Method and apparatus to maintain power using a fault-tolerant power supply and a temporary external power supply
US5656869A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J9/06
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power supply system including a power supply providing power to an electronic device through current share circuitry, which includes a second connector for receiving power from an external power supply. The power supply is preferably a fault-tolerant power supply so that the electronic device receives continuous power in the event of partial failure. When the fault-tolerant power supply partially fails, the external power supply is connected to the second connector of the current share circuitry, which is switched to temporarily provide power to the electronic device from the external power supply. The power supply is then replaced while the external power supply provides power, so that power to the electronic device is continuously maintained. The electronic device thus experiences zero down-time. Even in low-end systems with a single power supply, down-time is substantially reduced. The external power supply is connected internally or through an external connector on the electronic device. In an alternative embodiment, each power supply or current share board includes a second output for serving as the external power supply to another electronic device having a partially failed…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.