Wide range power distribution systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for distributing electrical power to a plurality of loads, the system comprising:
- a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets having a common power source;
a plurality of voltage sensors coupled respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors;
a plurality of network-side switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors, each network-side switch coupled between a respective capacitor and the power source;
a plurality of load-side switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors, each load-side switch coupled between a respective capacitor and one of the plurality of loads;
a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of voltage sensors and the plurality of network-side switches and the plurality of load-side switches, and configured to;
determine a respective state for each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
determine an optimal operating point for each respective load corresponding to each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors;
determine a selected capacitor to be charged from the plurality of capacitors, the selected capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective optimal operating point for a respective load among the plurality of capacitors;
direct the plurality of network-side switches and the plurality of load-side switches to couple the selected capacitor to the power source; and
direct the plurality of network-side switches and the plurality of load-side switches to couple at least one of the plurality of capacitors, other than the selected capacitor, to the plurality of loads.
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Abstract
Power distribution systems and methods for distributing power from at least one power source to a plurality of outputs that can differ in output power level. A controller monitors energy storage elements and controls a switch network to dynamically charge and discharge the energy storage elements while matching one or more desired output levels. The controller can dynamically direct the switch network to alter inputs and outputs, thereby changing the frequency and order in which energy storage elements are connected.
48 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for distributing electrical power to a plurality of loads, the system comprising:
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a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets having a common power source; a plurality of voltage sensors coupled respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors; a plurality of network-side switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors, each network-side switch coupled between a respective capacitor and the power source; a plurality of load-side switches corresponding respectively to each of the plurality of capacitors, each load-side switch coupled between a respective capacitor and one of the plurality of loads; a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of voltage sensors and the plurality of network-side switches and the plurality of load-side switches, and configured to; determine a respective state for each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determine an optimal operating point for each respective load corresponding to each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determine a selected capacitor to be charged from the plurality of capacitors, the selected capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective optimal operating point for a respective load among the plurality of capacitors; direct the plurality of network-side switches and the plurality of load-side switches to couple the selected capacitor to the power source; and direct the plurality of network-side switches and the plurality of load-side switches to couple at least one of the plurality of capacitors, other than the selected capacitor, to the plurality of loads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
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9. The system of claim, wherein the controller is configured to enforce a minimum or maximum output voltage when selecting the selected capacitor.
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11. A method of distributing electrical power to a plurality of loads, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets having a common power source; determining a respective state for each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determining an optimal operating point for each respective load corresponding to each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determining a selected capacitor to be charged from the plurality of capacitors, the selected capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective optimal operating point for a respective power load among the plurality of capacitors; coupling the selected capacitor to the power source; coupling at least one of the plurality of capacitors, other than the selected capacitor, to the plurality of loads. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer usable instructions for execution by a processor, the instructions when executed by the processor for causing the processor to carry out a method of distributing electrical power to a plurality of loads, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets having a common power source; determining a respective state for each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determining an optimal operating point for each respective load corresponding to each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; determining a selected capacitor to be charged from the plurality of capacitors, the selected capacitor having a respective state furthest from a respective optimal operating point for a respective power load among the plurality of capacitors; coupling the selected capacitor to the power source; and coupling at least one of the plurality of capacitors, other than the selected capacitor, to the plurality of loads. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification