Power distribution systems and methodology

• US 10,209,727 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2015
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Chapel, Steve, Pachoud, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Kenneth M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wynne, David J
• Application Number:
  US14/680,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20160070282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3006 where the computing system is distributed, e.g. networked systems, clusters, multiprocessor systems multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46; allocation of resources G06F9/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3051 Monitoring arrangements for monitoring the configuration of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring the presence of processing resources, peripherals, I/O links, software programs verification or detection of system hardware configuration G06F11/2247
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/04 Mounting thereon of switches or of other devices in general, the switch or device having, or being without, casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/24 Circuit arrangements for boards or switchyards
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/16 The load or loads being an Information and Communication Technology [ICT] facility
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0833 for reduction of network energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method for use in distributing power, comprising the steps of:

establishing a group policy for controlling delivery of power to a group of two or more electrical devices via a set of two or more plug receptacles, wherein a first device of said two or more electrical devices is located at a first plug receptacle of said set of two or more plug receptacles;

identifying each of said two or more electrical devices as being part of said group independent of which said set of two or more plug receptacles are used by said two or more electrical devices, wherein said identifying comprises associating said first plug receptacle from said set of two or more plug receptacles with said first device of said two or more electrical devices, said associating determined free from any user input;

first identifying an occurrence of a policy condition governed by said group policy, wherein in response to said first identifying, delivery of power to said first device is controlled via first applying said group policy to said first plug receptacle;

moving at least said first device to a new location, wherein said first device is located at a second plug receptacle;

identifying said first device as being part of said group, wherein said identifying comprises associating said second plug receptacle with said first device, said associating determined free from any user input;

second identifying an occurrence of a policy condition governed by said group policy, wherein in response to said second identifying, delivery of power to said first electrical device is controlled via second applying said group policy to said second plug receptacle;

wherein each of said first and second applying comprises operating a switch system to control delivery of power to at least said first electrical device of said two or more electrical devices.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said switch system comprises a number of virtual circuit breaker devices each independently operable to interrupt power to one or more of said two or more electrical devices.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of operating comprises executing a sequence for one of turning on and turning off power to said set of two or more plug receptacles.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of developing a power fingerprint to identify said first electrical device.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said two or more electrical devices comprise multiple electrical devices, and said set of two or more plug receptacles comprises multiple plug receptacles, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing a policy for controlling delivery of power to said multiple electrical devices via said multiple plug receptacles;

operating a switch system to control delivery of power to said multiple electrical devices via said multiple plug receptacles;

limiting power to less than full power but more than no power via one or more plug receptacles;

delivering no power via one or more plug receptacles; and

delivering full power via one or more plug receptacles.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a policy for controlling delivery of power to said two or more electrical devices via said multiple plug receptacles; and

monitoring said two or more plug receptacles on a per receptacle basis.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, comprising the steps of:

developing a power fingerprint to identify said first electrical device; and

tracking said moving of the first electrical device from the first plug receptacle to the second plug receptacle based on the power fingerprint.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, comprising the steps of:

providing a power management station database for tracking a location of the first electrical device; and

updating said power management station database to reflect the moving.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein upon associating said first device with said second plug receptacle, said group policy is no longer applied to said first plug receptacle.

10. A system for use in distributing power, comprising:

a central management appliance having a user interface and a controller;

a power distribution unit in communication with said central management appliance; and

a plug strip having a switch system and a plurality of plug receptacles, said plug strip in communication with said power distribution unit;

wherein said central management appliance is configured to establish a group policy for controlling delivery of power to a group of two or more electrical devices via two or more of said plurality of plug receptacles, identify each of said two or more electrical devices as being part of said group independent of which receptacles of said plurality of plug receptacles are used by said two or more electrical devices, associate a first plug receptacle of said plurality of plug receptacles with a first device of said two or more electrical devices free from any user input, identify a first occurrence of a policy condition governed by said group policy, wherein based on said identifying said first occurrence, said controller operates said switch system to control delivery of power to a first electrical device of said two or more electrical devices via said first plug receptacle of said plurality of plug receptacles; and

wherein said central management appliance is configured to identify a move of said first device from said first plug receptacle to a second plug receptacle, associate said second plug receptacle with said first device of said two or more devices free from any user input, identify a second occurrence of said policy condition governed by said group policy, wherein based on said second occurrence, said controller operates said switch system to control delivery of power to said first electrical device via said second plug receptacle.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said switch system comprises a number of virtual circuit breaker devices each independently operable to interrupt power to one or more of said two or more electrical devices.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said central management appliance is configured operate said switch system to execute a sequence for one of turning on and turning off power delivered via said plurality of plug receptacles.

13. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said central management appliance is configured to develop a power fingerprint to identify a particular electrical device, and apply said policy for controlling delivery of power to said particular device via one or more of said plurality of plug receptacles.

14. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said two or more electrical devices comprise multiple electrical devices and said central management appliance is configured to:

establish a policy for controlling delivery of power to said multiple electrical devices via said plurality of plug receptacles;

operate said switch system to control delivery of power to said multiple devices via said plurality of plug receptacles;

limit power to less than full power but more than no power via one or more of said plurality of plug receptacles;

deliver no power via one or more of said plurality of plug receptacles; and

deliver full power via one or more of said plurality of plug receptacles.

15. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said central management appliance is configured to:

establish a policy for controlling delivery of power to said two or more electrical devices via said plurality of plug receptacles; and

monitor said two or more plug receptacles on a per receptacle basis.

16. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said central management appliance is configured to:

develop a power fingerprint to identify said first electrical device; and

track a move of the first electrical device from said first plug receptacle to said second plug receptacle based on said power fingerprint.

17. The system as set forth in claim 16, comprising:

a power management station database for tracking a location of the first electrical device, wherein said central management appliance is configured to update said power management station database to reflect the move.

18. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second plug receptacle is located in a second plug strip having a second switch system and a second plurality of plug receptacles, and said second plug strip is in communication with said power distribution unit.