Internal UPS card for a computer

• US 6,275,946 B1
• Filed: 03/12/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ixpact GmbH
• Original Assignee: Guardian On Board, Ltd.
• Inventors: Meir, Ronen
• Primary Examiner(s): Ray, Gopal C.
• Application Number:
  US09/077,025
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/340, 713/2, 714/14, 361/683, 361/752, 363/16, 363/37, 363/131, 323/215, 710/102, 710/126, 375/222, 307/64, 307/66, 307/85, 307/86, 307/150
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/3387 in a push-pull configuration

Abstract

An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for a computer having a data storage element and an associated monitor, the computer operating on power supplied by an internal switch mode power supply (SMPS) system receiving line power, characterized in that the UPS comprises an internal device for installation inside the computer and the internal device supplies back up power and protection to the computer and to the monitor from power abnormalities and noises.

Claims

1. An off-line uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for a computer having a data storage element and an associated monitor, the computer operating on power supplied by an internal switch mode power supply (SMPS) system receiving line power, characterized in that said UPS consists of an internal device for installation inside the computer and said internal device mains AC power and protection to the computer and to the monitor from power abnormalities and noises and in the event of a line failure provides AC power produced by the off-line UPS internal circuits to the computer and monitor.

2. A UPS as in claim 1 characterized in that the UPS device is an internal card.

3. A UPS according to claim 2 sized to permit it to fit into a single bus slot of a computer.

4. A UPS card according to claim 2, wherein a charger receives low voltage from a computer bus slot via two or more bus pins for each of ground and +V respectively, thereby reducing current flow through each pin and relevant conductors on a mother board.

5. A UPS card according to claim 2 comprising as a battery charger a step-up inverter/charger receiving a low voltage from a bus slot and that steps up said low voltage to a higher voltage to charge a higher voltage battery.

6. A UPS card as in claim 5 wherein the low voltage received by the step-up inverter/charger is between 3-12 volts and the higher voltage in between 5-27 volts.

7. A UPS for a computer, as in claim 1 characterized in that the UPS is installed in the switch mode power supply (SMPS) of the computer.

8. A UPS according to claim 1, comprising a planar transformer, high frequency oscillator, power transistors, rectifier and smoothing capacitor.

9. A UPS according to claim 8, wherein said planar transformer is a ferrite step-up transformer.

10. A UPS according to claim 1 and further comprising means for downloading communication software.

11. A UPS as in claim 1, further comprising telephone line connectors and protection of the computer against RFI/EMI noises and spikes coming from a telephone line.

12. A UPS as in claim 11, wherein a UPS card is coupled to the telephone line and to a fax/modem card via a short jumper cable.

13. A computer system comprising a computer and screen and internal UPS in accordance with claim 1.

14. A computer system as claimed in claim 13, wherein a UPS card is coupled to an AC mains line, and said UPS card is also coupled to an internal power supply of said computer via a short jumper cable.

15. An off-line internal UPS providing an internal DC power output of 200-320 volts and AC power output of 220/110 V 50/60 Hz respectively, comprising a printed circuit board, a battery, an automatic battery charger, a DC to DC and a DC to AC high voltage inverter that oscillates in the range of 15 to 200 KHz, low and high voltage detectors and a change over switch/relay for providing mains AC power and AC power internally produced by said off-line UPS, all mounted on said board, said internal off-line UPS being activated by the computer on/off switch.

16. An internal UPS as in claim 15, activated by a separate on/off switch.

17. A UPS according to claim 15 and further comprising low battery alarm means, and automatic shut-off means operative when a voltage in the battery falls below a pre-determined acceptable level.

18. A UPS according to claim 15, providing AC power output of 220/110 V 50/60 Hz respectively, wherein the DC and AC high voltage inverter comprises a micro-controller and an A/D converter.

19. An off-line uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for a personal computer, which receives line power and has a video display monitor coupled thereto, the computer having an internal bus and a plurality of mutually parallel slots on the bus with a predetermined spacing therebetween for insertion of extension cards thereinto, the UPS comprising:

a printed circuit card having circuit components mounted thereon which is inserted into one of the plurality of slots, such that a width of the printed circuit card including the circuit components is generally equal to or less than the predetermined spacing of the slots, and which provides mains AC power to the personal computer and the display monitor and in the event of a failure of the line power provides AC power internally produced by the off-line UPS internal circuits.

20. A UPS according to claim 19, wherein the circuit components mounted on the printed circuit card include one or more batteries.

21. A UPS according to claim 19, wherein the circuit components mounted on the printed circuit card include a planar transformer.

22. A UPS according to claim 19, wherein the printed circuit card is actuated responsive to a bus voltage received via the slot into which it is inserted, such that the UPS is inactive when removed from the slot.

23. A UPS according to claim 19, wherein the bus comprises an industry-standard personal computer bus.

24. A UPS according to claim 19, wherein the circuit components mounted on the printed circuit card include input and output connectors for the lines power, wherein the personal computer and the monitor receive power from the lines power output connector.

25. A UPS according to claim 24, wherein the input and output connectors are accessible at a panel of the personal computer for attachment of power cables thereto.

26. An off-line uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for a personal computer, which operates on line power, the computer having an internal bus and a plurality of mutually parallel slots on the bus for insertion of extention cards thereinto, the UPS comprising:

a printed circuit card having circuit components mounted thereon which is inserted into at least one of the plurality of slots, which card provides main AC power to the personal computer and in the event of a failure of the line power provides AC power internally produced by the off-line UPS internal circuits, the components including a line power input connector accessible at a panel of the personal computer, through which connector the off-line UPS and the computer receive the line power.

27. A UPS according to claim 26, wherein a video display monitor is coupled to the computer, and wherein the components on the card include a lines power output connector from which the computer and the display receive the lines power.

28. A UPS according to claim 26, wherein the plurality of mutually parallel slots have a predetermined spacing therebetween, and wherein the input connector has a width in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the card that is substantially less than a predetermined spacing.

29. A UPS according to claim 28, wherein the bus comprises an industry-standard personal computer bus.