Patents by Inventor Mark A. Muccini

Mark A. Muccini has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9811140
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a power supply unit having an input for receiving an alternating current input waveform and converting it into a direct current waveform on a bulk capacitor for storing charge and a controller configured to, based on at least one parameter of one or more information handling resources of the information handling system, determine a configurable under-voltage threshold defining a minimum direct current voltage delivered by the power supply when the alternating current input waveform is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, John Erven Jenne, Lei Wang, Constantin Darius Livescu
  • Patent number: 9710051
    Abstract: A method of power supply unit rotating in an information handling system (IHS) may include a control unit dividing a power loading of an IHS into N sections, where N corresponds to a number of power supply units coupled to the IHS. The control unit may configure a first power supply unit to an active state and configure one or more remaining power supply units to a suspended state during a first time period. The control unit may configure the first power supply unit to the suspended state and configure a second power supply unit to the active state in response to a second time period being reached. The control unit may rotate the active state among the power supply units in response to sequential time periods being reached. In an embodiment the control unit may rotate the active state sequentially between each of the subsequent power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, Mehran Mirjafari, William Draper, Ashish Razdan, Lei Wang, John Evren Jenne, Stuart Allen Berke
  • Patent number: 9690349
    Abstract: An information handling system may include at least one information handling resource and a power supply unit having a bulk capacitor for storing charge. The power supply unit may be configured to convert an alternating current waveform received at an input of the power supply unit from an input source into a direct current voltage for delivering electrical energy to a power bus for providing electrical energy to the at least one information handling resource. Responsive to a loss of the input source, the power supply unit may charge the bulk capacitor from electrical energy present on the power bus and generated by at least one other power supply unit coupled to the power bus. Responsive to an indication of a failure of the at least one other power supply unit, the power supply unit may discharge the bulk capacitor to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, Lei Wang, John J. Breen
  • Publication number: 20170153294
    Abstract: A power supply unit (PSU) performs a PSU fault diagnosis using a PSU fault detection module. The PSU fault detection module detects a diagnostic trigger event and initiates a series of checks of selected sub-systems. The PSU fault detection module determines whether the trigger event occurred while the PSU was connected within an information handling system (IHS) or physically removed from the IHS. If the trigger event occurred while the PSU was connected within an information handling system (IHS), the PSU fault detection module electrically isolates the PSU from the IHS using an ORing device, which blocks current flowing into the PSU. The PSU fault detection module determines whether a short circuit exists within the electrically isolated PSU. If a short circuit is identified, the PSU fault detection module determines that the PSU is not functioning properly and provides a notification of a malfunction of the PSU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: MEHRAN MIRJAFARI, MARK MUCCINI, SCOTT MICHAEL RAMSEY, WEI CHEN, BHAVESH GOVINDBHAI PATEL
  • Patent number: 9658668
    Abstract: An information handling system may include a power management system comprising a power supply unit having an input for receiving an alternating current input waveform from a bulk capacitor for storing charge. The power management system may be configured to calculate an energy budget associated with an amount of energy stored in the bulk capacitor that may be used to power at least one information handling resource in response to a loss of the alternating current input waveform. The power management system may further be configured to determine a portion of the energy budget required to satisfy a requirement, the requirement comprising one of a hold-up time requirement and a ride-through requirement of the information handling system. The power management system may further be configured to allocate the energy budget between hold-up and ride-through of the information handling system in a manner that satisfies the requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, Lei Wang, John Erven Jenne
  • Publication number: 20170123445
    Abstract: A method of detecting and disabling a failed power supply in a redundant power supply system is disclosed. The method includes detecting, via a first controller, an output voltage and an output current of a first power supply providing power to the redundant power supply system. The first controller determines if the output voltag0voltage is greater than the maximum output voltage threshold, the first controller determines if the output current is equal to zero. In response to determining that the output current is not equal to zero and not less than a common share bus current, the first power supply is disabled such that the first power supply does not provide power to the power supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: MARK A. MUCCINI, STUART A. BERKE, LEI WANG
  • Publication number: 20170117715
    Abstract: A power supply system comprises a first power supply including a first converter for providing a first output voltage and a first micro-controller coupled to a first switch. The first switch is coupled to a common share bus. A second power supply includes a second converter for providing a second output voltage and a second micro-controller coupled to a second switch. The second switch is also coupled to the common share bus. The first micro-controller is configured to receive a first control signal designating the first power supply to be either a master power supply or a slave power supply and the second micro-controller is configured to receive a second control signal designating the second power supply to be either the master power supply or the slave power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: MARK A. MUCCINI, LEI WANG
