Emulating a constant power load using a constant current load

• US 10,168,366 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2017
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Blackwell, Edward L., Glover, Adrian P., Rico, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickey, Thomas L
• Application Number:
  US15/689,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20180284167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/06 by measuring current and voltage G01R21/08 - G01R21/133 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, computer program product, and system for emulating a constant power (CP) electronic load (e-load) from a constant current (CC) e-load. Testing metrics may be obtained for a power source to be tested, including one or more power thresholds. Further, an initial current level for a CC e-load may be obtained. The power-draw of the CC e-load connected to the power source may be determined. The determined power-draw may be compared to at least one of the one or more of the power thresholds. In response to the power-draw not satisfying the at least one power threshold, the current level of the CC e-load may be adjusted based on the power-draw and the at least one power threshold.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining, by a processor, testing metrics for a power source to be tested, wherein the testing metrics include one or more power thresholds, a sampling rate, and a power profile, wherein the power profile includes a period of time to test each of the one or more power thresholds, wherein the power profile constitutes an iteration, and wherein one or more iterations are completed;

obtaining an initial current level for a constant current electronic load (e-load) based on the voltage of the power source to be tested and a first power threshold of the one or more power thresholds;

setting the current level of the constant current e-load to the initial current level;

determining, by a power meter, power-draw of the constant current e-load connected to the power source, wherein the power-draw is output according to the sampling rate;

comparing the power-draw to the first power threshold of the one or more power thresholds, wherein comparing the power-draw to the first power threshold includes calculating an error between the power-draw and the first power threshold, wherein the error is output according to the sampling rate, and wherein each of the one or more power thresholds has an error allowance;

adjusting, in response to the power-draw not satisfying the first power threshold, the current level of the constant current e-load such that the power-draw approaches the first power threshold, wherein adjusting the current level is based on the error between the power-draw and the first power threshold, the sum of error output received according to the sampling rate, and the rate of change of the power-draw;

determining, based on the comparison, that the power-draw exceeds the error allowance of the first power threshold;

increasing, in response to the power-draw exceeding the error allowance of the first power threshold, the sampling rate;

determining, based on the testing metrics, that a second power threshold is to be tested;

obtaining a second initial current level for the constant current e-load based on an inferred voltage of the power source and the second power threshold;

setting the current level of the constant current e-load to the second initial current level;

determining, by the power meter, power-draw of the constant current e-load connected to the power source at the second power threshold, wherein the power-draw is output according to the sampling rate;

comparing the power-draw to the second power threshold of the one or more power thresholds, wherein comparing the power-draw to the second power threshold includes calculating an error between the power-draw and the second power threshold, wherein the error is output according to the sampling rate; and

adjusting, in response to the power-draw not satisfying the second power threshold, the current level of the constant current e-load such that the power-draw approaches the second power threshold, wherein adjusting the current level is based on the error between the power-draw and the second power threshold, the sum of error output received according to the sampling rate, and the rate of change of the power-draw.