REDUNDANT AND FAULT-TOLERANT POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM HAVING AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION NETWORK
First Claim
1. A power distribution system having an integrated communication network comprising:
- a plurality of nodes connected in a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between said nodes, said nodes additionally serviced by communication links therebetween for conducting data bi-directionally between said nodes;
each node comprising;
at least one port and an associated port monitor for measuring current flow into and out of said port; and
a processing element, wherein said processing element and port monitor analyze the measured current to detect one or more fault conditions and, responsive to detection of said one or more fault conditions, reversibly disable said port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power distribution and communication system includes nodes connected by power lines and communication links. The system receives power from one or more power sources. Each node contains at least one power port, data port and load port. Associated with each power port and load port is a port monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the port and the voltage difference between the port outlet and ground, which measurements are passed to a processing element. The processing element and monitor analyze measured values to detect fault conditions. Upon fault condition detection, the port is disabled by opening a switch, disconnecting the port from the system voltage. The processing element receives power directly from the power line, thus receiving power from a live power line even if the associated power port is disabled allowing the processing element to enable a disabled node following a failure.
11 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A power distribution system having an integrated communication network comprising:
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a plurality of nodes connected in a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between said nodes, said nodes additionally serviced by communication links therebetween for conducting data bi-directionally between said nodes; each node comprising; at least one port and an associated port monitor for measuring current flow into and out of said port; and a processing element, wherein said processing element and port monitor analyze the measured current to detect one or more fault conditions and, responsive to detection of said one or more fault conditions, reversibly disable said port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power distribution system having an integrated communication network comprising:
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a plurality of nodes connected by power lines, said nodes arranged in a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between said nodes, said nodes additionally serviced by communication links there between for conducting data bi-directionally between said nodes; each node comprising; at least one port and an associated port monitor for measuring voltage differential across a switch controlling current flow at said port; and a processing element, wherein said processing element and port monitor collectively analyze the measured voltage differential to detect one or more fault conditions and, responsive to detection of said one or more fault conditions, reversibly disable said port.
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12. In a power distribution system having an integrated communication network, a method for minimizing loss of function due to fault conditions, comprising the steps of:
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connecting a plurality of nodes in a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between said nodes; conducting data bi-directionally between said nodes by means of communication links there between; measuring current flow into and out of at least one port on said node by means of a port monitor; and at least one processing element and said port monitor analyzing the measured current to detect one or more fault conditions; and
,responsive to detection of said one or more fault conditions, reversibly disabling said port. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification