US6901303B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling fans and power supplies to provide accelerated run-in testing
Assignee: Valtrus Innovations Ltd
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Filing: 2001-07-31
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Granted: 2005-05-31
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Expires: 2021-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus controls fans and power supplies to provide accelerated run-in testing. By modulating fans to increase case temperatures and adjusting power supplies to provide “worst case” voltages, a computer system can be subjected to a run-in tests under taxing conditions. By alternately cooling and heating devices such as CPUs, devices can be subjected to mechanical stresses associated with power-on/power off cycles. A time based test implements the present invention based on time, and a temperature based test implements the present invention based on temperature. The present invention can be used to implement a run-in test in which the computer system is operated at an elevated temperature, thereby achieving results similar to those achieved by performing a run-in test in an environmental chamber at an elevated temperature. Alternatively, the a run-in test can be performed by repeatedly cycling the temperature between relatively high and low values.
Inventors
- 👤 Thane M. Larson
- 👤 Akbar Monfared
- 👤 Ian R. Inglis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of performing a run-in test in a computer system having at least one cooling fan that is capable of operating at a normal rotational speed and a reduced rotational speed comprising: operating one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed to cause a temperature within the computer system to reach a level above a normal operating level; and executing software routines that verify the integrity of the computer system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of performing a run-in test in a computer system having at least one cooling fan that is capable of operating at a normal rotational speed and a reduced rotational speed comprising: operating one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed to cause a temperature within the computer system to reach a level above a normal operating level; and executing software routines that verify the integrity of the computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1 wherein operating one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed comprises: waiting a first time period with the one or more cooling fans operating at the reduced rotational speed; and repeatedly cycling the one or more cooling fans between the normal and reduced rotation speed at a duty cycle to maintain the temperature within the computer system at the level above the normal operating level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the computer system includes a temperature sensor, and the method further comprises: monitoring the temperature within the computer system; and aborting the run-in test if the temperature exceeds a maximum threshold temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein temperature sensor monitors the temperature within a case of the computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of a central processing unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced rotation speed is achieved by powering off the one or more fans off.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the computer system includes a temperature sensor, and operating one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed comprises: operating the one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed until the temperature reported by the temperature sensor reaches a first threshold; and repeatedly cycling the one or more cooling fans between the normal and reduced rotational speeds to maintain the temperature reported by the temperature sensor between the first threshold and a second threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 and further comprising: aborting the run-in test if the one or more cooling fans are allowed to operate at the reduced rotational speed for more than a threshold time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein temperature sensor monitors the temperature within a case of the computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of a central processing unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the reduced rotation speed is achieved by powering off the one or more cooling fans.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 1 wherein operating one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed to cause a temperature within the computer system to reach a level above a normal operating level comprises repeatedly and alternately operating one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed and the normal rotational speed to cause the temperature to swing between the normal operating level and the level above the normal operating level to simulate repeated power-on/power-off cycles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the computer system includes a power supply, and voltages provided by the power supply are varied during the run-in test to either minimum or maximum allowable values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer system comprising: a case having a case fan; a power supply having a power supply fan; a CPU having a CPU fan; a temperature sensor; and a system management module coupled to the case fan, the power supply and power supply fan, the CPU and CPU fan, and the temperature sensor, the system management module implementing a run-in test at a temperature above a normal operating temperature by operating one or more of the fans at a reduced rotational speed to cause a temperature within the case to reach the level above a normal operating level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer system comprising: a case having a case fan; a power supply having a power supply fan; a CPU having a CPU fan; a temperature sensor; and a system management module coupled to the case fan, the power supply and power supply fan, the CPU and CPU fan, and the temperature sensor, the system management module implementing a run-in test at a temperature above a normal operating temperature by operating one or more of the fans at a reduced rotational speed to cause a temperature within the case to reach the level above a normal operating level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein the system management module operates the one or more fans at the reduced rotational speed by waiting a first time period with the one or more fans operating at the reduced rotational speed and repeatedly cycling the one or more fans between the normal and reduced rotation speed at a duty cycle to maintain the temperature with the computer system at the level above a normal operating level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system of claim 15 wherein the system management module monitors the temperature within the computer system and aborts the run-in test if the temperature exceeds a maximum threshold temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 16 wherein temperature sensor monitors the temperature within a case of the computer system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 16 wherein the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of a central processing unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein the system management module reduces rotation speed is by powering off the one or more fans off.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein the system management module operates the one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed by operating the one or more fans at the reduced rotational speed until the temperature reported by the temperature sensor reaches a first threshold, and repeatedly cycling the one or more fans between the normal and reduced rotational speeds to maintain the temperature reported by the temperature sensor between the first threshold and a second threshold.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein the system management module aborts the run-in test if the one or more fans are allowed to operate at the reduced rotational speed for more than a threshold time period.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein temperature sensor monitors the temperature within a case of the computer system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the CPU.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein the reduced rotational speed is achieved by powering off the one or more fans.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein the system management module operates the one or more cooling fans by repeatedly and alternately operating the one or more cooling fans at the reduced rotational speed and the normal rotational speed to cause the temperature to swing between the normal operating level and the level above the normal operating level to simulate repeated power-on/power-off cycles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein the system management module varies voltages provided by the power supply during the run-in test to either minimum and maximum allowable values.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-05-30 | 2008-11-29 | 2009-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-05-30 | 2012-11-29 | 2013-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-05-30 | 2016-11-29 | 2017-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |