Portable power and signal distribution system for a controllable system including multiple devices

• US 20060163945A1
• Filed: 07/26/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Bornhorst, James, Covington, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,203,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0205 not using a model or a simulator of the controlled system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/20 Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/26 Circuit arrangements for protecting against earth faults

Abstract

A power supply assembly which can drive a number of different devices at different voltages. A rack holds a number of breaker modules, and each breaker module can connect to one or many breakout boxes. The breakout boxes are keyed to the breaker modules, so that the breaker boxes will not be energized with power unless they are the proper voltage and/or configuration to receive that power. The coil of a contactor in the breaker module is powered by a key wire that is connected through specified pins in the breakout box. Therefore, no power is ever provided to the breakout box unless it is of the proper voltage configuration. In addition, feeder power to the power supply assembly is provided over bolted connections, without any wire connections between the power feed and the circuit breaker.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a power supply, capable of outputting a plurality of different types of power, and producing an output with power of a first type and a first control signal; and

a controller for said output, which allows power to be applied to said output based on a second control signal being received.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said output includes a connector with a first plurality of control wires, said first control signal is produced on a first of the plurality of wires, and said second control signal is received on a second of said plurality of wires, and said controller allows said power to be output only when the second control signal is present on said second wire.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said different types of power are different phases of power.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said different types of power are different voltages.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said power supply produces a plurality of said outputs, at least a second one of said outputs having a output with power of a second type different than the first type, and associated with a third control signal, and further comprising a second controller for said power of said second type which allows power to be applied to said second output based on a fourth control signal being received.

6. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a connector on said power supply, and wherein said power and said control signal are present on a single connector.

7. A system as in claim 6, further comprising a source of network-based signals, and said network-based signals are also present on said single connector.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein said controller includes an electrically controllable relay.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein said relay includes a coil, and said coil is driven by said second control signal being received only on a specified second wire.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein said power supply includes a rack, first, second and third busbars, carrying first, second and third power types within said rack, and a connection for each of a plurality of breaker modules, allowing said breaker modules to receive different types of power from said busbars in said rack.

11. A system as in claim 10, further comprising a breakout box, having a cable connection thereto, said breakout box including at least one electrical outlet thereon, and including a portion which produces said second control signal, said portion being keyed with a voltage for said at least one electrical outlet, and said cable connection on said breakout box being connectable to said output and said first control signal in said power supply.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein said cable connection includes a single cable carrying said electrical power and said second control signal.

13. A system as in claim 12, wherein said single cable also carries network control signals, and said breakout box includes at least one connector which provides said network control signals.

14. A system as in claim 13, wherein said network control signals include ethernet signals.

15. A system as in claim 10, further comprising one of said breaker modules, having at least one circuit breaker which controls the output power, said breaker modules each connected to at least two of said busbars, wherein said breaker module includes all metal-to-metal bolted connections between said connection to the busbar, and a connection to said circuit breakers.

16. A system as in claim 10, further comprising an ethernet switch in the rack, providing ethernet control to said breaker modules.

17. A system as in claim 10, further comprising a cage, coupled between a location where said breaker modules are to be installed, and said bus bars, said cage having holes therein.

18. A system as in claim 17, wherein each of said breaker modules includes at least two connectors, said connectors being sized to extend through said holes in said cage.

19. A system as in claim 18, wherein said holes include at least first and second grounded holes, adapted for supporting said breaker modules.

20. A system as in claim 19, wherein said breaker modules include an extending ground lug, extending further from the breaker module then a tip of said connectors, such that the extending ground lug makes contact with said holes in said cage prior to said connectors on said breaker module extending through said Cage.

21. A system as in claim 20, further comprising roller portions associated with said rack, supporting said breaker modules to be rolled in and out of the rack.

22. A system as in claim 7, further comprising a matching connector for said single connector, wherein said matching connector includes at least one ground connector pin a first distance from a bottom surface of the connector, at least one signal pin, for said first and second signals, which extends a second distance from said bottom surface of said connector, and at least one power pin, which extends a third distance from said bottom surface of said connector, wherein said third distance is less than said second instance which is less than said first distance.

23. A system as in claim 11, wherein said keyed connection is a loop back between said first control signal being received on the first line, and said loopback connects said first control signal to the specified second line, where the second line is keyed to the voltage of said breakout box.

24. A method comprising:

allowing connection of a first breakout box for power to a power system which is capable of outputting multiple types of power, said first breakout box having connections for a first type of power, and connected to a first connection type on said power system; and

automatically preventing a power type other than said first type of power from being applied to said first breakout box when connected to said first connection type.

25. A method as in claim 24, further comprising

allowing connection of a second breakout box for power to said first connection type on said power system, said second breakout box having connections for a second type of power different than the first type of power;

and

automatically preventing a power type other than said first type of power from being applied to said first breakout box when connected to said first connection type.

26. A method as in claim 24, wherein said automatically preventing comprises providing a plurality of wires in a connection between said first breakout box and said power system, providing a first control signal on a first of the plurality of wires, and allowing power output only when a said second control signal is received on a second of said plurality of wires.

27. A method as in claim 24, wherein said different types of power are different phases of power.

28. A method as in claim 24, wherein said different types of power are different voltages.

29. A method as in claim 25, wherein said automatically preventing comprises providing a plurality of wires in a connection between said first breakout box and said power system, providing a first control signal on a first of the plurality of wires, and allowing power output only when a said second control signal is received on a second of said plurality of wires;

and providing the plurality of wires in a connection between said second breakout box and said power system, providing the first providing a third control signal on a third of the plurality of wires and allowing power output only when a fourth control signal is received on a fourth of said plurality of wires.

30. A method as in claim 24, further comprising supplying both power and control signals on a single connector.

31. A method as in claim 30, further comprising network-based signals within said power system, and said network-based signals are also present on said single connector.

32. A method as in claim 24, wherein said automatically preventing comprises maintaining deenergized a relay that is in series with said power.

33. A method as in claim 32, wherein said maintaining deenergized comprises connecting a coil of said relay to said second wire, so that said coil is driven by said second control signal being received only on said second wire.

34. A method as in claim 24, further comprising providing a power connection between input power and at least one circuit breaker, where the entire power connection comprises all metal-to-metal bolted connections between said connection to the busbar, and a connection to said circuit breakers.

35. A method as in claim 34, wherein said power connection includes a plurality of bus bars, and further comprising shielding the bus bars using a cage with holes.

36. A method as in claim 35, wherein leased a plurality of said holes are grounded holes.

37. A method as in claim 24, wherein said connection is via a connector, and further comprising connecting said connector by connecting ground pins first, signal pins second, and power pins third.

38. A cable, comprising:

a first portion, holding plural wires that are sized for carrying electrical power thereover; and

a second portion, holding plural wires that are sized for carrying control signals thereover; and

a first shield between said first and second portions, separating said first portion from said second portion.

39. A cable as in claim 38, further comprising a third portion, holding wires that are adapted for carrying network signals thereon, located within an area defined by said first shield, and also including a second shield therearound.

40. A cable as in claim 39, wherein said second area is coaxially within said first area.