Patents by Inventor Pierluigi Sarti

Pierluigi Sarti has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11342788
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for generating alternating current voltage during power grid outages and methods for making and using the same. In various embodiments, the system can provide backup power within IT environments and other mission-critical facilities among other things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: R-Stor Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 11284532
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage direct current (HVDC) power generator system for information technology (IT) racks. The HVDC power generator system can include a three-phase alternating current (AC) transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings. A plurality of three-phase bridge rectifier circuits can be electrically coupled respectively to the plurality of secondary windings. The HVDC power generator system can include output terminals for powering its load. A first string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a first inductor. A second string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a second inductor. The first and second strings can be electrically coupled in parallel to the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 10680461
    Abstract: Several embodiments include a power network system for a data center. The power network system can provide high voltage direct current (HVDC) power to server racks or any IT load racks type. For example, a HVDC converter circuit can provide the HVDC power by converting AC power. The power network system can also include multiple redundant power systems (e.g., a genset, a capacitive backup power system, a turbine-based generator system, or any combination thereof). The capacitive backup power system can provide HVDC power when the AC power fails and/or when the HVDC converter circuit can no longer provide sufficient power. The genset can be turned ON after the AC power fails. However, the genset may not provide stable power until sometime thereafter. Hence, the air turbine-based generator system can provide nearly-instant backup power once turned ON and provide supplemental energy in combination with the capacitive backup power system to smooth out transitions of power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 10624229
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage direct current (HVDC) power generator system for information technology (IT) racks. The HVDC power generator system can include a three-phase alternating current (AC) transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings. A plurality of three-phase bridge rectifier circuits can be electrically coupled respectively to the plurality of secondary windings. The HVDC power generator system can include output terminals for powering its load. A first string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a first inductor. A second string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a second inductor. The first and second strings can be electrically coupled in parallel to the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Publication number: 20190267811
    Abstract: A system for generation and distribution of high voltage direct current (HVDC) within a contained power domain named ‘POD’ and methods for making and using the same. The system and methods efficiently power Information Technology racks deployed to a data center environment, advantageously providing features and functions highly desirable for a specific application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Pierluigi SARTI, Giovanni COGLITORE
  • Patent number: 10386421
    Abstract: Several embodiments perform battery backup unit (BBU) degradation testing. For example, a BBU testing system can be coupled to or part of a BBU. The BBU testing system can discharge the BBU by engaging a variable load to the BBU. The BBU testing system can monitor a discharge energy consumption over time as the BBU discharges until the discharge energy consumption reaches a specified amount of energy. The BBU testing system can determine a discharge time for the discharge energy consumption to reach the specified amount of energy. The BBU testing system can then compute a degradation state of the BBU based on the discharge time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Soheil Ebrahimzadeh, Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 10238000
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a power shelf for serving a power zone within an IT equipment rack. The power shelf includes: a DC bus configured to provide DC power to rack-mounted equipment within the power zone; multiple pairs of backup battery units (BBUs) and power supply units (PSUs), wherein the multiple pairs include at least a redundant pair, such that voltage and power is supplied through the DC bus sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment even when one of the multiple pairs is inoperative; and a power circuit, in each PSU of each of the multiple pairs, configured to rectify an AC phase from an external multi-phase AC power source, wherein the power circuit is configured to draw power from one of the BBUs paired to the PSU when the PSU fails to provide power sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 10123450
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage direct current (HVDC) power generator system for information technology (IT) racks. The HVDC power generator system can include a three-phase alternating current (AC) transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings. A plurality of three-phase bridge rectifier circuits can be electrically coupled respectively to the plurality of secondary windings. The HVDC power generator system can include output terminals for powering its load. A first string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a first inductor. A second string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a second inductor. The first and second strings can be electrically coupled in parallel to the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 10063092
    Abstract: Several embodiments include a power network system for a data center. The power network system can provide high voltage direct current (HVDC) power to server racks or any IT load racks type. For example, a HVDC converter circuit can provide the HVDC power by converting AC power. The power network system can also include multiple redundant power systems (e.g., a genset, a capacitive backup power system, a turbine-based generator system, or any combination thereof). The capacitive backup power system can provide HVDC power when the AC power fails and/or when the HVDC converter circuit can no longer provide sufficient power. The genset can be turned ON after the AC power fails. However, the genset may not provide stable power until sometime thereafter. Hence, the air turbine-based generator system can provide nearly-instant backup power once turned ON and provide supplemental energy in combination with the capacitive backup power system to smooth out transitions of power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 9986658
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a power connection clip to electrically couple a power distribution board of an information technology (IT) equipment shelf to a plurality of power rails/buses in a server rack. The power connection clip can include a clip body having an inner portion and an outer portion, a shelf coupler, and an electrical conductor pair. The outer portion can include at least two clip fins separated from a central stump to form at least two cavities. The shelf coupler can couple the clip body to the IT equipment shelf. The electrical conductor pair can sandwich at least the inner portion of the clip body. The electrical conductor pair is adapted to carry high-voltage direct current (HVDC) voltage. The cavities can be covered with electrical conductors. The electrical conductors in the cavities can be adapted to carry IT-usable direct current (DC) voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Publication number: 20170332510
