Abstract:
A set of packet-energy-transfer operating parameters is automatically configured to optimize safety, efficiency and/or resiliency in a digital-electricity power system. A set of limits is configured for packet-energy-transfer operation that does not immediately preclude safe operation of the transmission lines, wherein each limit in the set defines constraints for at least one of measurements and calculations based on impedance in series or in parallel with the transmission lines, operational efficiency of the digital-electricity power system, and/or voltage or current signal integrity. The operation of the transmission lines is measured, and the measurements are compared with the limits. Upon at least one of the limits being exceeded, a revised set of limits is automatically configured (or a new configuration is generated) based on which limit was exceeded. The measurements, comparison, and reconfiguration are repeated until an acceptable range of operation is identified or until a predetermined time limit is exceeded.
Abstract:
Digital power is regulated by transmitting digital power via a transmission line pair to at least one receiver circuit in a digital power receiving system. The digital power is converted into analog power in the receiver circuit. The analog power is transmitted to at least one power conditioning circuit, and output power is transmitted from the power conditioning circuit. At least one voltage in the digital power receiver system is monitored; and, in response to that monitoring, the output power from the power conditioning circuit is regulated to improve at least one of safety, efficiency, resiliency, control, and routing of power.
Abstract:
The integrity of transmission-line voltage measurements in a digital-electricity power system in the presence of line-voltage disturbances during a sample period is ensured via detection or prevention by (a) acquiring at least three measurements of transmission-line voltage, performing numerical analysis on the measurements to produce a polynomial function, and estimating accuracy of the polynomial function based on magnitude of variance of the individual measurements; (b) applying a negative or positive bias to the transmission line during the sample period and acquiring voltage measurements to determine a rate of voltage change with the bias applied; (c) shifting a start time of a first sample period on a first transmission line in reference to a second sample period on a second transmission line to reduce overlap of sample periods across transmission lines; and/or (d) synchronizing start times of respective sample periods on first and second transmission lines.
Abstract:
A digital power distribution system comprises a digital power transmitter configured to accept analog electrical power and to convert the analog electrical power into discrete energy packets for distribution across a common set of transmission lines; a plurality of digital power receivers with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the digital power receivers are configured to accept the energy packets from the digital power transmitter and to convert the packets back into analog electrical power for use by the load device; a load device electrically coupled with at least one of the digital power receivers and configured to receive analog electrical power from the digital power receiver with which it is electrically coupled; and a termination module with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the termination module includes at least a capacitor configured to establish the characteristic capacitance of the transmission lines.
Abstract:
A digital power network comprises at least one digital electric power routing device that includes (a) at least one DC power bus; (b) at least two power control elements, each with at least two sets of power terminals, at least one of which accommodates electrical power in packet energy transfer format, and wherein each power control element has electrical connections that allow one set of power terminals to be connected to the DC power bus; and (c) at least one network controller operable to execute control functions within the power control elements to route electrical power from at least one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network. The digital power network further includes at least one power source and at least one load.
Abstract:
In the transfer of energy from a source to a load, a power distribution system is configured to detect unsafe conditions that include electrically conducting foreign objects or individuals that have come in contact with exposed conductors in the power distribution system. A responsive signal is generated in a source controller including source terminals. The responsive signal reverses a voltage on the source terminals. With the voltage on the source terminals reversed, a measurement of electrical current flowing through the source terminals is acquired; and the source controller generates signals to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals if and when the electrical current falls outside of high or low limits indicating that there is a conducting foreign object or living organism making electrical contact with the source or load terminals or a failure in power distribution system hardware.
Abstract:
A power distribution system for regulating energy transfer from a source includes a source controller responsive to a source sensor that provides feedback including a signal indicative of the voltage across the source terminals; a source disconnect device responsive to a control signal from the source controller for electrically connecting or disconnecting the source from the source terminals, wherein the source controller interrupts the supply of power by opening the source disconnect device when voltage is measured across the source terminals; a load disconnect device for electrically decoupling the load from the load terminals; and a logic device in the source controller for determining whether the source disconnect device is to be opened to interrupt the electrical connection between the source and source terminals based on a predetermined set of conditions including whether the change in voltage across the source terminals in respect to time falls outside a predetermined range.
Abstract:
A power distribution system for regulating energy transfer from a source includes a source controller responsive to a source sensor that provides feedback including a signal indicative of the voltage across the source terminals; a source disconnect device responsive to a control signal from the source controller for electrically connecting or disconnecting the source from the source terminals, wherein the source controller interrupts the supply of power by opening the source disconnect device when voltage is measured across the source terminals; a load disconnect device for electrically decoupling the load from the load terminals; and a logic device in the source controller for determining whether the source disconnect device is to be opened to interrupt the electrical connection between the source and source terminals based on a predetermined set of conditions including whether the change in voltage across the source terminals in respect to time falls outside a predetermined range.
Abstract:
Transmission-line voltage measurements in a digital-electricity power system are validated by acquiring a series of transmission-line voltage measurements during a sample period when a transmitter-disconnect device is in a non-conducting state. A numerical analysis is performed to determine a point in time at which AC components in the transmission line have diminished and at which the primary change in the transmission-line voltage measurement values is due to DC decay. A receiver acquires a series of receiver-voltage measurements during the same sample period; and a numerical analysis is performed on the receiver-voltage measurements to determine the point in time at which the AC components have diminished and where the primary change in the transmission-line voltage measurement values is due to DC decay. The transmitter-disconnect device is then placed in a non-conducting state based on an evaluation of those measurements.
Abstract:
The disclosed charging system has multiple charging ports emanating from a central digital power transmitter to charge a plurality of battery packs. The system comprises a centralized bulk power converter to produce a first DC voltage and multiple additive power converters. One additive power converter is assigned to each charger port. The output of each charging port is transmitted in digital power format to a receiver local to each battery pack. The receiver converts the digital power to conventional analog DC power for charging the battery packs. The bulk converter provides the majority of the power needed to charge all the battery packs simultaneously, while the additive power converters adjust for the individual characteristics of each battery pack.