Universal modular power supply carrier

• US 6,947,287 B1
• Filed: 12/16/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Network Appliance Incorporated (NetApp, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zansky, Zoltan, Davis, James Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US10/320,597
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 361/676, 361/677, 361/678, 361688-690, 361/724, 361728-731, 165/80.3, 165/80.4, 165/104.34, 454184-186
• US Class Current: 361/731
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C

Abstract

A universal modular power supply carrier mounts different sized power supplies within a substantially rectangular body designed for thermal and electromagnetic emissions control. The power supplies are preferably secured within the carrier body. Input connectors may be alternating current or direct current. The output connector may be pin, or blade, and socket with blind mating capability. One or more direct current voltages may be output by the carrier to a motherboard or other electronic circuitry. The universal modular power supply carrier may be contained in a one-size universal electronic equipment cabinet.

Claims

1. A universal modular power supply carrier, comprising:

a substantially rectangular body formed of a rigid material, the interior of the body being substantially hollow;

mounting attachments within or on the substantially rectangular body capable of securing two or more different modular power supply sizes of a modular power supply; and

a network interface card mounted within the rectangular body,

wherein the network interface card contains a processor circuitry and an interface circuitry for translating integrated circuit bus signals to network interface card bus signals and the network interface card bus signals to the integrated circuit bus signals.

2. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, further comprising a thermal control mechanism via forced airflow, convection airflow, or conduction.

3. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, further comprising a cooling mechanism including liquid cooling or heat pipes.

4. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, further comprising walls attachable to the mounting attachments, the walls being contained within the substantially rectangular body when attached.

5. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 4, wherein the walls extend in an L shape from the rectangular body.

6. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, further comprising retentive mounts attachable to the mounting attachments.

7. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the mounting attachments are a plurality of holes formed in a side of the rectangular body.

8. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the network interface card is capable of controlling one or more power supplies.

9. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, further comprising one or more power supplies.

10. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 9, wherein the network interface card supplies data about the one or more power supplies to an external device.

11. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 1, further comprising a power input connector and a power output connector.

12. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 11, wherein the power input connector is an alternating current power connector.

13. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 11, wherein the power input connector is a direct current power connector.

14. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 11, wherein the power output connector includes at least one of the group consisting of a pin and socket or a blade and socket.

15. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 14, wherein the power output connector further has blind mating capability.

16. A universal modular power supply carrier, comprising:

a substantially rectangular body formed of a rigid material, the interior of the body being substantially hollow; and

mounting attachments within or on the substantially rectangular body capable of securing two or more modular power supplies,

a network interface card mounted within the rectangular body; and

two modular power supplies mounted within the substantially rectangular body through the mounting attachments,

wherein the universal modular power supply carrier is capable of mounting modular power supplies of different physical sizes, and

wherein the network interface card contains a processor circuitry and an interface circuitry for translating integrated circuit bus signals to network interface card bus signals and the network interface card bus signals to the integrated circuit bus signals.

17. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 16, further comprising a thermal control mechanism via forced air flow, convection air flow, or conduction.

18. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 16, further comprising a cooling mechanism including liquid cooling or heat pipes.

19. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 16, wherein the two modular power supplies are of different sizes.

20. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 16, wherein the two modular power supplies are arranged side-by-side.

21. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 16, wherein the two modular power supplies supply power in parallel and are electrical connected in parallel.

22. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 16, wherein the two modular power supplies supply a distribution voltage system.

23. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 22, wherein the voltage distribution system is a nominal 48 volt system with voltages in the 36 volt to 72 volt direct current range.

24. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 23, wherein the two modular power supplies further supply low voltage for direct use.

25. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 24, wherein the low voltage is between −

15 volts and 15 volts direct current, inclusive.

26. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 25, wherein the low voltage includes 2.5 volts.

27. The universal modular power supply carrier of claim 16, wherein at least one of the two modular power supplies includes a rechargeable battery.