Patent ID: 6157308
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
Apparatus for providing a reliable power supply, comprising:a pair of DC power sources and diodes connecting each of said power sources to a power converter;characterized in that said system further comprises access means and processor means for measuring the voltage on both sides of each of said diodes;wherein the measured voltages are analyzed by said processor means in order to detect open or shorted diodes;further comprising:a plurality of power resistors, each in close proximity and in thermal contact with one of said diodes; andmeans for applying power selectively to each of said power resistors;wherein said processor means further analyzes the changes in voltage across said diodes when power is applied to a power resistor in close proximity to one of said plurality of diodes;wherein the voltage measurements across said diodes further reveal information about incipient or actual diode failures.