Power overload protection for a system unit
US6421215B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/08
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power distribution sub-system distributed power from n+m (e.g. 3) power supply units within a system unit, where n and m are integers and n power supply units (e.g. 2) are required to power the system. The power supply units are connectable to a common power rail. A current sensor detects a current greater than n*Imax, where Imax is the maximum power output of a power supply unit. The current sensor outputs an overcurrent signal when the sensed current exceeds n*Imax. In response to this overcurrent signal, a controllable shunt operates to shunt the power rail to ground, thereby discharging any stored charge. A power distribution board, which forms part of a power sub-frame assembly, carries the power distribution sub-system. The system unit can be a rack-mountable computer system unit for a telecommunications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.