Portable Power and Signal Distribution System for a Controllable System Including Multiple Devices

• US 20150084437A1
• Filed: 12/02/2014
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Bornhorst, James, Covington, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,961,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/130
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0205 not using a model or a simulator of the controlled system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/20 Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/26 Circuit arrangements for protecting against earth faults

Abstract

A power supply assembly which can drive a number of different devices at different voltages. A rack holds a number of breaker modules, and each breaker module can connect to one or many breakout boxes. The breakout boxes are keyed to the breaker modules, so that the breaker boxes will not be energized with power unless they are the proper voltage and/or configuration to receive that power. The coil of a contactor in the breaker module is powered by a key wire that is connected through specified pins in the breakout box. Therefore, no power is ever provided to the breakout box unless it is of the proper voltage configuration. In addition, feeder power to the power supply assembly is provided over bolted connections, without any wire connections between the power feed and the circuit breaker.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a power supply, outputting a plurality of different types of electrical power, and producing a power output with electrical power of a first type, and producing a first control signal;

a controller for said power output, which switches one of said different types of electrical power to said power output based on detecting a second control signal,

where said second control signal is derived from said first control signal,

said power supply connected to a first connector, where said first connector connects to a single cable having said electrical power and having said control signal produced on a first pin of said first connector, and having said second control signal received on a second pin of said first connector.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein said single cable having a first portion, holding plural wires that are sized for carrying electrical power thereover, a second portion, holding plural wires that are sized for carrying control signals thereover, and a first shield between said first and second portions, separating said first portion from said second portion.

3. The system as in claim 2, wherein said single cable further comprises a third portion, holding wires that are adapted for carrying network signals thereon, located within an area defined by said first shield, and also including a second shield therearound.

4. The system as in claim 3, wherein said second shield is coaxially within said first area.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein said first connector has a first plurality of control wires, said first control signal is produced on a first of the plurality of wires, and said second control signal is received on a second of said plurality of wires, and said controller allows said power to be output only when the second control signal is present on said second wire.

6. The system as in claim 1, wherein said different types of power are different phases of power.

7. The system as in claim 1, wherein said different types of power are different voltages.

8. The system as in claim 1, wherein said power supply produces a plurality of said outputs, at least a second one of said outputs having a output with power of a second type different than the first type, and associated with a third control signal, and further comprising a second controller for said power of said second type which allows power to be applied to said second output based on a fourth control signal being received.

9. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a source of network-based signals, and said network-based signals are also present on said first connector.

10. The system as in claim 1, wherein said controller includes an electrically controllable relay driven by said second control signal being present on said second pin.

11. The system as in claim 10, wherein said relay includes a coil, and said coil is driven by said second control signal being received being present on said second pin.

12. A power supplying system comprising:

a power supply system having multiple different power types therein, and connections for each of said multiple different power types;

a first connector, having power connections to receive one of said power types, and having control connections on the first connector;

a switching device, connected to said multiple different power types,

a control for said switching device, said control connected to said control connections,

where a connection to said control on said first connector sets one of said multiple different power types to be produced on said first connector by activating said switching device to connect between said connections to said multiple different power types and said power connections.

13. The system as in claim 12, wherein said control connections comprise plural different connections on said first connector, where a first specified pair of said plural different connections controls commanding a first power type.

14. The system as in claim 13, wherein said control for said switching device is a relay coil of a relay connected between said first specified pair of said plural different connections, and said switching device includes a connectable switch of said relay.

15. The system as in claim 12, wherein said different types of power are different phases of power.

16. The system as in claim 12, wherein said different types of power are different voltages.

17. The system as in claim 13, wherein there are 5 different wires forming said control connection, and controlling of said first power type requires a connection between 2 specified ones of said 5, where controlling of said power type is not carried out when said to specified wires are not connected.

18. The system as in claim 13, wherein said control for said switching device produces a voltage on a first wire, and detects said voltage being looped back on a second wire.

19. The system as in claim 12, further comprising a first breakout box having connections for a first type of power, and connected to a first connection type on said power system;

said control automatically preventing a power type other than said first type of power from being applied to said first breakout box when connected to said first connection type;

and a second breakout box for power to said first connection type on said power system, said second breakout box having connections for a second type of power, and wherein said connection for the second type of power are different than the connections for the first type of power; and

said control automatically preventing a power type other than said second type of power from being applied to said second breakout box when connected to said second connection type.

20. The system as in claim 19, wherein said control connections comprise a plurality of wires, wherein said control operates by allowing power output only when a second control signal is received on a second of said plurality of wires;

and providing the plurality of wires in a connection between said second breakout box and said power system, providing the first providing a third control signal on a third of the plurality of wires and allowing power output only when a fourth control signal is received on a fourth of said plurality of wires.

21. The system as in claim 12, further comprising network-based signals within said power system, and said network-based signals are also present on said first connector.

22. The system as in claim 19, wherein said automatically preventing comprises maintaining deenergized said relay that is in series with said power.

23. The system as in claim 22, wherein said maintaining deenergized comprises connecting a coil of said relay to a second wire, so that said coil is driven by a second control signal being received only on said second wire.

24. The system as in claim 12, further comprising providing a power connection between input power and at least one circuit breaker, where the power connection comprises busbars and all metal-to-metal bolted connections between said connection to each busbar, and a connection to said circuit breakers.

25. The system as in claim 24, wherein said power connection includes a plurality of bus bars, and further comprising shielding the bus bars using a cage with holes.

26. The system as in claim 25, wherein at least a plurality of said holes are grounded holes.

27. The system as in claim 12, wherein said connection is via a connector, and further comprising connecting said connector by connecting ground pins first, signal pins second, and power pins third.

28. A power system comprising:

a first breakout box having a power outlet, and having a connector that receives power for said power outlet, and receives control wires, and has a connection between first and second of said control wires, that routes power supplied over said first control wire to said second control wire, and where said connector also provides an network connection, and said first breakout box has an network connector connected to said network connection.