Portable hybrid applications for AC/DC load sharing

• US 7,701,083 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2005
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Savage, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini; Albert W
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US11/260,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20060087800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,636 Days
• Field of Search: 52/361, 235/375, 361/810, 429/17, 174/505, 174/541, 307/22, 307/26, 307/29, 307/147, 439/214, 439/215, 439/216
• US Class Current: 307/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc

Abstract

Portable hybrid applications for AC/DC load sharing includes circuitry for simultaneously using at least one of external AC, internal DC power and/or external DC power. The apparatus also includes an input power receptacle for receiving at least one of AC power and external DC power. A power router inside the apparatus routes at least one of AC power, internal DC power, and external DC power to provide power for an application. An apparatus for providing DC to DC conversion includes a tip and a DC to DC whip connected to the tip. A male plug is connected to the second end of the whip. A buck converter within the male plug converts DC power to a DC power level associated with the whip and transmits the converted DC power along the DC to DC whip to the tip. Alternatively, an internal DC source provides internal DC power.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution system, comprising:

a) a plurality of workstations, each workstation including

i) an elevated work surface supported above a floor;

ii) a power input receptacle having DC and AC inputs spaced apart on the power input receptacle;

iii) a power output receptacle having DC and AC outputs spaced apart on the power output receptacle;

iv) a local energy storage device for storing DC power at the respective workstation; and

v) a router connected to the local energy storage device and having a switching assembly and a local controller for switching the switching assembly between a pair of switched states; and

b) a master controller for sharing DC power among all the workstations, the master controller having a plurality of inputs connected to a plurality of external DC sources external to the workstations, and a control output connected to the local controller at each workstation, the master controller being operative for controlling each local controller to conduct DC power from any of the external DC sources to any one of the local energy storage devices in one of the switched states of a respective switching assembly connected to the one local energy storage device, and to conduct stored DC power away from any one of the local energy storage devices in a respective workstation to all other workstations needing DC power in the other of the switched states of the respective switching assembly connected to the one local energy storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the DC input of each power input receptacle is connected to the external DC sources that include a solar panel, a fuel cell, a wind turbine, an energy storage device and a human-generated power generator;

and wherein the AC input of each power input receptacle is connected to an external AC source that is an AC mains line.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the DC input of each power input receptacle is a connector mounted on each workstation, and wherein the AC input of each power input receptacle is a power cord extending away from each workstation.

4. The system of claim 1, and a ganged circuit breaker at each workstation, for interrupting the delivery of at least one of the DC power and AC power in one of an overload and a short condition.

5. The system of claim 1, and a voltage regulator at each workstation, for regulating voltage of the DC power delivered to a DC load.

6. The system of claim 1, and a touch screen at each workstation, for enabling user input of data, and for displaying information.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the screen displays the information as a report of usage of the DC power and AC power.

8. The system of claim 1, and an electronic power cord having one end region connected to the DC output at each workstation, and an opposite end region connected to a DC load at each workstation;

and a converter between the end regions of the power cord, for converting the DC power to a voltage rated for the DC load.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control output is a bus line, and wherein the local controller at each workstation is connected in parallel across the bus line.