FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a first method for controlling the power supply shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. This flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, various steps illustrated in FIG. 4 may be added, removed, replaced, rearranged and repeated.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a power supply 101 is coupled between a power source VS and a load 111. The power supply 101 is configured to provide power to the load 111. The power supply 101 comprises a first power converter 121 and a second power converter 122 connected in cascade. In order to provide excess power to the load 111, the power supply 101 is configured to operate in a turbo mode.

In the turbo mode, the design and reliability margins are temporarily ignored, and the power supply 101 operates in a region out of specification limits. In other words, some operating parameters (e.g., the temperature limit, the current limit, the voltage limit) exceeds the specification limit. The power supply operates outside the specification range. As a result, the power supply is able to deliver more power to the load. In order to provide more power to the load, the method for controlling the power supply includes the following steps.

At step 402, a turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on a plurality of operating conditions.

At step 404, based on the turbo mode operation instruction, a system limit of a power supply is adjusted so as to provide excess power to a load coupled to the power supply.

At step 406, at least one operating parameter is detected to obtain a detected operating parameter.

At step 408, a controller determines whether the detected operating parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold.

At step 410, if the detected operating parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold, the system limit of the power supply is reduced so that the detected operating parameter drops below the predetermined threshold.

In operation, once the detected operating parameter drops below the predetermined threshold, the system limit of the power supply is increased so as to provide excess power to the load.

In some embodiments, the system limit is a predetermined current limit. The predetermined current limit is dynamically adjustable in response to the turbo mode operation instruction and the detected operating parameter.

In some embodiments, the system limit is a predetermined temperature limit. The predetermined temperature limit is dynamically adjustable in response to the turbo mode operation instruction and the detected operating parameter.

In some embodiments, the system limit is a predetermined voltage limit across one power switch of the power supply. The predetermined voltage limit across the one power switch of the power supply is dynamically adjustable in response to the turbo mode operation instruction and the detected operating parameter.

In some embodiments, the system limit is a predetermined voltage limit across a hold-up capacitor of the power supply. The predetermined voltage limit across the hold-up capacitor of the power supply is dynamically adjustable in response to the turbo mode operation instruction and the detected operating parameter.

In some embodiments, the system limit is a predetermined magnetic flux density saturation limit of the power supply. The predetermined magnetic flux density saturation limit is dynamically adjustable in response to the turbo mode operation instruction and the detected operating parameter.

In some embodiments, the system limit is a combination of a predetermined current limit, a predetermined temperature limit, a predetermined voltage limit across one power switch of the power supply, a predetermined voltage limit across a hold-up capacitor of the power supply and a predetermined magnetic flux density saturation limit of the power supply. The system limit is dynamically adjustable in response to the turbo mode operation instruction and the detected operating parameter.

In some embodiments, the system limit is a combination of a predetermined current limit, a predetermined temperature limit, a predetermined voltage limit across one power switch of the power supply, a predetermined voltage limit across a hold-up capacitor of the power supply and a predetermined magnetic flux density saturation limit of the power supply. In response to the turbo mode operation instruction and the detected operating parameter, the predetermined current limit, the predetermined temperature limit, the predetermined voltage limit across the one power switch of the power supply, the predetermined voltage limit across the hold-up capacitor of the power supply and the predetermined magnetic flux density saturation limit of the power supply are dynamically adjusted in a sequential manner.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a second method for controlling the power supply shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. This flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, various steps illustrated in FIG. 5 may be added, removed, replaced, rearranged and repeated.

In operation, a turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on a plurality of operating conditions. Based on the turbo mode operation instruction, a system limit of a power supply is adjusted so as to provide excess power to a load coupled to the power supply. In some embodiments, the system limit is a predetermined current limit. Under this system limit, the method for controlling the power supply includes the following steps.

At step 502, the predetermined current limit is adjusted so as to provide excess power to the load.

At step 504, a system temperature is detected.

At step 506, a controller determines whether the system temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold.

At step 508, if the system temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold, the predetermined current limit of the power supply is reduced so that the system temperature drops below the predetermined temperature threshold.