  • Publication number: 20170038812
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a power supply unit having an input for receiving an alternating current input waveform and converting it into a direct current waveform on a bulk capacitor for storing charge and a controller configured to, based on at least one parameter of one or more information handling resources of the information handling system, determine a configurable under-voltage threshold defining a minimum direct current voltage delivered by the power supply when the alternating current input waveform is withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, John Erven Jenne, Lei Wang, Constantin Darius Livescu
  • Publication number: 20170031410
    Abstract: An information handling system may include at least one information handling resource and a power supply unit having a bulk capacitor for storing charge. The power supply unit may be configured to convert an alternating current waveform received at an input of the power supply unit from an input source into a direct current voltage for delivering electrical energy to a power bus for providing electrical energy to the at least one information handling resource. Responsive to a loss of the input source, the power supply unit may charge the bulk capacitor from electrical energy present on the power bus and generated by at least one other power supply unit coupled to the power bus. Responsive to an indication of a failure of the at least one other power supply unit, the power supply unit may discharge the bulk capacitor to the power bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, Lei Wang, John J. Breen
  • Publication number: 20170031402
    Abstract: An information handling system may include a power management system comprising a power supply unit having an input for receiving an alternating current input waveform from a bulk capacitor for storing charge. The power management system may be configured to calculate an energy budget associated with an amount of energy stored in the bulk capacitor that may be used to power at least one information handling resource in response to a loss of the alternating current input waveform. The power management system may further be configured to determine a portion of the energy budget required to satisfy a requirement, the requirement comprising one of a hold-up time requirement and a ride-through requirement of the information handling system. The power management system may further be configured to allocate the energy budget between hold-up and ride-through of the information handling system in a manner that satisfies the requirement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, Lei Wang, John Erven Jenne
  • Publication number: 20170017293
    Abstract: A method of power supply unit rotating in an information handling system (IHS) may include a control unit dividing a power loading of an IHS into N sections, where N corresponds to a number of power supply units coupled to the IHS. The control unit may configure a first power supply unit to an active state and configure one or more remaining power supply units to a suspended state during a first time period. The control unit may configure the first power supply unit to the suspended state and configure a second power supply unit to the active state in response to a second time period being reached. The control unit may rotate the active state among the power supply units in response to sequential time periods being reached. In an embodiment the control unit may rotate the active state sequentially between each of the subsequent power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, Mehran Mirjafari, William Draper, Ashish Razdan, Wei Wang, John Evren Jenne, Stuart Allen Berke
  • Publication number: 20160320820
    Abstract: A power excursion tolerant power system includes at least one powered component. A system capacitance and at least one power supply are coupled to the at least one powered component. The at least one power supply is operable as a voltage controlled current source to supply power to the at least one powered component when a system load is below a predetermined threshold. The at least one power supply is operable as a constant current source, and together with the system capacitance, to supply power to the at least one powered component when the system load is above the predetermined threshold. A load reduction mechanism is coupled to the at least one powered component and operable to perform at least one load reduction action when the system load is above the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Muccini, Shawn Joel Dube
  • Publication number: 20160268912
    Abstract: A power system may include a subsystem, a capacitor coupled to the subsystem, a resistor coupled in series with the capacitor, and a controller. The subsystem may have an input for receiving a first direct current voltage and an output for generating a second direct current voltage and configured to convert the first direct current voltage into the second direct current voltage. The controller may be configured to receive a first signal indicative of a first current flowing in the capacitor and the resistor, receive a second signal indicative of one of a second current flowing into the input of the subsystem or out of the output of the subsystem, and based on the first signal and the second signal, determine one of an input current provided by a direct current source voltage coupled to the input or an output current delivered to a load coupled to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Mark A. Muccini
  • Patent number: 9411388
