International Business Machines Corporation

Lenovo (singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Randhir Singh Malik

William Hemena

Cecil Charles Dishman

Eino Alfred Lindfors

Jen-Ching Lin

Chu T Chung

Trung M Nguyen

C Charles Dishman

Raymond Mathew Clemo

Robert A DiMarco

Marc Henri Coq

Chien Hsing Lin

Jamaica LaQuay Barnette

Jan Michael Janick

Edward Kobeda

Ted A Howard

Robert Wei

Donald Victor Folker

Diep N Ho

Alfred L Burress

Joseph Wayne Freeman

Thomas S Mazzeo

Gregory Joseph McKnight

Michael Joseph Steinmetz

Scott D Strand

Bruce M Cassidy

Stephen F Newton

Ronnie A Wunderlich

Donald J Ashley

James A Heaney

Mark K DeMoor

Thai Quoc Ngo

Derek Robertson

James O Groves, Jr

William S Blocher

Edward D Dembrosky

Dale W Wilhite

James Edward Harvey

Robert Sterling Rowland

Vijay V Oak

James L Adams, Jr

Chu R Chung

A method and system for re-using the electrical energy of an electronic component under test. The method and system includes combining a first direct current voltage output of an electronic component under test with a second direct current voltage of a device. The combined first direct current voltage and second direct current voltage are regulated to create a power. The power functions a system application. At least one metric of the electronic component under test is monitored.

Burn-in system energy management

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

Whether a connector element electrically connected to a direct-current output of a converter that converts alternating current into direct current is connected to an external device may be detected. The converter may be disabled in response to the electrical connector component not being connected to the external device. In response to the electrical connector component being connected to the external device, the converter may be enabled.

Power-saving voltage converter operation

An electronic system employs multiple power supplies that provide electrical energy to components of the server system. Each power supply exhibits or experiences a uniquely different air flow within the system chassis. Different air flows correspond to different component temperatures for each power supply. Each power supply stores a collection of selectable thermal profiles that determine cooling element control within the power supply. Each thermal profile may correspond to a different physical location within the system. Thermal profiles provide each power supply with local environmental response correlations, such as between local power supply temperature and cooling fan speed. The power supply selects a particular thermal profile in response to determining the power supply's physical location in the system. The power supply instructs the cooling fan to provide an amount of cooling dependent on both the selected thermal profile and a sensed local environmental condition such as temperature.

Power supply thermal profile selection management

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing power balancing for power supplies. A power module measures an amount of input power for each of a plurality of switching power supplies. A conversion module converts the measured amount of input power of each power supply to a digital power measurement signal. An averaging module determines an average amount of input power per power supply based on a summation of the digital power measurement signal of each power supply. A comparison module compares the digital power measurement signal of a power supply to the determined average amount of input power per power supply. An input power adjustment module adjusts the input power of the power supply to cause the amount of input power of the power supply to be substantially equal to the determined average amount of input power per power supply.

Digital power balancing controller

A voltage converter system having a converter and a connector system may include a control circuit that enables or disables the converter in response to the connection status of the connector system.

Power-saving voltage converter system

A circuit arrangement includes a transformer, having primary windings and secondary windings, and a high voltage capacitor. A first switching circuit couples the high voltage capacitor to the primary windings. A first controller is operatively coupled to the switching circuit. A second switching circuit couples the secondary windings to an output port. A second controller is operatively coupled to the secondary windings. A high voltage generator is provided to charge the high voltage capacitor.

Single stage power conversion unit with circuit to smooth and holdup DC output voltage

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

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing standby power. A switching module adjusts an on-time and an off-time of one or more switches based on a feedback signal. The one or more switches are shared between a primary stage and a standby stage of a switched-mode power supply. A shutoff module interrupts electric power flowing to the primary stage in response to a standby signal having a standby state and allows electric power to flow to the primary stage in response to the standby signal having an on state. A feedback module provides the feedback signal to the switching module. The feedback module bases the feedback signal on an output of the primary stage in response to the standby signal having the on state. The feedback module bases the feedback signal on an output of the standby stage in response to the standby signal having the standby state.

High efficiency standby power generation

The Power Conversion Unit includes a single stage rectifier circuit that generates a DC voltage which is stored on a first capacitor. A circuit arrangement connected to the first capacitor monitors the DC voltage at the capacitor and other predefined signals to generate signals for smoothing ripples associated with the DC voltage and maintains the DC voltage at a predefined level for a predefined time interval. The holdup and smoothing voltages are generated by developing and storing a high voltage on a second capacitor. A switching device connected to the second capacitor causes energy to flow from the second capacitor into the primary winding of a transformer whose secondary winding are switched to deposit the energy stored in said transformer onto the first capacitor. A circuit for charging the second capacitor is also provided.

A system includes an electrical component, a MOV, a voltage sensor, and a circuit. The MOV is connected in parallel to the electrical component. The voltage sensor detects a voltage over the MOV and the electrical component. The circuit removes power in response to the voltage sensor detecting the voltage over the MOV and the electrical component being greater than a threshold voltage for a length of time greater than a threshold length of time. Removing power prevents the MOV from releasing one or more of smoke, smell, and sound. The MOV is thus not damaged as a result of a power surge. The system may be a power supply, or another type of electrical system. The electrical component may be a capacitor, or another type of electrical component.

Preventing metal oxide varistor (MOV) from releasing smoke, smell, and/or sound

An apparatus and system are disclosed for protecting a power distribution unit from an electrical fault. A fuse interrupts a flow of electrical current in response to the electrical current rising above a current rating of the fuse. A current sensor measures the amplitude of the electrical current and outputs a current amplitude signal. A relay interrupts the flow of electrical current in response to an OFF signal. A fault module receives the current amplitude signal and sends the OFF signal to the relay in response to the amplitude of the electrical current exceeding a threshold value. The relay, the fuse, and the threshold value are selected so that a switching time of the relay is less than an opening time of the fuse for an amplitude of the electrical current between the threshold value and a maximum fault current value, so that the relay prevents the fuse from opening.

Power distribution unit branch protection

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for providing node redundant power to a system includes a plurality of devices, with each device including a power supply. Each power supply includes a first direct current (DC) input coupled to a first input of an OR logic gate, and a second DC input representing by an alternating current (AC) input. The second DC input is coupled to a second input of the OR logic gate, and at least one DC output is coupled to an output of the OR logic gate. Each power supply also includes a backup power supply for supplying a voltage coupled to a common node. The OR logic gate provides DC voltage to the DC output to power the system from the first DC input only when voltage from the AC input is not available.

Highly available node redundancy power architecture

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

Randhir Singh Malik