Method for making redundant power supplies hot-pluggable
First Claim
1. A method for supplying power to a computer system comprising:
- supplying power to the computer system from a first power supply;
coupling a second power supply to a first resistive load;
testing the second power supply for specified parameters;
selectively supplying power to the computer system from the second power supply as determined by the testing;
decoupling the second power supply from the resistive load after the selectively supplying power.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
It has been discovered that providing a computer system with a hot pluggable power supply as well as a disconnectable resistive load allows a second power supply to be brought on-line while operating within the proper voltage range and then disconnecting the resistive load from the power supply so as to conserve energy and lower the operating temperature of the computer system. Such a system also conserves energy by reducing the size of the fan that the computer system requires. Such a system also allows for a the use of larger test resistor thus providing a more accurate load test. Such a system also allows for saving space as one test circuit can be used for both power supplies. Such a system also allows for a reduced capacity power supply as the power supply does not have to continuously supply power to the resistive test load.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method for supplying power to a computer system comprising:
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supplying power to the computer system from a first power supply; coupling a second power supply to a first resistive load; testing the second power supply for specified parameters; selectively supplying power to the computer system from the second power supply as determined by the testing; decoupling the second power supply from the resistive load after the selectively supplying power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer system comprising:
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a processor coupled to a power node; a memory coupled to the processor and to the power node; and a power supply system, the power supply system including a first power supply, the first power supply supplying power to the power node; a second power supply, supplying power to the power node; and a test and load circuit, the test and load circuit including a testing circuit, coupled to the second power supply; a resistive load; a first switch coupled to the second power supply and to the power node, the first switch selectively coupling the second power supply to the power node as determined by the testing circuit, the first switch coupling the second power supply to the power node while the first power supply supplies power to the computer system; and a second switch, coupled to the second power supply and the resistive load, the second switch decoupling the second power supply from the resistive load after the second power supply is coupled to supply power to the power node. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer system comprising:
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a processor; and a power supply system for supplying power to the computer system including the processor, the power supply system capable of receiving power from at least two power supplies, the power supply system including; a testing circuit; a test load; a first switch coupled to a power supply, the first switch selectively coupling the power supply to the computer system to supply power to the computer system as determined by the testing circuit, the first switch coupling the power supply to supply power to the computer system while a second power supply supplies power to the computer system; and a second switch, coupled to the power supply and the test load, the second switch decoupling the power supply from the test load after the power supply is coupled to supply power to the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for bringing on-line a second power supply to supply power while a first power supply is supplying power, the method comprising:
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coupling a second power supply to a first test load; testing the second power supply for specified parameters; selectively supplying power from the second power supply as determined by the testing; decoupling the second power supply from the test load after the selectively supplying power. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification