Abstract:
A computer server is configured to electrically and mechanically couple with a plurality of different power modules. These power modules are interchangeable, and all fit within the form factor of the server, eliminating the use of PDUs within the server rack. The server may be configured in the factory or in the field to use either the single-phase AC power configuration, the 3-phase AC power configuration, or any other power configuration, such as DC, desired.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of computer servers, and more particularly to the field of power cables for servers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the past, most computer servers have been designed for either single-phase AC (smaller servers) or 3-phase AC (larger servers) power configurations. Mid-range servers have had to choose between these two power supply configurations, and have had to provide power distribution units (PDUs) to convert server to the other power supply configuration. These PDUs create extra complexity, cost, and size to the server system. They require space within the server rack in addition to that of the server itself.  
         [0003]     Single phase power configurations typically require more power cables than 3-phase or dual redundant grid power configurations. Also, as power density within servers increases, server form factors tend to migrate from the single-phase configuration to the 3-phase configuration. Customers who have used exclusively single-phase power configurations may be reluctant to convert to using 3-phase power configurations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A computer server is configured to electrically and mechanically couple with a plurality of different power modules. These power modules are interchangeable, and all fit within the form factor of the server, eliminating the use of PDUs within the server rack. The server may be configured in the factory or in the field to use either the single-phase AC power configuration, the 3-phase power AC configuration, or any other power configuration, such as DC, desired.  
         [0005]     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of a prior art single-phase server.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a block diagram of the prior art single-phase server from  FIG. 1A  as configured to a 3-phase AC power configuration by the addition of PDUs.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of a prior art 3-phase AC server.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of the prior art 3-phase AC server from  FIG. 2A  as configured to a single-phase power configuration by the addition of PDUs.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server configured to accept a plurality of power modules according to the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a single-phase AC power module according to the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a 3-phase AC power module according to the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4C  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a DC power module according to the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server including two single-phase AC power modules according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server including two 3-phase AC power modules according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server including one single-phase AC power module and one DC power module according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     This description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” and “right” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected,” “coupled,” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of a prior art single-phase server. In this prior art example a server  100  including two single-phase AC power supply modules  102  is designed. The two single-phase AC power supply modules  102  include a plurality of power cables  104  and  106 , configured to electrically couple to a first single-phase AC power supply grid  104  and to electrically couple to a second single-phase AC power supply grid  106 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a block diagram of the prior art single-phase server from  FIG. 1A  as configured to a 3-phase AC power configuration by the addition of PDUs. When the example prior art server from  FIG. 1A  is to be used with 3-phase AC power grids, a pair of power distribution units (PDUs)  108  are used to convert the 3-phase AC power inputs  110  and  112  from a first 3-phase AC power supply grid  110  and a second 3-phase AC power supply grid  112 , to a first single-phase AC power supply grid  104 , and a second single-phase AC power supply grid  106  respectively.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of a prior art 3-phase server. In this prior art example a server  200  including two 3-phase AC power supply modules  202  is designed. The two 3-phase AC power supply modules  202  include power cables  204  and  206 , configured to electrically couple to a first 3-phase AC power supply grid  204  and to electrically couple to a second 3-phase AC power supply grid  206 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of the prior art 3-phase server from  FIG. 2A  as configured to a single-phase power configuration by the addition of PDUs. When the example prior art server from  FIG. 2A  is to be used with single-phase power grids, a pair of power distribution units (PDUs)  208  are used to convert the single-phase power inputs  210  and  212  from a first single-phase power supply grid  210  and a second single-phase power supply grid  212 , to a first 2-phase power supply grid  204 , and a second 3-phase power supply grid  206  respectively.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server configured to accept a plurality of power modules according to the present invention. In this example embodiment of a server according to the present invention, a server  300 , including a server chassis  302 , is configured to removeably electrically and mechanically couple with a plurality of power supply modules. The power supply modules interchangeably (and non-permanently) couple with the server chassis  304 , each in a power supply module bay  302 . This example embodiment shows a server  300  with two power supply module bays  302 , while those of skill in the art will recognize that any positive integer number of power module bays  302  may be used within the scope of the present invention. Those of skill in the art will understand that while this example embodiment of the present invention includes rectangular power supply module bays  302 , these bays  302  may be any shape imaginable within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4A  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a single-phase power module according to the present invention. This example embodiment of a single-phase power module  400  includes power supply cables  402  configured to electrically couple the single-phase AC power module  400  to a single-phase AC power source. This single-phase AC power module  400  is configured to electrically couple with the server  300  of  FIG. 3 , in the power supply module bays  302  incorporated into the server chassis  304 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that any positive integer number of power supply cables  402  may be used within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4B  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a 3-phase AC power module according to the present invention. This example embodiment of a 3-phase AC power module  404  includes a power supply cable  406  configured to electrically couple the single-phase AC power module  404  to a 3-phase AC power source. This 3-phase AC power module  404  is configured to electrically couple with the server  300  of  FIG. 3 , in the power supply module bays  302  incorporated into the server chassis  304 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that any positive integer number of power supply cables  406  may be used within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4C  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a DC power module according to the present invention. This example embodiment of a DC power module  408  includes a pair of power supply cables  410  configured to electrically couple the DC power module  408  to a DC power source. This DC power module  408  is configured to electrically couple with the server  300  of  FIG. 3 , in the power supply module bays  302  incorporated into the server chassis  304 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that any positive integer number of power supply cables  410  may be used within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0026]     While the example embodiments of power modules described above show one, two, or three power supply cables, those of skill in the art will recognize that any number of power supply cables may be used with each power module within the scope of the present invention. For example, single-phase AC power and DC power often require two cables, while 3-phase AC power commonly requires four cables, and additional cables may be added as required.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server including two single-phase AC power supply modules according to the present invention. In this example embodiment of the present invention, the server  300 , including a server chassis  304 , and two power supply module bays  302 , is equipped with two single-phase AC power supply modules  400  including power cables electrically coupled to a first single-phase AC power source  500  and power cables electrically coupled to a second single-phase AC power source  502 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server including two 3-phase AC power supply modules according to the present invention. In this example embodiment of the present invention, the server  300 , including a server chassis  304 , and two power supply module bays  302 , is equipped with two 3-phase AC power supply modules  404  including power cables electrically coupled to a first 3-phase AC power source  504  and power cables electrically coupled to a second 3-phase AC power source  506 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a server including one single-phase AC power module and one DC power module according to the present invention. In this example embodiment of the present invention, the server  300 , including a server chassis  304 , and two power supply module bays  302 , is equipped with one single-phase AC power supply module  400  including power cables electrically coupled to a single-phase AC power source  600  and one DC power supply module  408  including power cables electrically coupled to a DC power source  602 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that any number and any combination of power supply modules may be used within the scope of the present invention  
         [0030]     While the example embodiments of the present invention discussed above comprise single-phase, 3-phase AC power modules, and DC power modules, those of skill in the art will recognize that other power modules, such as modules with differing voltages, may be used within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0031]     The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.