Load Distribution System and Power Management System and Method
First Claim
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1. A load distribution system and power management system for distributing electrical power from a power source having a maximum current draw to a plurality of user devices, comprising:
- a) a power bus coupled to the power source;
b) a monitor bus;
c) a plurality of power units coupled to the power bus and the monitor bus, each power unit comprising;
i) a power conversion stage having an input coupled to the power bus, an inhibit input and an output for connection of a user device;
ii) a current sensor sensing current drawn from the power bus by a user device connected to the output of the power conversion stage;
iii) a power sense circuit having an input coupled to the current sensor, and an output coupled to the monitor bus, the power sense circuit putting a signal on the monitor bus proportional to the current sensed by the current sensor, such that the total signal on the monitor bus is proportional to the total current being drawn from the power bus by the power conversion stages of the plurality of power units; and
iv) a comparator having an input coupled to the monitor bus for comparing the total signal on the monitor bus to a reference, and an output coupled to the inhibit input of the power conversion stage;
such that when the total signal on the monitor bus rises to a selected value relative to the reference, the comparator output causes a signal on the inhibit input of the power conversion stage, thus causing the power to the user device to be disconnected; and
the reference being chosen such that when the total signal on the monitor bus reaches the reference, the power conversion units in the plurality of power units are drawing the maximum current draw from the power source on the power bus.
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Abstract
A power management system for distributed power management from a power source to a plurality of power units, using a monitor bus to monitor total power usage on a branch to which the power unit is assigned, allowing power to be delivered if it won'"'"'t result in a maximum current draw from the power source being exceeded, and denying access if it would. Each power unit adds a signal to the monitor bus proportional to the current it is drawing from the power source.
29 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A load distribution system and power management system for distributing electrical power from a power source having a maximum current draw to a plurality of user devices, comprising:
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a) a power bus coupled to the power source; b) a monitor bus; c) a plurality of power units coupled to the power bus and the monitor bus, each power unit comprising; i) a power conversion stage having an input coupled to the power bus, an inhibit input and an output for connection of a user device; ii) a current sensor sensing current drawn from the power bus by a user device connected to the output of the power conversion stage; iii) a power sense circuit having an input coupled to the current sensor, and an output coupled to the monitor bus, the power sense circuit putting a signal on the monitor bus proportional to the current sensed by the current sensor, such that the total signal on the monitor bus is proportional to the total current being drawn from the power bus by the power conversion stages of the plurality of power units; and iv) a comparator having an input coupled to the monitor bus for comparing the total signal on the monitor bus to a reference, and an output coupled to the inhibit input of the power conversion stage; such that when the total signal on the monitor bus rises to a selected value relative to the reference, the comparator output causes a signal on the inhibit input of the power conversion stage, thus causing the power to the user device to be disconnected; and the reference being chosen such that when the total signal on the monitor bus reaches the reference, the power conversion units in the plurality of power units are drawing the maximum current draw from the power source on the power bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A power unit for a load distribution and power management system for distributing electrical power from a power source having a maximum current draw to a plurality of user devices, the system comprising a power bus coupled to the power source and a monitor bus;
- the power unit comprising;
a) a power conversion stage having an input coupled to the power bus, an inhibit input and an output for connection of a user device; b) a current sensor sensing current drawn from the power bus by a user device connected to the output of the power conversion stage; c) a power sense circuit having an input coupled to the current sensor, and an output coupled to the monitor bus, the power sense circuit putting a signal on the monitor bus proportional to the current sensed by the current sensor, such that the total signal on the monitor bus is proportional to the total current being drawn from the power bus by the power conversion stages of the plurality of power units; and d) a comparator having an input coupled to the monitor bus for comparing the total signal on the monitor bus to a reference, and an output coupled to the inhibit input of the power conversion stage; such that when the total signal on the monitor bus rises to a selected value relative to the reference, the comparator output causes a signal on the inhibit input of the power conversion stage, thus causing the power to the user device to be disconnected; and the reference being chosen such that when the total signal on the monitor bus reaches the reference, the power conversion units in the plurality of power units are drawing the maximum current draw from the power source on the power bus. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- the power unit comprising;
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15. A method of operating a load distribution and power management system for distributing electrical power from a power source having a maximum current draw to a plurality of user devices, the system comprising a power bus coupled to the power source;
- a monitor bus; and
a plurality of power units coupled to the power bus and the monitor bus, each power unit comprising a power conversion stage having an input coupled to the power bus and an output for connection of a user device, each power unit putting a signal on the monitor bus proportional to current drawn from the power bus by a user device on the output of the power conversion stage of the power unit;
a selected total signal on the monitor bus indicating the point at which the power conversion units in the plurality of power units are drawing the maximum current draw from the power source on the power bus, wherein the method comprises;a) when a user connects a user device to the output of the power conversion stage of a power unit, the power unit supplying power from the power bus to the user device; b) the power unit sensing the signal on the monitor bus after supplying power to the user device; and c) if, after the power unit supplies power to the user device, the signal on the monitor bus is greater than a value related to the selected monitor bus reference, the power unit disconnecting power to the user device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- a monitor bus; and
Specification