Patent ID: 7633181
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
1. A method for powering a data center using DC power, comprising: providing AC power to the data center from a utility line and from a distributed energy resource, the distributed energy resource providing AC power as a backup to the utility line, wherein both the utility line and distributed energy resource provide AC power to a first node and second node; utilizing a first set of rectifier/charger (RC) units coupled to the first node to convert AC power to DC power and outputting the DC power to a first distributed bus bar; utilizing a second set of RC units coupled to the second node to convert AC power to DC power and outputting the DC power to a second distributed bus bar; utilizing a first set of DC/DC converters to step down the DC power from the first distributed bus bar to a first stepped down DC voltage; utilizing a second set of DC/DC converters to step down the DC power from the second distributed bus bar to a second stepped down DC voltage; and powering a critical load by both the first stepped down DC voltage and the second stepped down DC voltage, wherein the first set of DC/DC converters and the second set of DC/DC converters are included in a dual path power distribution system that includes a first redundant pair of busses and a second redundant pair of busses, each of the first redundant pair of busses coupled to a first plurality of loads and each of the second redundant pair of buses coupled to a second plurality of loads, and wherein the first set of DC/DC converters is coupled to a load bank coupled to the first distributed bus bar and the second distributed bus bar, the load bank configured to simulate a thermal load for testing a cooling system.