Power management system for variable load applications
First Claim
1. A system for managing power for at least one variable load, the system comprising:
- at least one power conversion unit adapted to convert power having a first form into power having a second form, the at least one power conversion unit being further adapted to provide the power having the second form to the at least one variable load; and
a power gateway in electrical communication with the at least one power conversion unit, wherein the power gateway is adapted to direct a conversion operation of the at least one power conversion unit based at least in part on a predicted load requirement of the at least one variable load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for efficient distribution and conditioning of power to one or more variable loads are disclosed herein. Power having a first form is supplied to one or more power conversion units (PCUs) connected to the one or more variable loads. The PCUs are adapted to convert the power from the first form to other forms suitable for use by the components of the destination system. Additionally, a power control module is adapted to monitor the load requirements, both current and future, of the one or more variable loads. Based at least in part on the load requirements, the power control module controls the operation of the one or more PCUs to provide sufficient power to the one or more loads at the appropriate time while minimizing wasted power generation by deactivating any unnecessary PCUs. Additionally, the power control module can, based at least in part on a predicted temporary change in the load requirements, direct one or more of the PCUs to change their output voltages in anticipation of the change in the load requirement, such as by increasing their output voltages to provide additional energy to the one or more variable loads during a temporary increase in power consumption or by decreasing their output voltages during a temporary decrease in power consumption. The present invention proves particularly beneficial when employed to distribute power within a radar system.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A system for managing power for at least one variable load, the system comprising:
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at least one power conversion unit adapted to convert power having a first form into power having a second form, the at least one power conversion unit being further adapted to provide the power having the second form to the at least one variable load; and
a power gateway in electrical communication with the at least one power conversion unit, wherein the power gateway is adapted to direct a conversion operation of the at least one power conversion unit based at least in part on a predicted load requirement of the at least one variable load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for managing power in a radar assembly, the system comprising:
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at least one transmit/receive module having a variable load requirement;
a processor assembly coupled to the at least one transmit/receive module and being adapted to control an operation of the at least one transmit/receive module;
a plurality of power conversion units coupled to the at least one transmit/receive module and being adapted to convert power having a first form to power having a second form and being further adapted to provide the power having the second form to the at least one transmit/receive module;
a power gateway in electrical communication with the plurality of power conversion units, the power gateway adapted to provide power having the first form to the power conversion units; and
a power control module in electrical communication with the power conversion units, the power gateway, and the processor assembly, and being adapted to control a conversion operation of the plurality of power conversion units based at least in part on the variable load requirement of the at least one transmit/receive module. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A power management system for managing power to a voltage regulator electrically connected to a variable load, the power management system comprising:
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means for providing power at a first voltage to the variable load at a first time;
means for predicting a temporary change in the power consumption of the variable load, wherein the predicted temporary change in the power consumption is predicted to occur at a second time subsequent to the first time; and
means for providing power having a second voltage to the variable load at a third time prior to the second time and subsequent to the first time based at least in part on the predicted temporary change in the power consumption of the variable load, the second voltage being different than the first voltage.
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48. A method for managing power from a power source to a variable load using at least one power conversion unit, the method comprising the steps of:
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predicting a load requirement of the variable load occurring at a first time;
determining an amount of power adequate to meet the predicted load requirement; and
directing, at a second time prior to the first time, a conversion operation of at least one power conversion unit to provide the amount of power to the variable load. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for managing power to a variable load using a plurality of power conversion units, the method comprising the steps of:
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predicting a load requirement of the variable load;
selecting a subset of power conversion units from the plurality of power conversion units, wherein a power output of the subset of power conversion units is adequate for the predicted load requirement;
providing power from the subset of power conversion units to the variable load; and
deactivating those power conversion units not included in the subset.
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Specification