    Abstract: A power system is coupled to a powered system and a system capacitance. The power system includes a power system output sensor, a power conversion device, and a power system output controller. The power system output controller includes a powered system threshold that is related to a power excursion capability of the powered system. The power system output controller is operable, in response to receiving a power system output signal from the power system output sensor that exceeds the powered system threshold, to control the power conversion device to increase the power system output from the power conversion device in order to increase the energy stored in the system capacitance for use by the powered system during a power excursion. The powered system may include processors that draw power from the system capacitance during power excursions so as to not exceed the limits of the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: George G. Richards, III, Mark Muccini
  • Publication number: 20160224102
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a power supply unit may comprise a plurality of output terminals configured to supply electrical energy to one or more information handling resources, a measurement module configured to measure one or more parameters indicative of an intermediate impedance between the power supply unit and at least one other power supply unit, and a microcontroller unit. The microcontroller unit may be configured to estimate an intermediate impedance based on the one or more parameters and communicate the intermediate impedance to a controller of an information handling system in which the power supply unit is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: John Erven Jenne, Mark A. Muccini, Mehran Mirjafari, Lei Wang
  • Patent number: 9342137
    Abstract: A power excursion tolerant power system includes at least one powered component. A system capacitance and at least one power supply are coupled to the at least one powered component. The at least one power supply is operable as a voltage controlled current source to supply power to the at least one powered component when a system load is below a predetermined threshold. The at least one power supply is operable as a constant current source, and together with the system capacitance, to supply power to the at least one powered component when the system load is above the predetermined threshold. A load reduction mechanism is coupled to the at least one powered component and operable to perform at least one load reduction action when the system load is above the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark Muccini, Shawn Joel Dube
  • Patent number: 9304565
    Abstract: An information handling system power supply dynamically adapts thermal and power output protection constraints based upon thermal and power output conditions measured at the power supply. In the event of changing conditions at the information handling system, such as an increase in ambient temperature or an increase in power consumption, a power constraint adaptive module adjusts constraints at which the power supply will shut down in order to maintain power to an information handling system outside of a normal power and thermal constraint operating envelope for the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Pradeep Mistry, Mark Muccini
  • Publication number: 20160085282
    Abstract: A power system is coupled to a powered system and a system capacitance. The power system includes a power system output sensor, a power conversion device, and a power system output controller. The power system output controller includes a powered system threshold that is related to a power excursion capability of the powered system. The power system output controller is operable, in response to receiving a power system output signal from the power system output sensor that exceeds the powered system threshold, to control the power conversion device to increase the power system output from the power conversion device in order to increase the energy stored in the system capacitance for use by the powered system during a power excursion. The powered system may include processors that draw power from the system capacitance during power excursions so as to not exceed the limits of the power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: George G. Richards, III, Mark Muccini
  • Patent number: 9261942
    Abstract: A method, system, and information handling system provides better system power consumption of a redundant power system having a plurality of power supply units (PSUs) by taking into consideration each PSU's sleep power consumption during selection of one or more PSUs to place into a “hot spare” sleep mode. For each PSU, power efficiency data at different load ratings are measured and stored. During the PSU selection, a calculation of system power consumption is conducted on each of several configurations where a different PSU is hypothetically disabled. Each calculation takes into consideration both the sleep power consumption of a disabled PSU and power efficiency data of an enabled PSU. Selection of one or more PSUs to disable is determined according to the configuration yielding the lower or lowest system input power consumption based on the results of the calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: John J. Breen, Mark A. Muccini, Wayne Kenneth Cook
  • Patent number: 9213385
    Abstract: A supplemental power system includes a powered component, a removable module interface with a plurality of pins, and a plurality of system connections. A system controller detects a first type removable module coupled to the removable module interface and allows signals from the system connections to be transmitted to the first type removable module through the plurality of pins. The system controller detects a second type removable module coupled to the removable module interface and allows power from the second type removable module that is received through the plurality of pins to be transmitted to the powered component while not allowing signals from the system connections to be transmitted to the second type removable module through the plurality of pins. Power that is stored in the second type removable module may be provided to the powered component in response to a detected power excursion by the powered component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Stuart Allen Berke, George G. Richards, III, Mark Muccini