Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for controlling one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) fans. The system can include a control system configured to provide a voltage control signal corresponding to a DC output voltage for the one or more PWM fans. A variable DC voltage source is configured to supply the DC output voltage to the plurality of fans at one of at least two different DC voltages based on the voltage control signal. The DC output voltage from the variable DC voltage source is separate from a PWM control signal that is also supplied to the PWM fans.

Abstract: Plural electric power supplies are connected in parallel to an output bus. The plural supplies include a primary power supply and a redundant switching power supply. The primary power supply is configured to provide output current to a load when the primary power supply is operating normally. The redundant supply is configured to remain online while not providing output current to the load when the primary power supply is operating normally, but to begin providing output current to the load when the primary power supply is not operating normally.

Abstract: A power supply system and method are disclosed. The system includes a power supply to generate an output voltage in response to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal and a DC main voltage. The system also includes an AC/DC converter to generate the DC main voltage based on an AC input voltage. The system further includes a power supply controller to generate the PWM signal based on feedback associated with the output voltage. The power supply controller includes a fault controller to detect an overvoltage condition associated with the power supply and to cause the AC/DC converter to disable the DC main voltage in response to the overvoltage condition.

Abstract: A redundant power supply method is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a load to a first source via a plurality of first power supplies and to a second source via a plurality of second power supplies. The method further includes bi-directionally communicatively coupling a controller to the plurality of first power supplies and to the plurality of second power supplies. The method includes activating a first portion of the plurality of first power supplies to supply power to the load, wherein the controller determines the number (“N”) of first power supplies activated, and activating at least one of the plurality of second power supplies to supply power to the load. The method also includes monitoring for at least one fault condition in each of the active first power supplies and in each of the active second power supplies.

Abstract: A power supply system and method are disclosed. The system includes a power supply to generate an output voltage in response to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal and a DC main voltage. The system also includes an AC/DC converter to generate the DC main voltage based on an AC input voltage. The system further includes a power supply controller to generate the PWM signal based on feedback associated with the output voltage. The power supply controller includes a fault controller to detect an overvoltage condition associated with the power supply and to cause the AC/DC converter to disable the DC main voltage in response to the overvoltage condition.

Abstract: An electric power conversion system has an adaptable transformer turns ratio for improved efficiency. The transformer has multiple taps on its primary. Switching circuitry is configured to connect an energy source to the taps in at least two modes such that the transformer operates with a first primary-to-secondary turns ratio in the first mode and with a second primary-to-secondary turns ratio in the second mode. The first turns ratio is greater than the second turns ratio. Control circuitry is configured to operate the switching circuitry in the first mode when a voltage level of the energy source is above a first threshold and to operate the switching circuitry in the second mode when the voltage level is below a second threshold.

Abstract: A gate driver (100), a high-side MOSFET switch system (200) and a method (300) of pulse-driven switching a MOSFET employ a Miller capacitance or a Miller capacitance threshold. The gate driver (100) includes a gate discharge portion (110) to provide a first voltage for a first time period to a gate of a MOSFET (102). The first voltage is less than a turn-on threshold voltage of the MOSFET. The gate driver further includes a gate charge portion (120) to provide a second voltage for a second time period to the MOSFET gate. The second voltage is greater than the MOSFET turn-on threshold voltage. The second time period is less than a time period for a gate-source voltage of the MOSFET to exceed the Miller capacitance threshold. The method (300) of pulse-driven switching of a MOSFET includes applying (310) the first voltage for the first time period and applying (320) the second voltage for the second time period.

Abstract: A redundant power supply system includes power limit logic and plural power supplies. The power limit logic is configured to impose a first power limit threshold on the power supply system during a first time period in which one or more of the plural power supplies is being enabled, and a second power limit threshold higher than the first power limit threshold during a second time period.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a point-of-load (POL) power supply system can include providing a circuit board. The circuit board can include a first set of connections configured for coupling a predetermined first portion of components of a voltage regulator down (VRD) system to the circuit board and a second set of connections configured for coupling a replacement module to the circuit board. Each of the first set of connections and the second set of connections is electrically coupled with a third set of connections that is configured for coupling a second portion of components of the VRD system to the circuit board. The second portion of components of the VRD system is connected to the circuit board. The replacement module is connected onto the circuit board via the second set of connections such that the replacement module and the second portion of components of the VRD system cooperate to provide at least a portion of the POL system.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a server that includes multiple power supplies. When the server is in a standby state, one power supply is in a standby state and another power supply is in a deep sleep state.

