Elegant Design Solutions Inc.

Robert A Hocker

Patrick W McCurry

Karl Boekelheide

Kenneth D Sexton

James R Kellogg

George A Ellson

George A Ellison

A computer-controlled, uninterruptible power supply system is disclosed. The system selectively operates from more than one input source of power, e.g. an AC line input, an external DC input and internal batteries. The system is of the type which utilizes one or more switch mode converters and is well suited for use in computer systems. The switch mode regulator has a PWM clock signal and provides a PWM drive signal. The PWM clock signal frequency is substantially greater than the PWM drive signal frequency. Transferring between the DC power sources is done in a manner substantially transparent to the regulator and the load, generally as follows. A signal indicating a transfer to a selected one of the DC power sources is gated in response to the PWM clock signal to form a first logic signal that is synchronized to the PWM clock signal. The first logic signal is gated in response to the PWM drive signal so as to form a second logic signal that is further synchronized to the PWM drive signal. Finally, the PWM drive signal is gated to a selected switching circuit responsive to the second logic signal, so that transfers between the DC power sources are fully synchronized to the PWM clock signal and to the PWM drive signal.

Computer-controlled uninterruptible power supply

A computer-controlled, uninterruptable power supply system is disclosed. The system selectively operates from more than one input source of power, e.g., an AC input, an external DC input and internal batteries. The system is of the type which utilizes one or more switch mode converters and is especially suited for use in computer systems. The system monitors a number of functions under computer control and reacts automatically to the monitored functions to follow a programmed course of action. During start up, the system monitors prescribed functions and prevents power turn-on upon detection of prescribed faults. The system may communicate with a host computer, provide data thereto, and receive down-loaded parameters therefrom. Such down-loaded parameters may be used by the system to control operation of the system. The system determines the condition of internal batteries so that when operating from the batteries, the system is cognizant of how long it or a host may continue operating, and then reacts accordingly. The system includes at least one fan and a number of sensors which sense temperature at a number of locations in the system, and is capable of controlling fan operation and locating faults based on sensed parameters. The system comprises a watchdog circuit to monitor computer operation. The watchdog circuit and the computer periodically self test operation of the watch dog circuit. The system determines current drain by means of a current sense resistance which is a trace on a circuit board, and the system itself calibrates the sense resistance.

Computer-controlled uninterruptable power supply

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Molalla, OR, United States of America

Robert A Hocker