Balanced modular power management system and method

• US 6,252,310 B1
• Filed: 07/28/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilhelm, William George
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US09/363,090
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 307/72, 307/73, 307/75, 307/64, 361/648, 361/622
• US Class Current: 307/11
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/066 characterised by the use of dynamo-electric machines H02J9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies

Abstract

An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply, which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC, in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability. A DC isolation capacitor is connected to a common current path, such as to one of the busses, such as, for example, in series with the neutral circuit, as a means for avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in AC power supply network. This isolation capacitor is of sufficient capacitance to allow the low loss passage of unbalanced AC if the loads connected to the distribution system produce unequal currents in the common wiring.

Claims

1. A modular power management system having common wiring for allowing both AC and DC power therethrough, said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network, said system comprising:

an electrical distribution panel, capable of receiving both AC and DC power simultaneously;

a system of busses housed within the panel and including an electrical power buss, a neutral buss and a ground buss;

a module unit including a source of DC power connected across said neutral buss and said ground buss within said panel;

a connection for delivering AC power to said power, neutral and ground busses within said panel;

an electric outlet having at least one connection element, connected to said AC power buss, a second connection element connected to said neutral buss, and a third connection element connected to said ground buss;

a connector for selectively withdrawing AC or DC power for an external load constructed to engage with said electrical outlet so as to connect said load to selected connection elements within said electric outlet;

a current responsive circuit interrupter protecting said external load, including at least one circuit interrupter ganged for simultaneous tripping of both AC and DC power to said connection elements connected to said neutral and AC power busses; and

a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.

2. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one common current path is one of said busses.

3. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said common current path is said neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.

4. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said common wiring.

5. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said connection element is a receptacle.

6. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said connection element is a cable.

7. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a circuit breaker.

8. In a modular power management system as defined in claim 1 wherein said DC power source includes a storage battery.

9. In a modular power management system as defined in claim 1, wherein said DC power source further comprises a voltage regulator for maintaining said DC power source within a desired voltage range.

10. In a modular power management system as defined in claim 1, wherein said DC power source is an AC to DC converter.

11. A method of electrical distribution at a site having both AC and DC power capability and a storage battery, said method capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network, which comprises the steps of:

providing a common wiring system within said site having electrical lines sharing AC power and DC power passing therethrough;

supplying said storage battery with DC power for maintaining the voltage level of said storage battery not greater than fully charged as defined by the float potential of said storage battery;

providing a current responsive circuit interrupter in said site ganged for simultaneous tripping of both AC power and DC power;

delivering one of AC power and DC power simultaneously through said common wiring at said site;

selectively withdrawing one of AC power and DC power for at least one external load at said site; and

,

a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC power, said isolation capacitor having sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.

12. The modular power management system as in claim 11 wherein said at least one common current path is a buss.

13. The modular power management system as in claim 12 wherein said buss is a neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.

14. The modular power management system as in claim 11 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said common wiring.

15. The modular power management system as in claim 11 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a circuit breaker.

16. The method of electrical distribution at a site as defined in claim 11, further including the step of providing a filter capacitor in electrical parallel with said storage battery,

utilizing a storage battery having an equivalent capacitance which is very large, consistent with an ideal AC path to ground and the capacitance of a filter capacitor is very small consistent with a limited AC path to ground but large enough to pass sufficient current to keep fault currents as determined by the ratings of said current responsive circuit interrupter from constituting a shock hazard and to allow sufficient current flow to trip relevant current responsive circuit interrupters during a short circuit, and passing current therethrough.

17. In a power management system, said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network,

said system comprising the combination of a storage battery and a filter capacitor, said system providing both an AC conduction path to ground and a DC isolation from ground, said combination carrying AC power while isolating DC current, and a controller for controlling a charge level of said storage battery, said filter capacitor providing a capacitance value to carry AC current at 60 Hz and to insure a low impedance path to ground at 60 Hz and said storage battery having a capacitance value such as to insure conduction to ground in either direction of current flow therethrough, and

a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.

18. The modular power management system as in claim 17 wherein said at least one common current path is a buss.

19. The modular power management system as in claim 18 wherein said buss is a neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.

