The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 30, 1998
James K Koch, Rocklin, CA (US);
Thane Larson, Roseville, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus provide redundant power by connecting power supplies in a segment or ring. In a first embodiment, a redundant power supply is provided at the 'top' of a redundant power segment, with one or more computer devices coupled 'beneath' the redundant power supply. If the power supply of any device fails, that device 'borrows' power from the device immediately upstream in the redundant power segment. If the power supply of the device immediately upstream in the redundant power segment no longer has sufficient capacity to power its own circuits, that device borrows power form the device immediately upstream from it. This process may continue until the power requirements of all devices are met by the excess capacities of all power supplies in devices upstream from the device with the failing power supply, or until the redundant power supply is reached. In essence, the present invention creates a 'cascade effect' wherein each devices fulfills any power deficiency from the device immediately upstream. In a second embodiment of the invention, a plurality of devices are coupled into a ring to provide redundant power for each other. When a power supply in the ring fails, the excess capacities of the remaining power supplies provide power for all the devices. Accordingly, a redundant power supply is not required. In each embodiment, a network of diodes prevents a failed power supply from shorting out the remaining power supplies, while also allowing all devices to continue receiving power.