Patent US5574667A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5574667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature independent fan-error correction circuit
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1995-06-01
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2015-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A computer system has control circuitry for detecting directly and independently of temperature the malfunctioning of a fan used for cooling the housing of the computer and for controlling the power supply voltage when malfunctions are detected so as to reduce the temperature within the housing of the computer system.
Inventors
- 👤 James S. Dinh
- 👤 George K. Korinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A computer system having a housing, a fan and a power supply for applying a voltage to the fan and electrical power to the computer system comprising: a fan control circuit electrically coupled to the fan for adjusting the voltage applied to the fan, the fan control circuit producing at least one fan-error signal when the fan control circuit detects one or more fan operational errors, wherein each fan operational error is detected independently of temperature within the housing; and protection circuitry electrically coupled to the power supply and the fan control circuit for receiving each fan-error signal and for sending a power-off signal to the power supply thereby commanding the power supply to turn off the electrical power to the electrical equipment upon receipt of at least one fan-error signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A computer system having a housing, a fan and a power supply for applying a voltage to the fan and electrical power to the computer system comprising: a fan control circuit electrically coupled to the fan for adjusting the voltage applied to the fan, the fan control circuit producing at least one fan-error signal when the fan control circuit detects one or more fan operational errors, wherein each fan operational error is detected independently of temperature within the housing; and protection circuitry electrically coupled to the power supply and the fan control circuit for receiving each fan-error signal and for sending a power-off signal to the power supply thereby commanding the power supply to turn off the electrical power to the electrical equipment upon receipt of at least one fan-error signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the computer system is a personal computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein at least one fan operational error is a locked condition preventing the fan from turning and at least one fan-error signal represents such locked condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 3 wherein the computer system is a personal computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein one of the at least one fan operational errors is an open circuit condition preventing the power supply from applying the voltage to the fan and at least one of the fan-error signals represents the open circuit condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 5 wherein the computer system is a personal computer system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |