WO2017131654A1

WO2017131654A1 - Fan actuation

Info

Publication number: WO2017131654A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/015066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chih Sheng Liao; Yu Cheng Wu; Hsin Wen HSU; Shih Chuan Huang
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp
Priority date: 2016-01-27
Filing date: 2016-01-27
Publication date: 2017-08-03

Abstract

Fan actuation can, in one example implementation, include a system having a controller, a first fan coupled to the controller, and a second fan coupled to the controller. In some examples, the controller provides a signal associated with the first fan to the first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan is reached, and in response to reaching the threshold workload provides a signal associated with the second fan to the second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached.

Description

FAN ACTUATION

Background

[0001] Fans can be utilized to produce flow within a fluid. Some fans may operate continuously or near-continuously to produce flow within a fluid to provide cooling to the fluid, or to an object disposed in the fluid. Fans may have a finite life cycle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Figure 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system according to the disclosure.

[0003] Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of an example of a computing device according to the disclosure.

[0004] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system according to the disclosure.

[0005] Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method according to the disclosure.

[0006] Figure 5 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system including a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium according to the disclosure. Detailed Description

[0007] Computing devices are electronic devices that include circuitry to provide various functionalities. As used here, "computing devices" are mechanical or electrical devices (e.g., server computers, personal computers, laptops, tablets, mobile computers, etc.) that transmit or modify energy to perform, or assist in the performance of, human tasks. In the process of transmitting or modifying energy to perform or assist in human tasks, computing devices can generate thermal radiation (e.g., heat), among other byproducts. For example, as electricity passes through wires and across circuitry in the computing device, inherent resistance in the wires and circuitry can give rise to ohmic heating in the system, thereby producing thermal radiation.

[0008] Although the generation of thermal radiation in computing devices can be unavoidable, various methodologies of mitigating thermal radiation in computing devices can be employed. For example, heat sinks and/or fans can be utilized in computing devices in an effort to mitigate thermal radiation. However, such approaches particularly those employing fans may be costly, subject to failure, and/or utilize continuously or near- continuous operation of fans.

[0009] Examples of the disclosure include systems, methods, and computer readable media for fan actuation. For example, a system for fan actuation can include a controller, a first fan coupled to the controller, and a second fan coupled to the controller. In some examples, the controller can provide a first fan signal to the first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan is reached, and in response to reaching the threshold workload associated with the first fan, can provide a second fan signal to the second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached. As used herein, a "signal" is an electrical impulse that can be sent and/or received. Examples of signals can include pulse width modulation (PWM) signals, power signals, voltage signals, etc. that can carry an electrical impulse to an/or from a fan.

[0010] Notably, computing device reliability (e.g. , robustness) can be increased in comparison to some approaches by balancing the thermal radiation mitigation duties between more than one fan. For example, in computing devices with multiple fans (e.g., fan modules), at least two respective fans can operate either as a primary fan or a secondary fan based, at least in part, on a desirable workload balance between the fans, in this regard, each respective fan can operate under a higher load (e.g., a higher fan speed) when the fan is operating as a primary fan, and can operate under a decreased workload when operating as a secondary fan. In some examples, a fan that is operating as a primary fan can be switched to a fan that is operating as a secondary fan (and at least one secondary fan can be switched to operate as a primary fan) in response to various threshold workloads associated with the fans being exceeded. As used herein, "fan" and "fan module" are devices that operate to produce flow within a fluid (e.g., air). "Fan" and "fan module" are used interchangeably herein.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system according to the disclosure. As shown in the example of Figure 1 , the system 100 may include a database 02 accessible by and in communication with a plurality of engines 104. The engines 104 may include a fan signal engine 106 and a fan selection engine 108, etc. The system 100 may include additional or fewer engines than illustrated to perform the various functions described herein and examples are not limited to the example shown in Figure 1.

[0012] The system 100 may include hardware, e.g., in the form of transistor logic and/or application specific integrated circuitry (ASICs), firmware, and software, e.g., in the form of machine readable and executable instructions (program instructions (programming) stored in a machine readable medium (IVIRM)) which in cooperation may form a computing device as discussed in connection with Figure 2.

[0013] The engines 04 may include a combination of hardware and software, e.g., program instructions, but at least includes hardware that is configured to perform particular functions, tasks and/or actions. For example, the engines shown in Figure 1 may be used to provide a first fan signal to a first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached, and provide a second fan signal to a second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached. [0014] The fan signal engine 106 may include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and program instructions to provide a first fan signal to a first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached, and provide a second fan signal to a second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached.

[0015] The fan select engine 108 may include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and program instructions to determine that the threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached, and/or to determine which fan a second fan is in a system with multiple fans. For example, fan select engine 108 can assign the duty of being the primary fan to at least one fan, and can assign the duty of being the secondary fan to at least one other fan. In some examples, the fan select engine 108 may include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and program instructions to balance a workload associated with at least the first fan and the second fan to determine that the second fan should be actuated.

