Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POWER MANAGERS, METHODS FOR OPERATING A POWER
MANAGER, AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A POWER NETWORK
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100031 This application also claims priority based upon U.S. Patent No.
8,775,846;
U.S. Patent No. 8,638,011 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0007491.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100041 The present invention relates to a portable power manager configured
with a
plurality of device ports suitable for simultaneous electrical interconnection
with two
or more external power devices. The external power devices include power
sources,
energy storage devices, power loads and/or other power managers suitably
configured
to exchange power and communication signals there between. More specifically,
the
portable power manager can include elements configured to establish a network
of
power devices and to exchange power between the portable power manager and
networked external power devices.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Portable power managers for mobile off-grid applications are known.
Examples include man-wearable and man-packable power managers e.g. the
SPM 611/612, manufactured by Protonex Technology Corp of Southborough,
Massachusetts and the SFC Power Manager 3G by SFC of Brunnthal-Nord, Germany.
One example of a conventional power manager is disclosed in U.S. Patent
Application
Publication No. 2007/0257654. Conventional portable power managers connect
with
one or more rechargeable batteries or other portably power sources and with
one or
more power loads. The power manager receives input power from the connected
power sources and delivers output power to the connected power loads. If
needed,
input and/or output power may be converted to another form, such and a
different
voltage, before being delivered to a power load.
[0006] Power distribution networks usable to deliver power from a single power
source to multiple electronic devices such as for passenger use in vehicles or
other
areas where grid power is not readily available are known. An example of a
conventional power supply connection system is disclosed in U.S. Patent
No. 5,570,002 by Castleman, entitled "Universal Power-Supply Connection System
For Multiple Electronic Devices." As disclosed in Castleman, a single power
supply
is connected to one or more power loads over a power distribution system. The
power
distribution system includes an input port for connecting the power supply to
the
power distribution system and a plurality of output ports for connecting the
one or
more power loads to the power distribution system. The power distribution
system
includes a digital electronic microprocessor and a reprogrammable system
memory.
Each power load includes a load memory disposed in the power load itself or in
a
cable connecting the power load to the power distribution system. The load
memory
stores information specific to a corresponding power load such as a category
of the
device or the power specifications of the power load.
[0007] The power distribution system includes one or more voltage regulators
and/or controllable regulators disposed between the power source and each of
the
output ports. Additionally, each port includes a data channel connectable
between the
microprocessor and the load memory for reading and perhaps reformatting the
information stored thereon. In operation, the power distribution system
obtains
information from the load memory, determines if the power load can or should
be
connected to the power distribution system and if yes, configures the one or
more
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voltage regulators and/or controllable regulators disposed between the power
source
and the connected power load to deliver power to the power load with
appropriate
power characteristics. In addition, Castleman teaches that a controllable
regulator can
be deactivated to disconnect a power load from an output port. One problem
with
Castleman is that only one power supply is available for use. Accordingly, a
failure
of the single power supply necessarily results in a loss of power in all of
the
connected power loads. Another problem with Castleman is that each output port
requires a dedicated controllable power regulator increasing the weight and
the cost of
the power distribution system. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a
power
.. distribution system than can readily connect with a plurality of power
supplies and
especially a plurality of portable power supplies. Moreover, there is a need
in the art
for a power distribution system that can readily connect with a plurality of
power
supplies while drawing power from one power supply at a time. Additionally,
there is
a need in the art for a power distribution system that will not experience a
power
interruption to connected power loads when a connected power supply is
suddenly
disconnected from the power bus, becomes discharged, or otherwise becomes
unexpectedly unable to deliver power.
[0008] Conventional portable power managers are known that are capable of
connecting to two or more external power sources simultaneously. In addition,
conventional power managers connect to, read and possibly reformat information
or
data stored on connected power devices including reading information from
power
sources such as external batteries or power generators and from external power
loads.
Typically, the conventional power manager includes a power bus connected to
each
device port. The power bus operates at a substantially constant bus voltage
such that
external power devices that can operate at the bus voltage are directly
connected to
the power bus to exchange energy. In addition, some ports may include a power
converter connected between the power bus and the device port to convert input
power signals received from a connected external power source to the bus
voltage and
to convert output power signals delivered from the power bus to a voltage
suitable for
operating a connected external power load.
[0009] While U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0257654 by Krajcovic
et al. entitled "Power Manager Apparatus," describes the need to disconnect
and/or
current limit connected power loads to conserve power for higher priority
power loads
they only provide two output ports that are coupled to the power bus over a
buck
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converter. Accordingly, only two power loads can be disconnected or current
limited
by the buck converters and all other power loads remain connected to the power
bus
without possibility for disconnect. Moreover any power loads connected to
device
ports that do not include buck converters have to match the power value at the
power
bus in order to be powered by the power manager.
[0010] Generally, there is a need in the art for an improved power manager
port
connection and especially one that allows every port to dynamically connect or
disconnect a power device to or from the power bus. Additionally there is a
need in
the art for an improved power manager port connection that allows every port
to be
selectively connected directly to the power bus or connected to the power bus
over a
controllable power converter based on information read from the power device.
In
another instance, there is a need to continue to power essential devices even
when
changing from one power source to another or when a power source becomes
suddenly and unexpectedly unable to meet the power demands of connected power
loads. Accordingly, there is a need to rapidly connect a backup power supply
to the
power bus in response to unmet power demands.
[0011] Conventional man-portable power managers are portable and carried by
infantry soldiers; any reduction in size and weight is favorably viewed. As
shown by
Krajcivic et al. in Figures 2 and 3 of U.S. Patent Application Publication
No. 2007/0257654, port connectors are disposed on opposing longitudinal sides
of the
power manager such that a transverse width of the disclosed power manager is
more
than two times a longitudinal length of a port connector. Moreover, the ports
are
crowded together and may be difficult to connect to due to the crowding. There
is a
need in the art to reduce port crowding without increasing the size or weight
of the
.. device.
[0012] In man-portable, off grid applications, such as battlefields, non-
rechargeable
batteries such as the BA-5590 are used as a power source connected to
conventional
power managers. To avoid discarding BA-5590 with 30% to 50% of the rated
charge
still remaining on the batteries, some non-rechargeable batteries provide
indicators
that indicate the amount of charge remaining in the battery. These indicators
arc often
physical, such as a strip on the side of a battery or an LED charge level
indicator built
into the battery to show how much energy is in reserve. One problem with the
BA-5590-style charge level indicators is that they have low resolution. In
particular,
on a BA-5590, there are 5 LED lights showing 100% capacity when all 5 lights
are
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on, 80% capacity when 4 lights are on, 60% capacity when 3 lights are on, 40%
capacity when two lights are on, 20% capacity when one light is on and empty
or no
charge remaining when no lights are on. In most situations, a user will
discard the
battery when one or two lights are on in order to avoid a loss of power when
the
battery becomes completely discharged. As a result, many batteries are
discarded
with between 20 and 40% of the charge capacity unused. Accordingly, there is a
need
in the art to more fully utilize the charge remaining on non-rechargeable
batteries
connected to a power manager.
[0013] The charge remaining on many rechargeable batteries, e.g. lithium
sulfur
dioxide (LiS02) and lithium magnesium dioxide (Li1Mn02) is not easily detected
using conventional terminal voltage measurements, so more sophisticated and
more
expensive coulomb counting devices are integrated into these rechargeable
batteries
and are used to predict the charge level remaining on the rechargeable
battery. One
advantage of coulomb counters is that they have a higher resolution than LED
charge
level indicators. For example, a coulomb counter may be able to discern 20
levels of
charge capacity with only the last 5% remaining uncertain. However, a coulomb
counter does not provide a visible indicator of remaining charge level and a
user
cannot check the charge level of a rechargeable battery that uses a coulomb
counter
without connecting the battery to a device capable of reading data from the
battery.
As a result, these batteries are often discarded after one use simply because
the user is
uncertain about how much charge is remaining on the battery. Accordingly,
there is
a need in the art to more fully utilize the charge remaining on rechargeable
batteries
connected to a power manager without an unexpected power interruption even
when
the charge level on the rechargeable batteries is uncertain. In addition, it
is desirable
to eliminate a coulomb counter from rechargeable batteries used with portable
power
manager to reduce the cost and complexity of the batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Various aspects of the invention provide power managers, methods of
operating a power manager, and method of operating a power network
[0015] One aspect of the invention provides a power manager including a power
bus (410), a plurality of device ports each configured to operably connect
with an
external power device, a first power channel (1510) comprising a first
conductive path
disposed between each device port and the power bus, a first controllable
switching
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element (C) disposed along the first connective path for selectively
connecting and
disconnecting each device port to and from the power bus over the first power
channel, a second power channel (1320) comprising a second conductive path
disposed between each device port and the power bus and a second controllable
switching element (D) disposed along the second connective path for
selectively
connecting and disconnecting each device port to and from the power bus over
the
second power channel, a data processing device (420) and associated memory in
communication with each of the first and second controllable switches (C, D),
and
energy management schema operating on the power manager for independently
operating each of the first and second controllable switches.
[0016] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of embodiments. The
power
manager can include a sensor (1315) for sensing a low power condition on the
power
bus and for generating a low power signal in response thereto and a conductive
path
(1316) extending between the sensor and one of the first and second
controllable
switching elements associated with at least a portion of the device ports for
connecting at least a portion of the device ports to the power bus in response
to the
low power signal. The low power signal can causes each of the second
controllable
switching elements (C) to connect the device port to the power bus over a
power
channel without interaction with the data processing device.
[0017] The power manager can include a controllable power converter (440) in
communication with the data processing device (420) disposed along one or more
of
the first and second power channels between corresponding first and second
controllable switching elements and the power bus and wherein the energy
management schema operates to configure the power converter to covert power
signals passing between the device port and the power bus.
[0018] The power manager can include a communication channel (655, 665) that
includes a communications interface device (650, 660) disposed between each
device
port and the data processing device (420) for communicating with power devices
operably connected with the device ports.
[0019] The power manager can include a sealed enclosure (1100) formed to house
the power bus, data processor, associated memory and the first and second
power
channels, a terminal connector (1150, 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, 1200) associated
with
each device port disposed to extend through an external wall of the sealed
enclosure
for connecting with the external power devices by wire cables, a user input
device in
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communication with the data processing device and disposed for responding to
user
inputs from outside the sealed enclosure, and one of a display device and an
indicator
device in communication with the data and disposed to indicate user feedback.
[0020] The sealed enclosure can include opposing substantially rectangular top
and
bottom faces, opposing substantially rectangular longitudinal front and back
faces,
and opposing substantially rectangular transverse side faces. The terminal
connectors
can be only disposed on the transverse side faces and on one of the
longitudinal front
and back faces.
[0021] Each of the first and second controllable switching elements can
include a
semiconductor switch suitable for bidirectional power exchange between the
power
bus and corresponding device ports. The power bus can be configured for an
average
operating voltage in the range of 1-50VDC. The controllable power converter
(442)
can be suitable for bidirectional power exchange and for bidirectional power
conversion.
[0022] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power
manager having a plurality of device ports, a power bus, two or more power
channels
disposed between each device port and the power bus, controllable switches
disposed
along each power channel for connecting and disconnecting the device port to
the
power bus over each power channel, a processing device for controlling the
controllable switches and a communication channel disposed between each device
port and the processing device for communicating with external power devices
connected with each device port. The method includes polling device ports to
determine if an external power device is connected to the device port,
disconnecting
the device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected
to the
device port, accessing information from the external power device when an
external
power device is connected to the device port, and connecting the external
power
device to the power bus over one of the two or more power channels.
[0023] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of embodiments. The
power
manager can include a power converter disposed between the device port and the
power bus along one of the power channels and the method can include the steps
of
determining a power conversion setting that would allow an external power
device to
be connected to the power bus, setting the power converter to operate at the
power
conversion setting, and connecting the external power device to the power bus
over
the power converter.
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[0024] The method can include the steps of determining if the external power
device is a power source, determining if other external power devices
connected to the
power manager are power sources, selecting a single power source as a primary
power
source, and connecting the primary power source to the power bus and
disconnecting
any non-primary power sources from the power bus.
[0025] The method can include the steps of: sensing a power characteristic of
the
power bus, generating a low power signal in response to the power bus power
characteristic falling below a threshold value, and connecting one or more of
the
disconnected non-primary power sources to the power bus in response to the low
power signal.
[0026] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power
manger having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power
devices
and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes the
steps
of: accessing information from each external power device connected to one of
the
plurality of device ports, characterizing each external power device as one of
a power
load, a power or energy source and a rechargeable energy source and if no
rechargeable energy sources are connected, associating external devices
characterized
as power loads with a power allocation interface, associating external devices
characterized as power or energy sources with a source allocation interface,
calculating a total power available from the source allocation interface,
allocating the
total power available to the power allocation interface, and connecting as
many power
loads to the power bus as can be powered by the total power available.
[0027] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of embodiments. One or
more rechargeable energy sources can be connected and the method can include
the
steps of: determining if a power source suitable for recharging the connected
rechargeable energy sources is operably connected to the power manager; if a
suitable
power source is operably connected, characterizing the rechargeable energy
sources
as power loads for association with the power allocation interface; and if
suitable
power source is not operably connected, characterizing the rechargeable energy
sources as energy sources for association with the source allocation
interface.
[0028] Each power load can have a load priority and the step of allocating the
total
power available to the power allocation interface can be performed in priority
order
from a highest priority power load to a lowest priority power load. Each power
source and each energy source can have a source priority and the method can
include
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the steps of: selecting the power source or the energy source with the highest
source
priority for connection to the power bus; connecting the power source or the
energy
source with the highest source priority to the power bus; disconnecting
selected power
sources or energy sources from the power bus; and powering all of the power
loads
connected to the power bus with the power source or the energy source having
the
highest source priority.
[0029] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power
network including the steps of: connecting a plurality of substantially
identical power
managers together with a cable extending between device ports of each pair of
connected power managers; connecting at least one power load to a first of the
plurality of substantially identical power managers; connecting at least one
power or
energy source to a second of the plurality of substantially identical power
managers;
and powering the power load by exchanging power between two or more of the
connected power managers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The features of the present invention will best be understood from a
detailed
description of the invention and a preferred embodiment thereof selected for
the
purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram representing a power network that
includes a power manager according to the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a single power manager
power network configuration according to the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a multiple power
manager
power network configuration according to the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram representing elements of a first
example
embodiment of a power manager according to the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram representing elements of a second
multiple
power manager power network configuration according to the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram representing an example embodiment
of a
power device connected by a cable to a port of the power manager according to
the
present invention.
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[0037[ FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram representing example communication
exchanges between load and source power allocation interfaces according to the
present invention.
[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram representing a power manager
incorporated with a power device and battery power sources according to the
present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram representing a second example
embodiment of a power manager according to the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 10A illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary power management
decision process initiated each time a cable is plugged into a device port
according to
the present invention.
[0041] Figure 10B illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary power manager
decision
process initiated if a cable plugged into a device port is connected to a
power source
according to the present invention.
[0042] Figure 11 illustrates an isometric external view of an example power
manager enclosure according to the present invention.
[0043] Figure 12 illustrates a top external view of an example power manager
enclosure according to the present invention.
[0044] Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary hot-change-over circuit for use with
a
.. power manager according to the present invention.
[0045] Figure 14 illustrates exemplary voltage vs. percent rated charge
capacity for
an exemplary battery usable with a power manager configured according to the
present invention.
[0046] Figure 15 illustrates a second exemplary hot-change-over circuit for
use with
a power manager according to the present invention.
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CALLOUTS
100 Power Network 700 Block Diagram
110 Power Source (Solar Panel) 705 Load Power Allocation
Interface
120 Power Source (Wind Turbine) 710 Power Discover Message
130 Power Source 715 Power Offer Message
(AC/DC Converter)
140 Stored Energy Source 720 Power Request
(rechargeable battery)
aka rechargeable energy source
150 Stored Energy Source 725 Confirmation Message
(disposable battery)
160 Power Load 730 Source Power Allocation
Interface
170 Power Load
180 Power Allocation Interface
185 Power Source (Fuel Cell) 800
190 Power Manager 810 Radio
195 Power Manager 820 Power Manager Shim
830 Battery
840 Battery
200 Power Network 850 Additional Ports
210 Power Manager
220 Power Cables
230 Power Device 905 Output Port
or Portable Power Load
Or Radio
240 Power Device 910 Power Shim
or Portable Power Load
Or radio
250 Power Device 915 AC/DC Converter
or Portable Power Load
Or Geo-locating receiver
260 Power Device 920 Output Power Converter
or Portable Power Load
or Night Vision Goggles
270 Rechargeable Battery 925 AC Input Port
or Portable Power Storage
Device
or Power Generating Device
Or Power Source
280 Local Power Source (Fuel Cell) 930 Bus
or Power Storage Device
Or Power Generating Device
Or Power Source
935 Scavenger Port
940 Scavenger Converter
300 Power Network 945 Conductive Pad Port
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310 Cables 955 Port
320 Power Storage Device 960 Smart Converter
330 Power Load 965 Port
340 Power Load 970 Port
345 Power Converter or Rectifier 975 Conductive Pad Port
350 Power Source
355 AC Grid Connector
360 Power Storage Device 1100 Power Manager Enclosure
370 Power Storage Device 1110 Top Face
380 Power Storage Device 1120 Display Device
390 Power Cable 1130 Front Side Face
1140 User Interface Keypad
1150 Input Port
400 Power distribution system 1160 Input Port
410 Conductor (bus, power bus) 1170 Input Port
420 Data Processing Device 1180 Input Port
425 USB communications interface 1190 Input Port
device
430 Memory Device 1200 Input Port
440 Power Converter 1210 End Face
(Voltage Control)
(Voltage Converter)
442 Power Converter 1220 Back Face
444 Internal Power Network 1230 Indicator Lights
Interface
450 Field Effect Transistor 1240 Indicator Lights
(aka controllable switch) (Status lights)
455 Field Effect Transistor 1250 Orienting Feature
(aka controllable switch)
460 Field Effect Transistor
(aka controllable switch)
465 Field Effect Transistor
(aka controllable switch)
470 Field Effect Transistor 1300 Hot-change-over Circuit
(aka controllable switch)
475 Field Effect Transistor 1305 First power channel
(aka controllable switch)
480 Field Effect Transistor 1310 Third power channel
(aka controllable switch)
485 Field Effect Transistor 1312 Logic element - AND gate
(aka controllable switch)
490 Field Effect Transistor 1314 Logic element - OR gate
(aka controllable switch)
495 Field Effect Transistor 1315 Low Voltage Sensor
(aka controllable switch)
1316 Low voltage signal
1317 Output signal
500 Power Network 1318 Input signal
503 Field Effect Transistor 1320 Second power channel
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(aka controllable switch)
505 Field Effect Transistor 1322 Input signal
(aka controllable switch)
510 (Scavenger) Power Converter 1340 Conductive path I
conductive
element
515 LED array 1350 Ground terminal
520 User Interface Device
(Computer)
525 First Power channel
530 Second power channel 1400 Set of curves
535 First power channel
540 Photovoltaic (solar) cell
1500 Hot-change-over Circuit
1510 Power channel
600 Port Interface (Port
Connection)
605 Connecting Cable
620 Power Device
630 Power Channel
640 Power Element
650 Network Interface
655 Data communication channel
660 Network Interface
665 Data communication channel
670 Cable Memory Device
675 Network Interface Device
680 Network Interface Device
685 Data Processing Device
690 Memory Device
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Referring to Figure 1, a power network (100) comprises at least one
power
manager (190) suitable for operably connecting with a plurality of external
power
devices. The power manager (190) is configured to exchange power with each of
the
plurality of external power devices connected therewith, including with
another power
manager (195). In the example embodiments described below, the power managers
(190, 195) each include a plurality of device ports and each device port is
for operably
connecting with an external power device, which may include another power
manager. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wire cable
extends
between each external power device and a device port of a power manager. In
other
embodiments, other connecting schemes are usable including mating conductive
pads
or wireless inductive energy transfer without physical contact.
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[0048] The power managers (190, 195) are configured to read information stored
on
a connected power device or wire cable. If the external power device or wire
cable is
appropriately configured, the power managers (190, 195) are configured to
update or
write information onto a connected external power device or wire cable. If the
power
device or wire cable is appropriately configured, the power managers (190,
195) are
configured to exchange power management signals with the external power device
or
wire cable.
[0049] If an external power device is not configured for information storage
or to
exchange information and/or power management signals with the power manager
(190), a "smart cable" is used to connect the external power device with the
power
manager (190). The smart cable stores information that corresponds with power
characteristics of the corresponding external power device. Preferably, the
power
manager and connected external power devices exchange information using the
SMBus network communication protocol used by many existing power devices.
However, any communication protocol is usable without deviating from the
present
invention.
[0050] If an external power device is not configured for information storage
or to
exchange information and/or power management signals with the power manager
(190) and a connecting scheme other than a wire cable is used, elements of the
connection scheme store information that corresponds with power
characteristics of
the corresponding external power device. In this case, the connecting scheme
also
exchanges the information and, if needed, any power management signals with
the
power manager using the SMBus or other network communication protocol. The
connecting schemes each include a power channel and a communication channel;
however the power and communication channels may share the same wires,
terminals
and/or other pathways.
[0051] Generally, the power manager (190) operates to draw power from external
power sources or external energy storage devices operably connected to device
ports
thereof. Additionally, the power manager (190) operates to distribute the
power to
external power loads operably connected to device ports thereof The power is
drawn
and distributed according to an energy management schema operating one the
power
manager (190). In the case where the network (100) comprises a plurality of
power
managers (190, 195), each power manager (19() operates to draw power from
external power sources or external energy storage devices operably connected
to
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device ports thereof, to distribute the power to external power loads operably
connected with device ports thereof and to exchange power between the operably
connected power managers (190, 195).
[0052] In example embodiments described below, the power manager (190) is
configured with a direct current (DC) power bus and exchanges DC power signals
with connected power devices. However, a power manager (190) may be configured
with an alternating current (AC) power bus for exchanging AC power signals
with
connected power devices without deviating from the present invention. A power
manager (190) may include one or more power converters disposed between device
ports and the power bus. The power converters may include DC to DC up, (boost)
and down, (buck) voltage converters, voltage stabilizers, or linear voltage
regulators,
AC to AC up and down voltage converters, voltage regulators, voltage
transformers
etc. DC to AC up and down voltage converters or inverters, AC to DC up and
down
voltage converters or rectifiers, AC up and down frequency converters or
variable AC
frequency transformers and any of various other power converting elements as
may be
required or suitable to establish and operate a power network. Power
converters are
operably connected between a port and the power bus to convert power being
delivered to the power bus by a connected power source or energy storage
device or
to convert power being drawn from the bus to a connected power load. Operating
functions of the power converters are preferably controllable by the power
manager
(190, 195). A data processing device, described below is included in each
power
manager and is in communication with each power converter to vary the power
converting characteristics of the power converter such as to vary the voltage
or the
current or power amplitude of the power signal passing over the power
converter.
[0053] In one example embodiment, DC to DC power converters comprising a
Split-Pi power converter circuit may be used. The Split-Pi power converter
includes
both boost (step-up) and buck (step-down) voltage converting circuits, e.g.
using two
switching MOSFET bridges. These devices operate bidirectionally to convert the
voltage of an incoming power signal to the power bus voltage or to convert the
voltage of an outgoing power signal from the power bus voltage to the voltage
of a
connected power load. Feedback loops may be used on either side of a power
converter to monitor its output voltage or current and to vary control
parameters of the
power converter, e.g. a switching duty cycle of a MOSFET bridge, to maintain a
desired output voltage or current amplitude. The feedback loops may be
incorporated
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within the power converter or may comprise elements of the power manager
(190). In
other embodiments there may be reasons to use one way DC to DC power
converters
wherein the power converter channel is only used as a unidirectional conductor
and
current flow is prevented in the opposite direction.
[0054] Referring to Figure 1, power sources, (110, 120, 130, 185) comprise
sources
of generated power. For example, the power source (130) delivers AC power from
an
electrical power grid or a portable electrical power generator. In this
example, the
power source (130) optionally includes a power converter to convert the
generated
AC power to DC power compatible with the portable power manager (190).
Alternately, the portable power manager (195) may include a power converter
that
converts AC input power to DC power compatible with the portable power
manager.
Alternately, the power manager may communicate with the power source (130),
obtain source configuration information and command the power source (130) to
reconfigure itself or operate in a mode that converts its AC input power to DC
power
compatible with the power manager.
[0055] Other power sources such as a solar panel (110) or a wind turbine (120)
comprise electrical power generators that convert renewable energy resources
to DC
electrical power and in the examples of the present invention; power
generators that
deliver a DC power signal are preferred. A fuel cell (185) or other chemical
power
generator is also connectable to the power manager (190) as a power source and
is
configured to generate DC electrical power from a chemical reaction or other
chemical process. Other example power sources operably connectable to the
power
manager (190) include hydroelectric or wave power generators or a mechanical
or
electrical power generator such as a vehicle alternator. Generally, a power
source
suitable for use by the network (100) comprises any power generator that
generates
power that is compatible with the power manager, with or without power
conversion,
and that provides information that characterizes the power signal in a form
that is
readable by the power manager (190). The power sources (110, 120, 130, and
185)
may provide a substantially continuous supply of generated power for as long
as the
power manager (190) is connected with the power source, e.g. a power grid, or
the
power source may have a finite operating time, such for as long as there is a
fuel
supply. The power sources (110, 120, 130, and 185) may be immovable, e.g. a
power
grid outlet, portable such as movable by a vehicle, man packable such as a
small fuel
cell.
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[0056] Stored energy sources (140, 150) comprise electrical energy storage
devices
such as batteries and capacitors. Stored energy sources may comprise a one-
time use
device such a disposable battery (150) or a rechargeable device such as a
rechargeable
battery or capacitor (140). Energy storage devices store a finite quantity of
electrical
charge and the amount of charge stored on a particular energy storage device
is
typically characterized by a "charge capacity." Charge capacity ratings,
usually
expressed in ampere-hours, quantify the total charge that a fully charged
energy
storage device is able to deliver on discharge.
[0057] Energy storage devices may include elements that track, measure and
report
a "remaining charge capacity," such as a percentage of the total charge
capacity. The
remaining charge capacity may be reported to the power manager electrically or
otherwise indicating to user by a visible or audible signal. For example, the
energy
storage device may report or indicate that a remaining charge capacity is 20%
of the
total charge capacity or that the energy storage device has used up 80% of the
total
charge capacity.
[0058] A rechargeable energy storage device (140) operably connected with the
power manager (190) may comprise an energy source while being discharged or a
power load while being recharged. Moreover, the power manager (190) is
configured
to change its operating mode in order to treat a connected energy storage
device as an
energy source or a power load. Rechargeable energy source (140) may also store
information relating to both its discharging and recharging characteristics
and the
power manager (190) may read or otherwise determine the discharging and
recharging characteristics of the rechargeable energy source (140) in order to
optimally discharge and recharge the device.
[0059] Energy storage devices may include conventional rechargeable batteries
such as lithium ion, lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal halide or any
other type
of rechargeable battery of various operating voltages. These may
include
conventional commercial and military batteries that range in voltage from
about 1.5
to 50 volts such as commercially used AA, AAA, C-cell, D-cell and 9-volt
batteries
or 15-volt and 30-volt military batteries such as the BB-2590 and, LI-145
lithium ion
batteries, which may be carried by infantry soldiers in mission situations and
used as
power sources for the power network configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Moreover, a plurality of batteries may be installed in a holder or terminal
and
connected in parallel or in series such that a plurality of batteries may be
connected to
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a single network port of a power manager (190) by a single cable.
Additionally, 6, 12, 24, 40-volt vehicle and other batteries may be connected
to a
power manager using appropriately configured cables in order to harvest or
scavenge
power from available battery sources. In addition, non-rechargeable alkaline
or
lithium batteries may also comprise a power storage device in AA, AAA, C-cell,
D-
cell and other battery configurations and these batteries may be held in a
battery
holder and connected in series or in parallel to deliver energy at selected
voltages. In
any event, each an energy storage device connected with the power manager
(190) by
an operable connection includes information relating to power characteristics
of the
energy storage device stored on the energy storage device or on elements of
the
operable connection and the power manager at least reads the information to
determine the power characteristics. Alternately, the power manager may update
the
information and exchange power management signals with connected energy
storage
devices. A disposable or non-rechargeable energy source operably connected
with the
power manager (190) is generally used until its stored charge is depleted and
then
disconnected from the power manager and discarded.
[0060] Power loads (160, 170) comprise operably connected power devices that
draw power from the power manager (190). Moreover, the power manager (190)
itself may comprise a power load that draws power from connected power and
energy
sources to operate; or the power manager (190) may include a separate internal
energy
source such as a battery. In the present example embodiment, the power loads
preferably draw DC power and generally comprise portable devices that are
normally
powered by DC power such as DC batteries or the like. However, AC power loads
that include or are operably connected to the power manager over a DC to AC
inverter can be powered by the power manager (190).
[0061] Power devices may comprise "smart devices" or "dumb devices." A smart
device at least includes a non-volatile data storage element that is readable
by the
power manager (190). A smart device may further comprise processing elements
effective to measure or control aspects of the power device. A smart device at
least
includes power characteristics of the device stored on the storage element.
Additional
information stored on a smart device may include any aspect of the energy
management schema operating on the power manager (190). A smart device may
monitor modify store and/or report aspects of the energy management schema to
the
power manager (190). A dumb device does not include a non-volatile data
storage
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element or any other data infrastructure that is readable by the power manager
(190).
A dumb device may also include a power device that is capable of data
exchanges
with other devices but that does not communicate using a communication
protocol
that is supported by the power manager (190). Most disposable batteries are
dumb
devices. Generally, dumb devices can be operably connected with the power
manager
(190) using a "smart cable". To do so, a smart cable is configured to
correspond with
the dumb device and a data set describing power characteristics of the dumb
power
device are stored on the smart cable in a manner that the data can be read by
or
otherwise communicated to the power manager (190). In some embodiments, a
smart
cable is self-configuring based upon one or more physical aspects of the dumb
power
device (such as a connector configuration). In other embodiments, a smart
cable is
"programmed" with information about the dumb power device. Alternately, a
smart
cable stores a device identifier which is read by the power manager and the
power
manager uses a device lookup table to obtain power characteristics associated
with the
device identifier. In the case of disposable batteries, one or more disposable
batteries
may be installed into a battery holder with the battery terminals conductively
connected to the power manager (190) over a smart cable and with power
characteristics of the disposable batteries stored on the smart cable for
communication
to the power manager. Alternately, the battery holder may store the power
.. characteristics of the disposable batteries and communicate the power
characteristics
of the disposable batteries to the power manager by a wireless signal.
[0062] Smart devices operably connected with the power manager (190) may also
include a variety of components that may be responsive to power management
signals
initiated by the power manager (190). For example, smart devices generally
respond
to power management signals initiated by a connected power manage by
exchanging
information or power with the power manager. However, other response options
are
possible when the power manager issues a power management signal to the
operably
connected power devices. For example, the power manager (190) may communicate
with a connected power device, determine various operating modes or parameters
of
the power device and select and/or configure operating parameters of the power
device according to instantaneous power conditions on the power network (100)
or
according to preferred operating modes of the power manager. For example, a
power
manager (190) may send a power management signal to an operably connected
power
device instructing the connected power device to use a desired operating
voltage, a
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desired communication protocol, desired current amplitude, or other desired
power
parameters. Other power management signals may include sending a pending
disconnect warning to a power device, sending an estimate of how long the
available
power on the network might last based on current power network conditions and
other
power related data as may be available or determinable by the power manager
(190)
or the power manager in cooperation with connected smart power devices.
[0063] A power device operably connected to a single device port of the power
manager (190) may comprise a plurality of power devices. For example, an
energy
storage device may include two or more rechargeable or disposable batteries
that are
connected in series, connected in parallel or capable of being individually
connected
to the power bus of the power manager over the same device port. In a further
example, a power device operably connected to a single device port of the
power
manager (190) over a single cable or other operable connection may comprise
two or
more power loads or a combination of power loads and energy storage devices.
In
such cases, the power devices may be reconfigured to operably connect one or
more
of the plurality of power devices to the power manager power bus and the power
devices many be connected individually or jointly.
[0064] The power manager (190) further comprises an energy management schema
operating thereon. The energy management schema comprises various programs,
firmware algorithms or the like operating the power manager and may include
analog
devices and processes. The energy management schema operates as a power
allocation interface (180) to collect power characteristics from each
connected power
device, to track available power and to distribute the available power to
connected
power loads according to various energy management schema objectives, which
may
include delivering power to power loads according to a power priority assigned
to
each power load. An energy management schema can be stored within a single
power
manager, distributed between a plurality of power managers, or stored in a
distributed
fashion between power managers, power cables, and power devices.
[0065] Generally the power manager (190) operates to maximize the amount of
usable power in the power network (100) by summing the power capabilities or
power
contribution attributable to all of the connected power or energy sources, and
then by
allocating this total available power to connected power loads in a
prioritized fashion.
To do this, the power manager first reads the power characteristic data for
each
connected power source and obtains average and peak power capacities of each
power
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or energy source. The energy schema then calculates a total available average
power,
and a total available peak power.
[0066] The power manager then reads or otherwise ascertains the power
characteristic data for each connected power load and obtains average and peak
power
requirements as well as a device priority of each power load, including the
power
loads associated with recharging energy storage devices. The energy management
schema then compiles a list of connected power loads, in priority order with
the
highest priority load device at the head of the list. Once this list is
complete, the
power manager starts at the head of the list, assigning average and peak power
to each
load device on the list, and subtracting that average and peak load from the
total
available power. The power manager continues down the list, assigning power to
each
load device on the list, until the total available average or total available
peak power
reaches zero (or a negative number). At this point, devices of a lower
priority that
have not yet been assigned power are disconnected from the power bus. The
energy
manager schema is periodically repeated, e.g. once per second, or each time a
power
device is physically connected to or disconnected from a device port. As such,
if
power requirements change, the power manager will recognize these changes and
will
adjust which power loads and power or energy sources are connected to the
power bus
and which power loads and power or energy sources are disconnected from the
power
bus according to the amount of average and peak power available.
[0067] Power characteristic information stored on smart cables, smart device
and on
the power manager and usable by the energy management schema comprises some or
all of the following elements:
[0068] Power device type (disposable or rechargeable energy storage device,
generated power source, power load, DC device, AC device, etc);
[0069] Power device ID (e.g. a MAC address, port number or the like);
[0070] Power device network address;
[0071] List of communication protocols and functions supported;
[0072] A device power priority;
[0073] Power management logging data specifications: (specifications for
information to collect and how to store it in the power manager);
[0074] Power management data and control encoding instructions (logging, log
data
to collect (e.g. hours of use, number of connector insertions, etc.) log
delivery,
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formats for reading power devices, power device control instruction
specifications);
and
[0075] Power characteristics (including operating power type (AC or DC),
operating voltage range, average and peak current amplitude or average and
peak
power amplitude, operating temperature ranges, present rated charge capacity,
fuel
level, etc.).
[0076] For rechargeable energy storage devices, power characteristics may
include
operating voltage, charging voltage, operating current amplitude range,
charging
current amplitude, charging cycle type, etc.
[0077] For non-reachable energy storage devices, power characteristics may
include: charge-rated capacity, thresholds (in volts, amps, % of maximum for
volts or
amps, length of time in service), and the like.
[0078] For more complex power device, power characteristics may include a list
of
power devices and associated power characteristics, a list of operating modes
and
instruction regarding how to change operating modes, etc.
[0079] A single power manager (190) manages a local power network in
accordance with the energy management schema operating thereon. During the
management of the local power network, the power manager (190) operates
independently to monitor the states of locally connected power devices and
connect or
disconnected the locally connected power devices to the local power bus and
distribute power in accordance with the local energy management schema. In
addition, locally connected devices may be controlled and reconfigured in
response to
power management commands initiated by the power manager (190) .
[0080] If the power network (100) comprises a plurality of interconnected
power
managers (190) and (195) the connected power managers may exchange energy and
power management signals. This permits the connected power managers to operate
in
an integrated fashion while still operating the local power network according
to the
local energy management schema. In local mode, each power manager still
operates
independently to monitor the states of locally-connected power devices and to
connect
or disconnected the locally-connected power devices to the local power bus as
required by the local energy management schema. Integrated operation includes
exchanging information and power between connected power managers. The energy
management schema operating on each power manager (190, 195) may then sum the
total average and peak power available on the local network, e.g. power
devices
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connected to the power manager (190), and operate to distribute power provided
by
locally connect sources to locally connected loads. Thereafter the power
manager
(190) may offer excess power to or request additional power from the connected
power manager (195). The power manager schema is periodically repeated, e.g.
once
per second, or each time a power device is physically connected to or
disconnected
from the network (100). As such, if power requirements change, the integrated
power
managers will recognize these changes and will adjust which power loads and
power
sources are connected to the power bus and which ones are disconnected from
the
power bus according to the amount of average and peak power available on the
power
network.