20. The modular power management system as in claim 17 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said system.

21. In a power management system as defined in claim 17, wherein said controller controlling said charge level of said storage battery is a voltage regulator with a rectifier providing DC input to said voltage regulator.

22. In a power management system as defined in claim 17, wherein said controller for controlling said charge level of said storage battery is a converter with a rectifier providing DC input to said converter.

23. A power management system comprising the combination of an electrical distribution box and a modular unit,

said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network,

said electrical distribution box containing a common wiring system carrying therethrough, separately or simultaneously, both AC power and DC power therethrough,

said box also housing a power buss, a neutral buss, a ground buss and an AC bypass filter capacitor of relatively small capacitance and bulk connected between said neutral buss and said ground buss;

said modular unit housing a storage battery providing a battery equivalent capacitance and bulk which is substantially greater than the capacitance and bulk of said AC bypass filter capacitor, said storage battery being housed within said modular unit and connected across said neutral buss and said ground buss and

a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.

24. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said at least one common current path sharing AC and DC is one of said busses.

25. The combination as in claim 24 wherein said buss is said neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.

26. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said common wiring.

27. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said storage battery is housed within said modular unit.

28. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said storage battery is housed outside of said modular unit.

29. The combination as defined in claim 23, including a DC power supply for supplying said storage battery with DC energy, and a DC load connected between said ground buss and said neutral buss for supply by said storage battery and said power supply.

30. The combination as defined in claim 29, including a current responsive circuit interrupter.

31. The combination as in claim 30 wherein said current responsive interrupter is a ganged circuit breaker ganged for simultaneous tripping of both high and low sides of AC voltage and DC power.

32. The combination as defined in claim 30, wherein said DC power supply includes a device selected from the group consisting of fuel sourced, engine driven electrical power generators, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, wind powered DC sources and hydro-electric DC sources as well as other sources capable of meeting the requirements of a DC power supply.

33. The combination as defined in claim 23 including a voltage regulator for maintaining a charge level on said storage battery and a rectifier for providing DC input to said regulator.

34. The combination as defined in claim 33 including a current responsive circuit interrupter.

35. The combination as defined in claim 34 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a ganged circuit breaker ganged for simultaneous tripping at both AC power and DC power.

36. The combination as defined in claim 34 wherein said DC power supply includes a device selected from the group consisting of fuel sourced engine driven electrical power generators, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, wind powered DC sources, hydro-electric DC sources and energy converters that produce DC power.

37. The combination as defined in claim 23 including a converter for maintaining a charge level on said storage battery and a rectifier for providing DC input to said converter.

38. The combination as defined in claim 37 including a current responsive circuit interrupter.

39. The combination as defined in claim 38 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a ganged circuit breaker ganged for simultaneous tripping.

40. The combination as defined in claim 38 wherein said DC power supply includes a device selected from the group consisting of fuel sourced, engine driven electrical power generators, photo-voltaic cells, fuel cells, wind powered DC sources, hydro-electric DC sources and energy converters that produce DC power.

41. The combination as in claim 33 wherein buss is a neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.

44. The combination as in claim 41 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said system.

45. In a power management system as defined in claim 41 wherein said controller for controlling said voltage level comprises a further DC power source.

46. In a power management system as defined in claim 45 wherein said controller for controlling said voltage level includes a voltage regulator.

47. In a power management system as defined in claim 45 wherein said controller for controlling said voltage level includes a converter in which high frequency AC is generated as an intermediate process in the flow of energy.

48. In a power management system as defined in claim 47 including a special filter capacitor for absorbing voltage spikes of said high frequency AC.

42. In a power management system, the combination of a DC power supply and a filter capacitor providing both an AC conduction path to ground and DC isolation from ground, said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network,

said combination of said DC power supply and said filter capacitor carrying AC power while isolating DC current, a common wiring system providing both AC power and DC power therethrough, said common wiring system carrying said AC and DC power separately or simultaneously and a controller controlling a voltage level of said DC power supply, said filter capacitor having a capacitance such as to insure a low impedance path to ground at 60 Hz and said DC power supply having a capacitance value such as to insure conduction to ground in either direction of current flow therethrough, said filter capacitor being effective to maintain said AC conduction path to ground if a storage battery is not utilized within the system, and

a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.

43. The combination as in claim 42 wherein said at least one common current path sharing AC and DC is a buss.