Systems and methods for delivering power in response to a connection event

• US 20110121656A1
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Hicks, Dennis, Collins, Karen L., Liebelt, Christopher, Young, Michael T., Teegarden, Craig R., Osoinach, Bryce T., Mejia, Simon
• Application Number:
  US12/592,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20110121656A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/80
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/108 using diodes blocking reverse current flow H02J1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source. An electrical system for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source comprises an interface configured to be coupled to the second energy source, a switching element coupled between the first energy source and the interface, and a processing system coupled to the switching element and the interface. The processing system is configured to identify a connection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the second energy source and operate the switching element to provide a path for current from the first energy source in response to identifying the connection event.

Claims

1. An electrical system for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source, the electrical system comprising:

an interface configured to be coupled to the second energy source;

a switching element coupled between the first energy source and the interface; and

a processing system coupled to the switching element and the interface, wherein the processing system is configured to;

identify a connection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the second energy source; and

in response to identifying the connection event, operate the switching element to provide a path for current from the first energy source.

2. The electrical system of claim 1, the interface comprising a shielded cable including a shield, wherein the processing system is configured to identify the connection event based on a voltage of the shield.

3. The electrical system of claim 1, the interface comprising a shielded cable including a shield, wherein the processing system is configured to identify the connection event based on a capacitance of the shield.

4. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured to:

identify a disconnection event, the disconnection event being indicative of the interface being decoupled from the second energy source; and

operate the switching element to remove the path for current from the first energy source in response to the disconnection event.

5. The electrical system of claim 1, further comprising a power conversion module coupled between the switching element and the interface, the power conversion module being configured to deliver power from the first energy source to the second energy source via the interface when the switching element provides the path for current from the first energy source.

6. The electrical system of claim 5, wherein the processing system is configured to:

identify a disconnection event, the disconnection event being indicative of the second energy source no longer requiring power from the first energy source; and

in response to identifying the disconnection event, operate the switching element to prevent current from the first energy source to the power conversion module.

7. The electrical system of claim 6, further comprising:

a third energy source, the third energy source being coupled to the processing system when the switching element prevents current from the first energy source; and

battery management circuitry coupled between an output of the power conversion module and the third energy source, wherein the processing system is configured to;

operate the switching element provide a path for current from the first energy source when a state of charge of the third energy source is less than or equal to a first threshold, wherein the battery management circuitry is configured to charge the third energy source from the output of the power conversion module; and

operate the switching element to prevent current from the first energy source to the power conversion module when the state of charge of the third energy source is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

8. A system for delivering power from a first energy source to a device, the system comprising:

a first interface, the first interface being configured to be coupled to the first energy source;

a second interface, the second interface being configured to be coupled to the device;

a switching element coupled between the first interface and the second interface, the switching element being configured to control flow of current from the first interface; and

a power management system coupled to the second interface and the switching element, the power management system being configured to close the switching element in response to the second interface being coupled to the device, wherein closing the switching element results in a path for current from the first interface.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a power conversion module coupled between the switching element and the second interface, the power conversion module being configured to deliver power from the first energy source to the device via the second interface when the switching element is closed, wherein in response to the second interface being decoupled from the device, the power management system is configured to open the switching element to inhibit current flow from the first energy source.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the device includes a second energy source; and

the second interface comprises;

a connection arrangement; and

a sensing arrangement, the sensing arrangement being integral with the connection arrangement and coupled to the power management system, wherein the power management system is configured to;

detect a first condition of the sensing arrangement, the first condition being indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device; and

close the switching element in response to the first condition, wherein the connection arrangement is configured to be coupled between the switching element and the second energy source when the second interface is coupled to the device and the switching element is closed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the power management system is configured to:

detect a second condition of the second interface that is indicative of the second interface being decoupled from the device; and

open the switching element in response to the second condition such that the switching element prevents flow of current from the first energy source.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the device includes a second energy source; and

the second interface comprises;

an inner conductive core;

an insulator coaxial to and circumscribing the inner conductive core; and

a conductor coaxial to and circumscribing the insulator, wherein the power management system is coupled to the conductor and configured to;

detect a characteristic of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device; and

close the switching element in response to detecting the characteristic of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device, wherein the inner conductive core is coupled between the switching element and the second energy source when the second interface is coupled to the device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the power management system is configured to:

detect a voltage of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device; and

close the switching element in response to the voltage of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the power management system is configured to:

apply an input electrical signal to the conductor, resulting in a response signal on the conductor;

determine a capacitance of the conductor based on the response signal; and

close the switching element in response to the capacitance of the conductor being indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device.

15. A method for delivering power to a target energy source from a supply energy source using an interface configured to be coupled to the target energy source, the interface comprising a connection arrangement and a sensing arrangement integral with the connection arrangement, the method comprising:

detecting a connection event based on an electrical characteristic of the sensing arrangement, the connection event being indicative of the interface being coupled to the target energy source; and

establishing a path for current from the supply energy source in response to the connection event, wherein the supply energy source delivers power to the target energy source via the connection arrangement when the path for current from the supply energy source is established.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the connection arrangement comprises a first conductor;

the sensing arrangement comprises a second conductor coaxial to the first conductor; and

detecting the connection event comprises detecting a capacitance of the second conductor that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the target energy source.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the connection arrangement comprises a first conductor;

the sensing arrangement comprises a second conductor coaxial to the first conductor; and

detecting the connection event comprises detecting a voltage of the second conductor that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the target energy source.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:

a switching element is coupled between the supply energy source and the interface, the switching element being configured to prevent current from the supply energy source in an open state; and

establishing the path for current comprises closing the switching element in response to the connection event, wherein the switching element provides the path for current from the supply energy source in a closed state.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

detecting a disconnection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface, the disconnection event being indicative of the target energy source no longer requiring delivery of power from the supply energy source; and

opening the switching element in response to the disconnection event.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting a disconnection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface, the disconnection event being indicative of the target energy source no longer requiring delivery of power from the supply energy source; and

preventing current from the supply energy source in response to the disconnection event.