[0016] Examples are not limited to the example engines shown in Figure 1. Instead the engines may be combined or may be a sub-engine of another engine. Further, the engines shown may be remote from one another in a distributed computing environment, cloud computing environment, etc.

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of an example computing device according to the disclosure. The computing device 201 may utilize hardware, software (e.g., program instructions), firmware, and/or logic to perform a number of functions described herein. The computing device 201 may be any combinati on of hardware and program instructions configured to share information. The hardware may, for example, include a processing resource 203 and a memory resource 205 (e.g., computer or machine readable medium (CRM/MRM), database, etc.). A processing resource 203, as used herein, may include one or more processors capable of executing instructions stored by the memory resource 205. The processing resource 203 may be implemented in a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The program instructions (e.g., computer or machine readable instructions (CRI/MRI)) may include instructions stored on the memory resource 205 and executable by the processing resource 203 to perform a particular function, task and/or action (e.g. provide a first fan signal to a first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached, provide a second fan signal to a second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached, etc.).

[0018] The memory resource 205 may be a non-transitory machine readable medium, include one or more memory components capable of storing instructions that ma ^¬ be executed by a processing resource 203, and may be integrated in a single device or distributed across multiple devices. Further, memory resource 205 may be fully or partially integrated in the same device as processing resource 203 or it may be separate but accessible to that device and processing resource 203. Thus, it is noted that the computing device 201 may be implemented on a participant device, on a server device, on a collection of server devices, and/or a combination of a participant, (e.g., user/consumer endpoint device), and one or more server devices as part of a distributed computing environment, cloud computing environment, etc.

[0019] The memor resource 205 may be in communication with the processing resource 203 via a communication link (e.g., a path) 218. The communication link 218 may provide a wired and/or wireless connection between the processing resource 203 and the memory resource 205.

[0020] In the example of Figure 2, the memory resource 205 includes a fan signal module 206 and a fan select module 208. As used herein a module may include hardware and program instructions, but includes at least program instruction that may be executed by a processing resource, for example, processing resource 203, to perform a particular task, function and/or action. The plurality of modules may be combined or may be sub-modules of other modules. As shown in Figure 2, the fan signal module 206 and the fan select module 208 may be individual modules located on one memory resource 205. Examples are not so limited, however, and a plurality of modules may be located at separate and distinct memory resource locations, for example, in a distributed computing environment, cloud computing environment, etc.

[0021] Each of the plurality of modules may include instructions that when executed by the processing resource 203 may function as an engine such as the engines described in connection with Figure 1. For example, the fan signal module 206 may include instructions that when executed by the processing resource 203 may function as the fan signal engine 106 shown in Figure 1 . The fan select module 208 may include instructions that when executed by the processing resource 203 may function as the fan select engine 108 shown in Figure 1 .

[0022] Examples are not limited to the example modules shown in Figure 2 and in some cases a number of modules may operate together to function as a particular engine. Further, the engines and/or modules of Figures 1 and 2 may be located in a single system and/or computing device or reside in separate distinct locations in a distributed network, cloud computing, enterprise service environment (e.g., Software as a Service (SaaS) environment), etc.

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system 307 according to the disclosure. As shown in the example of Figure 3, the system 307 includes fan controller 336, fan operation control module 332, pulse width modulation (PWM) module 330, a plurality of switch logic modules 322-1, . . ., 322-N (referred to herein as switch logic modules 332), and a plurality of fan modules 320-1, . . ., 320-N (referred to herein as fan modules 320).

[0024] In some examples, fan controller 336 can be a service processor (e.g., a baseboard management controller), or fan controller 336 can be a programmable logic device (e.g., a complex programmable logic device). The fan controller 336 can be coupled to the plurality of fan modules 320, for example via fan signal lines 328-1, . . . , 328-N. In some examples, fan signal lines 328-1, . . ., 328-N can cany a signal from the fan controller 336 to the fan modules 320. For example, fan signal lines 328-1, . . ., 328-N can cany a PWM signal from the fan controller 336 to the fan modules 320. A first fan signal can have a different magnitude than the second fan signal, or the first fan signal can have a magnitude that is the same as the second fan signal. In some examples, a first fan signal and a second fan signal can be pulse width modulation signals.

