Electricity: power supply or regulation systems – External or operator controlled – Using a transformer or inductor as the final control device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-04
2001-01-23
Riley, Shawn (Department: 2838)
Electricity: power supply or regulation systems
External or operator controlled
Using a transformer or inductor as the final control device
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177790
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to magnetic connectors, and in particular to a magnetic coupling for a data access and storage device. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a backplane for distributing power to a redundant array of independent hard disk drives through a magnetic coupling.
2. Description of Related Art
The individual hard disk drives in a redundant array of independent drives (RAID) typically receive power through a hard-wired connector interface with a backplane. Each of the drives is loaded in a drive carrier, mounted in a drawer in the storage subsystem, and individually connected in parallel to the backplane. Each drive also has a read/write interface, such as a conventional small computer system interface (SCSI) connector, that allows the host computer to access and store data on the drive. Although current power interface hardware is acceptable, an improved apparatus and method for powering arrays of independent disk drives is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A redundant array of independent disk drives (RAID) is coupled to a backplane for interfacing with a computer. Each drive in the array is mounted in a carrier. The backplane has a main power circuit and each carrier has a power conditioning and distribution circuit. Each pair of power circuits interfaces via a connectorless magnetic coupling having a core transformer with two halves. Half of the split core transformer is contained within each of the backplane and the carrier. The main power circuits deliver power to the magnetically coupled split core transformer halves, which then deliver electrical power to their respective power conditioning and distribution circuits on the carriers to provide power to the drives.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved magnetic connector.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic coupling for a data access and storage device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a backplane for distributing power to a redundant array of independent hard disk drives through a magnetic coupling.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4924171 (1990-05-01), Baba et al.
patent: 5122729 (1992-06-01), Itoga et al.
patent: 5157319 (1992-10-01), Klontz et al.
patent: 5229652 (1993-07-01), Hough
patent: 5325046 (1994-06-01), Young et al.
patent: 5341280 (1994-08-01), Divan et al.
patent: 5455467 (1995-10-01), Young et al.
Emberty Robert George
Klein Craig Anthony
Felsman Bradley Vaden Gunter & Dillon, LLP
International Business Machines - Corporation
Riley Shawn
Sullivan Robert M.
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