[0081] The networked power managers are advantageous over existing solutions
such as the power distribution system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,570,002
by
Castleman because Castleman has one power supply distributing power to many
power loads and a failure or disconnect of the one power source immediately
causes a
power interruption to all the power loads. Conversely, the energy management
schema operating on a single or local power manager network of the present
invention
or on an integrated power management network (100) of the present invention
utilizes
a plurality of power sources and adjusts power distribution substantially in
real time
to deliver power to high priority devices even when one power source fails or
is
disconnected from the network. In addition, the power managers (190) and (195)
as
well as some of the connected power devices are man-portable such that the
network
(100) may comprise a completely man-portable network as a local network or may
comprise an integrated power network when power managers are connected
together
such as at a base camp.
[0082] Referring now to Figure 2, an example single or isolated power network
(200) according to the present invention comprises a single power manager
(210) and
a plurality of power devices electrically connected with the power manager
(210) by a
wire cable (220) associated with each power device. Preferably, the power
cables are
detachable from the power manager (210) and from each power device. This
permits
ease of portability, allows connected power devices to be disconnected from
device
ports of the power manager and replaced by other power devices, allows field
replacement of defective or damaged cables, and to allows "smart" power cables
to be
reprogrammed or reconfigured as required. Preferably, each wire cable (220)
includes
a first end connector matching a connector configuration of the corresponding
power
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device and a second end connector matching a connector configuration of the
power
manager device ports. Each power cable (220) includes one or more power
channels
and at least one data communication channel and the data commutation channel
may
be over a power channel or over a wireless channel. If the cable (220) is a
smart cable
it includes a memory device or other information storage device with power
characteristics of the corresponding power device stored on the smart cable in
a form
that is readable by the power manager (210) using the SMBus communication
protocol or another communication protocol supported by the power manager,
e.g.
USB. If the power device is a smart device, the cable (220) includes a data
channel
that extends from the power manager to the power device and the power
characteristics of the corresponding power device are stored on the smart
device.
However, a smart device can be connected to the power manager by a smart cable
and
some or all of the power characteristics of the corresponding power device may
be
stored on the smart device, on the smart cable or on both.
[0083] In various embodiments, a power device connected to the power manager
(210) by a single cable (220) may comprise a plurality of power devices. The
plurality
of power devices may be ganged together and functioning as a single power
device.
In this case, the power manager (210) treats the plurality power devices as a
single
device and may not even be aware that the single device comprises a plurality
of
power devices. One example embodiment of a plurality of power devices being
treated as a single power device is when the plurality identical batteries are
connected
to the device port in series or in parallel. Alternately, the plurality of
power devices
may be individually addressable and capable of functioning independently. In
this
case, the power manager (210) may independently read power characteristics of
each
of the plurality of power devices connected to the power manager over the same
device port and treat each power device separately in the energy management
schema.
One example embodiment of a plurality of power devices being individually
addressable is when the plurality of power devices comprises a power load and
an
integrated rechargeable battery in one power device. In this case, the power
manager
may recognize that two devices are connected or connectable and utilize the
rechargeable battery as a power source, and include the power load and the
rechargeable battery in the list of power loads to be powered according to
device
priority. Accordingly, the power manager (210) is configured to manage the
port
connection and communication with power devices connected to the each device
port
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to determine if the connected power devices comprise a plurality of
independent
power devices and if so to treat each device separately in the energy
management
schema. In cases where a power device connected to a single device port
comprises a
plurality of individually addressable power devices, the connecting cable
(220) may
include separate power and data channels for each of the plurality of
individually
addressable power devices, or a single power and data channel may be shared by
the
plurality of individually addressable power devices. Moreover, each of the
plurality
of individually addressable power devices may have a different device address
reachable by the power manager or the power device may have a single device
address and operate to manage communication and power distribution within the
power device to address each individually addressable power device
incorporated
therein.
[0084] In various embodiments, a power device connected to the power manager
(210) by a single cable (220) may comprise a reconfigurable power device. One
example embodiment of a reconfigurable power device comprises a rechargeable
battery (270) that comprises two batteries connected together in parallel
wherein
either the connecting cable (220) or the rechargeable battery (270) can be
reconfigured, either manually or automatically, to connect the two batteries
together
in series, e.g. to change an operating voltage of the rechargeable battery. In
this case,
the power information stored on the power device or the smart cable associated
with
the power device alerts the power manager that the device can be reconfigured
and the
power manager may reconfigure the power device by issuing a power management
signal to automatically reconfigure the cable (220) or the rechargeable
battery (270)
or the power manager may notify a user to reconfigure the rechargeable battery
manually. If a power device connected to a single device port comprises a
reconfigurable power device, the connecting cable (220) or the reconfigurable
power
device may include information stored thereon about the power characteristics
of the
reconfigurable power device in each possible device configuration as well as
instructions about how to reconfigure the device.
[0085] In operation, when a power device is connected to the power manager
(210)
the power manager reads power and data characteristics of the power device
from the
power device or the cable (220) associated with the power device, or both. The
power
and data characteristics can be used to select an appropriate communication
protocol,
to determine the device type, e.g. load, source, rechargeable battery, or
combination,
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and various power characteristics of the connected power device or cable. The
power
characteristics may include an operating voltage range, average and peak power
or
current values, rated charge capacity of an energy storage device, charge
remaining on
an energy storage device, a power priority of the power device and/or other
power
characteristic data as may be available. Alternately, the power characteristic
may
comprise a device code or identifying class of the power device and the power
manager may look up the power characteristics associated with the device code
or
identifying class in a lookup table stored on the power manager. Based on
information read from the device, cable, or look up table, the power manager
(210)
may determine that the particular power device is not compatible with the
power
manager (210) in its current configuration and generate an error indication
and/or
suggest a solution. Otherwise, the connected power device is integrated into
the
power network for power exchanges with the power manager as governed by the
energy management schema.
[0086] The power manager (210) operates in various modes to allocate and
distribute energy provided by power sources over the power network (200)
according
to power priority settings and/or other aspects of the energy management
schema. In
addition, the power manager (210) may change its configuration using switching
elements to open or close device port connections as required, to map power
converters inline with a device port, to redistribute power according to power
device
priorities and/or to prevent the power manager or a connected device from
being
damaged. In addition, the power manager (210) may change the configuration of
and/or power characteristics of a connected power device by issuing a command
to
the connected power device.
Man-Portable Power Network
[0087] In a specific example embodiment, the power network (200) comprises a
plurality power devices that are expressly designed to be man-portable. For
example,
man-portable devices include devices carried by a backpacker or an infantry
soldier. It
is key to some embodiments of the power network (200) described herein that
the
power manager (210), power cables (220), and at least some of the power
devices
connected thereto be man-worn or man-portable. As shown in Figures 2 and 4,
the
exemplary power network (200) comprises a portable power manager (210)
configured with six device ports with up to six connected cables (220) used to
exchange energy and power management signals with up to six power devices such
as
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portable power loads (230, 240, 250, 260), a portable energy storage device
(270),
such as a disposable, (one time use), or rechargeable battery, and a portable
power
source (280), such as a man-worn or man-packable fuel cell. In the specific
example
embodiment of the power network (200), the power loads may include man-worn or
man-packable radios (230, 240), a global geo-location positioning receiver
(250) and
night vision goggles (260). In addition other electric power loads such as man-
worn
cooling equipment, a portable computer, a portable camera, additional
telecommunication systems and other portable electronic devices may be
connected to
ports of the power manager (210) by disconnecting one or more of the power
loads
(230, 240, 250, 260) and connecting an alternate power load into the available
device
port as may be required.
[0088] The power manager (210) is specifically configured for man-portable
applications and is especially configured to have a weight of less than 500
grams and
to have a sealed, e.g. water tight, enclosure that is small enough to be
inserted into a
pocket formed on a back pack or article of clothing while still providing
access to all
of the device ports to connect and disconnect cables. In addition the power
manager
(210) includes a user interface module, indicator lights associated with each
device
port, and may include a visual display device, all of which are configured for
ergonomic use and reliable performance.
[0089] The power manager (210) is specifically configured for man-portable
applications and especially configured to avoid power interruptions to mission-
critical
power devices connected to the power manager. As such, the power manager (210)
is
preferably operated with two power or energy sources (270), (280) connected to
two
different device ports at all times and with at least one power or energy
source having
an operating voltage that matches a bus voltage of the power manager. In the
example embodiment (200), the two sources are the rechargeable battery (270)
and
the man-portable fuel cell (280). In this case, the rechargeable battery (270)
and the
power manager power bus each operate at 15 volts DC such that the rechargeable
battery (270) can be directly connected to the power manager power bus without
a
power conversion. Alternately, two rechargeable batteries (270) or two man-
portable
fuel cells are usable, provided that at least one of the fuel cells operates
at the same
voltage as the power bus and meets other requirements for direct connection to
the
power bus without power conversion. As will be further described below, in one
mode of operation, the power manager (210) only connects one of the two
sources to
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the power bus at a time holding the second source in reserve and automatically
connecting the second source to the power bus as soon as it becomes apparent
that the
power demands of high priority or mission critical power loads can no longer
be met
by the single source.
[0090] More generally, the power network (200) comprises a single power
manager
(210), operably connected with one or more power loads (230, 240, 250, 260)
and one
or more power sources (270, 280) by connecting power cables (220) connected
with
individual device ports of the power manager (210). The power manager (210)
and
each of the power devices, or connecting power cables (220), are configured to
exchange energy and power characteristics of the connected devices and
possibly
power management signals as described above. Each power device may also be
assigned a device-specific power priority setting and the device priority
setting is used
to carry out the energy management schema operating on the power manager
(210).
The power manager (210) is configured to receive power from power and energy
sources (270, 280) and to allocate available power to the power loads with
high
priority power loads being fully powered as required and low priority power
loads
being switched off if the available power on the power network is less than
the
instantaneous power demand.
[0091] In some exemplary uses, a power network that includes mission critical
devices such as a radio or a geo-location position receiver is configured by
assigning a
relatively higher power priority to the mission critical devices and assigning
a
relatively lower power priority to less critical power devices such as man-
worn
cooling equipment. Generally, default power device priority settings are
included in
the power characteristic information stored on smart power devices and smart
cables.
The power priorities may vary from mission to mission according to the mission
duration, the mission objectives and the power devices to be carried on the
mission.
Accordingly, power device priorities are routinely updated on the power
devices and
cables by connecting the power device and/or cable to a computer or to a power
manager connected with computer. Alternately, a plurality of default power
device
priority settings are downloaded onto to the power manager (210) as part of
the
energy management schema and may be used when no other default value is
available
or when the power manager default value is set to override power device
default
settings. Default device power priority settings (or any other energy
management
schema settings) stored on the power manager can be changed by downloading new
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settings to the power manager (210) from a computer or the like connected to a
device
port.
[0092] The power and energy sources (270, 280,) for a man-portable mission may
include rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries and a generated power
source
such as a man-portable fuel cell. If the energy source is a rechargeable
energy storage
device (270), the power manager (210) may be configured to determine a charge-
rated
capacity and the amount of charge remaining on the energy storage device by
reading
power information associated with the device (270) or by exchanging power
information with the device (270) or its associated power cable. Typically,
the
amount of charge remaining on the energy storage device is reported over a
range of
approximately 5% to 100% with 100% being a fully charged battery and 5% being
a 95% discharged battery. The remaining charge value of each rechargeable
battery
may reported to a user e.g. by lighting indicator lights provided on the power
manager
proximate to the corresponding device port or by displaying a value on a
visual
display device. When operating with a rechargeable battery-type power device,
the
power manager (2/0 may operate in a mode that either draws power from the
rechargeable battery (270) to operate other power devices connected to the
power
network (200), or delivers power or charge to the rechargeable battery-type
power
device (270) to recharge the battery to a higher charge level. However, the
operating
modes are managed by the energy management schema, which may choose to charge
a rechargeable battery under certain circumstances but generally will not
recharge a
battery on a man-portable mission.
[0093] The power network (200) includes power loads (230, 240, 250, 260) for
which the load characteristics vary over time because not all of the power
loads are
used at the same time and because individual power loads may have peak and non-
peak power requirements as well as standby modes that reduce power consumption
when a power device is not in use. The power sources (270) and (280) may also
vary
their power characteristics over time e.g. depending on temperature and
remaining
charge value. Moreover, the power sources may have a peak current amplitude
that
can not be exceeded and that occasionally may not meet the current demands of
connected power loads. Accordingly, even using the energy management schema,
the
actual available power may vary from predicted available power determined by
the
energy management schema and some power demands may go unmet. However, the
energy management schema addresses high priority power demand first.
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Networked Power Manager Examples
[0094] Referring now to Figures 3 and 5, a second example embodiment of a
power
network of the present invention comprises power networks (300) and (500),
which
each include a plurality of man-portable power managers (210) connected
together by
cables (310) for exchanging power and power management signals bi-
directionally
between connected power managers (210). Referring to Figure 3, each of the
plurality of power managers (210) may include one or more power loads (330,
340),
one or more power generating sources (350) and one or more energy storage
devices
(320, 360, 370, 380) each connected to different device ports of the power
manager
(210) by corresponding cables (390). For example, the networks (300) and (500)
comprise ad hoc power networks established at a base camp or at any location
where
the power devices are not being transported. The ad hoc networks (300) and
(500)
may be configured when a suitable power source is available and when
rechargeable
energy storage devices need recharging. In one example, the ad hoc networks
(300)
and (500) may be established between trips or in a stationary configuration
and the ad
hoc networks (300) and (500) may be used to power other devices in a base
camp, or
the like, such as lighting, heating, or cooking elements and non-man-portable
electronic devices. More importantly, the ad hoc networks (300) and (500) are
established to recharge batteries. To establish an ad hoc power network, a
squad of
infantry soldiers, e.g. up to 10, may combine each soldiers' power manager
(210) and
various power devices carried by the soldiers in a manner suitable for meeting
the
immediate power needs of the squad. Moreover, power devices and power managers
may be added as needed to connect additional power devices and take advantage
of
power sources as they become available.
[0095] In the ad hoc power networks (300) and (500), non-man-portable power
and
energy sources may be used when available. These may include a vehicle battery
or
alternator, a gasoline powered generator, a non-man-portable fuel cell, a wind
turbine,
a solar panel, or an AC power grid. The AC power grid may be accessed over a
cable
(390) using an AC grid connector (355) and a power converter or rectifier
(345) to
convert the AC grid power to input power usable by a power manager (210), e.g.
15
volts DC. Otherwise, whatever man-portable power and energy sources that are
available, e.g. rechargeable batteries (360, 370, 380) and/or non-rechargeable
batteries
(320), man-portable fuel cells and man-portable solar blankets (350) can be
used as
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power sources suitable for establishing an ad hoc power network (300) or (500)
and
potentially recharging batteries.
[0096] As described above, each power device connected to the networks (300)
and
(500) includes power characteristic information relating to the particular
power device
stored on the power device or on a corresponding cable (390) in a form that is
readable by a connected power manager (210). Additionally, each connected
power
device may comprise a plurality of power devices connected over a single
device port,
a reconfigurable power device, or a smart power device capable of two way data
and
command exchange with a connected power manager (210). Each power manager
(210) is configured to identify another power manager (210) connected to it
and to
exchange power and power management signals with a connected power manager.
Each power manager (210) is configured to identify locally connected power
devices,
read power characteristic information from each locally connected power device
and
distribute power to locally connected power devices according to the energy
management schema operating on each of the connected power managers (210). In
an
embodiment of the power manager (210) each power manager can connect to one or
two other power managers, however up to ten power managers can be connected
together in series in a single power network (300). Of course, other ad hoc
configurations are possible including interconnecting an unlimited number of
power
managers without deviating from the present invention.
[0097] In cases where a power manager (210) is connected to another power
manager, each power manager forms a local power network that only includes the
power devices connected to that power manager. Each power manager (210)
identifies the locally connected power devices and operates according to the
energy
management schema operating on that power manager. Accordingly, each power
manager operates to maximize the amount of usable power in the local network
by
summing the power capabilities or power contribution attributable to all of
the locally
connected power sources, and then by allocating this total locally available
power to
locally connected power loads in a prioritized fashion. To do this, each power
manager (210) first reads the power characteristic data for each locally
connected
power source and obtains average and peak power capacities of each locally
connected power source, including locally connected energy storage devices
such as
rechargeable batteries. The energy schema operating on the power manager then
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calculates a total of the locally available average power, and a total of the
locally
available peak power.
[0098] Each power manager then reads or otherwise ascertains the power
characteristic data for each locally connected power load and obtains local
average
and peak power requirements as well as a device priority for each locally
connected
power load, including locally connected energy storage devices such as
rechargeable
batteries. The energy management schema then compiles a list of locally
connected
power loads, in priority order with the highest priority load device at the
head of the
list. Once this list is complete, each power manager starts at the head of the
list,
assigning locally average and peak power to each locally connected load device
on
the list, and subtracting that average and peak load from the total locally
available
power. The power manager continues down the list, assigning power to each
locally
connected load device on the list, until the total locally available average
or total
locally available peak power reaches zero (or a negative number). At this
point, if the
local power demands are unmet, each power manager (210) may communicate with a
connected power manager to request power from the connected power manager.
Alternately, if the local power demands are exceeded, each power manager (210)
may
communicate with a connected power manager to offer power to the connected
power
manager. If sufficient power is still not available, each power manager may
.. disconnect locally connected lower priority power devices from the
corresponding
local power bus.
[0099] Energy management schema events are periodically repeated at a default
refresh rate, e.g. once per second to continuously monitor a configuration of
each
local power network and distribute power accordingly. In addition, the energy
management schema events are initiated each time a power device is physically
connected to or disconnected from a device port. The default refresh rate is a
variable
parameter of the energy management schema and can be automatically increased
or
decreased according to instantaneous or historic network conditions.
[00100] In some embodiments, the energy management schema refresh rate can be
selected using the power manager user interface. In other embodiments, an
energy
management schema refresh rate is preset and not changeable through the user
interface. In still further embodiments, the energy management schema refresh
rate
may be varied by the energy management schema, e.g. in response to parameters
of
the local network. As such, if local power requirements change, the next
refresh of
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the energy management schema events detects the local changes, reacquires the
total
locally available average and peak power, rebuilds the list of locally
connected power
loads sorted by power priority and take actions to redistribute local power
accordingly, and if needed, to offer power to or request power from a
connected
power manager.
[00101] The actions taken by a power manager to redistribute power according
to the
energy management schema may include connecting a power device to or
disconnecting a power device from the local power bus, reconfiguring a power
converter to adjust a voltage, current or power amplitude, reconfiguring a
connected
power device and/or exchanging power with another power manager (210).
Source Priority
[00102] According to a further aspect of the present invention, each power
source or
energy storage device may be characterized with a source priority rating that
relates to
the economics and/or efficiency of operating the power source or that relates
to other
characterizing features of the power or energy source. The source priority
rating may
comprise an element of the power characteristic information stored on the
source
itself or on a smart cable connecting the source to the power manager.
Alternately,
default source priority ratings may be included in the energy management
schema and
the source priority rating of the energy management schema may supersede the
source
priority rating reported by each source. In some embodiments, the source
priority
ratings are a variable parameter of the energy management schema and may be
changed through the user interface or preset, e.g. prior to a mission and not
able to be
changed through the user interface.
[00103] According to one example, renewable energy sources such as solar or
wind
power sources may be given the highest source priority rating because the
power is
relatively inexpensive and may be readily available. In this case, the energy
management schema operating a power manager connected with a renewable energy
source will attempt to meet all the power demands of the local power network
using
the renewable energy source because the renewable energy source has the
highest
source priority rating. Grid power may be assigned a second highest source
priority
rating and the energy management schema operating a power manager connected
with
grid power but not connected with a renewable energy source will attempt to
meet all
of the power demands of the local power network using the grid power because
the
grid power has the highest source priority rating of any available power
source.
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[00104] In further examples, other power generating sources such as fuel
cells,
gasoline power generators, vehicle alternators or the like may be given a
third highest
source priority rating followed by rechargeable energy storage devices with a
fourth
highest source priority rating and the non-rechargeable energy storage devices
with a
fifth highest source priority rating. Accordingly, the energy management
schema
takes each source priority rating into account when determining the total
locally
available average and peak power available and may compile a list of power
sources
in priority order and allocate power starting at the head of the list and
working down
until the local power requirements are met. Moreover, in some embodiments, the
energy management schema may only offer power to other power managers if power
is locally available from power sources with high source priority ratings such
as a
renewable energy source or grid power. Of course, other source priority
rankings and
selection criteria are usable without deviating form the present invention.
Power Variation
[00105] Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 5, the power characteristics of the
power
networks (200, 300, 500) vary over time. Power devices may be connected or
disconnected from the networks (100, 200, and 300) with a resulting change in
power
characteristics of the entire network. Accordingly, each connect or disconnect
event
initiates a sequence of energy management schema events by the corresponding
local
power manager (210) to reevaluate conditions and redistribute power. For a
newly
connected power device, the energy management schema determines if the device
is
compatible with the power network and the device port that it is connected to
and, if
not, issues a warning signal to alert a user that the newly connected power
device is
not compatible with the selected device port. If the newly connected device is
compatible, the energy management schema then determines the newly connected
device type, e.g. power manager, power source, power load, or rechargeable
energy
storage device. Thereafter the energy management schema reads the newly
connected
device operating voltage range, power priority, peak and average power
characteristics from connected power device, and if appropriate, the charge-
rated
capacity, remaining charge and other parameters that may be available, and if
appropriate, the newly connected power device may be connected to the power
bus.
For disconnect events, the sequence of energy management schema events
disconnects the empty device port from the power bus and reevaluates network
conditions.
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[00106] Other factors that cause the power characteristics of the power
networks
(200, 300, 500) to vary over time include changes to connected power devices.
Such
changes include a power device or cable failure, a fully-discharged energy
storage
device, higher than expected peak power demands by one or more connected power
devices, and lower than expected power demands by one or more connected power
devices. Since these variations affect the instantaneous power characteristics
of the
entire power network, a sequence of energy management schema events is
automatically initiated and repeated at a refresh rate in order to
periodically reevaluate
network conditions and redistribute power according the current parameters of
the
energy management schema.
[00107] In general, the instantaneous power P(t) being drawn or delivered by a
power device is approximately equal to the product of instantaneous voltage
v(t) and
instantaneous current i(t). Power devices usable with the power networks
described
herein are likely to operate at different average voltages ranging from
about 1.0-50.0VDC or 55-220VAC. Average and peak currents for each power
device or deliverable to each device port are likely to range from about a few
milliamps to about 10 Amps with an AC frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. In one example
embodiment, the power manager (210) includes six device ports with a power bus
operating at 14.4 volts DC. In this example, the device port and power bus
circuitry
are designed to operate at 14.4 volts DC with current carrying capacity in the
range
of 1 milliamp to 10 Amps and the power bus is designed for an average power of
150
watts. However, the power bus can handle peak power surges up to about 1.0
kilowatt. In another example embodiment, the power bus operates at 30.0 volts
DC.
Preferred Power Manager Embodiment
[00108] Referring now to Figure 4, a preferred example embodiment of a power
manager (400) according to the present invention is shown schematically. The
power
manager comprises a power distribution and control system, shown schematically
in
Figure 4. The actual hardware making up the power distribution and control
system is
housed inside a substantially sealed electrical enclosure, shown in Figure 12.
The
power distribution system includes six device ports (1-6). Each device port
comprises
an electrical connector, show in Figure 12. The connectors are supported by
and pass
through the electrical enclosure for accessibility from outside the electrical
enclosure.
Preferably, all the connectors are multi-pin connectors of the same type
however; the
number of pins and the functionality of each multi-pin connector may vary from
port
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to port. Any number of ports greater than one is usable without deviating from
the
present invention. Additionally, different connector configurations may be
provided
in alternate embodiments. In other alternate embodiments, device ports may
have a
variety of different configurations such as conductive contact pads, wireless
inductive
energy transfer terminals printed circuit runs, wireless communication
interfaces and
other connecting elements, without deviating from the present invention. Each
device
port connects to a common conductor such as a power bus (410) or another
conductor
topology such as star, chain or mesh that connects each of the six device
ports with a
power bus.
[00109] The power manager (400) preferably includes a data processing device
(420)
and associated memory device (430). The data processing device (420) and
memory
(430) are preferably housed inside the sealed electrical enclosure and in some
embodiments the memory may be incorporated within the data processing device
or
removable from the electronic enclosure by a user. Example data processing
devices
include a central processing unit, (CPU), an integrated microprocessor, a
microcontroller, or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Other control
systems
may be used without deviating from the invention.
[00110] The data processing device (420) is electrically connected with
elements of
the power distribution system and connects with each of the device ports (1-6)
through a network interface device (444) or another communications interface.
Each
device port includes a communication channel that interconnects the network
interface device (444) with smart cables or smart power devices that are
operably
connected to a device port. Accordingly, the data processing device (420)
reads
power characteristic information stored on operably connected power devices or
smart
cables associated with power devices over the network interface device (444)
and if
an operably connected power device or smart cable is appropriately configured,
the
data processing device (420) and network interface device (444) cooperate to
exchange the power characteristic information and/or power management signals
with
the operably connected device.
[00111] As an example, the data processing device (420) may read and update
information stored on the operably connected power device or smart cable. As a
further example, the data processing device (420) may send power management
signals to the operably connected power device or smart cable such as to
request a
status, to update or overwrite power characteristic information or to change a
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configuration or operating mode of the operably connected power device or
smart
cable. In a further example, if the operably connected power device or smart
cable
includes two or more power devices connected to the same device port over one
cable
or operable connection, the data processing device (420) may command the power
device to operably connect or disconnect one of the two or more power devices.
In
further examples, the operably connected power device or smart cable may send
power management signals or other information to the data processing device
(420).
These exchanges may include a request for status of the power manager, e.g.
how
much total power is available, a request to change a configuration or
operating mode
.. of the power manager, e.g. to change a power characteristic, e.g. output
current, or to
operably disconnect the power device from the bus. In addition, the power
manager
and operably connected power devices and cables may exchange power
availability or
remaining operating time estimates based on current network conditions.
[00112] Preferably, the data processing device (420) communicates with
operably
connected power devices and smart cables using network packeted data. In a
preferred embodiment, the network interface device (444) is a SMBus network
interface and power characteristic information is stored on operably connected
devices in a form that is readable using the SMBus communication protocol.
However, the network interface device (444) may support other communication
protocols on a common bus controller or the power manager (400) may include
additional network interface devices to communicate with operably connected
devices
using other communication protocols such as the Inter-Integrated Network (IIC)
communication protocol or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication
protocol.
In some embodiments, the network manager (400) may include wireless network
interface devices and transceivers for wireless communication with comparably
equipped operably connected power devices or smart cables using a wireless
network
communication protocol such as Wi-Fi, WiMax, Bluetooth or others.
[00113] In the example embodiment of the power manager (400), a USB
communication interface device (425) is disposed between the data processing
device
(420) and the device port (2) and the device port (2) includes a first SMBus
configured data channel and a second data communication channel suitably
configured to communicate with USB configured devices operably connected with
device port (2). Alternately, every device port can be connected with the USB
network interface device (425) and with the network interface device (444) and
other
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network interface devices so that every device port can operably connect with
power
devices over a plurality of network communication protocols.
[00114] In an example embodiment of the power manager (400), the port (2) is
used
to operably connect with a computer, (not shown) or computer-like device, e.g.
a cell
phone, personal digital assistant or the like, and the computer is used to
communicate
with the data processing device (420). The computer may be used to upload or
download energy management schema data to or from the data processing device
(420). In various applications, an external computer connected to the power
manager
via port (2) or any other USB-configured device port may be used to collect
historic
power network data, to install or update operating programs, to run diagnostic
programs, to evaluate performance, to change elements of the energy management
schema such as power priorities for each mission, to modify or select
operating
modes, to change security settings and adjust other parameters as may be
required.
[00115] In a preferred example, the data processing device (420) establishes a
network connection with each power device that is operably connected to power
manager (400) and assigns a device address, network address, device port ID or
any
other unique identifier to each operably connected power device or smart cable
or to
both. If one of the operably connected power devices is a second power
manager, e.g.
as shown in the power network (300) in Figure 3, the two power managers may
exchange power characteristic information relating to connected power devices,
power management signals and other information. The information exchanged
between connected power managers may include the network address, type and
power
characteristics of the operably connected local power devices and/or smart
cables.
Additional information may further include broader network data such as the
type and
power characteristics of every power device that is operably connected to the
network
(300) or that is reachable by each power manager over a network communication
channel. The power management signals may be associated with exchanging power
between connected power managers.
[00116] The memory device (430) is used to store and periodically refresh
state
information, energy management schema information, network configuration data,
operating programs such as firmware and/or software, and other digital data
that is
used by the data processing device (420) to operate the power distribution
system
(400) according to predefined operating modes. In some embodiments, historical
network configurations and power usage may be stored on the memory device
(430)
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for uploaded to a computer between missions or for communication to an
operably
connected power manager. The power manager and/or power distribution system
(40W may also include additional analog devices or digital processing elements
programmed or otherwise configured to carryout predefined operating sequences,
measurements, algorithms or the like, using digital and/or analog components
in
communication with the data processing device (420). For example, the power
converters (440, 442, and 510), the communications interface device (444), the
Field
Effect Transistors (FET), user interface devices (520) such as a key pad or
individual
buttons for input and LED arrays (515) for user interpretable output or other
elements
may operate according to predefined operating sequences independent of the
data
processing device with the data processing device merely initiating or
interrupting the
predefmed operating sequences.
Connecting Devices To The Power Bus
[00117] Referring now to Figures 4, each port (1-6) may be operably
disconnected
from the power bus (410) or operably connected to the power bus (410) over
either of
two power channels. Using device port (5) as an example, a first power channel
(525)
includes a first conductor that extends from the port (5) to the power bus
(41W and a
first controllable switch (465) disposed along the first conductor to
controllably
complete or interrupt the first power channel (525). The first controllable
switch
(465) is closed to connect the device port (5) to the power bus (410) over the
first
power channel (525) or the first controllable switch (465) is opened to
interrupt the
first power channel (525) and disconnect the device port (5) from the power
bus.
[00118] A second power channel (53W includes a second conductor that extends
from port (5) to the power bus (410) and a second controllable switch (495)
and a
power converter or changer (442) are each disposed along the second conductor
between the device port (5) and the power bus (410). The second controllable
switch
(495) is closed to connect the device port (5) to the power bus (410), over
the second
power channel (530), or the second controllable switch (495) is opened to
interrupt
the second power channel (530) and disconnect the device port (5) from the
power
.. bus over the second power channel (530).
[00119] The power converter (442) can be operated as a bidirectional boost
converter
to increase the voltage of a DC power signal or as a bidirectional buck
converter to
decrease the voltage of a DC power signal. The power converter (442) can also
be
operated to attenuate DC current amplitude passing through the power
converter. The
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power converter may also operate as a controllable switching element to
connect or
disconnect the second power channel (530) device port (5) to and from the
power bus
(410) by attenuating DC current amplitude essentially to zero.
[00120] Each controllable switch (465) and (495) is in communication with the
data
processing unit (420) and is opened or closed in response to power management
signals received from the data processing device (420). The power converter
(442) is
in communication with the data processing unit (420) and is configured to
change or
convert a DC voltage or to attenuate DC current amplitude passing through the
power
converter in response to power management signals received from the data
processing
device (420). In addition, the power converter (442) may protect the power bus
(410)
and/or a power device or cable connected to the device port (5) from being
damaged
by power or current surges that exceed operating limits of the power manager
or a
connected power device.
[00121] Preferably the first power channel (525) and the second power channel
(530)
are bidirectional power channels with each power channel being capable of
receiving
power from a power or energy source connected to device port (5) or delivering
power or energy to a power load connected to device port (5). Preferably, each
of the
controllable switches (465) and 095) and the power converter (442) are
bidirectional
substantially without degradation in performance. Optionally, a power, voltage
or
current feedback loop may be incorporated into either of the first and second
power
channels to monitor bidirectional power signals and actively adjust the power
signals
to maintain a desired output. Optionally other elements may be fixedly
included in or
switchably connected in series or in parallel with each of the first and
second power
channels. Such elements may include a resettable fuse to prevent damage from
power
surges, a diode to prevent current flow in one direction, an inverter to
convert DC to
AC, a rectifier to convert AC to DC a voltage regulator and other power
stabilizing or
altering elements as may be required by the application.
[00122] The device port (6) has a first power channel (535) comprising a
conductor
that extends from port (6) to the power bus (410) and includes a first
controllable
switch (460). The device port (6) has a second power channel, which is
substantially
the same second power channel (530) that is used by the device port (5) and
includes
a conductor that extends from port (6) to the power bus (410) with the second
controllable switch (495) and the power converter or changer (442) disposed
along the
second conductor between the device port (6) and the power bus (410). In the
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example embodiment, each of the device ports (5) and (6) can be connected to
the
power bus simultaneously but only one of the device ports (5) and (6) can be
connected to the power bus (410) over the second power channel (535) at one
time.
Accordingly, only one of the power devices connected to the port (5) and (6)
can be
power converted by the power converter (442) at once.
[00123] To connect the port (5) to the power bus (410) over the first power
channel
(525), the second controllable switch (495) is opened to prevent current from
passing
over the second power channel (530) and the first controllable switch (465) is
closed
to allow current flow over the first conductive path (525). In an initial
state with no
power devices connected to the ports (5) or (6) all of the controllable
switches (465),
(495), (490) and (460) are open to prevent a power device initially being
plugged into
one of the device ports (5) or (6) from being connected to the power bus
(410).
However, a power device that is initially plugged into one of the device ports
(5) or
(6) is operably connected to a data communication channel and the data
processing
unit (420) reads power information from the newly connected power device to
determine its operating voltage and other power parameters. If the operating
voltage
and other power parameters are compatible with direct connection to the power
bus,
the power device connected to deice port (5) is connected to the power bus
(410) over
the first power channel (525). If the operating voltage and other power
parameters are
not compatible with direct connection to the power bus, the power device
connected
to device port (5) may be denied connection to the power bus or may be
connected to
the power bus (410) over the second power channel (530) when the power
converter
(442) is configured to make an appropriate power conversion.
[00124] To determine if the power device connected to deice port (5) can be
connected to the power bus (410) over the second power channel (530), the data
processor (420) first determines if the second power channel (530) is
available, i.e.
not being used by the device port (6). If the second power channel (530) is
available,
the data processor (420) determines if the power converter or changer (442)
can be
operated in a mode that will suitably convert power between the power bus and
the
connected power device. More specifically the data processor (420) determines
if a
suitable voltage conversion is possible and then determines if other power
parameters
are compatible for connecting the power device connected to the device port
(5) to the
power bus (410) over the second power channel (535) and if so sets the power
converter accordingly and then closes the controllable switch (495) to connect
the
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device connected to device port (5) to the power bus over the second power
channel (535).
[00125] Each of the device ports (/- 6) can be directly connected to the bus
(410)
over a first power channel, without power conversion, or over a second power
channel
with power conversion. However, the example embodiment (400) only includes
three
power converters (442), (440) and (510) so only three power devices can be
connected to the power bus over a power converter at a time. In other
embodiments, a
power converter can associated with each device port but this is not practical
for a
portable device since it adds weight and increases volume.
[00126] In the embodiment (400), each device port has a first controllable
switch
(450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475) disposed in the first power channel between the
device
port and the power bus (410). Each device port also has a second controllable
switch
(480, 485, 490, 495, 503, 505) disposed in the second power channel between
the
device port and the power bus (410). The preferred controllable switch
comprises a
Field Effect Transistor (FET) or other semiconductor switch, which is
preferred
because of its light weight, compact size, low volume, fast switching speed,
reliability, low power consumption, low cost and ease of assembly. However, a
relay
switch, micro-switch or any other controllable switching element that can open
and
close to prevent current flow over the corresponding power channel is usable
without
deviating from the present invention.
[00127] The power bus (410) can be operated at 14.9 volts DC because the power
manager (400) is designed for use with large number of power devices having an
operating voltage of 14.9 volts DC. This specifically includes the BB-2590 and
LI-145 rechargeable military batteries, which are the preferred energy sources
carried
by infantry soldiers. Moreover, most man-portable power devices carried by
infantry
soldiers have an operating voltage range that includes 14.9 volts DC.