[0025] In some examples, PWM control module 330 can be configured to determine a magnitude of a signal (e.g., a PW signal) to send to the fan modules 320. Each fan module among the plurality of fan modules 320 can utilize a signal with a different magnitude, or the fan modules 320 can utilize a signal with a same magnitude. For example, fan module 320-1 may initially be designated as a primary fan module and may utilize a signal of a particular magnitude in operation. Fan module 320-N may initially be designated as a secondary fan module and may utilize a signal of a different particular magnitude than fan module 320-1 in operation. In some examples, when fan module 320-N becomes the primary fan, fan module 320-1 becomes the secondary fan, and the magnitude of the particular signals utilized in operation for each of the fan modules 320 may change. In some examples, the magnitudes of the signals can be determined based, at least in part, on system specifications associated with the computing device in which the fan modules 320 are deployed.

[0026] In some examples, switch logic modules 322 can be configured to control switching of one fan module (e.g., 320-1) that is operating as a primar fan to another fan module (e.g., 320-N) that is operating as a secondary fan. Switch logic modules 322 can include hardware and logic to perform the switching operation. In some examples, switch logic control modules 322 can control switching of PWM signals received from the PWM control module 330 from fan modules among the plurality of fan modules 320 to at least one different fan module among the plurality of fan modules 320.

[0027] In some examples, fan operation control module 332 can be configured to determine which fan among the plurality of fan modules 320 is to become the primary fan. For example, fan operation module 332 can determine that a particular fan module among the plurality of fan modules 320 is to become the primary fan. In some examples, this determination can be, at least partly, in response to a threshold workload associated with a primary fan being exceeded. The threshold workload associated with the first fan can be different than the threshold workload associated with the second fan.

[0028] In some examples, this determination can be based, at least in part, on balancing a workload among two or more fan modules among the plurality of fan modules 320 in the system 303. For example, the determination can be based, at least in part, on balancing an amount of time the fans have been operating and/or balancing an amount of power consumed by the fans. That is, in some examples, the threshold workload associated with the first fan and the threshold workload associated with the second fan can be determined, at least in part, on an amount of time that the first fan and the second fan have been operating, and/or the threshold workload associated with the first fan and the threshold workload associated with the second fan can be determined, at least in part, on an amount of power consumed by the first fan and the second fan. In some examples, the fan operation control module 332 can provide information regarding the determination that a particular fan module among the pluralit' of fan modules 320 to the switch logic modules 322 via switch logic select signal 329.

[0029] The controller 336 can include primary fan signal line 324. in some examples, the primary fan signal line 324 can cany a PWM signal to the fan that is designated as the primar fan. For example, if fan module 320-1 is designated as the primary fan, primary fan signal line 324 can carry a PWM signal from the controller 336 to fan module 320-1. When the controller 336 determines that a different fan module among the plurality of fan modules 320 is going to become the primary fan, primary fan signal line 324 can carry a PWM signal from the controller to the different fan module (e.g., fan module 320-N), for example.

[0030] The controller 336 can include secondary fan signal line 326. In some examples, secondary fan signal line 326 can cany a PWM signal to the fan module that is designated as the secondary fan module. For example, if fan module 320-N is designated as the secondary fan, secondary fan signal line 326 can carry a PWM signal from the controller 336 to fan module 320-N. When the controller 336 determines that a different fan module among the plurality of fan modules 320 is going to become the secondary fan, secondary fan signal line 326 can carry a PWM signal from the controller to the different fan module (e.g., fan module 320-1), for example.

[0031] In some examples, fan operation control module 332 can be in

communication with PWM control module 330 via PWM information signal 334. The PWM information signal 334 can include PWM information that can be received by the fan operating control module 332 for processing and/or analysis.

[0032] In some examples, the PWM control module 330 can determine a speed at which at least one fan among the plurality of fan modules 320 will operate. For example, the PWM control module 330 can analyze data relating to the system's environment to determine a speed at which at least one fan among the plurality of fan modules 320 will operate. System environment data can include temperature data, power consumption data, etc. In response to determining a speed at which at least one fan among the plurality of fan modules 320 will operate, the PWM control module 330 can send a primary fan control signal to the switch logic modules 322 via primary fan signal line 324, and a secondary fan control signal to the switch logic modules 322 via secondary fan signal line 326.

[0033] Switch logic modules 322 can, based on the input of switch logic select signal 329 and information carried by fan signal lines 328, control switching of which fan is a primary fan and which fans are secondary fans. For example, output signals carried by fan signal lines 328 can be provided to the plurality of fan modules 320 from switch logic modules 322 based on the input of switch logic select signal 329 and information carried by- fan signal lines 328.

[0034] In some examples, the switch logic select signal 329 can be carried from fan operating control module 332 to switch logic modules 322. In some examples, PWM information associated with the primary fan module and secondary fan modules can be carried from PWM control module 330 to the fan operation control module 332. That is, in some examples, the fan operating control module 332 can receive PWM information and/or information related to how long at least one fan module has been operating to determine when and/or how to switch the primary fan to a secondary fan, and when and/or how to switch a secondary fan to a primary fan. In this regard, fan modules 320 can be actuated at different speeds and/or at different times based on information determined by the various components of the controller 336.

[0035] Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method 440 according to the disclosure. At 442, the method 440 can include providing a first PWM signal to a first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached. For example, a PWM signal can be applied to a first fan to actuate the first fan until the first fan has been in operation for a particular period of time and/or has consumed a particular amount of power, etc.

[0036] At 444, the method 440 can include providing a second fan PW signal to a second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached. For example, a PWM signal can be applied to a second fan to actuate the second fan until the second fan has been in operation for a particular period of time and/or has consumed a particular amount of power, etc.

[0037] In some examples, the method 440 can further include determining the threshold workload associated with the first fan and the threshold workload associated with the second fan based, at least in part, on a determination that at least one of the first fan and the second fan has been operating for a particular amount of time. For example, the first fan can operate for a particular amount of time prior to the second fan operating for a particular amount of time. In some examples, the particular amount of time that the first fan operates for and the particular amount of time the second fan operates for can be different.

[0038] In some examples, the method 440 can include providing the first fan PWM signal to the first fan to actuate the first fan until the threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached, where the second fan does not receive the second fan PWM signal when the first fan receives the first fan PWM signal. In some examples, the method 440 can include providing the second fan PWM signal to the second fan to actuate the second fan until the threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached, where the first fan does not receive the first fan PWM signal when the second fan receives the second fan PWM signal.

[0039] Figure 5 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system 550 including a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium 551 according to the disclosure. At 552, instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium 55 can cause the processing resource 503 to provide a first fan signal to a first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached.

[0040] At 554, instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium

551 can cause the processing resource 503 to provide a second fan signal to a second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached.

[0041] In some examples, the non-transitory computer readable medium 551 can further store instructions that can cause the processing resource 503 to provide the second fan signal during a time period where the first fan does not receive the first fan signal. In some examples, the non-transitory computer readable medium 551 can further store instructions that can cause the processing resource 503 to determine a magnitude associated with the threshold workload associated with the first fan, determine a magnitude associated with the threshold workload associated with the second fan, and balance a workload associated with the first fan and the second fan. For example, balancing the workload associated with the first fan and the second fan can include distributing a workload across the fans such that the fans are not overloaded with work. In some examples, the magnitude associated with the threshold workload of the first fan and the second fan can be balanced such that the individual fans are not overloaded with work.

[0042] In some examples, the non-transitor computer readable medium 551 can store instructions that can cause the processing resource 503 to provide the second signal during a time period where a magnitude of the first signal is decreasing. For example, the magnitude of the first signal can be decreased over time while the second signal is pro vided to the second fan. In some examples, the magnitude of the first signal can be decreased over time to a value of zero.

[0043] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0044] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 106 may refer to element "06" in Figure 1 and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral 206 in Figure 2. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional examples of the disclosure, in addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense. Further, as used herein, "a number of an element and/or feature can refer to one or more of such elements and/or features.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A system, comprising:

a controller;

a first fan coupled to the controller; and

a second fan coupled to the controller; wherein the controller provides a first fan signal to the first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan is reached; and

in response to reaching the threshold workload associated with the first fan, provides a second fan signal to the second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first fan signal has a different magnitude than the second fan signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fan signal has a magnitude that is the same as the second fan signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fan signal and the second fan signal are pulse width modulation signals.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the threshold workload associated with the first fan is different than the threshold workload associated with the second fan.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the threshold workload associated with the first fan and the threshold workload associated with the second fan are determined, at least in part, on an amount of time that the first fan and the second fan have been operating.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the threshold workload associated with the first fan and the threshold workload associated with the second fan are each determined, at least in part, on an amount of power consumed by the first fan and the second fan, respectively.

8. A method, comprising;

providing a first fan pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to a first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached; and providing a second fan PWM signal to a second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising determining the threshold workload associated with the first fan and the threshold workload associated with the second fan based, at least in part, on a determination that at least one of the first fan and the second fan has been operating for a particular amount of time.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second fan is not provided the second fan P WM signal when the first fan is provided the first fan PWM signal.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first fan is not provided the first fan PWM signal when the second fan is provided the second fan PWM signal. 2. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a processing resource to:

provide a first signal to a first fan to actuate the first fan until a threshold workload associated with the first fan has been reached; and

provide a second signal to a second fan to actuate the second fan until a threshold workload associated with the second fan has been reached.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable to provide the second signal during a time period where a magnitude of the first signal is decreasing.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable to:

determine a magnitude of the threshold workload associated with the first fan; and determine a magnitude of the threshold workload associated with the second fan

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions are executable to balance a workload associated with the first fan and the second fan based, at least in part, on the determined magnitudes of the threshold workload associated with the first fan and the threshold workload associated with the second fan.