Power sequencer control circuit
First Claim
1. A method for connecting a plurality of loads to an electrical power source, said method comprising:
- consecutively connecting, through a first connection circuit, each of a first plurality of loads to the power source at prescribed time intervals determined by successive transitions of a clock signal, wherein said first connection circuit is configured such that it connects none of the first plurality of loads to the power source until it receives an enable input signal from a third connection circuit; and
coincident with connecting a last one of the plurality of loads to the power source, forwarding an enable output signal to a second connection circuit for connecting a second plurality of loads to the power source.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are presented for sequentially applying electrical power to multiple loads. The system is capable of operating in conjunction with other such systems as either a slave or master. When operating as a master, the system is activated as soon as it is turned on, and begins sequentially applying power to the loads connected to its output channels. When operating as a slave, the system must first receive an enable input signal from the master to which it is connected. The master/slave assignment is switch-selectable; thus, series-connected units may be reconfigured from single to multiple masters, or vice-versa, with no wiring changes. The new system is believed to provide the benefits of improved reliability and reduced cost for power distribution networks, by eliminating startup current surges resulting from simultaneously powering-up all of the attached loads, thereby reducing stress on components.
64 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for connecting a plurality of loads to an electrical power source, said method comprising:
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consecutively connecting, through a first connection circuit, each of a first plurality of loads to the power source at prescribed time intervals determined by successive transitions of a clock signal, wherein said first connection circuit is configured such that it connects none of the first plurality of loads to the power source until it receives an enable input signal from a third connection circuit; and
coincident with connecting a last one of the plurality of loads to the power source, forwarding an enable output signal to a second connection circuit for connecting a second plurality of loads to the power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for connecting a plurality of loads to an electrical power source, comprising:
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a timing signal source;
a distribution network, adapted to receive the timing signal, and distribute multiple progressively-delayed signals determined by successive transitions of the timing signal;
a plurality of controllable power switching elements, each of which may be activated by one of the multiple progressively-delayed signals; and
control circuitry, adapted to generate an enable output signal when all of the controllable power switching elements are active, wherein the control circuitry is adapted to inhibit operation of the distribution network until it receives an enable input signal so that none of the loads are connected to the electrical power source until after the enable input signal has been received. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A connection circuit, comprising:
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a first input terminal coupled to receive a first power supply voltage;
a second input terminal coupled to receive an enable input signal;
a first output terminal coupled to transmit an enable output signal; and
a second set of output terminals adapted to couple the first power supply voltage to a plurality of load circuits at intervals determined by successive transitions of a clock signal, separate and distinct from another plurality of load circuits adapted also for connection to a second power supply voltage;
wherein the connection circuit is configured such that it connects none of the first plurality of loads to the power source until it receives an enable input signal from a third connection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for connecting a plurality of loads to an electrical power source, said method comprising:
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consecutively connecting, through a first connection circuit, each of a first plurality of loads to the power source in response to a respective one of a plurality of successive transitions of a clock signal; and
coincident with connecting a last one of the plurality of loads to the power source, forwarding an enable output signal to a second connection circuit for connecting a second plurality of loads to the power source;
wherein said first connection circuit comprises a shift register including a plurality of bit positions and wherein each bit position corresponds to a respective power connection of one of said plurality of loads; and
wherein said shift register is configured to propagate an enable signal from a given bit position to an adjacent bit position in response to a given successive transition of said clock signal, and wherein said first connection circuit is further configured to connect the respective power connection corresponding to said adjacent bit position to the power source in response to said propagating. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for connecting a plurality of loads to an electrical power source, comprising:
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a timing signal source;
a distribution network, adapted to receive the timing signal, and distribute multiple progressively-delayed signals, wherein each progressively-delayed signal is asserted in response to a respective one of a plurality of successive transitions of the timing signal;
a plurality of controllable power switching elements, each of which may be activated by an assertion of a corresponding one of the multiple progressively-delayed signals;
a shift register including a plurality of bit positions, wherein each bit position corresponds to a respective one of said multiple progressively-delayed signals, wherein-said shift register is configured to propagate an enable signal from a given bit position to an adjacent bit position in response to a given successive transition of said timing signal, and wherein said distribution network is further configured to assert the progressively-delayed signal corresponding to said adjacent bit position in response to said propagating; and
control circuitry, adapted to generate an enable output signal when all of the controllable power switching elements are active. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A connection circuit, comprising:
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a first input terminal coupled to receive a first power supply voltage;
a second input terminal coupled to receive an enable input signal;
a first output terminal coupled to transmit an enable output signal; and
a second set of output terminals adapted to couple the first power supply voltage to each of a plurality of load circuits in response to a respective one of a plurality of successive transitions of a clock signal, separate and distinct from another plurality of load circuits adapted also for connection to a second power supply voltage;
wherein the connection circuit is configured such that it connects none of the first plurality of loads to the power source until it receives an enable input signal from a third connection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification