Apparatus and Method for Providing Smooth Power-On Operation with Power Assist Unit
First Claim
1. An information handling system, comprising:
- a first power supply unit configured to provide power to a power rail to power a load of the information handling system, wherein the first power supply unit operates as an active power supply unit to power the load at all times;
a second power supply unit configured to provide power to the power rail, wherein the second power supply unit operates as a first stand-by power supply unit, such that when a current demanded by the load is below a first proportion of a maximum current demand, the second power supply unit is off and does not supply any current to the load, and when the current demanded by the load is greater than the first proportion of the maximum current demand, the second power supply unit is on and supplies current to the load; and
a power assist unit coupled to the power rail, the power assist unit including;
a power storage element;
a converter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail; and
a controller configured to receive a current level indication that indicates the current demanded by the load, and in response to the current level indication indicating that the current demanded by the load peaks to greater than the first proportion of the maximum current demand, to direct the converter to provide power from the power storage element to the power rail to prevent the second power supply unit from turning on.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An information handling system includes active and standby power supplies and a power assist unit. The power supplies provide power to a power rail. The standby power supply supplies current to the power rail when a current demanded by a load is greater than a proportion of a maximum current demand, and is off when the current demand is less than the proportion. The power assist unit is coupled to the power rail and includes a power storage element, a converter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail, and a controller. The controller receives a current level indication that indicates the current demanded by the load, and in response to the current level indication indicating that the current demand peaks to greater than the proportion of the maximum current demand, directs the converter to provide power from the power storage element to the power rail to prevent the second power supply unit from turning on.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An information handling system, comprising:
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a first power supply unit configured to provide power to a power rail to power a load of the information handling system, wherein the first power supply unit operates as an active power supply unit to power the load at all times; a second power supply unit configured to provide power to the power rail, wherein the second power supply unit operates as a first stand-by power supply unit, such that when a current demanded by the load is below a first proportion of a maximum current demand, the second power supply unit is off and does not supply any current to the load, and when the current demanded by the load is greater than the first proportion of the maximum current demand, the second power supply unit is on and supplies current to the load; and a power assist unit coupled to the power rail, the power assist unit including; a power storage element; a converter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail; and a controller configured to receive a current level indication that indicates the current demanded by the load, and in response to the current level indication indicating that the current demanded by the load peaks to greater than the first proportion of the maximum current demand, to direct the converter to provide power from the power storage element to the power rail to prevent the second power supply unit from turning on. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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providing, by a first power supply unit of an information handling system, power to a power rail to power a load of the information handling system; providing, by a second power supply unit of the information handling system, power to the power rail when a current demanded by the load is greater than a first proportion of a maximum current demand; turning off the second power supply when the current demanded by the load is less than the first proportion of the maximum current demand; coupling a converter of a power assist unit to the power rail and to a power storage element of the power assist unit; receiving, by the power assist unit, a current level indication that indicates the current demanded by the load; and directing, by the power assist unit, the converter to provide power from the power storage element to the power rail in response to the current level indication indicating that the current demanded by the load peaks to greater than the first proportion of the maximum current demand to prevent the second power supply unit from turning on. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An information handling system, comprising:
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a first power supply unit configured to provide power to a power rail to power a load of the information handling system, wherein the first power supply unit operates as an active power supply unit to supply power to the load at all times; a second power supply unit configured to provide power to the power rail, wherein the second power supply unit operates as a first stand-by power supply unit such that, when a current demanded by the load is below fifty percent of a maximum current demand, the second power supply unit is off and does not supply any current to the load, and when the current demanded by the load is greater than fifty percent of the maximum current demand, the second power supply unit is on and supplies current to the load; and a power assist unit coupled to the power rail, the power assist unit including; a power storage element; a converter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail; and a controller configured to receive a current level indication that indicates the current demanded by the load, to receive an indication that the information handling system is turning on the second power supply unit, to receive an indication of a voltage level of the power rail, to direct the converter to provide power from the power storage element to the power rail to prevent the second power supply unit from turning on in response to the current level indication indicating that the current demanded by the load peaks to greater than fifty percent of the maximum current demand, and to direct the converter to provide power to from the power storage element to the power rail to maintain the voltage level of the power level at a specified level in response to receiving the indication that the information handling system is turning on the second power supply unit. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification