Abstract:
A removable power supply that can be manually inserted and removed from a computer cabinet is disclosed. The power supply includes typical power supplying circuitry that can easily be connected to the computer circuitry thereby supplying necessary power. The power supply further includes an interlocking system that locks the power supply top a computer cabinet and provides a further power switch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of power supplies, and more particularly to a removable power supply for computers. 
     II. Description of the Related Art 
     Modern computers include self-contained power supplies that are integral with the computer. Often times the power supplies malfunction and have to be removed from the computer and replaced. Often times the computer has to be dismantled and all the connecting wires have to be removed in order to remove the malfunctioning power supply. When the new power supply is connected, all of the wires have to be replaced and the computer put back together. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention and the contemplated problems which have and continue to exist in this field, the invention features a removable power supply that can be manually inserted and removed from a computer cabinet without dismantling the computer. All of the connecting wires are automatically connected when the power supply is inserted. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computer power supply, including a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing being adapted to insert into a computer cabinet, power supplying circuitry enclosed in the housing, a locking device located on the first end of the housing and a plurality of electrical connectors located on the second end of the housing, the electrical connectors being adapted to connect to corresponding electrical connectors on the computer cabinet. 
     In one implementation, the locking device includes a switch, a locking pin adapted to secure the housing to the computer cabinet and a key adapted to move the locking pin and the switch from a first position to a second position. 
     In another implementation, the switch is electrically open and the locking pin is disengaged with the computer cabinet when in the first position. 
     In another implementation, the switch is electrically closed and the locking pin is engaged with the computer cabinet when in the second position. 
     In another implementation, the computer power supply includes an indicator having a first signal when the locking pin and switch are in the first position and a second signal when the locking pin and the switch are in the second position. 
     In still another implementation, the computer power supply includes a handle for manually inserting the power supply into the cabinet and removing the power supply from the cabinet. 
     In yet another implementation, the switch comprises a conducting bar adapted to bridge two connecting pins that complete the power supplying circuitry. 
     In another implementation, the computer power supply includes a cooling fan on the first end of the housing. 
     In another implementation, the computer power supply includes at least one additional cooling fan on the second end of the housing. 
     In another implementation, the computer power supply includes at least one opening on the second end of the housing, the at least one opening adapted to receive a cooling fan connected to the computer cabinet. 
     In another implementation, the computer power supply includes a power switch. 
     In another aspect, the invention features an interlocking system including a lock a locking pin connected to the lock and a electrical switch connected to the lock. 
     In one implementation, the locking pin is adapted to engage with a slit on a computer cabinet to lock the cabinet to the interlocking system. 
     In another implementation, the electrical switch is adapted to turn a power supply on and off. 
     In another implementation, the electrical switch comprises a conducting bar adapted to create an electrical connection within the power supply. 
     In still another aspect, the invention features a computer system, including a computer cabinet computer circuitry enclosed by the computer cabinet, the computer circuitry having receiving connections for a power supply, a removable power supply, including a housing having a first end and a second end power supplying circuitry enclosed in the housing, an interlocking system located on the first end of the housing and electrical connectors located on the second end of the housing, the electrical connectors being adapted to connect to the receiving connections. 
     In one implementation, the interlocking system includes a lock a locking pin connected to the lock and adapted to lock and unlock the power supply to the computer cabinet and an electrical switch connected to the lock and adapted to activate the power supply. 
     In another implementation, the electrical switch includes connecting pins and a conducting bar adapted to bridge the connecting pins. 
     In another implementation, the connecting pins activate the power supply when bridged by the conducting bar. 
     In another implementation, the computer system includes an indicator having a lock signal and an unlock signal. 
     One advantage of the invention is that a malfunctioning power supply can easily be removed and replaced with a functioning powers supply without having to dismantle the computer and with little downtime. 
     Another advantage is that the power supply can be locked into the computer and can not be activated unto it is locked into place, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the power supply when the computer is powered on. 
     Another advantage is that all internal wires are automatically connected thereby providing the necessary power to all the internal computer circuitry when the power supply is inserted. 
     Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a removable power supply connected to a computer cabinet; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the removable power supply of FIG. 1 in its placement into a computer cabinet; 
     FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate several positions of an embodiment of an interlock system for a removable power supply; and 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram for an embodiment of a removable power supply connected to a load. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to FIG. 1 which illustrates an embodiment of a removable power supply  100  connected into a computer cabinet  111 . The power supply  100  is typically a self-contained unit and operates independently of a computer (not shown). The power supply includes an outer case  105  that houses typical components for power requirements for a computer, typically converting line power to power suitable for computer use. The power supply further includes a handle  110 . The handle  110  can be used for easy insertion and removal of the supply  100  in and out of the computer cabinet  111 . The computer cabinet  111  shown in FIG. 1 is only a portion of the computer. The handle  110  pivots on a hinge  115 . The supply  100  can also include a rear fan  120 . The rear fan  120  is used to remove heat from heating components inside the case  105 . The supply  100  can also include one or more fans (not shown) on a opposite side  125  of the supply. These fans can also be used to remove heat from the interior of the case  105 . In another embodiment, the rear panel  125  can have openings (not shown) that are adapted to receive fans connected to the computer cabinet  111  into which the supply  100  is inserted. A detailed description of the insertion of the supply  100  into the computer case  111  is discussed below with respect to FIG.  2 . In either of the embodiments, the interior of the case  105  receives air flow for the removal of heat. 
     The supply  100  further includes a power receptacle  130  that is used to receive line power typically alternating current (AC). Standard power cords can be used to connect to receptacle to provide power to the supply  100 . Typically, the line power is 110/115 volts and 220/230 volts. A switch  135  is included in the supply  100  to turn the supply  100  on and off. A line option switch  140  is also included to change the supply&#39;s ability to receive different line power. In an embodiment, the switch  140  has two positions, one for 110/115 volts and the other position for 220/230 volts. 
     The supply further includes several components that make up an interlocking system that is described in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C. A lock  145  is the first part of the system. A key  150  can be inserted into the lock  145  to lock the supply  100  into the computer cabinet and unlock the supply  100  from the cabinet. A slit  160  on the side of the computer cabinet  111  is adapted to receive a locking pin  165 . The locking pin  156  is used to secure the supply  100  into the computer cabinet. The supply can further include an indicator  155  that signals when the supply is locked into place. In an implementation, the indicator is a light emitting diode (LED) that remains unlit when the lock  145  is in the unlocked position and lights up when the lock  145  is in the locked position. It is understood that the indicator  165  can be any type of device that indicate whether or not the lock  145  is in the locked or unlocked position. 
     In one embodiment, the interlock system is not only used to lock the supply  100  into the computer cabinet but is also used as an additional switching mechanism. As discussed above, the switch  135  is used to turn the supply  100  on and off. The interlock system can also be used to turn the supply  100  on and off. When the lock  145  is in the unlocked position, the interlock system does not allow power to flow into the supply  100 . When the lock  145  is in the locked position, power is allowed to flow into the supply  100 . In such an arrangement, it is necessary for both the lock  145  to be locked and the switch  135  placed into the on position for the supply  100  to operate. This feature helps to ensure that the supply is not inadvertently removed from the computer cabinet  111  while the computer is powered on. Such a removal can potentially cause damage to the computer as well as to software and files on the system. FIG. 1 illustrates the supply  100  locked into the computer cabinet  111 . 
     The supply further includes a power conduit  170  located in the opposite side  125 . The power conduit  170  can be connected to a receiving conduit  175  on a wall  180  of the cabinet  111 . In one embodiment, the power conduit  170  includes one or more sockets/plugs that can connect into corresponding plugs/sockets inside the computer cabinet to provide power to the appropriate components (e.g., hard drives, CD ROMS, fans and other internal computer components). Therefore, when the supply  100  is inserted into the cabinet  111 , all the necessary internal wiring is automatically connected. In another embodiment, the conduit  170  can include a series of wires that can be directed to the appropriate components inside the cabinet. In this embodiment, the user manually connects all the wires. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the removable power  200  supply of FIG. 1 in its placement into a computer cabinet  205 . An arrow  210  illustrates the relative placement of the supply  200  within the cabinet  205 . A power conduit  215  can be directly connected to a receiving conduit  220  located in the cabinet  205 . Wires  221  are connected to the receiving conduit  220  in order to deliver power to the internal components of the computer. As shown in FIG. 2 there can be more than one power and receiving conduit depending on the power needs of the computer. It is understood that several different embodiments of the removable power supply  200  can be made to accommodate the various different types of computers that exist. 
