Redundant and fault-tolerant power distribution system having an integrated communication network
First Claim
1. A power distribution system having an integrated communication network, comprising:
- a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes;
a power port and an associated port monitor;
a load port and an associated port monitor; and
a processing element;
wherein the port monitors associated with the power port and the load port are connected to the processing element, and include a current monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the corresponding port;
a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between the nodes; and
a communication link for conducting data bi-directionally between the nodes;
wherein data passed on the communication link is used for any of;
enabling or disabling any of;
a power source connected to a particular power port at a corresponding node, ora device connected to a particular load port at a corresponding node.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power distribution and communication system includes nodes connected by power lines and communication links. The system receives power from one or more power sources. Each node contains at least one power port, data port and load port. Associated with each power port and load port is a port monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the port and the voltage difference between the port outlet and ground, which measurements are passed to a processing element. The processing element and monitor analyze measured values to detect fault conditions. Upon fault condition detection, the port is disabled by opening a switch, disconnecting the port from the system voltage. The processing element receives power directly from the power line, thus receiving power from a live power line even if the associated power port is disabled allowing the processing element to enable a disabled node following a failure.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A power distribution system having an integrated communication network, comprising:
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a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes; a power port and an associated port monitor; a load port and an associated port monitor; and a processing element; wherein the port monitors associated with the power port and the load port are connected to the processing element, and include a current monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the corresponding port; a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between the nodes; and a communication link for conducting data bi-directionally between the nodes; wherein data passed on the communication link is used for any of; enabling or disabling any of; a power source connected to a particular power port at a corresponding node, or a device connected to a particular load port at a corresponding node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method, comprising:
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establishing a power distribution system having an integrated communication network, comprising; a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes; a power port and an associated port monitor; a load port and an associated port monitor; and a processing element; wherein the port monitors associated with the power port and the load port are connected to the processing element, and include a current monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the corresponding port; interconnecting the power ports between the nodes with a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between the nodes; establishing a communication link for conducting data bi-directionally between the nodes; and passing data on the communication link for any of; enabling or disabling any of; a power source connected to a particular power port at a corresponding node, or a device connected to a particular load port at a corresponding node. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A node for connection to an integrated communication network, the node comprising:
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a power port and an associated port monitor; a load port and an associated port monitor; and a processing element; wherein the port monitors associated with the power port and the load port are connected to the processing element, and include a current monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the corresponding power port or load port; wherein the node is configured to be interconnected with one or more other nodes within the integrated communication network, including; a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between the node and the other nodes; and a communication link for conducting data bi-directionally between the node and the other nodes; wherein data passed on the communication link is used for any of; enabling or disabling any of; a power source connected to a particular power port at a corresponding node, or a device connected to a particular load port at a corresponding node. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification