Method and network for providing backup power to networked devices

• US 7,191,351 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jensen, David L., Heberlein, G. Erich Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh; Kim
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen; Alan S.
• Application Number:
  US09/953,383
• Publication Number:
  US 20030051176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,008 Days
• Field of Search: 713300-340, 307 64- 66, 307/150, 340/693.2
• US Class Current: 713/340
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• 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 20/12 Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/248 UPS systems or standby or emergency generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A network is configured to apply power and data signals to networked devices for operation of the devices. A backup power supply module is coupled to the source of network power and to a secondary power source. The secondary power source may have an adjustable voltage level or a level fixed with relation to the network power voltage level. In the event of a loss or insufficiency of network power, power from the secondary source is automatically applied to the connected device or devices. The device may be programmed for certain failure modes and the secondary power source provides the power needed for operation in the event of loss of network power.

Claims

1. A method for providing power to a networked component coupled to a data and power network, the method comprising:

applying data and power signals to the networked component via the network, the power signals providing direct current power;

converting alternating current power from a power source to direct current secondary power in a secondary power module;

applying power to the networked component from the network during normal operation;

comparing a voltage level of power from the network and a voltage level of power from the secondary power module; and

transitioning application of power to the networked component from the network to application of power from the secondary power module based upon the comparison,

wherein power is applied from the secondary power module in the event of a predetermined drop in voltage of power from the network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein power is applied to the networked component from the secondary power source when the voltage level of power from the network is lower than the voltage level of power from the secondary power module.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the voltage level of power from the secondary power module is adjustable.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the voltage level of power from the secondary power module is maintained below a normal voltage level of power from the network.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising generating an alarm indicating that power is being applied to the networked component from the secondary power module.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the alarm includes a visual indication viewable by an operator.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein power for the alarm is provided by the secondary power module.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising resuming application of power to the networked component from the network when the voltage level of power from the network rises above a desired level.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the desired level is the voltage level of power from the secondary power module.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein transition of application of power from the network to application of power from the secondary power module occurs without loss of power to the networked component.

11. A method for providing backup power to a networked component coupled to a data and power network, the method comprising:

detecting a network voltage level of direct current power available from a data and power signal delivery cable;

converting alternating current power from a secondary power source to direct current power at a secondary voltage level;

comparing the network voltage level to the secondary voltage level; and

permitting power to be applied to the networked component by the network; and

transitioning application of power to the networked component from the network to application of power from the secondary power module based upon the comparison.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the secondary voltage level is adjustable.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the network voltage level and the secondary voltage level are compared by a dual diode isolator circuit.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein power from the secondary power source is conditioned to provide direct current power at a secondary voltage level below the network voltage level.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the secondary voltage level is at least 6 volts below a normal network voltage level.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a signal indicating that voltage is being applied to the networked component from the secondary power source.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the signal is applied to a visual indicator.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a signal indicating that the network voltage level and the secondary voltage level are detected.

19. A method for providing backup power to a networked component, the method comprising:

coupling a component to a network configured to apply power and data signals to the component;

applying direct current network power to the component via a network power and data cable;

coupling a source of backup power to the component and to the network, the source of backup power converting alternating current power from a power source to direct current backup power;

comparing a voltage level of power from the network and a voltage level of power from the source of backup power;

transitioning application of power to the networked component from the network to application of power from the secondary power module based upon the comparison, wherein power is automatically applied to the component from the source of backup power if power from the network power and data cable is interrupted.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a voltage level of the power from the source of backup power is set to a level below a normal voltage level of power from the network power and data cable.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein when power is applied to the component from the source of backup power, logical operations of the component are continued without data from the network power and data cable.

22. The method of claim 19, comprising conditioning alternating current power to direct current power to provide the source of backup power.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein transition from applying power from the network power and data cable to applying power from the source of backup power is effected without interruption of power to the component.

24. A network for providing power and data to a component, the network comprising:

a networked component configured to receive direct current power and data from a network during normal operation;

a network cable coupled to the component for applying power and data signals to the component; and

a backup power module coupled to the component and configured to convert alternating current power from a power source to direct current backup power and automatically to apply backup power to the component if power applied to the component by the network cable falls below a predetermined voltage level, wherein the backup power module includes a comparison circuit configured to compare a voltage level of power from the network and a voltage level of power from the backup power module and to transition application of power to the component from the network cable to application of power from the backup power module based upon the comparison.

25. The network of claim 24, wherein the comparison circuit includes a dual diode isolator.

26. The network of claim 24, wherein the backup power module includes:

a network power circuit configured to detect power from the network cable;

a backup power circuit configured to draw power from a backup power source;

an output circuit configured to apply power to the networked component based upon the comparison of the comparison circuit.

27. The network of claim 26, wherein the comparison circuit is configured to cause the output circuit to apply power to the networked component from the network power and data cable if the network voltage level exceeds the backup voltage level by a predetermined amount.

28. The network of claim 24, wherein the backup power module provides power at a voltage level below a normal operating voltage range of the network.

29. The network of claim 24, wherein the backup power module is configured automatically to transition from application of power from the network power and data cable to application of power from a secondary power source without interruption of power to the component.

30. The network of claim 29, wherein the backup power module is configured automatically to transition from application of power from the secondary power source to application of power from the network power and data cable without interruption of power to the component.

31. A power and data network comprising:

a networked component configured to receive direct current power and data from a

network during normal operation;

a network cable coupled to the component for applying direct current power and data to the component from the network during normal operation;

a network interface circuit configured for connection to the network data and power cable and for detecting a network power level;

a secondary power source circuit configured to receive and convert alternating current power from a power source to direct current power at a secondary power level;

an output circuit configured to apply power to a networked component coupled to the network and normally receiving power from the network; and

a comparison circuit configured to compare the network voltage level to a desired voltage level and to transition application of power to the component from the data and power network to application of power from the secondary power circuit based upon the comparison.

32. The network claim 31, wherein the desired voltage level is the secondary voltage level.

33. The network of claim 31, wherein the secondary power circuit maintains the secondary voltage level at a predetermined amount below a normal operating range of the network voltage level.