Network Appliance, Inc.

Netapp, Inc.

Analog Devices,inc.

Zoltan Zansky

Bill Jacobsen

Roshan Thakur

James Robert Davis

William F M Jacobsen

Derek F Bowers

Thomas Holland

Joseph C Buxton

Thomas S Szepesi

Joseph Tupy

Sandeep K Shah

Bob Schmiedeskamp

A fuse apparatus for protecting a device and a load coupled to the device may include a switch. The switch may be configured to interrupt current to protect a device and a load coupled to the device. A fuse apparatus may include a current sensor which may be coupled to a controller. The controller may control the switch to interrupt current to protect a device when current exceeds a threshold current. Additionally, a fuse apparatus may include a voltage sensor coupled to the controller. The controller may control the switch to interrupt current to protect a load when an output voltage of the device exceeds a threshold voltage.

Fuse apparatus

A turbo compounding system may include a turbo generator having a switched reluctance machine having at least one pole-matched rotor and stator pair, a single phase inverter coupled to the turbo generator and further coupled to a direct current link, an inverter coupled to the direct current link, a motor generator coupled to the inverter.

System for paralleling power supplies

A method and system for monitoring latent faults in power supplies may include a variable voltage source and a logic module that may be coupled to an OR FET circuit. The monitoring system may also include comparators for measuring a voltage drop across a FET and, based upon a value of the voltage drop, may determine a latent fault, such as a short circuit or open circuit across the FET.

Method and system for monitoring latent faults in power supplies

The present disclosure is a supplemental power system which may operate in conjunction with a power supply to provide supplemental power to a load. Supplemental power system may include a power storage device, a boost converter and a power storage charger. Supplemental power system may supply extra power required for a storage system load at startup whereby the power supply system may be sized for steady state operation of the load.

Method and system for providing supplemental power

The present invention is a method and system for providing auxiliary power during a power interruption. An auxiliary power system of the present invention may be added to a power supply to provide auxiliary power during a power dip or power interruption to the power supply. The auxiliary power system may include a power storage device and a power storage charger which is powered by the power supply when power is supplied to the power supply. The power storage charger may charge the power storage device. The auxiliary power system may include a boost converter to provide a constant output voltage during a power interruption. A boost converter may also increase the output voltage supplied by the power storage device suitable for a load receiving power from the power supply.

Auxiliary power system

A system for converting alternating electrical current to direct electrical current may include an input supply for supplying alternating electrical current. The input supply may be connected to a rectifier. The rectifier may be configured as a body diode. A comparator may be coupled to the rectifier. The comparator may apply a voltage to the rectifier when the input supply is operating.

High efficiency power supply front end

The present invention is a method and system for efficiently converting an alternating current (AC) supply to a direct current (DC) output. A power supply in accordance with the present invention may employ variable frequency constant on-time converters whereby switching losses of the converters are approximately proportional with a switching frequency, causing the power supply to be more efficient at light loads. Additionally, a power supply in accordance with the present invention may include multiple-phase converters in which each phase is designed for operation at a fraction of the total maximum load for the power supply.

Efficient power supply

A redundant power supply system with several individual power supplies, each connected to one of several power inlets. At least one power supply can be connected to a selectable one of the several power inlets by means of a steering network.

Redundant power system with no latent single failure point

The present invention is an apparatus for testing a power supply. A power supply testing apparatus may include a remote load which may sink an adjustable amount of current with an adjustable slew rate and may test the response of the power supply to determine its operability with a dynamic load. Additionally, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the testing apparatus may source an adjustable amount of current with an adjustable slew rate to the output of a power supply. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the testing apparatus may include an adjustable current sink and adjustable current source with an adjustable slew rate. The power supply testing apparatus of the present invention may be implemented with standard circuit components on a circuit board and thus provide a small form factor. Additionally, due to the small form factor and low weight implementation, the power supply testing apparatus may utilize reduced length test wires which reduce the inductance in the test wires and increases the apparatus' slew rate for more effective testing.

Apparatus for testing a power supply

The present invention is a method and system for providing improved isolation for power supplies while minimizing power dissipation. A body diode of a MOSFET may be utilized with a comparator circuit. The comparator circuit may detect current flow across the MOSFET and may turn the MOSFET on. This may shunt the diode with a low drain to source resistance limiting power dissipation across the diode to an amount of the drain to source current squared (Ids) times the drain to source resistance of the MOSFET when on (RDSon). Use of the comparator circuitry may reduce the time delay associated with turning the MOSFET off to prevent a high reverse inrush current within a power supply.

Input and output isolating diode for power dissipation reduction of power supplies

The present invention is a method and system for preventing an output of current greater than a desired amount for a redundant power supply system. In an embodiment of the present invention, redundant power supplies may be shut down when the sum of the output currents from the redundant power supplies is greater than a specified maximum current for a single power supply. Additionally, if a power supply should operate outside of desired voltage and current specifications, the power supply may be disabled while the method and system of the present invention monitor the output current of a redundant power supply.

Intelligent overcurrent protection for power supplies

Embodiments of the invention include a test circuit having an auxiliary low power test signal generator, filters, and a detector to test a power switch. The generator sends an auxiliary low power test signal having a different frequency than a power signal for the switch to an input of the switch. The detector detects the auxiliary low power test signal at an output of the switch. Test circuit filters are used to filter out the power signal from reaching the auxiliary low power test signal generator or the detector circuit. A circuit of the test circuit is tuned to the test signal's different frequency to ensure that the detector only detects the test signal when the switch is in one position. Thus, by detecting or sensing the test signal across the switch, the detector can detect whether the switch is operating properly.

Power relay or switch contact tester

A universal modular power supply carrier mounts different sized power supplies within a substantially rectangular body designed for thermal and electromagnetic emissions control. The power supplies are preferably secured within the carrier body. Input connectors may be alternating current or direct current. The output connector may be pin, or blade, and socket with blind mating capability. One or more direct current voltages may be output by the carrier to a motherboard or other electronic circuitry. The universal modular power supply carrier may be contained in a one-size universal electronic equipment cabinet.

Universal modular power supply carrier

The present invention is a method and system for supplementing power when a power supply has a power failure. An amount of inrush current produced upon resumption of input power is reduced. Supplemental power circuitry may include a rechargeable battery that may supply power during a power failure without generating a large inrush current when input power is regained. The period of time supplemental power may be provided is also increased.

Holdup time extender and inrush current eliminator for switching power supplies

A method and apparatus for fire prevention in electronic equipment utilizes infrared imaging technology to monitor a substantial region of an enclosure within the electronic equipment. For example, a shelf within a computer cabinet may have a lens and thermal sensor array placed within to detect changes in temperature. A processor interprets the data from the thermal sensor array to determine whether to send an alert to an operator and/or to shut down a power supply.

Growing community of inventors

San Carlos, CA, United States of America

Zoltan Zansky