Computer rack with power distribution system

• US 20070109736A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Inventors: Coglitore, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US11/644,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20070109736A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.590
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer rack, frame or system having a direct current power supply positioned at the upper portion of the rack. In one variation, the DC power supply is placed in the highest shelf in the computer rack. In another variation, the DC power supply is placed on top of the computer rack. In yet another variation, a dual column computer rack with a back-to-back configuration is implemented with DC power supplies placed in a top shelf of the one of the computer columns. The DC power supply may comprise of one or more direct current power supply modules configured to provide fail over protection. In another aspect of the invention, the power supply modules are placed in a separate rack and provide direct current to support computers in one or more computer racks.

Claims

1-64. -64. (canceled)

65. A system for distributing power comprising:

a first rack configured to receive a plurality of computing units mounted therein;

a second rack; and

a plurality of AC to DC power converter modules mounted in said second rack wherein said plurality of AC to DC power convert modules supply a direct current from said second rack to said first rack through a power supply line to said plurality of computing units.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules are configured to provide failover protection.

67. The system of claim 65, further comprising:

a third rack configured to receive a second plurality of computing units mounted therein, wherein said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules supply a direct current to said third rack.

68. The system of claim 65, wherein the computing units comprise computer servers.

69. The system of claim 65, further comprising a voltage converter module between the first rack and the second rack.

70. The system of claim 65, further comprising:

a cooling apparatus connected to said second rack for removing heat from said second rack.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein said cooling apparatus comprises an air conduit configured to remove heated air from an area surrounding said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules.

72. The system of claim 70 wherein said cooling apparatus comprises a liquid conduit configured to remove heat from said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules.

73. The system of claim 65, wherein the first rack is configured to receive the computing units mounted in a dual column, back-to-back configuration.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the first rack is configured to receive the computing units mounted horizontally inside the first rack.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the first rack is configured to receive the computing units mounted vertically inside the first rack.

76. The system of claim 65, further comprising:

a power distribution bar electrically connected to said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules, and configured to connect to said plurality of computing units.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules are electrically connected to said power distribution bar in a parallel configuration, and said AC to DC power converter modules are configured for load sharing.

78. A system for distributing power to a plurality of computing units contained within a rack, the system comprising:

a first rack configured to contain a plurality of computing units in a dual column, back-to-back configuration; and

a second rack; and

a plurality of AC to DC power converter modules within said second rack, wherein said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules are electrically connected to a power supply line in a parallel manner to supply a direct current by said power supply line, and said power supply line extending from said second rack to said first rack to provide the direct current to said plurality of computing units contained in said first rack.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said computing units comprise computer servers.

80. The system of claim 78, further comprising:

a third rack configured to contain a second plurality of computing units therein, wherein said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules supply a direct current to said third rack.

81. The system of claim 78, further comprising a voltage converter module between the first rack and the second rack.

82. The system of claim 78, further comprising:

a power distribution bar electrically connected to said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules, and configured to connect to said plurality of computing units.

83. The system of claim 82, wherein said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules are electrically connected to said power distribution bar in a parallel configuration, and said AC to DC power converter modules are configured for load sharing.

84. The system of claim 78 wherein said first rack is configured to contain said computing units vertically inside said first rack.

85. The system of claim 78 wherein said first rack is configured to contain said computing units horizontally inside said fist rack.

86. The system of claim 78 further comprising:

a cooling apparatus connected to said second rack for removing heat from said second rack.

87. The system of claim 86 wherein said cooling apparatus comprises an air conduit configured to remove heated air from an area surrounding said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules.

88. The system of claim 86 wherein said cooling apparatus comprises a liquid conduit configured to remove heat from said plurality of AC to DC power converter modules.

89. A computing system comprising:

a first rack configured to contain a plurality of computing units mounted therein;

a second rack comprising a plurality of AC to DC power converter modules mounted therein, wherein said plurality of AC to DC power convert modules supply a direct current from said second rack to said first rack to said plurality of computing units; and

at least one voltage converter module between said first rack and said second rack.

90. A method of modulating heat distribution within a computer rack comprising:

supplying a direct current to a plurality of computing units in a computer rack, wherein said computing units are arranged in a two column configuration, wherein said direct current is supplied by at least one power supply located in a second rack separate from said computer rack; and

drawing a plurality of air streams to flow out of said plurality of computing units and into a column of air flowing in an upward direction between said two columns of computing units.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein said computing units are placed in a back-to-back configuration.