Fuel cell based battery backup apparatus for storage subsystems
First Claim
1. A fuel cell based backup unit for a storage subsystem of a computing device, comprising:
- at least one fuel cell;
a controller coupled to the at least one fuel cell; and
an interface between the controller and the storage subsystem of the computing device, wherein the controller receives a request from the storage subsystem for backup power via the interface and instructs the at least one fuel cell to provide backup power to the storage subsystem in response to the request.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fuel cell based backup unit apparatus for storage subsystems are provided. With the apparatus, at least one fuel cell is provided as part of a fuel cell power generation array that is used to provide backup power to a storage subsystem of a computing device, such as a RAM cache. A regeneration mechanism is provided for regenerating the fuel in the at least one fuel cell. A logic and control module is provided for controlling the overall operation of the backup unit including determining when to provide backup power and when to initiate regeneration of the fuel cells. A DC/DC voltage conversion module may also be provided for converting a DC output from the fuel cell power generation array into an output useable by the storage subsystem.
In a hybrid embodiment, both a fuel cell power generation array and a lead-acid battery pack cache backup array may be utilized to provide backup power for a storage subsystem. In such a hybrid embodiment, the fuel cells of the fuel cell power generation array may provide backup power to the storage subsystem and/or provide a recharge voltage for recharging the lead-acid batteries in the lead-acid battery pack cache backup array.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel cell based backup unit for a storage subsystem of a computing device, comprising:
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at least one fuel cell;
a controller coupled to the at least one fuel cell; and
an interface between the controller and the storage subsystem of the computing device, wherein the controller receives a request from the storage subsystem for backup power via the interface and instructs the at least one fuel cell to provide backup power to the storage subsystem in response to the request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of making a fuel cell based backup unit for a storage subsystem of a computing device, comprising:
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providing at least one fuel cell;
providing a controller coupled to the at least one fuel cell; and
providing an interface between the controller and the storage subsystem of the computing device, wherein the controller receives a request from the storage subsystem for backup power via the interface and instructs the at least one fuel cell to provide backup power to the storage subsystem in response to the request. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification