초록 ▼

A fault tolerant power supply system includes a plurality of devices coupled to a common power distribution bus. The devices are arranged and connected in a hierarchical order. The system provides that the devices of higher rank or position in the hierarchy to obtain priority in drawing power from t

A fault tolerant power supply system includes a plurality of devices coupled to a common power distribution bus. The devices are arranged and connected in a hierarchical order. The system provides that the devices of higher rank or position in the hierarchy to obtain priority in drawing power from the bus. Each device is coupled to the next adjacent device via a control status line that indicates whether there has been a failure of the power supply of any device higher up in the hierarchy. In the event that the local power supply of a device fails, it can be selectively connected to the power distribution bus to draw power, only if the control status line indicates that there have no failures in the devices having a higher hierarchical rank. Once connected to power distribution bus, if a higher ranking device should experience a power supply failure, the device will be disconnected from the power distribution bus and the higher ranking device connected to the power distribution bus.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fault tolerant power supply system for supplying power to a plurality of devices, at least one device of said system comprising:a local power supply means for supplying power to a local device of said plurality of devices;means for coupling said local power supply means

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fault tolerant power supply system for supplying power to a plurality of devices, at least one device of said system comprising:a local power supply means for supplying power to a local device of said plurality of devices;means for coupling said local power supply means to a power distribution bus for distribution of power to other devices coupled to said power distribution bus;switch means for selectively coupling said local device to said power distribution bus to control the flow of power to said local device from said power distribution bus;sensing means for sensing a condition of said local power supply means;control logic means for controlling said switch means in response to said sensed condition of said local power supply means and a signal from one of said other devices.