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Intelligent power management for a variable speed fan

  • US 6,037,732 A
  • Filed: 04/21/1998
  • Issued: 03/14/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling the operation of a brushless DC fan for cooling heat generating components of a system when system temperature of said system exceeds a prescribed limit, the method comprising:

  • sensing temperature of said system and generating a system temperature signal indicative of the system temperature;

    generating an intelligent shutdown enable signal to shut down the fan when system temperature is less than said prescribed limit;

    comparing the system temperature signal with the shutdown enable signal;

    operating the fan at a speed generally proportional to said system temperature after comparing the system temperature signal with the shutdown enable signal if the system temperature as indicated by the system temperature signal is greater than the shutdown temperature value as indicated by the shutdown enable signal;

    entering a shutdown mode by the fan after comparing the system temperature signal with the shutdown enable signal if the system temperature as indicated by the system temperature signal is less than the shutdown temperature value as indicated by the shutdown enable signal;

    comparing the system temperature signal with the shutdown enable signal after entering the shutdown mode by the fan; and

    initiating operation of the fan if the system temperature as indicated by the system temperature signal is greater than the shutdown enable signal value.

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