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage direct current (HVDC) power generator system for information technology (IT) racks. The HVDC power generator system can include a three-phase alternating current (AC) transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings. A plurality of three-phase bridge rectifier circuits can be electrically coupled respectively to the plurality of secondary windings. The HVDC power generator system can include output terminals for powering its load. A first string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a first inductor. A second string of bridge rectifier circuits can be in series with each other and a second inductor. The first and second strings can be electrically coupled in parallel to the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Publication number: 20170164505
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a power connection clip to electrically couple a power distribution board of an information technology (IT) equipment shelf to a plurality of power rails/buses in a server rack. The power connection clip can include a clip body having an inner portion and an outer portion, a shelf coupler, and an electrical conductor pair. The outer portion can include at least two clip fins separated from a central stump to form at least two cavities. The shelf coupler can couple the clip body to the IT equipment shelf. The electrical conductor pair can sandwich at least the inner portion of the clip body. The electrical conductor pair is adapted to carry high-voltage direct current (HVDC) voltage. The cavities can be covered with electrical conductors. The electrical conductors in the cavities can be adapted to carry IT-usable direct current (DC) voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 9622373
    Abstract: Several embodiments include a server rack that accesses high voltage direct current (HVDC) power from a power source external to the server rack. The server rack can provide the HVDC power to two or more shelves in the server rack via at least a HVDC power rail pair. One or more DC-DC converters in a shelf of server rack can convert the HVDC power to a lower DC voltage usable by information technology (IT) load in the shelf. A power distribution board (e.g., in the shelf or in the server rack) can then provide the lower DC voltage to the IT load. The DC-DC converters can be blindly mated with the power distribution board and can be hot swappable from the power distribution board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Publication number: 20170098956
    Abstract: Several embodiments include a power network system for a data center. The power network system can provide high voltage direct current (HVDC) power to server racks or any IT load racks type. For example, a HVDC converter circuit can provide the HVDC power by converting AC power. The power network system can also include multiple redundant power systems (e.g., a genset, a capacitive backup power system, a turbine-based generator system, or any combination thereof). The capacitive backup power system can provide HVDC power when the AC power fails and/or when the HVDC converter circuit can no longer provide sufficient power. The genset can be turned ON after the AC power fails. However, the genset may not provide stable power until sometime thereafter. Hence, the air turbine-based generator system can provide nearly-instant backup power once turned ON and provide supplemental energy in combination with the capacitive backup power system to smooth out transitions of power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Publication number: 20170094829
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a power shelf for serving a power zone within an IT equipment rack. The power shelf includes: a DC bus configured to provide DC power to rack-mounted equipment within the power zone; multiple pairs of backup battery units (BBUs) and power supply units (PSUs), wherein the multiple pairs include at least a redundant pair, such that voltage and power is supplied through the DC bus sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment even when one of the multiple pairs is inoperative; and a power circuit, in each PSU of each of the multiple pairs, configured to rectify an AC phase from an external multi-phase AC power source, wherein the power circuit is configured to draw power from one of the BBUs paired to the PSU when the PSU fails to provide power sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Publication number: 20170074946
    Abstract: Several embodiments perform battery backup unit (BBU) degradation testing. For example, a BBU testing system can be coupled to or part of a BBU. The BBU testing system can discharge the BBU by engaging a variable load to the BBU. The BBU testing system can monitor a discharge energy consumption over time as the BBU discharges until the discharge energy consumption reaches a specified amount of energy. The BBU testing system can determine a discharge time for the discharge energy consumption to reach the specified amount of energy. The BBU testing system can then compute a degradation state of the BBU based on the discharge time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Soheil Ebrahimzadeh, Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 9552031
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a power shelf for serving a power zone within an IT equipment rack. The power shelf includes: a DC bus configured to provide DC power to rack-mounted equipment within the power zone; multiple pairs of backup battery units (BBUs) and power supply units (PSUs), wherein the multiple pairs include at least a redundant pair, such that voltage and power is supplied through the DC bus sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment even when one of the multiple pairs is inoperative; and a power circuit, in each PSU of each of the multiple pairs, configured to rectify an AC phase from an external multi-phase AC power source, wherein the power circuit is configured to draw power from one of the BBUs paired to the PSU when the PSU fails to provide power sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 9148068
    Abstract: A power supply system for data center racks comprises a main power circuit including a power factor correction (PFC) module and a bypass power circuit in parallel to the main power circuit. During normal operation, the main power circuit provides power output because the output voltage of the PFC module in the main power circuit under normal conditions is higher than the output voltage of the bypass power circuit. When the PFC module in the main power circuit fails, the bypass power circuit provides power output in bypass operation. The bypass power circuit provides power by rectifying a three-phase AC current to produce an output suitable for equipment that uses DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Publication number: 20150177808
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a power shelf for serving a power zone within an IT equipment rack. The power shelf includes: a DC bus configured to provide DC power to rack-mounted equipment within the power zone; multiple pairs of backup battery units (BBUs) and power supply units (PSUs), wherein the multiple pairs include at least a redundant pair, such that voltage and power is supplied through the DC bus sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment even when one of the multiple pairs is inoperative; and a power circuit, in each PSU of each of the multiple pairs, configured to rectify an AC phase from an external multi-phase AC power source, wherein the power circuit is configured to draw power from one of the BBUs paired to the PSU when the PSU fails to provide power sufficient to power the rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Facebook. Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Sarti
  • Patent number: 9030810
    Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) mounted within the structure of a rack. A mechanical interface secures the PDU to a portion of the rack structure, such as within a post of the rack. The PDU is configured to provide electrical power to computing assets mounted in the rack. Securing the PDU within the rack structure allows the PDU to be placed in an unobtrusive position that does not occupy space between the rack posts, increasing the space between the rack posts available for mounting computing assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Brian Ehlen, Pierluigi Sarti