Backup power architecture for rack system

A system for providing backup power, the system comprising:

• a main power bus coupled to a main bus bar of a computing system rack and coupled to a computing device, wherein the computing device is provided with power from the main bus bar via the main power bus when AC power is provided to the rack;
• a battery;
• a backup power path coupled to the battery and the computing device, the backup power path being distinct from the main power bus, configured for activation and deactivation independent of activation and deactivation of the main power bus, and coupled to the main power bus via a node;
• a shared power path coupled to the backup power path and the main bus bar of the rack;
• and
• a controller configured to detect an AC power outage, wherein, in response to detection of an AC power outage, the controller is configured to activate the backup power path and deactivate the main power bus such that the battery provides power to the computing device via the backup power path,
• wherein the shared power path is activated, based on (i) the status of AC power delivered to the rack, and (ii) the status of power received at the computing device, in response to the detection of the AC power outage such that power is provided from the battery to the main bus bar of the rack via the backup power path and the shared power path such that backup power is provided to the main bus bar without passing through the main power bus.

A rack assembly comprising:

• a rack with shelves for receiving one or more computing devices;
• a main bus bar;
• and
• a backup power circuit associated with a first computing device and coupled to the main bus bar, the backup power circuit comprising:
• a main power bus coupled to the main bus bar and coupled to the first computing device, wherein the first computing device is provided with power from the main bus bar via the main power bus when AC power is provided to the rack;
• a battery;
• a backup power path coupled to the battery and the first computing device, the backup power path being distinct from the main power bus, configured for activation and deactivation independent of activation and deactivation of the main power bus, and coupled to the main power bus via a node;
• a shared power path coupled to the backup power path and the main bus bar;
• and
• a controller, wherein, in response to detection of an AC power outage, the shared power path is activated based on (i) the status of AC power delivered to the rack, and (ii) the status of power received at the first computing device, the backup power path is activated by the controller, and the main power bus is deactivated by the controller such that the battery provides power to the first computing device via the backup power path and the battery provides power to the main bus bar via the backup power path and the shared power path, wherein power is provided to a second computing device via the main bus bar such that backup power is provided to the main bus bar without passing through the main power bus.