Abstract: An electric power conversion system has an adaptable transformer turns ratio for improved efficiency. The transformer has multiple taps on its primary. Switching circuitry is configured to connect an energy source to the taps in at least two modes such that the transformer operates with a first primary-to-secondary turns ratio in the first mode and with a second primary-to-secondary turns ratio in the second mode. The first turns ratio is greater than the second turns ratio. Control circuitry is configured to operate the switching circuitry in the first mode when a voltage level of the energy source is above a first threshold and to operate the switching circuitry in the second mode when the voltage level is below a second threshold.

Abstract: A redundant power supply method is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a load to a first source via a plurality of first power supplies and to a second source via a plurality of second power supplies. The method further includes bi-directionally communicatively coupling a controller to the plurality of first power supplies and to the plurality of second power supplies. The method includes activating a first portion of the plurality of first power supplies to supply power to the load, wherein the controller determines the number (“N”) of first power supplies activated, and activating at least one of the plurality of second power supplies to supply power to the load. The method also includes monitoring for at least one fault condition in each of the active first power supplies and in each of the active second power supplies.

Abstract: A redundant power supply method is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a load to a first source via a plurality of first power supplies and to a second source via a plurality of second power supplies. The method further includes bi-directionally communicatively coupling a controller to the plurality of first power supplies and to the plurality of second power supplies. The method includes activating a first portion of the plurality of first power supplies to supply power to the load, wherein the controller determines the number (“N”) of first power supplies activated, and activating at least one of the plurality of second power supplies to supply power to the load. The method also includes monitoring for at least one fault condition in each of the active first power supplies and in each of the active second power supplies.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a point-of-load (POL) power supply system can include providing a circuit board. The circuit board can include a first set of connections configured for coupling a predetermined first portion of components of a voltage regulator down (VRD) system to the circuit board and a second set of connections configured for coupling a replacement module to the circuit board. Each of the first set of connections and the second set of connections is electrically coupled with a third set of connections that is configured for coupling a second portion of components of the VRD system to the circuit board. The second portion of components of the VRD system is connected to the circuit board. The replacement module is connected onto the circuit board via the second set of connections such that the replacement module and the second portion of components of the VRD system cooperate to provide at least a portion of the POL system.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for controlling one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) fans. The system can include a control system configured to provide a voltage control signal corresponding to a DC output voltage for the one or more PWM fans. A variable DC voltage source is configured to supply the DC output voltage to the plurality of fans at one of at least two different DC voltages based on the voltage control signal. The DC output voltage from the variable DC voltage source is separate from a PWM control signal that is also supplied to the PWM fans.

Abstract: A redundant power supply method is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a load to a first source via a plurality of first power supplies and to a second source via a plurality of second power supplies. The method further includes bi-directionally communicatively coupling a controller to the plurality of first power supplies and to the plurality of second power supplies. The method includes activating a first portion of the plurality of first power supplies to supply power to the load, wherein the controller determines the number (“N”) of first power supplies activated, and activating at least one of the plurality of second power supplies to supply power to the load. The method also includes monitoring for at least one fault condition in each of the active first power supplies and in each of the active second power supplies.

Abstract: A redundant power supply system includes power limit logic and plural power supplies. The power limit logic is configured to impose a first power limit threshold on the power supply system during a first time period in which one or more of the plural power supplies is being enabled, and a second power limit threshold higher than the first power limit threshold during a second time period.

Abstract: Plural electric power supplies are connected in parallel to an output bus. The plural supplies include a primary power supply and a redundant switching power supply. The primary power supply is configured to provide output current to a load when the primary power supply is operating normally. The redundant supply is configured to remain online while not providing output current to the load when the primary power supply is operating normally, but to begin providing output current to the load when the primary power supply is not operating normally.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a server that includes multiple power supplies. When the server is in a standby state, one power supply is in a standby state and another power supply is in a deep sleep state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply module for use in an electronic system having redundant power supply modules connected to a power bus. The power supply module includes an output filter. The output filter is configured, upon insertion of the power supply module into the electronic system during operation of the electronic system, to limit reverse current flow into the power supply module from the power bus for a period of time until steady state voltage conditions exist on the power bus. The output filter is configured to then remove the current-limiting, leaving an output inductor-capacitor filter.