Soft power switching for hot installation and removal of circuit boards in a computer system
US5809256A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/4081
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A soft power switch for insertion and removal of a logic unit in a system during continuing operation of the system, including a current switch for each supply voltage to the logic unit that is to be protected, each current switch having a current input connected from a corresponding system power source and a current output connected to the logic unit. The switch includes a gate drive delay connected to each current switch that provides a gate signal controlling the flow of current through each current switch, and a connector having staggered connector pins for sequenced connection of power and control signals as the logic unit is inserted or withdrawn, the soft switch responding to the sequence of control and power signals by controllably and gradually increasing or decreasing the current through the current switches as the logic unit is inserted or withdrawn.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.