System and method for allocating power to loads
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling power to a plurality of loads from a plurality of power sources, wherein at least one of the plurality of power sources is a primary power source and at least one of the power sources is a back-up power source, the system comprising:
- a first input to receive power from the primary power source;
a second input to receive power from the back-up power source;
a plurality of outputs to provide output power to the plurality of loads;
a plurality of controllable switches each coupled to the first input, the second input and at least one of the plurality of outputs; and
a controller adapted to control the plurality of controllable switches, wherein the controller is configured to detect a loss of primary power and to control the plurality of controllable switches based on a categorization of the plurality of loads as delayable or non-delayable, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively turn on and off delayable loads based on available power from the back-up power source, and wherein the controller is programmable to set a maximum delay time for each of the delayable loads.
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Abstract
A system and method for adaptive control of power among a plurality of loads based on a categorization of the loads as either delayable or non-delayable, wherein the non-delayable loads are preferably supplied power over the delayable loads. In one aspect, the system may be used to allocate limited power from a backup power source.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A system for controlling power to a plurality of loads from a plurality of power sources, wherein at least one of the plurality of power sources is a primary power source and at least one of the power sources is a back-up power source, the system comprising:
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a first input to receive power from the primary power source; a second input to receive power from the back-up power source; a plurality of outputs to provide output power to the plurality of loads; a plurality of controllable switches each coupled to the first input, the second input and at least one of the plurality of outputs; and a controller adapted to control the plurality of controllable switches, wherein the controller is configured to detect a loss of primary power and to control the plurality of controllable switches based on a categorization of the plurality of loads as delayable or non-delayable, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively turn on and off delayable loads based on available power from the back-up power source, and wherein the controller is programmable to set a maximum delay time for each of the delayable loads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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18. A system for controlling power to a plurality of loads from a plurality of power sources, wherein at least one of the plurality of power sources is a primary power source and at least one of the power sources is a back-up power source, the system comprising:
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a first input to receive power from the primary power source; a second input to receive power from the back-up power source; a plurality of outputs to provide output power to the plurality of loads; a plurality of controllable switches each coupled to the first input, the second input and at least one of the plurality of outputs; and a controller adapted to control the plurality of controllable switches, wherein the controller is configured to detect a loss of primary power and to control the plurality of controllable switches based on a categorization of the plurality of loads as delayable or non-delayable, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively turn on and off delayable loads based on available power from the back-up power source; wherein the controller is adapted to receive data indicative of power draw by each of the plurality of loads while the plurality of loads are operating from the primary power source, and wherein the controller is adapted to provide a recommendation for a proper type for a back up source for each of the plurality of loads based on the power draw.
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24. A system for controlling back-up power to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads including a first group of loads categorized as delayable loads and a second group of loads categorized as non-delayable loads, the system comprising:
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a first input to receive power from a primary power source; a second input to receive power from a first back-up power source; a plurality of outputs to provide power to the plurality of loads; and means for controlling the system upon loss of primary power to allocate the back-up power such that non-delayable loads will be powered before delayable loads, including means for selectively turning on and off delayable loads based on available power from the back-up power source, and including means for setting a maximum delay time for each of the delayable loads. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34)
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33. A system for controlling back-up power to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads including a first group of loads categorized as delayable loads and a second group of loads categorized as non-delayable loads, the system comprising:
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a first input to receive power from a primary power source; a second input to receive power from a first back-up power source; a plurality of outputs to provide power to the plurality of loads; means for controlling the system upon loss of primary power to allocate the back-up power such that non-delayable loads will be powered before delayable loads, including means for selectively turning on and off delayable loads based on available power from the back-up power source; and means for monitoring power draw by each of the plurality of loads while operating on primary power, and means for recommending a proper type for a back-up power source for each of the plurality of loads based on the power draw.
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35. A system for controlling power to a plurality of loads from a plurality of power sources, wherein at least one of the plurality of power sources is a primary power source and at least one of the power sources is a back-up power source, the system comprising:
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a first input to receive power from the primary power source; a second input to receive power from the back-up power source; a plurality of outputs to provide output power to the plurality of loads; a plurality of controllable switches each coupled to the first input, the second input and at least one of the plurality of outputs; and a controller adapted to control the plurality of controllable switches, wherein the controller is configured to detect a loss of primary power and to control the plurality of controllable switches based on a categorization of the plurality of loads as delayable or non-delayable, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively turn on and off delayable loads based on available power from the back-up power source; wherein a plurality of delayable loads each having an associated maximum delay time, and wherein the controller is configured to power on the at least one delayable load if the delayable load has been powered off for a time that exceeds the maximum delay time, and wherein the controller is programmable to set a maximum delay time for at least one of the delayable loads.
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36. A system for controlling back-up power to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads including a first group of loads categorized as delayable loads and a second group of loads categorized as non-delayable loads, the system comprising:
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a first input to receive power from a primary power source; a second input to receive power from a first back-up power source; a plurality of outputs to provide power to the plurality of loads; and means for controlling the system upon loss of primary power to allocate the back-up power such that non-delayable loads will be powered before delayable loads, including means for selectively turning on and off delayable loads based on available power from the back-up power source; wherein at least one delayable load has an associated maximum delay time, and wherein the system includes means for powering on the at least one delayable load if the delayable load has been powered off for a time that exceeds the maximum delay time, and means for setting a maximum delay time for each of the delayable loads.
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Specification