Failure tolerant parallel power source configuration
First Claim
1. A power system comprising:
- a plurality of power sources coupled in parallel to a first bus having a polarity and a second bus having an opposing polarity;
a third bus; and
a plurality of sensing elements, each sensing element in the plurality of sensing elements corresponding to one of the power sources in the plurality of power sources, each sensing element coupled to the third bus, and configured to allow sensing of power demanded by a load from the corresponding power source, and each power source configured to sense power demanded from it by the load, and supply power to the load in response thereto.
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Abstract
A system comprising a plurality of power sources coupled in parallel is described. The sources are each coupled to a first bus and to a second bus. A sensing element corresponding to each power source is coupled to a third bus, and allows sensing of power demanded by a load from the source. Each source is configured to sense the power demanded from it by the load, and, in response thereto, supply power to the load. In one embodiment, a sensing element comprises a resistor having a resistance inversely proportional to the power capacity of its corresponding source. In the event of a power failure of a power source, an interlock responsive to the failure condition interrupts current flow through the sensing element corresponding to the failed source, and optionally disconnects the power source from the load.
32 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A power system comprising:
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a plurality of power sources coupled in parallel to a first bus having a polarity and a second bus having an opposing polarity;
a third bus; and
a plurality of sensing elements, each sensing element in the plurality of sensing elements corresponding to one of the power sources in the plurality of power sources, each sensing element coupled to the third bus, and configured to allow sensing of power demanded by a load from the corresponding power source, and each power source configured to sense power demanded from it by the load, and supply power to the load in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of delivering power to a load from a plurality of power sources coupled in parallel comprising:
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individually sensing at each of the power sources power demanded by a load; and
individually contributing power to the load from each of the power sources responsive to the power demand as sensed at the power source. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of delivering power to a load from a plurality of power sources coupled in parallel to first and second busses, comprising:
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providing a power sensing element corresponding to each of the power sources and coupled to a third bus;
individually sensing power demanded by the load from each of the power sources;
individually deriving one or more control signals at each of the power sources responsive to the power demanded by the load from that power source; and
individually contributing power from each power source responsive to the control signal corresponding to the power source. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification