Apple Files Patent to Make a Zero-Power PSU

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Makes you wonder why manufacturers don't already apply this method anyways. I mean, honestly why give Apple the chance to patent something like this if you're already manufacturing it?

With that said, a physical on/off switch only works as long as the person works. Though I must say that I recently saw a 6-outlet surge protector which apparently had this feature built in and would automatically shut off outlets that drained below a certain threshold. (i.e. - inactive)
 
Why not have the sensoring part be mechanical (and truly zero power) instead? Simply have the power button include a mechanism that creates a small charge, just enough to trigger the PSU to wake up and start the system.. let's call it.. the iPower ©
 
It's a bit like sweeping the problem under the rug...typical Apple.

So the .001 W of power you save is going to be quickly lost by the amount of power used to run this "smart circuitry" and the increased cost of installing the circuitry into the psu.

It's like someone at Apple looked at the tech to disable cylinders in a car and said "yes that'll be relevant to a PC!!!"
 
How does it use zero power? It has to charge a battery - normal PSUs do not. Usually when a computer is powered off, it uses around 1 watt. That's about 1 to 2 bucks per year at most. Add to that the power used in manufacturing the extra components required in the CPU. Seems like yet another green propaganda PR stunt than an actual savings of power. Increasing how efficient a power supply is when on helps save energy far more than this.
 
[citation][nom]zak_mckraken[/nom]The article reads : The control circuitry is powered by a battery, which is charged during regular power flow.So, instead of a regular PSU that draws about 0.5 watts when the computer is off, you'll have a self-charging battery that will draw 0 watt, but will need to be replaced after one year of usage. Green power?[/citation]

During charged during regular power flow does not mean it uses zero watts. It means it leaches off the current running during opweration of the computer. Unless Apple has found a way around the laws of conservation of energy(i.e. energy cannot be created or destroyed). Just because apple can manipulate people and the patent law it does not follow that it can break the laws of physics as well

 
Better ones already exist... Old Schooler's will know them as the AT/ST Power Supplies that can be found on 8088-80286's, they use a toggle switch to shut them off. When the switch is thrown, guess what... circuit is cut and no power gets to the supply and you don't even need to charge a battery!
 
[citation][nom]JohnnyLucky[/nom]Several years ago I read about a similar concept. I think it was supposed to eliminate standby power for houisehold electronics and appliances.[/citation]
And it was put into power strips that sense idle load and turn the whole plug off. It's just Apple coming up with some gimmick as an excuse to charge their sheep user base more $$$.
 
If I understand what is going on better than the article I may be able to give a better guess at the use of this thing. It should communicate with any wireless device such as a laptop or iPhone and shut off the psu once charging has been completed. Apple is much more focused on their mobile devices. It also makes a lot more sense because it would actually save some power. They probably applied for the broader usage to improve their leverage with Patents.
 
[citation][nom]Archean[/nom]Won't this battery needs recharging at some point, hence, bringing down any (if there is) power saving to nothing ?[/citation]

It'll use some power to charge the battery, but if charge-time is, say, 30 minutes from zero but it lasts months on a charge, there will be some cost savings there.

My question is, what happens when the battery goes out on a mission-critical machine that needs wake-on-LAN? Oops! There is slightly more risk involved, but perhaps you wouldn't choose that PSU for a critical machine (it'll probably be powered on all the time anyway).
 
[citation][nom]armand_h[/nom]just unplug your PSU and your system will not use any additional power![/citation]
We're talking about Apple users here. The same people that need a tech support article on how to move a desktop around.
 
[citation][nom]leo2kp[/nom]It'll use some power to charge the battery, but if charge-time is, say, 30 minutes from zero but it lasts months on a charge, there will be some cost savings there.[/citation]

Wrong. Unless Apple finds a way to go around the laws of physics there is no way to save any power. The rechargeable batteries are quite inefficient and never will be 100% efficient. So let assume that we have 90% efficient battery (typical for Li-ion battery). That means that you need to put about 1.11Wh into the battery in order to draw about 1Wh. Then you need to power complex CPU based circuit. If you want real zero-stand-by-PSU you need nano-switch that could be triggered by harvested energy. Until then it is simple scam.

 
[citation][nom]xenol[/nom]What's wrong with turning off the switch or unplugging it?[/citation]
Because Apple idiot's loose their IQ by -1 every time they use their MACs 😛
 
[citation][nom]enterthesloth1[/nom]During charged during regular power flow does not mean it uses zero watts. It means it leaches off the current running during opweration of the computer. Unless Apple has found a way around the laws of conservation of energy(i.e. energy cannot be created or destroyed). Just because apple can manipulate people and the patent law it does not follow that it can break the laws of physics as well[/citation]
Just my thoughts while reading the article! Well done, sir!
 
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