Approach for generation of power failure warning signal to maximize useable hold-up time with AC/DC rectifiers

• US 9,494,658 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Ye, Zhen Z., Xu, Xiangping
• Primary Examiner(s): Vazquez, Arleen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Curtis, Sean
• Application Number:
  US13/829,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20140266293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 324/764.01, 324/771
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16538 in AC or DC supplies G01R19/16519 and G01R19/16528 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• 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

Abstract

A method of optimally generating a power failure warning (PFW) signal has been disclosed here in such a manner that adjusts timing of PFW signal generation according to load conditions in case of input AC voltage loss. A PFW voltage threshold value can be set at a lower value under light load conditions and at a higher value under heavy load conditions. PFW signal generation can also be triggered by a timing mechanism that is set when a bus voltage drops to a voltage threshold value. A countdown time of the timing mechanism is set according to a determined bus voltage drop rate. In this manner, issuance of the PFW signal is delayed for lighter load conditions and the power supply unit is capable of extending normal operation under lighter load conditions before the PFW signal is issued.

Claims

1. A method of generating a power failure warning signal, the method comprises:

a. monitoring a bus voltage of a power supply unit;

b. adjusting a power failure warning voltage threshold value according to a varying load condition of a load coupled to an output of the power supply unit, wherein adjusting the power failure warning threshold value comprises determining a bus voltage drop rate and setting the power failure warning voltage threshold value according to the bus voltage drop rate to allow a minimum time period between generating the power failure warning signal and powering off the power supply unit to prepare for power shutoff; and

c. generating the power failure warning signal when the bus voltage drops to the power failure warning voltage threshold value.

2. A method of generating a power failure warning signal, the method comprises:

a. setting a power shutoff voltage threshold value;

b. setting a minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff;

c. measuring a bus voltage within a power supply unit;

d. determining a bus voltage drop rate;

e. determining when a power failure warning signal is to be generated according to the power shutoff voltage threshold value, the minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff and the bus voltage drop rate; and

f. generating the power failure warning signal.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising adjusting when the power failure warning signal is to be generated according to a load condition of a load coupled to an output of the power supply unit.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the bus voltage drop rate is greater for heavy load conditions than for light load conditions.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein determining when the power failure warning signal is to be generated comprises setting a power failure warning voltage threshold value by calculating a voltage equal to the bus voltage drop rate multiplied by the minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff and adding the calculated voltage to the power shutoff voltage threshold value, and comparing bus voltage to the set power failure warning voltage value.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the power failure warning signal is generated when the bus voltage drops to the set power failure warning voltage value.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein determining the bus voltage drop rate comprises:

a. setting a first voltage threshold value and a second voltage threshold value, wherein the first voltage threshold value is greater than the second voltage threshold value and the second voltage threshold value is greater than the power shutoff voltage threshold value;

b. comparing the bus voltage to the first voltage threshold value and the second voltage threshold value;

c. counting a time for the bus voltage to drop from the first voltage threshold value to the second voltage threshold value; and

d. calculating the bus voltage drop rate by dividing a voltage difference between the first voltage threshold value and the second voltage threshold value by the counted time.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein determining when the power failure warning signal is to be generated and generating the power failure warning signal comprises:

a. calculating a first time period for the bus voltage to drop from the second voltage threshold value to the power shutoff voltage threshold value according to the calculated bus voltage drop rate;

b. subtracting the minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff from the first time period to equal a second time period;

c. setting a timer to count the second time period; and

d. generating the power failure warning signal when the second time period is counted.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the bus voltage drop rate varies with varying load conditions of a load coupled to an output of the power supply unit.

10. A method of generating a power failure warning signal, the method comprises:

a. setting a power shutoff voltage threshold value;

b. setting a minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff;

c. receiving a load condition corresponding to a load coupled to an output of a power supply unit;

d. using a look-up table to determine a power failure warning voltage threshold value according to the power shutoff voltage threshold value, the minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff and the received load condition; and

f. generating a power failure warning signal upon a bus voltage dropping to the power failure warning voltage threshold value.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising adjusting when the power failure warning signal is to be generated according to a varying load condition.

12. A processing device for generating a power failure warning signal, the device comprises:

a. means for setting a power shutoff voltage threshold value;

b. means for setting a minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff;

c. means for measuring a bus voltage within a power supply unit;

d. means for determining a bus voltage drop rate;

e. means for determining when a power failure warning signal is to be generated according to the power shutoff voltage threshold value, the minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff and the bus voltage drop rate; and

f. means for generating the power failure warning signal.

13. The processing device of claim 12 wherein the means for determining when the power failure warning signal is to be generated comprises means for setting a power failure warning voltage threshold value by calculating a voltage equal to the bus voltage drop rate multiplied by the minimum time period to prepare for power shutoff and adding the calculated voltage to the power shutoff voltage threshold value, and means for comparing bus voltage to the set power failure warning voltage value.

14. The processing device of claim 12 wherein the means for determining the bus voltage drop rate comprises:

a. means for setting a first voltage threshold value and a second voltage threshold value, wherein the first voltage threshold value is greater than the second voltage threshold value and the second voltage threshold value is greater than the power shutoff voltage threshold value;

b. means for comparing the bus voltage to the first voltage threshold value and the second voltage threshold value;

c. means for counting a time for the bus voltage to drop from the first voltage threshold value to the second voltage threshold value; and

d. means for calculating the bus voltage drop rate by dividing a voltage difference between the first voltage threshold value and the second voltage threshold value by the counted time.