction assembly to a power port of a piece of electronic equipment, said power port having a maximum pin spacing of greater than 12 mm.
6 . An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said junction assembly comprises at least one distribution power cord leg.
7 . A method for using a power cord apparatus, comprising:
providing a power cord apparatus including a set of power cords and at least one junction assembly for electronically interconnecting each power cord of the set of power cords, wherein:
said junction assembly comprises:
a first junction housing supporting a first junction,
a second junction housing supporting a second junction, and
said set of power cords includes a flexible power cord for interconnecting said first and second junction housings, and
said first and second junction housings interconnect each power cord of the set of power cords; and
each of the first and second junction housings are fixed to each respective power cord of the set of power cords;
providing a support structure between said first and second junction housings, said support structure having a longitudinal dimension no greater than a length of said flexible power cord, wherein said support structure is operable for supporting and restraining movement of said junction assembly and for allowing mounting of the junction assembly along a longitudinal axis on a server rack in a data center;
using said support structure for mounting said junction assembly on said a server rack;
connecting said power cord to a power port of a power source; and
connecting at least some of a second power cord portion and a third power cord portion to electronic equipment in said server rack in a data center.
8 . A method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said junction assembly includes at least one mini-junction assembly having a maximum pin spacing dimension of no more than about 12 mm.
9 . A method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein said mini-junction assembly is a female junction assembly having recesses for receiving pins of a male junction assembly and said maximum pin dimension is defined by two of said recesses.
10 . A method as set forth in claim 8 , further comprising a power connecter assembly for connecting said mini-junction assembly to a power port of a piece of electronic equipment, said power port having a maximum pin spacing of greater than 12 mm.
11 . A method as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said junction assembly comprises at least one distribution power cord leg.