Digital Electricity Transmission System using Reversal Sensing Packet Energy Transfer
First Claim
1. A power distribution system for regulating transfer of energy from a source on a source side and including source terminals to a load on a load side and including load terminals, the system comprising:
- a) a source controller on the source side of the power distribution system in communication with and responsive to a source sensor that provides feedback to the source controller that includes at least a signal indicative of electric current through the source terminals;
b) a source switching bridge electrically coupled with the source controller and responsive to control signals from the source controller for electrically disconnecting the source from the source terminals and for applying a source voltage in either a forward-polarity or reverse-polarity state relative to the source terminals;
c) a load disconnect device configured to electrically decouple the load from the load terminals; and
d) a logic device implemented in at least the source controller and configured to place the source switching bridge into a reverse-polarity state and to perform at least one current measurement on the current passing through the source terminals when the source switching bridge is in the reverse-polarity state, wherein a current measurement outside of predetermined high or low limits indicates that there is a foreign object or living organism making contact with the source or load terminals or a failure in the power distribution system, and to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals if the current measurement falls outside the predetermined high and low limits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the transfer of energy from a source to a load, a power distribution system is configured to detect unsafe conditions that include electrically conducting foreign objects or individuals that have come in contact with exposed conductors in the power distribution system. A responsive signal is generated in a source controller including source terminals. The responsive signal reverses a voltage on the source terminals. With the voltage on the source terminals reversed, a measurement of electrical current flowing through the source terminals is acquired; and the source controller generates signals to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals if and when the electrical current falls outside of high or low limits indicating that there is a conducting foreign object or living organism making electrical contact with the source or load terminals or a failure in power distribution system hardware.
74 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A power distribution system for regulating transfer of energy from a source on a source side and including source terminals to a load on a load side and including load terminals, the system comprising:
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a) a source controller on the source side of the power distribution system in communication with and responsive to a source sensor that provides feedback to the source controller that includes at least a signal indicative of electric current through the source terminals; b) a source switching bridge electrically coupled with the source controller and responsive to control signals from the source controller for electrically disconnecting the source from the source terminals and for applying a source voltage in either a forward-polarity or reverse-polarity state relative to the source terminals; c) a load disconnect device configured to electrically decouple the load from the load terminals; and d) a logic device implemented in at least the source controller and configured to place the source switching bridge into a reverse-polarity state and to perform at least one current measurement on the current passing through the source terminals when the source switching bridge is in the reverse-polarity state, wherein a current measurement outside of predetermined high or low limits indicates that there is a foreign object or living organism making contact with the source or load terminals or a failure in the power distribution system, and to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals if the current measurement falls outside the predetermined high and low limits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for implementing a power distribution system for a transfer of energy from a source to a load, where the power distribution system is configured to detect unsafe conditions that include electrically conducting foreign objects or individuals that have come in contact with exposed conductors in the power distribution system, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a responsive signal in a source controller including source terminals, the responsive signal reversing a voltage on the source terminals; b) with the voltage on the source terminals reversed, acquiring a measurement of electrical current flowing through the source terminals; and c) generating signals from the source controller to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals if and when the electrical current falls outside of high or low limits indicating that there is a conducting foreign object or living organism making electrical contact with the source or load terminals or a failure in power distribution system hardware. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification