METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICAL POWER TO ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN A TRANSPORT VEHICLE AND AN ASSOCIATED COMPUTER PROGRAM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of distributing electric current from a power source (4) to a plurality of electrical outlets (18) in a transport vehicle, the method being implemented by a distribution system (2, 82) that comprises a central source of electric power (4) and at least one set of distribution units, referred to as a column (11), comprising a plurality of local distribution units (8) that are connected to each other and to the power source (4) by a power line (10);
- each distribution unit (8) being equipped with a control module (22) and a plurality of electrical outlets (18) capable of transmitting a distribution request to the control module (22) when electronic devices (20) are connected to said electrical outlets (18);
wherein the method comprises the steps of;
a) reception (46) of a distribution request from an electrical outlet (18) not yet connected to an electronic device (20), called waiting electrical outlet (18);
b) supplying (51) of electric current to said waiting electrical outlet (14);
c) determining (40, 42, 44, 52) the instantaneous electric current intensity supplied to all the electrical outlets (18) already connected to an electronic device (20);
d) comparing (54) the instantaneous current intensity determined in step c) to a threshold referred to as a maximum threshold (SMoutlets, SMcol);
e) if the current intensity determined in step c) is greater than said maximum threshold (SMoutlets;
SMcol),computing the cumulative intensity of electric current supplied to each electric outlet (18) already connected to an electronic device (20) since the beginning of the step of supplying current (51) to that electrical outlet (18);
selecting (56) the electrical outlet (18) that has supplied the highest cumulative intensity of electric current ; and
terminating (58) the supply of current to said selected electrical outlet (18).
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method of distributing electric current to electrical outlets (18), and a program to implement this method. The method comprises the following steps:
- Supplying electric current to the electrical outlets (18) not yet connected to an electronic device (20) upon receipt of a distribution request from said electrical outlets;
- Determining the instantaneous current intensity supplied to the electrical outlets;
- Comparing said determined current intensity to a threshold referred to as the maximum threshold;
- When the predetermined current intensity is greater than said maximum threshold, selecting an electrical outlet and terminating the supply of electric current to said selected electrical outlet; the steps of selection and termination being carried out while continuing the step of supplying electric current to the electrical outlets not yet connected to an electronic device upon receipt of a distribution request from said electrical outlets.
5 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of distributing electric current from a power source (4) to a plurality of electrical outlets (18) in a transport vehicle, the method being implemented by a distribution system (2, 82) that comprises a central source of electric power (4) and at least one set of distribution units, referred to as a column (11), comprising a plurality of local distribution units (8) that are connected to each other and to the power source (4) by a power line (10);
- each distribution unit (8) being equipped with a control module (22) and a plurality of electrical outlets (18) capable of transmitting a distribution request to the control module (22) when electronic devices (20) are connected to said electrical outlets (18);
wherein the method comprises the steps of;a) reception (46) of a distribution request from an electrical outlet (18) not yet connected to an electronic device (20), called waiting electrical outlet (18); b) supplying (51) of electric current to said waiting electrical outlet (14); c) determining (40, 42, 44, 52) the instantaneous electric current intensity supplied to all the electrical outlets (18) already connected to an electronic device (20); d) comparing (54) the instantaneous current intensity determined in step c) to a threshold referred to as a maximum threshold (SMoutlets, SMcol); e) if the current intensity determined in step c) is greater than said maximum threshold (SMoutlets;
SMcol),computing the cumulative intensity of electric current supplied to each electric outlet (18) already connected to an electronic device (20) since the beginning of the step of supplying current (51) to that electrical outlet (18); selecting (56) the electrical outlet (18) that has supplied the highest cumulative intensity of electric current ; and terminating (58) the supply of current to said selected electrical outlet (18). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- each distribution unit (8) being equipped with a control module (22) and a plurality of electrical outlets (18) capable of transmitting a distribution request to the control module (22) when electronic devices (20) are connected to said electrical outlets (18);
Specification