Distributed power manager
First Claim
1. A reconfigurable power channel extending between a first device power port and a second device power port comprising:
- a logic controller that includes programmable logic elements and an associated memory module operating an energy management schema program;
a plurality of electrical control devices including a one-way DC to DC power converter and a plurality of controllable switches each controlled by the logic controller, wherein the one-way DC to DC power converter includes an input side for receiving input DC power and an output side from which output DC power is discharged;
an input power converting channel comprising a first conductive pathway that extends between the first device power port and the input side; and
a second conductive pathway, that extends between the output side and the second device power port;
an output power converting channel comprising a third conductive pathway, that extends between the second device power port and the input side, and a fourth conductive pathway that extends between the output side and the first device power port; and
a non-converting power channel comprising a fifth conductive path pathway that extends between the first device power port and the second device power port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed power network includes a power bus infrastructure distributed over a region with node points provided to interface with controllable power nodes. Each power node can be connected to an external power device such as a DC power source, a DC power load, or a rechargeable DC battery. The power nodes form a communication network and cooperate with each other to receive input power from DC power sources and or rechargeable DC batteries connected to the power bus infrastructure and distribute the power received therefrom to the power bus infrastructure for distribution to the DC power loads and to rechargeable DC batteries.
178 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable power channel extending between a first device power port and a second device power port comprising:
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a logic controller that includes programmable logic elements and an associated memory module operating an energy management schema program; a plurality of electrical control devices including a one-way DC to DC power converter and a plurality of controllable switches each controlled by the logic controller, wherein the one-way DC to DC power converter includes an input side for receiving input DC power and an output side from which output DC power is discharged; an input power converting channel comprising a first conductive pathway that extends between the first device power port and the input side; and
a second conductive pathway, that extends between the output side and the second device power port;an output power converting channel comprising a third conductive pathway, that extends between the second device power port and the input side, and a fourth conductive pathway that extends between the output side and the first device power port; and a non-converting power channel comprising a fifth conductive path pathway that extends between the first device power port and the second device power port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An operating method for configuring a reconfigurable power channel that includes a logic controller operating an energy management schema program, a first device power port electrically interfaced with an external DC power device, a second device power port electrically interfaced with a DC power bus and a one-way DC to DC power converter having an input side and an output side, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining, by the logic controller, a device type and an operating voltage of the external DC power device electrically interfaced with the first device power port, wherein the device type is one of a power source and a power load; and determining, by the logic controller, an operating voltage of the DC power bus, wherein when the operating voltage of the external DC power device is compatible with the operating voltage of the DC power bus, the logic controller configures the reconfigurable power channel as a non-converting power channel by operating one or more controllable switches to connect the first device power port with the second device power port, wherein when the operating voltage of the external DC power device is not compatible with the operating voltage of the DC power bus, and the first external DC power device is a power source, the logic controller configures the reconfigurable power channel as an input power converting channel by operating one or more controllable switches to connect the first device power port to the input side and to connect the second device power port to the output side, and by configuring the one-way DC to DC power converter to match an output voltage amplitude from the output side with the operating voltage of the DC power bus, and wherein when the operating voltage of the first external DC power device is not compatible with the operating voltage of the DC power bus, and the first external DC power device is a power load, the logic controller configures the reconfigurable power channel as an output power converting channel by operating one or more controllable switches to connect the first device power port to the output side and to connect the second device power port to the input side, and by configuring the one-way DC to DC power converter to match an output voltage amplitude from the output side with the operating voltage of the first external DC power device. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification