System and Method For Distributing Power To Rack Mounted Servers

• US 20170108899A1
• Filed: 10/15/2015
• Published: 04/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lithul LLC
• Original Assignee: Lithul LLC
• Inventors: Thul, Theodore M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,772,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1457 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications

Abstract

A power distribution system for use with rack mounter computer devices includes a cabinet and a PDU. The cabinet includes: a rack region having a plurality of rail pairs for supporting a plurality of computer devices; a bus region having a base mount support and a server connector module; and a PDU configured for receipt within the bus region. The PDU includes: a plurality of electrical outlets configured to supply power to the computing devices; a PDU connector configured for releasable engagement with the server connector module; and a base mount configured to permit the PDU to pivot about the base mount support.

Claims

1. An elongated power distribution unit (PDU) for use in a rack mounted server cabinet of the type including a power bus region having a base mount support and a server connector module, the PDU comprising:

a plurality of electrical outlets configured to supply power to a plurality of computing devices;

a PDU connector module proximate a first end of the PDU and configured for releasable engagement with the server connector module; and

a base mount proximate a second end of the PDU and configured to articulate about the base mount support.

2. The PDU of claim 1, wherein the base mount support comprises a fixed shaft, and the base mount comprises a relief configured to removably engage the shaft.

3. The PDU of claim 2, wherein the base mount is configured to permit the PDU to pivot about the shaft.

4. The PDU of claim 1, further comprising at least one network communication port configured to communication with one of the computing devices.

5. The PDU of claim 1, wherein the server connector module comprises a first electromechanical interface, and the PDU connector module comprises a second electromechanical interface configured for releasable engagement with the first electromechanical interface.

7. The PDU of claim 1, further comprising a first locking component configured to selectively maintain engagement between the PDU connector module and the server connector module.

8. The PDU of claim 7, wherein the cabinet comprises a second locking component configured to releasably engage the first locking component.

9. The PDU of claim 8, wherein the first locking component comprises a handle and a spring loaded tab, and the second locking component comprises a grove configured to releasable receive the tab.

10. The PDU of claim 1, wherein one of the base mound and the base mount support comprises a serpentine path for engaging a shaft to thereby permit the PDU to pivot about the shaft.

11. The PDU of claim 1, further comprising internal wiring configured to supply power from the PDU connector module to the plurality of electrical outlets.

6. The PDU of claim 6, wherein the second electromechanical interface comprises a fusion lug interface.

12. A server cabinet having an integral bus region for receiving a PDU of the type having a base mount and a PDU connector module, the cabinet comprising:

a rack region having a left frame member and a right frame member, each bearing a plurality of rail pairs for supporting a plurality of respective computer devices;

an elongated bus region disposed between one of the frame members and an outside frame member;

a base mount support disposed in a lower portion of the bus region; and

a server connector module configured to releasable engage the PDU connector module.

13. The server cabinet of claim 12, wherein each rail pair is separated by a distance in the range of 17.5 to 20.5 inches.

14. The server cabinet of claim 12, wherein the outside frame member and the frame member comprising the bus region are separated by a distance in the range of 1.5 to 1.75 inches.

15. The server cabinet of claim 12, wherein the bus region further comprises a frame mount module configured to pivotably support the server connector module.

17. The server cabinet of claim 15, wherein:

the PDU connector module comprises a first locking component; and

at least one of the server connector module and the frame mount module comprises a second locking component; and

wherein the first locking component and the second locking component are configured to releasable lock the PDU connector module into electromechanical engagement with the server connector module.

16. The server cabinet of claim 16, wherein the frame mount module is configured to pivot and slide to accommodate arcuate motion of the PDU during engagement between the server connector module and the PDU connector module.

18. A power distribution system for use with rack mounter computer devices, comprising:

cabinet including;

a rack region having a plurality of rail pairs for supporting a plurality of computer devices;

a bus region having a base mount support and a server connector module; and

a PDU configured for receipt within the bus region, the PDU comprising;

a plurality of electrical outlets configured to supply power to the computing devices;

a PDU connector configured for releasable engagement with the server connector module; and

a base mount configured to permit the PDU to pivot about the base mount support.

19. The power distribution system of claim 18, wherein the PDU further comprises a first locking component and the cabinet comprises a second locking component configured to releasably engage the first locking component to selectively maintain engagement between the PDU connector module and the server connector module.

20. The power distribution system of claim 18, wherein the server connector module comprises a first electromechanical interface, and the PDU connector module comprises a second electromechanical interface configured for releasable engagement with the first electromechanical interface.