1. A storage system, comprising:
a storage controller for managing transfers of data between a host and storage memory,
a data mover coupled to the storage controller, the data mover handles data transferred between the host and the storage memory; and
a buffer coupled to the data mover for storing data being transferred between the host and the storage memory;
a storage memory interface coupled to the data mover, the storage memory interface handles data transferred to and from storage memory, the storage memoy interface also including error correction logic;
wherein, to conserve power, the storage controller selectively turns off a portion of the storage system based on an amount of data in the buffer,
wherein the storage controller turns off the error correction logic of the storage memory interface in the storage system if the amount of data in the buffer reaches a threshold amount.
2. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the storage controller selectively turns off a portion of the storage system based on a capacity of the buffer.
3. The storage system of claim 1 wherein data is transferred between the data mover and host at a first transfer rate, and data is transferred between the data mover and storage memory at a second transfer rate, and wherein the storage controller selectively matches the first and second transfer rates.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the error correction logic of the storage memory interface comprises:
an encoder for encoding data to be stored in storage memory; and
a decoder for decoding data retrieved from storage memory;
wherein the storage controller turns off the decoder in the error correction logic of the storage memory interface if the amount of data in the buffer reaches a threshold amount.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the storage controller turns off the decoder by disconnecting power to the decoder.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein the storage controller turns off the decoder by disconnecting a clock signal to the decoder.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A composite constructional element comprising:
a plank profile defining a rear face and two opposed edge sections of the constructional element, each edge section including an edge face; and
a cladding material moulded into the plank profile to extend continuously between the opposed edge faces such that it is retained by the rear face and the opposed edge faces.
2. A composite constructional element comprising:
a plank profile defining a rear face and two opposed edge sections of the constructional element, each edge section including an edge face; and
material moulded into the plank profile such that it is retained by the rear face and the opposed edge faces;
wherein the plank profile further comprises at least one retaining formation shaped to retain the moulded cladding material attached to the plank profile.
3. The composite constructional element according to claim 2, wherein the retaining formations are formed adjacent to or as part of the edge sections.
4. The composite constructional element according to claim 3, wherein the retaining formations comprise longitudinal channels of substantially uniform cross section and filled with cladding material, and being shaped in cross section to retain the moulded cladding material attached to the plank profile.
5. The composite constructional element according to claim 1, wherein the cladding material forms substantially an entire front face of the constructional element.
6. The composite constructional element according to claim 1, wherein each edge section comprises an attachment formation for attachment to a mating attachment formation on an adjacent constructional element.
7. The composite constructional element according to claim 6, wherein the attachment formations comprise a frontwardly facing channel formed on one edge section and a rearwardly projecting lip formed on the opposed edge section, wherein the lip is capable of clipping into or being retained at a channel of an adjacent constructional element.
8. The composite constructional element according to claim 7, wherein the lip includes a recess such that, when clipped into or retained at a mating channel of an adjacent constructional element, a recess is defined between a base of the mating channel and the lip.
9. The composite constructional element according to claim 8, wherein the channel projects outwards beyond one edge face, and the lip is formed inwards from the opposed edge face.
10. The composite constructional element according to claim 9, wherein the channel is formed as a separate piece and includes a depending portion which extends over the adjacent edge face and is embedded in the cladding material once the constructional element is formed.
11. The composite constructional element according to claim 7, wherein, when the plank profile comprises at least one retaining formation shaped to retain the moulded cladding material attached to the plank profile, the lip comprises one of the retaining formations.
12. The composite constructional element according to claim 6, wherein the plank profile, including the rear face, the edge sections and the attachment formations, is integrally formed from a sheet material.
13. The composite constructional element according to claim 1, wherein the plank profile is formed from sheet steel.
14. The A composite constructional element according to claim 13, wherein the plank profile is roll formed.
15. The composite constructional element according to claim 1, wherein the plank profile includes at least one longitudinal stiffening formation comprising a ridge.
16. The composite constructional element according to claim 1, wherein the cladding material comprises cement, concrete, fibre cement, fibreglass, cellulose, foamed polymeric material, ceramics or polystyrene.
17. The composite constructional element according to claim 1, wherein the cladding material is glass reinforced cement.
18. A method of manufacturing a composite constructional element comprising the steps of:
providing a plank profile comprising a rear face and two opposed edge sections, each edge section including an edge face; and
moulding a cladding material into the plank profile such that it extends continuously between the opposed edge faces and is retained by the rear face and the opposed edge faces.
19. A method of manufacturing a composite constructional element comprising the steps of:
providing a plank profile comprising a rear face and two opposed edge sections, each edge section including an edge face, the plank profile further comprising at least one retaining formation; and
moulding a cladding material into the plank profile such that it moulds into the retaining formation to attach to the plank profile and is retained by the rear face and the opposed edge faces.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the plank profile is roll formed from sheet steel.
21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the plank profile comprises the only mould for moulding the cladding material.
22. (canceled)