Accordingly
each of the rechargeable batteries BB-2590 and LI-145 and many of the other
man-
portable devices used by infantry soldiers can be directly connected to the
power bus
(410) over the first power channel associated with each device port without
power
conversion. In a preferred man-portable operating mode two 14.9 volt
rechargeable
military batteries are connected to two different device ports, preferably
ports (1, 2, 5
or 6), and at least one of the 14.9 volt rechargeable military batteries is
operably
connected to power bus (410). Otherwise, power loads that have an operating
voltage
range that includes 14.9 volts DC are connected directly to the power bus
(410) over
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the first power channel associated with the four remaining device ports
without power
conversion. In this mode, two energy sources are always connected to a device
port
and at least one of the power sources is always operably connected to the
power bus
(410).
Alternately, one of the 14.9 volt rechargeable military batteries can be
replaced by a man-portable fuel cell having an operating voltage that is
compatible
with direct connection to the power bus (410).
[00128] Generally, any connected power device that can operate using the bus
voltage of the power manager is preferably directly connected to the power bus
(410)
over the first power channel (525) by closing a corresponding
FET (450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475). In addition, the corresponding FET
(450,
455, 460, 465, 470, 475) may provide surge protection to protect the power
manager
or a connected power device by limiting current flow over the FET. If a
connected
power device needs a voltage conversation or would operate more desirably with
current or power amplitude control, the power device is connected to the power
bus
over one of the second power channels by setting the corresponding power
converter
to an appropriate operating mode and by closing a corresponding
FET (480, 485, 490, 495, 503, 505).
[00129] More generally, a network controller according to the present
invention can
be configured to operate at other DC or AC bus voltages. Ideally, the bus
voltage is
selected to match the most commonly used power devices or may be selected to
match the voltage of the most readily available power or energy sources. In
either
case, the designer should attempt to minimize voltage conversions, which cause
power loss and heat generation. Accordingly, if the power manager (400) will
be
used with more 24VDC devices than 15VDC devices a bus voltage of 24VDC may be
more favorable. Similarly, if the network controller is primarily powered by
and used
to deliver power to 110VAC power devices, a bus voltage of 110VAC may be more
favorable. In a second embodiment of the power manager (400) a bus voltage
of 30VDC is used.
[00130] The preferred power manager (400) includes a pair of bidirectional 10-
24
volt DC power converters or power changers (440, 442) disposed with one power
converter between device ports (/) and (2) and the other power converter
between
device ports (5) and (6). Alternative embodiments may have fewer, more and
different power converters in place of, or addition to the listed power
converters. Each
power converter (440, 442) is in communication with the data processing device
(420)
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and controlled thereby to select a conversion voltage between 10 and 24VDC and
if
the power converter is so equipped to select a current or power amplitude. The
selection corresponds with information read form the connected power device by
the
data processing device (420). Accordingly, the ports (1, 2) can be controlled
using
the FETs (450, 455, 480, 485) to connect power devices with an average
operating
voltage in the range of 10-24VDC to the 14.9-volt bus (4/0). Similarly, the
ports (5, 6) can be controlled using the FETs (460, 465, 490, and 495) to
connect
power devices with an average operating voltage in the range of 10-24VDC to
the 14.9-volt bus (410).
[00131] The voltage converters (440, 442) are configured to convert 14.9-volt
DC
outgoing power to other voltages in the range of 10-24 volts DC or to convert
10-24
volt DC incoming power to the 14.9-volt DC bus voltage. To determine which
voltage to use, the data processing device (420) determines the preferred
average
voltage of power devices connected to ports (1, 2, 5 and 6) when the device is
first
connected and configures the ports accordingly using the FETs (450, 455, 460,
465,
480, 485, 490, and 495) and the voltage converters (440, 442).
[00132] Preferably, ports (1, 2, 5 and 6) are used to connect power loads or
power or
energy sources that operate at 14.9-volts DC directly to the bus (410).
However, at
least two devices connected to ports (1, 2, 5 and 6) can be power converted
using the
power converters (440, 442). If a device connected to one of the ports (1, 2,
5 and 6)
is a power or energy source or a power load that can not operate with 14.9-
volts DC
but can operate at some other voltage in the range of 10-24-volts DC, the
device is
selected for connection to the bus (410) over one of the power converters
(440) or
(442). Once a power converter is selected, the power converter is configured
for the
desired operating voltage, and a corresponding FET (480, 485, 490, and 495) is
opened to connect the device to the bus (410) through a power converter (440,
442).
If a device that requires a voltage conversion is connected to one of the
ports (1, 2, 5
and 6) and the power converters (440, 442) are already being used by another
devices,
the newly connected device is not connected to the bus (410) and an error
signal is
generated, e.g. a red light associated with the corresponding port is
illuminated.
[00133] The power manager (400) includes a 4-34V scavenger power converter
(510) disposed between the 14.9-volt bus (410) and each of the device ports
(3, 4).
The scavenger converter (510) is in communication with the data processing
device
(420) and controlled thereby to select a conversion voltage between 4 and
34VDC
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depending on an operating voltage of a device connected to a port (3) or (4).
If a
device connected to ports (3) or (4) can be operated at 14.9-volt DC, it can
be directly
connected to the bus (4/0 over on of the first power channels that includes
the FETs
(470, 475). Otherwise, the device is connected to the bus (410) over one of
the
second power channels that includes the scavenger converter (510) and one of
the
FETs (503, 505). Accordingly, the ports (3, 4) can be controlled using the
FETs (470, 475, 503, 505) and the voltage converter (510) to convert 14.9-volt
DC
outgoing power to other voltages in the range of 4-34 volts DC or to convert 4-
34 volt
DC incoming power to the 14.9-volt DC bus voltage. As described above, if a
device
that requires a voltage conversion is connected to one of the ports (3 and 4)
and the
power converter (510) is already being used by another device, the newly
connected
device is not connected to the bus (410) and an error signal is generated,
e.g. a red
light associated with the corresponding port is illuminated.
[00134] More generally, the power manager (400) includes a 14.9-volt DC power
bus (410) and any power device, source, load or rechargeable battery that can
operate
at 14.9-volts DC can be directly connected to the power bus (410) over any one
of the
six ports when the data processing device (420) opens a corresponding
connection to
the bus (410). Otherwise up to 6 devices operating at 14.9-volts DC can be
connected
to the power bus (410) or at least one power device having an operating
voltage in the
range of 4-34 volts and at least two power devices having an operating voltage
in the
range of 10-24 volts plus three devices operating at 15-volts DC can be
connected to
the bus (410) simultaneously.
[00135] In the present example portable power manager (400), the number of
power
converters provided is less than the number of available device ports in order
to
reduce the weight, volume and cost of the power manager device. In order to
enable
multiple devices ports to share a power converter, a plurality of controllable
switches
are disposed to route power signals over selected power channels to either
directly
connect a power device to the power bus or to connected power device to the
power
bus over a power converter. In other embodiments, additional power converters,
such as one associated with each device port, may be added without deviating
from
the invention. Each power converter provided is electronically isolatable and
switchable to enable the power manager to logically map the converter inline
between
the port and bus, using the sharing circuit described herein or a similar
isolation
circuit (which comprises part of the disclosed sharing circuit). Adding
additional
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converters and changing their association with ports is a matter of changing
the cost
and weight of the power manager device. What is important is that a plurality
of
converters are available, each individually logically mapable under the
control of the
power manager between the power manager's ports and its bus to effect the
conversion of power of power provided to or provided by a power manager.
[00136] As shown in Figures 4 and 12, the power manager (400) may include an
LCD display (1120) usable to display text and/or graphic symbols. In addition,
the
power manager (400) may include LED's (1230) and (1240) associated with each
device port for displaying various port status conditions such as connected,
disconnected or error as well as a remaining charge value associated with a
connected
energy source. In addition, the power manager (400) includes a user interface
device
(520) that includes keypad elements (1140) that allow an operator to control
the
power manager. Each of the LCD displays (1120), LEDs (1230, 1240) and user
interface device (520, 1120) are in communication with the data processor
(420) and
controlled thereby according an operating system and/or portions of the energy
schema operating on the power manager (400). Accordingly, a user may check
status,
display a menu, or the like, navigate through and select items on the
displayed menu
and/or toggle keypad keys to select or determine an operating mode or other
aspect of
the power manager.
[00137] In other embodiments of the power manager (400), the bus voltage and
current type (AC or DC) may be configured to meet the demands of the
application.
Similarly, the voltage converters (440, 442, and 510) may be configured to
provide a
range of voltage or power outputs that best meet the demands of the
application. In
some example embodiments, at least one voltage converter (440, 442, and 510)
may
be configured to convert 110 or 220 VAC to a desired DC bus voltage.
Power Network Configuration
[00138] Referring now to Figure 5, a third, example power network (500) is
shown
to illustrate another possible power network configuration. The power network
(500)
includes three substantially identical portable power managers (210-A, 210-B,
210-C)
connected together to form the power network (500). In this example each power
manager (210-A, 210-B, 210-C) is has a 14.9-volt bus and is substantially
configured
like the power manager (400) detailed above and has 6 device ports labeled 1-
6. The
power manager (210-A) is connected to two BB-2590 batteries using ports (1, 2,
5, 6).
In this case, each BB-2590 battery pack include two independent rechargeable
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batteries and each independent battery is connected to a different device port
by a
different cable even though only one connection arrow is shown in Figure 5.
[00139] A scavenged power source is connected to the power manager (210-a) via
device port (3). The scavenged power source may comprise a wind turbine,
vehicle
battery or the like, a fuel cell generator, a gasoline powered generator or
110 or 220
VAC power grid port. If needed, the scavenger power source is converted to
14.9
volts DC by the 4-34 volt scavenger power converter (510) shown in Figure 4.
Additionally, the 4-34 volt scavenger power converter (510) may be used to
limit
current or power amplitude passing there through to protect the power manager
(210-A) or otherwise regulate power input.
[00140] The power manager (210-A) is connected to the power manager (210-B)
via
port (4). The power manager (210-B) is connected to the power manager (210-A)
via
port (1) and a computer (520) in connected to the power manager (210-B) via
port (2),
which is a USB configured device port. The power manager (210-B) may deliver
power to the computer (520) or recharge a battery associated with the computer
(520)
by connecting the device port (2) to the power bus. Additionally, a user may
exchange data between the computer (520) and the power manager (210-B) using
the
USB communication protocol to upload or download data, install updated
parameters
or code, set up a mission plan, perform diagnostic testing and/or otherwise
control or
update elements of the power manager (210-B) or the network (500).
[00141] A BB-2590 battery is connected to the power manager (210-B) via each
of
ports (5, 6) and port (3) is used to connect the power manager (210-B) with a
third
power manager (210-C). A LI-145 14.9-volt battery is attached to the power
manager
(210-B) via the device port (4). In this example network (500), the power
manager
(210-B) may connect the two 14.9 volt batteries associated with the battery
device
BB-2590 to the two device ports (5, 6) and a single 14.9 volt battery device
LI-145 to
device port (4) and connect each of device ports (4, 5, 6) directly to the
power bus.
The computer (520) connected to device port (2) is connected to the power bus
over
the 10-24VDC power converter (440) in order to convert voltage or control
current as
required to power the computer or recharge the computer battery.
[00142] The power manager (210-C) uses port (4) to connect with the power
manager (210-B). A 14.9 volt LI-145 battery is attached to each of ports (/,
2, 5,
and 6) of the power manager (210-C) and each of the ports (/, 2, 5 and 6) is
directly
connected to the power bus of the power manager (210-C). In addition, a
photovoltaic
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(PV) solar power source (540) is connected with the power manager (210-C)
through
port (3) and the solar power source is connected to the power bus over the 4-
34 volt
scavenger converter (510) of the power manager (210-C).
Port Interface
[00143] Referring now to Figure 6, a schematic representation of a device port
interface (600) includes a power device (620) a cable (605) and elements of
the power
manager (400) shown in Figure 4. In the example of Figure 6, device port (2)
is
shown because it includes a USB network interface device. Otherwise, the
schematic
representation of Figure 6 is typical of all the device ports (1-6).
[00144] A first end of the cable (605) may be preferably detachable from the
power
device (620) but may be permanently attached thereto. A second end of the
cable
(605) is preferably detachable from the device port (2) but may be permanently
attached. Each end of the cable (605) includes a multi-pin connector that
mates with
corresponding power manager and power device connectors.
