Method and Apparatus for Parallel Operation of Packet Energy Transfer Receivers

• US 20170214236A1
• Filed: 01/23/2017
• Published: 07/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VoltServer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VoltServer, Inc.
• Inventors: Eaves, Stephen Spencer
• Granted Patent: US 10,468,879 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/00 Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems H02H7/00; systems for change-over to standby supply H02J9/00 ; integrated protection for motors H02H7/0822
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/04 Constant-current supply systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0004 involved in a protection system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof

Abstract

A digital power distribution system comprises a digital power transmitter configured to accept analog electrical power and to convert the analog electrical power into discrete energy packets for distribution across a common set of transmission lines; a plurality of digital power receivers with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the digital power receivers are configured to accept the energy packets from the digital power transmitter and to convert the packets back into analog electrical power for use by the load device; a load device electrically coupled with at least one of the digital power receivers and configured to receive analog electrical power from the digital power receiver with which it is electrically coupled; and a termination module with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the termination module includes at least a capacitor configured to establish the characteristic capacitance of the transmission lines.

Claims

1. A digital power distribution system, comprising:

a) a common set of transmission lines;

b) a digital power transmitter configured to accept analog electrical power and to convert the analog electrical power into discrete energy packets for distribution across the common set of transmission lines;

c) a plurality of digital power receivers with parallel connections to the common set of transmission lines, wherein the digital power receivers are configured to accept the energy packets from the digital power transmitter and to convert the packets back into analog electrical power;

d) a load device electrically coupled with at least one of the digital power receivers and configured to receive analog electrical power from the digital power receiver with which it is electrically coupled; and

e) a termination module with parallel connections to the common set of transmission lines, wherein the termination module includes at least a capacitor configured to establish the characteristic capacitance of the transmission lines.

2. The digital power distribution system of claim 1, wherein each digital power receiver includes a controller configured to monitor at least that digital power receiver'"'"'s electrical current and to disconnect that digital power receiver'"'"'s output from the load device if the electrical current is greater than a predetermined maximum value.

3. The digital power distribution system of claim 1, wherein a loss of connection to the termination module results in a change in the characteristic capacitance or resistance of the transmission lines, and if the characteristic capacitance falls outside of predetermined high or low limits maintained by the digital power transmitter, the digital power transmitter is configured to act to interrupt power supply to the transmission lines.

4. The digital power distribution system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the digital power receivers is in communication with the digital power transmitter to communicate parameters that include at least one of the electrical current, voltage and power being drawn by the load connected to the receiver or a unique identifier for the digital power receiver.

5. The digital power distribution system of claim 4, wherein the digital power transmitter is configured to inhibit power to the transmission lines unless the electrical power being supplied by the digital power transmitter correlates to the summation of individual power levels that are reported by the digital power receiver.

6. The digital power distribution system of claim 5, wherein the digital power transmitter is configured to not provide power to the transmission lines unless the electrical power being supplied by the digital power transmitter corresponds to the summation of individual power levels that are reported by all of the digital power receivers and unless all of the unique identifiers reported by the digital power receivers correspond to a list of acceptable identifiers maintained in the digital power transmitter.

7. The digital power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the termination module is a dongle in communication with the digital power transmitter and is configured to communicate a unique identifier for the dongle, and wherein the digital power transmitter is configured act to interrupt power to the transmission lines if the unique dongle identifier is not detected.

8. A method for parallel operation of packet energy transfer receivers in a digital power distribution system, comprising:

a) accepting analog electrical power with a digital power transmitter;

b) using the digital power transmitter to convert the analog electrical power into discrete energy packets;

c) transmitting the discrete energy packets across a common set of transmission lines;

d) accepting the transmitted discrete energy packets with a plurality of digital power receivers;

e) using the digital power receivers to convert the transmitted discrete energy packets back into analog electrical power;

f) transmitting the analog electrical power from each digital power receiver to a load device.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

a) monitoring electrical current from at least one of the digital power receivers; and

b) when the monitored electrical current is greater than a predetermined maximum value, disconnecting that digital power receiver'"'"'s output from the load device.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

a) establishing a characteristic capacitance of the transmission lines using a capacitor in the termination module;

b) determining whether a characteristic capacitance is outside of predetermined high or low limits maintained by the digital power transmitter; and

c) when the characteristic capacitance is outside the predetermined high or low limit, interrupting supply of the discrete energy packets over the transmission line.