Computer system
US6813150B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K7/20727
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system comprises a host processor, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature in an enclosure of the system and one or more fans for cooling the enclosure. A service processor is provided for providing system management functions within the computer system. These include generating fan speed signals in response to temperature values detected by the temperature sensor, and generating a control signal. The system includes a fan controller for providing power for driving the fan or at least one of the fans in response to the fan speed signals generated by the service processor only when the fan controller also receives the control signal from the service processor. In the absence of the control signal from the service processor, the fan controller will increase the fan speed to a predetermined fan speed, for example maximum, in order to ensure that no damage occurs in the event of a service processor malfunction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.