Electricity: motive power systems – Switched reluctance motor commutation control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-02
2004-06-08
Dang, Khanh (Department: 2837)
Electricity: motive power systems
Switched reluctance motor commutation control
C318S434000, C318S432000, C417S044110, C340S648000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06747424
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to speed control and fault detection in fan assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A fan is a standard component in most commercial personal computers (PCs). The function of the fan is to provide thermal cooling to the integrated circuits and other components in the PC. A lack of cooling in a PC and other forms of electronic systems can cause premature failure in the circuits and/or components, which is detrimental to proper system operation and results in the need for costly repair/replacement of the system. Thus, it is important to ensure proper fan operation, both by maintaining proper fan speed and detecting fan failures, in order to avoid the detrimental effects of inadequate thermal cooling.
Accordingly, a need exists for an integrated, efficient and straightforward system for controlling fan speed and monitoring for fan failure that can be implemented with existing fan assemblies. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides aspects for integrating speed control and fault detection in a fan assembly. The aspects include a fan, a first circuit is coupled to the fan for regulating speed of the fan, and a second circuit coupled to the fan and to the first circuit for detecting a fault condition in the fan. A ripple regulator is integrated as the first circuit, and a pulse missing detector circuit is integrated as the second circuit.
With the present invention, a straightforward and cost effective solution for fan speed control and fan fail indication is achieved. These and other advantages of the aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood in conjunction with the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4427931 (1984-01-01), Tsukihashi
patent: 4675584 (1987-06-01), Kurosawa
patent: 4845379 (1989-07-01), Carlsten
patent: 4977375 (1990-12-01), Toth
patent: 5040235 (1991-08-01), Miyazaki
patent: 5230035 (1993-07-01), Spring
patent: 5534854 (1996-07-01), Bradbury et al.
patent: 5664048 (1997-09-01), Niemi et al.
patent: 5727928 (1998-03-01), Brown
patent: 5889469 (1999-03-01), Mykytiuk et al.
patent: 5942866 (1999-08-01), Hsieh
patent: 5990582 (1999-11-01), Henderson et al.
patent: 6040668 (2000-03-01), Huynh et al.
patent: 6135718 (2000-10-01), Yang
patent: 6285146 (2001-09-01), Harlan
patent: 0671810 (1995-09-01), None
patent: 5706588 (1982-01-01), None
patent: 1069288 (1989-03-01), None
Hemena William
Malik Randhir S.
Dang Khanh
Sawyer Law Group LLP
LandOfFree
Integrated fan speed control and fault detection circuitry does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Integrated fan speed control and fault detection circuitry, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Integrated fan speed control and fault detection circuitry will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3346403