In operation, once the system temperature drops below the predetermined temperature threshold, the predetermined current limit of the power supply is increased so as to provide excess power to the load.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a third method for controlling the power supply shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. This flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, various steps illustrated in FIG. 6 may be added, removed, replaced, rearranged and repeated.

In operation, a turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on a plurality of operating conditions. In some embodiments, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on the air flow passing through the power supply. Under this operating condition, the method for controlling the power supply includes the following steps.

At step 602, an air flow passing through the power supply is detected.

At step 604, a controller determines whether the air flow exceeds a predetermined air flow threshold.

At step 606, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated once the air flow exceeds the predetermined air flow threshold.

In the turbo mode, the predetermined current limit of the power supply is adjusted so as to provide excess power to the load. In some embodiments, the predetermined current limit is dynamically adjustable based on the speed of the air flow. The increase of the current limit is proportional to the increase of the speed of the air flow. For example, the air flow is equal to 120% of the predetermined air flow threshold. In response to this air flow, the current limit of the power supply is adjusted to 120% of the current limit in the specification.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a fourth method for controlling the power supply shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. This flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, various steps illustrated in FIG. 7 may be added, removed, replaced, rearranged and repeated.

In operation, a turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on a plurality of operating conditions. In some embodiments, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on the cryptocurrency price. Under this operating condition, the method for controlling the power supply includes the following steps.

At step 702, a cryptocurrency price is monitored.

At step 704, a controller determines whether the cryptocurrency price exceeds a predetermined cryptocurrency price.

At step 706, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated once the cryptocurrency price exceeds the predetermined cryptocurrency price.

In this turbo mode, the predetermined current limit of the power supply is adjusted so as to provide excess power to the load. In some embodiments, the predetermined current limit is dynamically adjustable based on the cryptocurrency price. The increase of the current limit is proportional to the increase of the cryptocurrency price.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a fifth method for controlling the power supply shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. This flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, various steps illustrated in FIG. 8 may be added, removed, replaced, rearranged and repeated.

In operation, a turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on a plurality of operating conditions. In some embodiments, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on the utility price. Under this operating condition, the method for controlling the power supply includes the following steps.

At step 802, a utility price from an adjacent utility provider is monitored. The adjacent utility provider is configured to provide power to the load through the power supply.

At step 804, a controller determines whether the utility price drops below a predetermined utility price.

At step 806, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated once the utility price drops below the predetermined utility price.

In the turbo mode, the predetermined current limit of the power supply is adjusted so as to provide excess power to the load. In some embodiments, the predetermined current limit is dynamically adjustable based on the utility price. The increase of the current limit is proportional to the cost change of the utility. Increasing the current limit might impact the longevity of the power supply. If the cost savings from the utility outweigh the reduction in the lifespan of the power supply, the power supply will be configured to operate in the turbo mode.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of a sixth method for controlling the power supply shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. This flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, various steps illustrated in FIG. 9 may be added, removed, replaced, rearranged and repeated.

In operation, a turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on a plurality of operating conditions. In some embodiments, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated based on the ambient temperature in the environment surrounding the power supply. For example, some regions are known for their harsh cold climate. In these regions, the power supply can reliably operate in the turbo mode to provide more power to the load. Under this operating condition (harsh cold climate), the method for controlling the power supply includes the following steps.

At step 902, the ambient temperature in the environment surrounding the power supply is detected.

At step 904, a controller determines whether the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold.

At step 906, the turbo mode operation instruction is generated once the ambient temperature is below the predetermined temperature threshold.

In the turbo mode, the predetermined current limit of the power supply is adjusted so as to provide excess power to the load. In some embodiments, the predetermined current limit is dynamically adjustable based on the ambient temperature. The increase of the current limit is proportional to the decrease of the ambient temperature.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of the power supply and the associated control circuit in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The power supply 101 is coupled between an input voltage bus VS and a load 111. As shown in FIG. 10, the input of the power supply 101 is connected to the input voltage bus VS. The output of the power supply 101 is connected to the load 111.

A control circuit 110 is coupled to the power supply 101 and the load 111. The control circuit