Voltage regulation module with adaptive spare converters
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsMichael Lee Miller, Eric B. Swenson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A VRM system comprises a first output group that comprises a first primary converter. The VRM system also comprises a second output group that comprises a second primary converter. The VRM system also comprises a first VRM output and a second VRM output. The VRM system comprises an adaptable spare converter. The VRM system comprises a first switch and a second switch. Closing the first switch connects the adaptable spare converter with the first VRM output. Closing the second switch connects the adaptable spare converter with the second VRM output.
Claims24
A VRM system comprising:
- a first output group that comprises a first primary converter;
- a second output group that comprises a second primary converter;
- a first VRM output and a second VRM output;
- a first adaptable spare converter;
- a first switch, wherein closing the first switch connects the first adaptable spare converter with the first VRM output;
- and
- a second switch, wherein closing the second switch connects the first adaptable spare converter with the second VRM output.
A method comprising:
- detecting, in a VRM system, a failure of a first primary converter in a first output group;
- opening, based on the detecting, a first switch that connects the first converter to a first power source;
- opening, based on the detecting, a second switch that connects the first converter to a first VRM output;
- identifying an adaptable spare converter in the VRM system;
- transmitting a first set of output-power instructions to the adaptable spare converter;
- and
- closing, based on the detecting, a third switch that connects the adaptable spare converter to the first VRM output.
A VRM system comprising control-logic circuitry configured to perform a method, the method comprising:
- detecting, in the VRM system, a failure of a first primary converter in a first output group;
- opening, based on the detecting, a first switch that connects the first converter to a first power source;
- opening, based on the detecting, a second switch that connects the first converter to a first VRM output;
- identifying an adaptable spare converter in the VRM system;
- transmitting output-power instructions to the adaptable spare converter;
- and
- closing, based on the detecting, a third switch that connects the adaptable spare converter to the first VRM output.
A method comprising:
- monitoring activity of a first computer component powered by a first VRM output;
- predicting, based on the monitoring, that the first computer component is likely to experience a high load condition in the future;
- identifying an adaptable spare converter;
- transmitting a first set of output-power instructions to the adaptable spare converter;
- and
- closing, based on the identifying, a first switch that connects the adaptable spare converter to the first VRM output.
A VRM system comprising control-logic circuitry configured to perform a method, the method comprising:
- monitoring activity of a first computer component powered by a first VRM output;
- predicting, based on the monitoring, that the first computer component is likely to experience a high load condition in the future;
- identifying an adaptable spare converter;
- transmitting a first set of output-power instructions to the adaptable spare converter;
- and
- closing, based on the identifying, a first switch that connects the adaptable spare converter to the first VRM output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.