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:
Oct. 09, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 31, 2006
Douglas Sullivan, Hopkinton, MA (US);
Stephen Strickland, Marlboro, MA (US);
Michael J. Kozel, Upton, MA (US);
Douglas Sullivan, Hopkinton, MA (US);
Stephen Strickland, Marlboro, MA (US);
Michael J. Kozel, Upton, MA (US);
EMC Corporation, Hopkinton, MA (US);
Abstract
A hot-pluggable I/O annex module of a storage processor assembly includes interface circuitry providing connections to an optional I/O interface module. The I/O annex module includes redundant cooling fans providing cooling airflow to an I/O annex mounting area, main power conversion circuitry for generating main operating power for the interface circuitry, auxiliary power conversion circuitry for generating auxiliary power, a controller for monitoring and controlling the operation of cooling fans; and monitoring circuitry powered by the auxiliary power for monitoring correct operation of the controller and, upon detecting incorrect operation, disabling the main power conversion circuitry. The monitoring circuitry includes a watchdog timer and a latch collectively operative to (i) determine if a controller status signal indicating correct operation of the controller does not toggle for a watch interval, and if so then (ii) enter an operating state in which the main power conversion circuitry is disabled and cannot be re-enabled except by cycling the primary power or removing and reinserting the I/O annex module to/from the storage processor assembly.