International Business Machines Corporation

Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Chu T Chung

Randhir Singh Malik

Cecil Charles Dishman

Jen-Ching Lin

Chien Hsing Lin

C Charles Dishman

Robert Wei

Marc Henri Coq

Michael Joseph Steinmetz

Eino Alfred Lindfors

An interleaved transformer or a transformer and integrated set of inductors formed via a magnetic structure comprising a set of E cores and an I core inserted between the set of E cores is provided in order to address issues that occur when a structured transformer is coupled together with inductor flux. Actual inductance exhibited by the transformers is controlled by a preselected precise gap between the I core and each of the E cores. The advantage of such a structured transformer cancels out the magnetic flux in certain legs of the magnetic structure requiring less magnetic material and thus, less core losses while improving the overall efficiency of a power supply.

Interleaved transformer/inductor

According to one embodiment, a circuit for providing redundant power includes a first channel having a first input, a first electronic circuit breaker, and a first output, a second channel having a second input, a second electronic circuit breaker, and a second output, and a first transistor coupled to the first electronic circuit breaker, the first transistor in series with a second transistor coupled to the second channel. The circuit normally operates by providing power to the first and second outputs from the first and second channels, respectively. However, if the first channel fails, the transistors switch on to allow power from the second channel to feed the first output in the first channel in addition to feeding power to the second output, and vice versa. Other embodiments and methods for providing redundant power are described as well.

Node redundant power architecture for two domains with electronic circuit breakers

An alternating current-to-direct current (AC-to-DC) power supply has a first stage providing a first DC voltage and a second stage providing a second DC voltage. The AC-to-DC power supply has a first efficiency at the first stage and a second efficiency at the second stage that is less than the first efficiency. The second DC voltage is also less than the first DC voltage. A blower is electrically connected to the first stage of the AC-to-DC power supply to receive the first DC voltage from the AC-to-DC power supply to power the blower. Electrical connection of the blower to the first stage of the AC-to-DC power supply instead of to the second stage of the AC-to-DC power supply wastes less power and is more efficient.

Electrically connecting blower to power supply stage providing higher voltage

A method includes forming a winding structure from a single sheet of electrically conductive material, where the winding structure includes a winding base and multiple winding extensions extending from the winding base as a continuous piece of the electrically conductive material. The multiple winding extensions include a base portion that extends from the winding base along a first face of a fully assembled magnetic core, a wrapping portion that extends from the base portion along a second face of the fully assembled magnetic core, and a connection portion that extends from the wrapping portion along a third face of the fully assembled magnetic core, the connection portion comprising an electrical connection surface. The base portion, the wrapping portion, and the connection portion of each winding extend from the winding base such that the integrated windin structure is shaped for placement over the full assembled magnetic core in a single motion.

Integrated winding structure for a magnetic core

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a low cost multiple output redundant power supply. Disclosed is a power supply that includes a primary stage for regulating voltage on an internal bus. The power supply includes a first regulator stage and a second regulator stage connected to the internal bus. The first regulator stage regulates voltage on a bus configured to connect to a first system. The second regulator stage regulates voltage on a bus configured to connect to a second system. The each regulator stage continues to operate in the event the other regulator stage is not operating. A disconnecting means is connected between the primary stage and the each regulator stage for isolating the failed regulator stage from the other regulator stage and the primary stage.

Apparatus, system, and method for a low cost multiple output redundant power supply

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for combining multiple windings on a magnetic core. An integrated winding structure has a winding base and multiple winding extensions. The multiple winding extensions and the winding base are formed from a single sheet of electrically conductive material. Each of the multiple winding extensions has a base portion that extends from the winding base, a wrapping portion that extends from the base portion, and a connection portion that extends from the wrapping portion. The connection portions and the winding base each have electrical connection surfaces. Each of the multiple winding extensions forms one or more windings on the magnetic core.

Apparatus, system, and method for an integrated winding structure for a magnetic core

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining fan rotation direction. A first temperature detection module detects a first temperature at a first location between a fan and a heat generating device. The fan provides cooling for the heat generating device by drawing air from the heat generating device across the first location to the fan when the fan is rotating in a first direction. A second temperature detection module detects a second temperature at a second location where the heat generating device is between the second location and the fan such that heat from the heat generating device is drawn away from the second location when the fan is rotating in the first direction. A temperature comparison module determines if the second temperature is above the first temperature. A fan rotation error module generates a fan rotation error signal if the second temperature is above the first temperature.

Apparatus, system, and method for detecting fan rotation direction in electronic devices

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a low cost self-healing power supply. The invention includes a power supply that regulates a direct current ('DC') regulated bus to maintain a regulated bus voltage under varying load conditions. The power supply includes at least one pulse-width modulated stage, wherein each pulse-width modulated stage includes at least two switches connected in parallel. Each switch includes a fuse connected in series with the switch that disconnects the switch in response to an over current condition sufficient to open the fuse. The power supply also includes a pulse-width modulator for each stage of the power supply that regulates a bus voltage controlled by the stage by sensing the controlled bus voltage and adjusting a switching duty cycle to regulate the controlled bus voltage to a target value. The pulse-width modulator for a stage provides a substantially identical switching duty cycle to each switch of the stage. The switching duty cycle includes a signal to control a switch on and then off for a portion of a switching period.

Apparatus, system, and method for a low cost self-healing power supply

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling fan speed. A power sensing module senses input voltage and current of a power supply. The power supply includes one or more stages and regulates at least one output bus. A power calculation module calculates input power from the input voltage and the input current. A temperature sensing module senses an ambient temperature and/or a temperature at a component cooled by a fan. A fan speed calculation module calculates a fan speed signal for the fan. The fan speed signal is a function of the input power calculated by the power calculation module and the sensed temperature sensed by the temperature sensing module for at least a portion of a fan speed range. A fan speed transmission module transmits the fan speed signal to the fan and adjusts a fan speed based on the fan speed signal.

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

Chu T Chung