     FIG. 2 also illustrates fans  225  that can line up with openings (not shown) in the supply. As described above, the fans  225  can be located in the supply  200  itself similar to fan  230 , but in the opposite wall of the supply  200 . 
     A slit  235  is located on the side of the cabinet  205  to receive the locking pin  240 . The locking pin  240  can be retracted and extended from a slit  245  on the supply  200 . In FIG. 2, the locking pin  240  is retracted from the slit  245 . The key is positioned near the lock  255 . The key  250  can be used to retract the locking pin  240  so that the supply  200  can be inserted into the cabinet  205 . With the locking pin  240  in the extended position, the supply  200  is not capable of being inserted into the cabinet  205  because the locking pin  240  hits against the edge  206  of the cabinet  205 . 
     FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate several positions of an embodiment of a lock of an interlock system for a removable power supply. 
     FIG. 3A illustrates a lock  300  in a locked position. As described above the lock can be in a locked and unlocked position thereby locking the supply into the computer cabinet and switching the supply on and off. The lock  300  includes an outer cover  305  having an aperture  310  and transverse pin  311  that is adapted to receive a key to lock and unlock the lock  300 . The transverse pin  311  has a first niche  312  that can be aligned with a second niche  306  located on the outer cover  305 . In this embodiment, when the first and second niches  321 ,  306  are aligned, the lock  300  is unlocked. When the niches  312 ,  306  are not aligned, the lock  300  is in the locked position. It is understood that there are several configurations for this type of lock and that the embodiment described does not limit the lock to the one embodiment but is shown to illustrate one type of embodiment. 
     The lock  300  further includes an outer casing  315  having a threaded portion  320 . The threaded portion  320  enables the lock  300  to be inserted screwed and thereby secured into the supply. An elongated aperture  330  is located in the casing  315  allowing a range of motion for a locking pin  325 . FIG. 3A shows an embodiment of the elongated aperture that allows a range of motion of the locking pin  325  through about 90 degrees. This motion through 90 degrees is sufficient to lock and unlock the supply into the cabinet. 
     The lock  300  further includes external connecting pins  335 . As described above, the lock can be used to switch the power supply on and off. The pins  335  are used to complete a circuit within the power supply in order to switch it on and off. A further description of this switching mechanism is described below. 
     FIG. 3B illustrates an internal view of the lock  300  of FIG. 3A, in the locked position. The case  315  is shown as transparent to show further internal details of the lock  300 . The transverse pin  311  is connected to an internal cylinder that is connected to the locking pin  325 . A rod  345  connects the internal cylinder  340  to a rectangular bar  350 . The rectangular bar  350  is typically comprised of a conducting material so that it can create a conductive bridge between the connecting pins  335 . When the connecting pins  335  are bridged by the rectangular bar  350  the internal circuit is complete so that the power supply is turned on. Provided that the other power switch ( 135  in FIG. 1) is also turned on, the power supply is functioning. FIG. 3B illustrates the connecting pins bridged by rectangular rod  350 . Specifically, the rectangular rod  350  connects to contact pads  355 . This position corresponds to the locked position as described above. Accordingly, the niches  306 ,  312  are not aligned and the power supply is locked in the cabinet. 
     FIG. 3C illustrates an internal view of the lock  300  of FIG. 3A, in the unlocked position. The transverse pin has been rotated by the key (not shown) thereby rotating the internal cylinder  340  and the locking pin  325 . In this position the locking pin  325  has been rotated out of the slit on the supply ( 245  in FIG. 2) and the slit on the cabinet ( 235  in FIG.  2 ). Rectangular rod  350  has also been rotated and therefore no longer in contact with contact pads  355 . Therefore, the connecting pins  335  are not bridged and the circuit is incomplete. The power supply is therefore nonfunctional when the lock is in this unlocked position. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram for an embodiment of a removable power supply  400  connected to a load. The schematic illustrates a power symbol  405  connected in series with a first switch symbol  410 , a second switch symbol  415  and a load symbol  420 . The power symbol  405  typically represents the internal power supply circuitry as described above. The first switch symbol  410  represents the switch ( 135  in FIG. 1) and the second switch symbol  415  contained within the dotted box represents the interlocking system as described above. The load symbol  420  typically represents the computer circuitry that the power supply is providing power. As the schematic  400  illustrates, both switches must be closed for the power supply to be functional, thereby providing power to the load. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.