PEER-TO-PEER TRANSACTION-BASED POWER SUPPLY METHODS AND SYSTEMS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of distributing electrical power, the method comprising:
- issuing a power-transfer-negotiation message by a first device (10/30);
responding to the power-transfer-negotiation message by a second device (30/10), wherein at least one of the power-transfer-negotiation message and the response exchanged between the first and second devices indicates the electrical specification of the power transfer under negotiation;
determining whether the first and second devices (10,30) agree the indicated electrical specification of the power transfer; and
implementing a transfer of electrical power of the agreed electrical specification from one of said first and second devices (10,30) to the other if the result of the determining step is positive.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A peer-to-peer approach is used for the transfer of electrical power between devices (10,30). A communications link (24) is used for negotiation of the details of a desired power-supply transaction between a power-supplying device and a power-receiving device, including the electrical specification of the power to be transferred. When the transaction details are settled, a power supply link (23) is used for implementing the agreed transfer of power. The negotiated electrical specification can include one or more of: the voltage, the waveform (ac or dc), the ac frequency, the power factor, the maximum current, and the total power for the proposed transfer.
66 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of distributing electrical power, the method comprising:
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issuing a power-transfer-negotiation message by a first device (10/30); responding to the power-transfer-negotiation message by a second device (30/10), wherein at least one of the power-transfer-negotiation message and the response exchanged between the first and second devices indicates the electrical specification of the power transfer under negotiation; determining whether the first and second devices (10,30) agree the indicated electrical specification of the power transfer; and implementing a transfer of electrical power of the agreed electrical specification from one of said first and second devices (10,30) to the other if the result of the determining step is positive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electrical-power distribution system comprising:
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a communications link (24); a power-transfer link (23); at least two devices (10,30), each of said devices comprising communications means (13,14/33,34) adapted, in use, to issue power-transfer-negotiation messages and to issue responses to received power-transfer-negotiation messages via said communications link (24), wherein at least one of a power-transfer-negotiation message and a response exchanged between a first and second of said at least two devices indicates the electrical specification of a power transfer under negotiation; means (14/34) adapted, in use, to determine whether said first and second devices (10,30) agree the indicated electrical specification; and means (14/34) adapted, in use, to implement a transfer of electrical power of an agreed electrical specification from one of said first and second devices (10,30) to the other, via said power-transfer link (23) if the determining means (14/34) determines that the first and second devices (10,30) agree the electrical specification of the power transfer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An electrical-power provider device (10/30) comprising:
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communications means (13,14/33,34) adapted in use, when said device has energy available for transfer, to issue a power-transfer negotiation message offering to supply electrical energy to an electrical-power receiver device (30/10), and to issue a response to a power-transfer-negotiation message, issued by said electrical-power receiving device (30/10), requesting supply of electrical energy; specifying means (14,34) adapted to indicate the electrical specification of an electrical-power supply transaction that the electrical-power provider device (10/30) can implement; means (14/34) for determining whether said power-receiver device (30/10) accepts the electrical specification of the electrical-power supply transaction indicated by said specification means (14/34); and power-supply means (12,14/32,34) adapted to output to said electrical power-receiving device (30/10) electrical power having said indicated electrical specification if the determining means (14/34) determines that the power-receiver device (30/10) accepts said indicated electrical specification.
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11. An electrical-power receiver device (10/30) comprising:
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communications means (13,14/33,34) adapted in use, when said device (10/30) requires electrical energy, to issue a power-transfer negotiation message requesting the supply of electrical energy from an electrical-power provider device (30/10), and to issue a response to a power-transfer-negotiation message, issued by said electrical-power provider device (30/10), offering to supply electrical energy; specifying means (14/34) adapted to indicate the electrical specification of an electrical-power supply transaction that the electrical-power receiver device (10/30) accepts to implement; means (14/34) for determining whether said power-provider device (30/10) can provide electrical energy according to the electrical specification indicated by said specification means (14/34); and power-input means (12,14/32,34) adapted to receive from said electrical power-provider device (30/10) electrical power having the indicated electrical specification if the determining means determines that the power-provider device (30/10) can provide electrical energy according to said indicated electrical specification.
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12. An electrical-power broker device (150) comprising:
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connecting means (120) adapted, in use, to connect said electrical-power broker device to a plurality of devices (140) including at least one electrical-power provider device and at least one electrical-power receiver device; communications means adapted, in use, to receive power-transfer-negotiation messages and responses to power-transfer negotiation messages issued by devices (140) connected to said connecting means (120), at least one of said messages indicating the electrical specification of the power transfer under negotiation; and first routing means for routing a response to a power-transfer negotiation message to the device (140) which issued the initial power-transfer negotiation message; and second routing means adapted in use to route electrical power having an agreed electrical specification from an electrical-power provider to an electrical-power receiver after said devices (140) have exchanged messages via said first routing means agreeing said electrical specification of the transfer.
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13. An electrical power transfer cable (20) comprising a communications link (24) and a power-transfer link (24), wherein the power-transfer link (23) is adapted, in use, to transfer power discontinuously and in either direction, dependent on signals communicated on the communications link (24).
Specification