Method, a system, a computer-readable medium, and a power controlling apparatus for applying and distributing power

• US 9,710,004 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2013
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Embedded Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Embedded Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Stanczak, Mark Stanley, Smutek, Louis Stephen, Brown, Alan Wayne, Backus, David Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald
• Application Number:
  US14/083,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20150142196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 700292-293, 700297-298
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0888 DC/DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 3/02 Regulating voltage or current
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0092 concerning the data processing means, e.g. expert systems, neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/10 additionally responsive to some other abnormal electrical conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/207 also responsive to under-voltage window comparators for indication G01R19/165
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 5/04 responsive to abnormal temperature specially adapted for electric machines H02H7/0852
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/32 Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/36 Means for starting or stopping converters

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to power management and the like, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium for providing power controlling functionality to generate configurable power signals and to deliver power during fault conditions. In at least some embodiments, a power control unit can generate power signals having configurable attributes as a function of a mode of operation, a fault type, and the like.

Claims

1. A method of distributing power comprising:

receiving power from one or more power sources into at least one of a first subset of power terminals;

generating a plurality of power signals at a second subset of power terminals;

transmitting the plurality of power signals to a plurality of power sinks including a first power signal transmitted relative to a first threshold specifying compliant operation;

monitoring a parameter of the first power signal to determine whether the parameter exceeds the first threshold;

comparing the parameter against a first fault profile specifying a first subset of parameter values at a time interval and a second fault profile specifying a second subset of parameter values at the time interval;

detecting the parameter has a value in either the first subset of parameter values to detect a first fault condition or the second subset of parameter values to detect a second fault condition;

classifying the first fault condition as a first fault type and the second fault condition as a second fault type; and

selecting a fault action as a function of the classification of either the first fault type or the second fault type.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter comprises:

one or more of a voltage, a current, and a temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein classifying the first fault condition as the first fault type and the second fault condition as the second fault type comprises:

identifying the first fault type as a nascent fault; and

identifying the second fault type as a subtle fault.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

monitoring the value of the parameter of the nascent fault;

detecting the value of the parameter is in the second subset of parameter values at another time interval; and

determining that the nascent fault matured into another subtle fault.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the another time interval is greater than the time interval.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the second fault type comprises:

a subtle over-current condition.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein classifying the first fault condition as the first fault type and the second fault condition as the second fault type comprises:

configuring the time interval to specify the first subset of parameter values and the second subset of parameter values to facilitate configurable subtle over-current detection.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein classifying the first fault condition as the first fault type and the second fault condition as the second fault type comprises:

identifying at least one of the first fault type or the second fault type as an extreme fault.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the plurality of power signals further comprises:

transmitting a second power signal transmitted compliant with a second threshold,

wherein the second threshold is different than the first threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the parameter represents a current, wherein the second threshold specifies a second current magnitude and the first threshold specifies a first current magnitude, the second current magnitude being greater than the first current magnitude.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the parameter represents a voltage, wherein the second threshold specifies a second voltage magnitude and the first threshold specifies a first voltage magnitude, the second voltage magnitude being greater than the first voltage magnitude.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the parameter represents a temperature, wherein the second threshold specifies a second temperature magnitude and the first threshold specifies a first temperature magnitude, the second temperature magnitude being greater than the first temperature magnitude.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initiating a fault action.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein initiating the fault action comprises:

detecting the fault action based on a short circuit fault condition; and

reducing current to a load.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the plurality of power signals further comprises:

transmitting the first power signal as a first channel that is bidirectional.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein a first terminal of the first subset of power terminals is an input terminal and a second terminal of the second subset of power terminals is an output terminal in a first mode, and the first terminal is the output terminal and the second terminal is the input terminal in a second mode.

17. An apparatus to distribute power comprising:

a first subset of power terminals configured to receive power from one or more power sources;

a second subset of power terminals at which a plurality of power signals are generated;

a memory including executable instructions; and

a processor configured to execute the executable instructions to;

transmit the plurality of power signals to a plurality of power sinks including a first power signal transmitted relative to a first threshold specifying compliant operation;

monitor a parameter of the first power signal to determine whether the parameter exceeds the first threshold;

compare the parameter against a first fault profile specifying a first subset of parameter values at a time interval and a second fault profile specifying a second subset of parameter values at the time interval;

detect the parameter has a value in either the first subset of parameter values to detect a first fault condition or the second subset of parameter values to detect a second fault condition;

classify the first fault condition as a first fault type and the second fault condition as a second fault type; and

select a fault action as a function of the classification of either the first fault type or the second fault type.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to:

identify the first fault type as a nascent fault; and

identify the second fault type as a subtle fault.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second fault type comprises:

either an over-voltage or a under-voltage condition for a connection of at least one terminal in the second subset of power terminals.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second fault type comprises:

an over-current condition for a current between a power bus and a vehicle.