Limiting power consumption by controlling airflow
US7783903B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power management scheme is disclosed wherein power limits are imposed on devices of an electronic system using selective airflow reduction. In one embodiment, each server in a rack system includes a throttling system for maximizing processor throughput within a fixed temperature constraint. An airflow system is capable of providing a variable amount of airflow to each server. The power consumption for each server is detected by an external power meter circuit and monitored by a controller operatively connected to the airflow source. The controller selectively reduces the amount of airflow to each server in relation to its power consumption, to induce an amount of throttling of each server sufficient to impose its respective power limit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.