Oracle International Corporation

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

International Business Machines Corporation

J Rothe Kinnard

Paul Jeffrey Garnett

Robert Calvin Cyphers

Brian Benstead

Andrew Stephen Burnham

Errol Ray Williams, Jr

Dennis N Oliver

A number of load units are connected to receive power from a number of power supply units. A potential load bus is connected to have a voltage level representative of both a total potential power requirement of the number of load units and a total potential power supply capability of the number of power supply units. A first control circuit enables operation of the number of load units when the voltage level on the potential load bus indicates that a sufficient supply of power is available. An actual load bus is connected to have a voltage level representative of both an actual total power consumption of the number of load units and an actual total power supply available from of the number of power supply units. A second control circuit signals an impending loss of sufficient power supply based on the monitored voltage level on the actual load bus.

Autonomous power system with variable sources and loads and associated methods

A dual asymmetric input power supply architecture for use in power systems employing input power source redundancy. The dual asymmetric input power supply operates from a main input of the power supply when acceptable voltage is present on the main input. If the main input fails or is out of tolerance, power can be supplied from an auxiliary input through a transformer isolated switching converter. The dual asymmetric input power supply architecture maintains the high efficiency of a single-input power supply while providing an auxiliary connection for input power source redundancy.

Power supply with dual asymmetrical inputs

A system for standby power control in a multiple power supply environment is provided. The system includes a plurality of power supplies. Each power supply has a standby voltage output, and has a standby voltage enable signal input. A signal line connects to each power supply at the respective standby voltage enable signal input. A resistance is connected between the signal line and a system reference. The plurality of power supplies are configured such that the resistance determines a number of power supplies that must be available before the standby voltage outputs are activated by the power supplies.

Standby power control in a multiple power supply environment

A method and system for delivering electrical energy from multiple power supplies to multiple loads. Each power supply can have multiple independent outputs. Each load is coupled in a matrix pattern to at least one output from each of the different power supplies. This wiring system provides redundancy in that if one output or one power supply fails, an output from another power supply can still provide power to the loads. The number of over-current protection devices needed with the matrix wiring system is reduced compared to traditional wiring methods. Also, the level of safety is greater under the matrix approach rather than the traditional approach. The matrix wiring system also aids in pinpointing faulty components. Finally, the matrix wiring approach allows a gradual degradation of the power distribution system when failures of the loads or the power supply outputs occur.

Power system with load matrix

Apparatus forming a computer system or such-like is disclosed that includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a power supply unit. The CPU provides a digital voltage ID (VID) signal output indicative of the power supply voltage that it desires to receive. The power supply unit has a control input for receiving a digital VID signal from the CPU. The power output from the unit is then provided to the CPU at a voltage level in accordance with the received digital VID signal. A VID offset generator is interposed between the CPU and the power supply unit. This receives the digital VID signal from the CPU, and modifies it by applying a positive or negative offset. The modified digital VID signal is then passed to the power supply unit, which supplies a voltage to the CPU as per the modified VID signal, rather than the VID signal originally output by the CPU.

Method and apparatus for supplying power to a processor at a controlled voltage

There is provided a cooling fan drive circuit for driving a pair of cooling fans. The circuit comprises a first power supply line for providing a power connection to each of the fans from a first power source. The circuit further comprises a second power supply line for providing a power connection to the first fan; and a third power supply line for providing a power connection to the second fan. The second and third power supply lines are arranged, in use, to provide separate connections between the respective fans and a power source other than the first power source.

Cooling power supplies

A very efficient and compact circuit is provided to power an electroluminescent panel as may be used for back lighting liquid crystal displays in portable computers. The capacitance of the electroluminescent panel is incorporated in a series resonant, self-commutating power oscillator. The power oscillator is powered by a DC-to-DC converter and inherently provides the desired sinusoidal output waveform to the reactive load comprising the capacitance of the electroluminescent panel.

Power supply for electroluminescent panel

A driving circuit for driving a number of solenoid type devices which have very accurate voltage requirements and which utilizes the inductive kick of both the driven devices and internal transformers to efficiently utilize power. A feedback path is provided to an integrated circuit regulator to provide an indication of the power being consumed by the devices. The integrated circuit regulator, along with accompanying circuitry, regulates the voltage output by a power driver such that the voltage output remains steady regardless of the number of solenoid type devices which are being operated. In addition, a feedback path is also provided from each of the driven devices and the internal transformers to the power source such that when the devices are deenergized logically, the inductive kick from each of the devices and the transformers is applied to the power source for power conservation as well as to prevent the necessity for having heat sinks to dissipate the power. In addition, this feedback to the power source is clamped at a controlled minimum voltage to protect the transistors in the power driver to prevent damage to them. The circuit thus provides an ideal current for driving an inductive load since the inductive kick results in a rapid fall of the current through the winding such that the armature of the solenoids can be returned to their deenergized position by an inexpensive spring arrangement.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

J Rothe Kinnard