Power distribution visibility in data center environments
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Publication Number
US-9912192-B2
Publication Date
2018-03-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems for managing, tracking, and displaying power usage information in connection with colocation datacenters are described. In particular, one or more current transformers determine an amount of current associated with breaker positions of a breaker panel. The current readings may then be used to construct one or more virtual circuits. Access to the current and power readings associated with the virtual circuit is provided to clients via a communication network. Additionally, the current readings may be utilized to track actual current and/or power use in conjunction with one or more client allocated amounts of power.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a colocation data center power visibility system that measures current at remote power panel breaker positions. A breaker panel includes a plurality of breaker positions, and current sensors reside at individual breaker positions to provide current measurements to a data acquisition module.
A data center infrastructure manager generates virtual circuit values derived from the current measurements, including values for virtual circuits that are associated with specific breaker positions. The data center infrastructure manager further generates a value by summing virtual circuit values across breaker positions and compares derived values for virtual circuits to predetermined thresholds to compute allocation and utilization values for power distribution elements such as an uninterruptable power supply and transfer switch.
The system includes a logical circuit breaker panel that displays remote power panel globally unique identifier (guid) identification information and information associated with each logical circuit as a function of the breaker positions. A client display interface provides client specific information including real time power usage and total current utilization per redundancy side (A/B side), and the display includes graphical user interface (webpage) functionality and optional historical trending plots, with optional temperature and humidity sensing.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a breaker-panel based current sensing subsystem combined with a data center infrastructure manager that derives and sums virtual circuit values, compares them to predetermined thresholds, and generates an allocation value for power distribution elements. It further covers logical circuit breaker panel identification display using remote power panel guid information and a client display interface providing client specific real time power usage and total current utilization per redundancy side, with the manager performing threshold comparisons for multiple virtual circuits.
Virtual circuit values derived from breaker position current measurements
The data center infrastructure manager generates a first value for a first virtual circuit derived from a first current measurement provided by a first current sensor at a first breaker position and generates a second value for a second virtual circuit derived from a second current measurement provided by a second current sensor at a second breaker position.
Summing virtual circuit values across breaker positions
The data center infrastructure manager generates a third value by summing the first value for the first virtual circuit and the second value for the second virtual circuit.
Allocation value generated from threshold comparisons of virtual circuits
The data center infrastructure manager compares the first value for the first virtual circuit to a first predetermined threshold, generates a fourth value for a third virtual circuit derived from a current measurement provided by a third current sensor, compares the fourth value for the third virtual circuit to a second predetermined threshold, and generates an allocation value for the at least one power distribution element derived from at least the first predetermined threshold and the second predetermined threshold.
Logical circuit breaker panel with remote power panel guid identification and position-associated information
A logical circuit breaker panel displays remote power panel globally unique identifier (guid) identification information received from the data center infrastructure manager and further displays information associated with each logical circuit as a function of the breaker positions.
Client display interface providing real time power usage and redundancy-side utilization
A client display interface provides client specific information received from the data center infrastructure manager, including at least an identification of the client, a real time power usage, and a total current utilization per redundancy side.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on: (i) generating virtual circuit values from current measurements at breaker positions, (ii) summing those virtual circuit values, (iii) comparing derived virtual circuit values to predetermined thresholds to generate an allocation value for power distribution elements, and (iv) presenting guid-based logical circuit breaker panel identification and client-specific real time usage and redundancy-side utilization via a client display interface.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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