FUEL CELL BASED BATTERY BACKUP APPARATUS FOR STORAGE SUBSYSTEMS
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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.
34 Citations
30 Claims
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1-10. -10. (canceled)
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11. A method for providing backup power to a storage subsystem of a computing device, comprising:
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receiving a request from the storage subsystem for backup power via an interface between a controller and the storage subsystem wherein the controller is coupled to at least one fuel cell;
monitoring a status of the at least one fuel-cell;
asserting a grant signal to the storage subsystem via the interface, wherein the grant signal indicates that caching by the storage subsystem is allowed; and
de-asserting the grant signal to the storage subsystem via the interface, wherein de-asserting the grant signal suspends caching in the storage subsystem, wherein the grant signal is asserted or de-asserted based on the status of the at least one fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for providing backup power to a storage subsystem of a computing device by a hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array, the computer implemented method comprising:
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responsive to a determination that the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array is capable of supporting the storage subsystem, asserting a grant signal to the storage subsystem, wherein the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array comprises at least one lead-acid battery coupled to at least one fuel cell, and wherein the grant signal indicates that caching by the storage subsystem is allowed; and
responsive to a determination that the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array is incapable of supporting the storage subsystem, de-asserting the grant signal to the storage subsystem, wherein de-asserting the grant signal suspends caching in the storage subsystem, wherein the grant signal is asserted or de-asserted based on a status of the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for providing backup power to a storage subsystem of a computing device by a hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array, the computer implemented method comprising:
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receiving a request for backup power from the storage subsystem;
determining whether the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array is capable of supporting power requirements of the storage subsystem for a minimum acceptable duration;
responsive to a determination that an available capacity of the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array is sufficient to support the power requirements of the storage subsystem for the minimum acceptable duration, converting an output voltage of a fuel cell power generation array of the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array to a direct current voltage that is useable by the storage subsystem of the computing device and asserting a grant signal to the storage subsystem, wherein the grant signal indicates that caching by the storage subsystem is allowed;
responsive to a determination that an available capacity of the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array is insufficient to support the power requirements of the storage subsystem for the minimum acceptable duration, de-asserting the grant signal to the storage subsystem via the interface, wherein de-asserting the grant signal suspends caching in the storage subsystem, wherein the grant signal is asserted or de-asserted based on a status of the at least one fuel cell; and
responsive to de-asserting the grant signal, implementing remedial actions to bring a status of the hybrid fuel cell and lead-acid battery backup array to a state where the grant signal can be re-asserted.
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Specification