US 9,317,097 B2 · Efficiency adjustments in power supply system

Abstract

A power supply system for maintaining the efficiency of an AC/DC power conversion unit in relation to a load is disclosed. The load varies in response to power usage during operation of the power supply system. An AC power input and a DC power output of the power conversion unit direct DC power to attached components. A master controller disposed in the power supply system detects the load of an attached computer system through a DC meter and executes an algorithm to determine the values of circuit parameters of conversion circuits in the AC/DC power conversion unit. The master controller sends the values to a mode controller through a digital signal interface. The mode controller adjusts the operating mode of the conversion circuits and thus changes the efficiency of the AC/DC power conversion unit.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A power supplying method for changing the efficiency of a power conversion unit, the method comprising:

measuring, by a DC meter, a change in DC power of a DC power output, the change indicative of a new load being drawn from the DC power output;
sending, by the DC meter, a power signal indicative of the change in the DC power;
receiving, by a second controller, the power signal;
outputting, by the second controller, a parameter setting signal to a first controller in response to the power signal;
determining, by the first controller, a value of a circuit parameter according to the parameter setting signal;
and
adjusting, by the first controller, an operating mode of a power conversion circuit according to the value such that the power conversion unit increases in efficiency while the new load is being drawn from the DC power output.

4 more elements

A method for changing the efficiency of a power conversion unit of a power supply, the method comprising:

measuring, by the power supply, a DC power draw from a DC power output indicative of a new load;
determining, by the power supply, one or more parameter values to configure a power conversion circuit for increased efficiency at the new load;
outputting, by the power supply and to the power conversion unit, a parameter setting signal containing the one or more parameter values;
determining, by the power conversion unit, an updated operating mode based on the one or more parameter values of the parameter setting signal;
and
adjusting, by the power conversion unit, operation of the power conversion circuit to the updated operating mode.

3 more elements

A power supplying method for changing the efficiency of a power conversion unit, the method comprising:

operating, by a first controller, a power conversion circuit at a first operating mode, the first operating mode based on one or more stored circuit parameter values contained in the power conversion unit, the first operating mode enabling the power conversion unit to provide DC power at a first load;
detecting, by a DC meter, a decrease in DC power being drawn from the first load to a second load;
transmitting, by the DC meter and to a second controller, a first power signal indicative of the decrease in DC power to the second load;
determining, by the second controller, one or more circuit parameter values to operate the power conversion circuit at a second operating mode, the second operating mode enabling the power conversion circuit to provide increased efficiency over the first operating mode at the second load;
sending, by the second controller and to the first controller, a parameter setting that contains the one or more circuit parameter values;
and
adjusting, by the first controller, operation of the power conversion circuit to the second operating mode based on the one or more circuit parameter values.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Efficiency adjustments in power supply system

Life of this patent

Efficiency adjustments in power supply system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20