[00145] Each multi-pin connector includes connector pins or sockets for power
transmission. A first power channel extends from the power manager bus (410)
through the FET (450) to the port (2) over a cable power channel (630) to a
power
element (640) included in the power device (620). A second power channel
extends
from the power manager bus (410) through the power converter (440) and FET
(480)
to the port (2) over the cable power channel (630) to a power element (640)
included
in the power device (620).
[00146] The power element (640) may comprise a power load, a power or energy
source or rechargeable battery that includes an energy source and a power
load.
Initially, the FETs (450) and (480) are closed until the device type, voltage
and other
parameters are read from the device or cable by the power manager processor
(420).
Once the voltage is known and determined to be compatible with the device port
(2),
the power manager device processor (420) selects to connect the power device
(620)
to the power bus (410) over the first or the second power channel but may not
immediately connect the device to the bus. Thereafter, the energy management
schema operating on the network manager (400) determines if the device
priority and
other conditions of the network are favorable for connecting the power element
(640)
to the bus (410) and if so, connects the device (620) to the power bus by
logically
closing the appropriate FET (480) or (450).
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[00147] The multi-pin connector includes connecting pins or sockets for data
communications. One or more data communication pathways (655, 665) extend from
the network manager data processing device (420) through a selected network
interface (650) and/or (660) to the port (2). From the port (2), the data
commutations
pathway may go to a cable memory device (670) or to one of two network
interface
devices (675) and/or (680) associated with the power device (620) and then to
a data
processing device (685) and/or a memory device (690) associated with the power
device (620).
[00148] In various configurations of the port interface (600) neither the
power device
(620) nor the cable (605) include a data processing device (685). In other
instances,
the power device (620) does not include a data processing device (685) or a
memory
(690) and if this is the case, the cable (605) is configured with an
incorporated
memory device (670) with power characteristics (e.g. elements of the energy
management schema) of the corresponding power device (620) stored on the
memory
(670). In one example, the power device (620) may comprise a non-rechargeable
battery such as a 9-volt C-cell or D-cell battery. In this case, the cable
power channel
(63W is connected with both terminals of the battery and the cable (605)
includes a
memory (670). Data stored on the memory (670) as elements of the energy
management schema provides the device type (e.g. non-rechargeable energy
source),
a device ID, power characteristics of the device (e.g. average value and range
of
power, current and/or voltage), and a source or other power priority. This
information
is read from the memory (670 by the power manager data processing device (420)
and stored in the power manager memory (430) as part of an integrated energy
management schema.
[00149] When the power device (620) includes either a data processing device
(685)
or a memory (690) that store data, the device type and other power data are
stored in
the power device (620) and read therefrom by the power manager data processing
device (420). In this case, the cable (605) may not include the memory (670).
The
network interfaces (650) and (680) are connected by a wire or a wireless
communication channel and may comprise a SMBus network link, which is included
in every port of the power manager (400). The network interfaces (660) and
(675) are
connected by a wire or a wireless communication channel and preferably
comprise a
USB networking link, which in the present example is included in only one of
the
ports of the power manager (400) but which may be included in any of the power
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manager device ports. All of the network interfaces (650, 660, 675, and 680)
may be
incorporated within corresponding data processing devices (420, 685).
[00150] While many power devices (620) communicate power data over an SMBus
link using the SMBus communication protocol, other power devices such as other
power managers (400) may communicate over other communication links and
protocols such as IEEE 802.3 ("Ethernet"), IEEE 802.11 ("Wi-Fi"), cellular
radio
network data communications, RS-232 or RS485 serial communications, SMBus, or
other data communication protocols that permit bi-directional (full-duplex or
half-
duplex) data transfer. Preferably, each device port of the power manager (400)
includes one or more protective elements such as the FETs, (450, 480), the
power
converters (440, 442, 510), and/or diodes, fuses, relay or micro-switches, or
the like
(not shown) and/or conductive shielding, (not shown), for protecting the power
manager (400) from damage by over-voltage, over-current, reverse polarity,
short
circuit, electromagnetic interference (EMI), power surges or the like.
[00151] The memories (670, 690) and/or the data processing device (685) are
used to
store power related data of the energy management schema specifically
associated
with the corresponding power device (620). The power related data may include
a
device ID, desired average max and min voltage and current levels, operating
temperature ranges, a device priority setting, a desired network protocol and
instructions for reading the power related data. If the device is an energy
storage
device the data may include its remaining charge value, rated capacity,
charging cycle
preferences etc. The memories (670, 690) and/or the data processing device
(685)
may be updated to store new power data either by the power device data
processing
device (685), by the power manager data processing device (420) or by the
computer
(520), shown in Figure 5. Updates may include changes in the power data such
as a
new power priority setting as well as use data such as hours of use, number of
connector insertions, updated rated capacity or the like.
Connection Sequence
[00152] In a typical sequence, a power device (620) is connected to a power
manager
(400) by a cable (605). The network controller data processing device (420)
establishes a communication link with the power device or with the cable using
the
SMBus protocol, determines the device ID, the device type (e.g. power source,
power
load or power storage device), and assigns the device a network address. In
addition,
the network controller data processing device (420) determines the usable
device
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voltage and current ranges, configures a power channel to operate at a voltage
and
current that is within the desired ranges using the FETs (450, 480) and
voltage
converter (440). Thereafter, the network controller uses the SMBus protocol to
manage power exchanges between the power device and the power manager by
opening and closing the appropriate FETs or other switching elements that may
be
used to connect and disconnect the device from the power bus (410). In
addition, a
low voltage sensor, described below, is disposed to measure a voltage on the
power
bus (410). The voltage sensor is in communication with the power manager data
processing device (420) and periodically communicates bus voltage to the data
processing device.
[00153] More generally, each power device is connected to a power manager
(400)
via the port interface (600) shown in Figure 6 and described above. The port
interfaces (600) may all be identical, or depending on the power devices, may
have
different configurations, which can be tailored to the particular power device
or cable
to which it is connected and to the particular power network topology to which
it is
attached. Ideally, each port (1-6) has the same electrical connector interface
and each
cable uses the same connector interface at the port connection, however as
shown in
Figure 6, some port interfaces (600) may have additional communication
channels,
may use wireless communication channels and may have expanded functionality
depending upon the configuration of the power device and the power manager.
Referring to Figures 2 and 6, the power manager data processing device (420)
establishes a separate commutation link or network connection with each power
device connected to a port (1-6) and stores data related to each power device
in the
memory (430). In cases where the connected power device is capable of bi-
directional network communication, e.g. when the connected power device is
another
power manager, computer, smart power device, the data processing device (420)
may
include network routing functionality for reading and altering network data
packets as
required to route the network data packets to intended network addresses or
the like.
Routing decisions may be based on a priori (configured) knowledge or may be
based
on routing tables and protocols, such as those defined by the IETF Routing
Information Protocol (RIP) or Open Shortest Path First (OSPF). Alternatively,
routing
may be bridged or switched using IEEE 802.1d bridge protocols.
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Allocation Interfaces
[00154] Referring now to Figure 7, a block diagram shows one example of how
power devices attached to a power manager (400) are classified by the energy
management schema. Power loads are associated with a load power allocation
interface (705) and power and energy sources are associated with a source
power
allocation interface (730) depending upon whether the connected device is a
power
load or a power or energy source. An energy storage device such as a
rechargeable
battery may be associated with either interface depending one the power needs
of the
network or of the rechargeable battery.
[00155] As described above, the energy management schema determines the power
available by summing the average and peak power available from each device
associated with the source power interface (730) and stores total average and
total
peak power values. Thereafter the energy management schema determines the
power
load by summing the average and peak power load of each device associated with
the
load power interface (705) and stores total average and total peak load
values.
Thereafter, the devices associated with the source power interface (730) and
the load
power interface (705) are sorted by device or source priority and the highest
priority
source or sources are connected to the power bus and power is distributed to
the
highest priority loads.
[00156] In particular, when the power allocation interface (730) has
sufficient power
available to meet all of the needs of the network, a rechargeable battery may
be
associated with the load power allocation interface (705) and may be recharged
whenever the source power interface (730) has met the power demands of any
higher
power priority load devices. Alternately, when the power allocation interface
(730)
has less than sufficient power available to meet all of the needs of the
network, a
rechargeable battery may be associated with the source power allocation
interface
(730) and used to deliver power to the bus (410) when other higher priority
power
sources are not available.
[00157] The energy management schema may periodically broadcast power discover
messages (710) to connected power managers to discover power sources connected
to
an extended power network e.g. (500) shown in Figure 5. Similarly, the energy
management schema may periodically broadcast power request messages (720) to
connected power managers to request power sources connected an extended power
network. In response to the power request messages, other power managers may
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reply with power confirm message (725). In response to the power discover
messages
(71W, other power managers may reply with power offer messages (715). Based on
the requests and offers, the energy management schema may deliver power to or
receive power from a connected power manager.
[00158] In a preferred mode of operation of an isolated power manager, e.g.
the
network (200) shown in Figure 2, a single primary power or energy source is
connected to the power bus (410) and exclusively used to meet all the power
demands
of the network (200) until the primary source is no longer available or cannot
meet the
demand. If more power is needed, one or more secondary power sources may be
connected to bus (410) to meet power demands. Non-selected power sources are
not
connected to the bus but remain connected to the network and included in the
power
allocation interface and the total power available calculations done by the
energy
management schema. When power demands cannot be met, by all available power
sources, the energy management schema disconnects low priority power loads
from
the bus (410) until more power is available to meet the demands. However, any
devices that are disconnected from the bus are still connected to the network,
polled
by the data processing device (420) and included by the load allocation
interface
(705) and the total power available calculations done by the energy management
schema. In some cases the energy management schema may calculate a remaining
operating time of high priority devices given the total power available and
reserve
power to operate the higher priority devices for a desired operating time by
denying
power to lower priority devices.
Power Shim
[00159] Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, a fourth example embodiment of a
power
manager according to the present invention is a power manager shim (820). The
power manager shim (820) is disposed between a power load, in this case a
radio unit
(810), and a rechargeable energy source, in this case a BB-2590 battery that
includes
two separate 15-volt batteries (830) and (840) housed in a unitary package.
The
power shim (820) has a cross-section sized to match a cross-section of the
radio unit
(810) and battery unit housing the batteries (830) and (840) to fit inside a
radio unit
carrying case so that the power manager shim (820) is substantially integral
with the
radio unit (810) instead of being carried separately.
[00160] The power manager shim (820) includes conductive terminals, not shown,
exposed on opposing top and bottom surface thereof. The conductive terminal
each
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correspond with a device port the power manager shim and are substantially
similar to
device ports described above except that they lack a multi-pin electrical
connector.
The conductive terminals disposed on the top surface of the power manager shim
(820) are in mating contact with corresponding conductive terminals disposed
on a
bottom surface of the radio (810). The conductive ports disposed on the bottom
surface of the power manager shim (820) are in mating contact with
corresponding
conductive terminals on each of the batteries (830, 840). The contacting
conductive
terminals electrically interconnect the radio unit (810) and each of the
batteries
(830, 840) with the power manager shim (820). The power manager shim (820)
further includes additional device ports (850) disposed on one or more side
surfaces
of the power shim (820) to interface with additional power devices and expand
the
power network formed and controlled by the power shim (820).
[00161] Referring to Figure 9, the power shim (910) includes a 15-volt bus
(930)
which connects directly to the 15-volt radio battery (840) via a conductive
pad device
port (975). The second radio battery (830) connects to the 15-volt bus via a
conductive pad port (945) which connects directly to the power bus (930). A
scavenger port (935) passes through a sidewall of the power shim (820) and
through a
scavenger power converter (940) to connect and power convert various power and
energy supplies to the power bus (930) as they become available. The power
shim
further includes a 29.5-volt output power converter (920) and associated
29.5VDC
device port (905) that connects to the radio unit (810) via a conductive pad
(905).
The power shim (820) also includes an internal AC to DC converter (915) and
associated AC input port (925) for connecting the power shim to an AC power
source.
In addition, two 15-volt ports (965) and (970) connect to the 15-volt bus
(930) and
may be used bi-directionally for power loads, power sources and energy storage
devices can operate at 15-volts. The power shim also includes a smart
converter
(960) that includes a network interface and an associated port (955) for
communicating with and powering smart power devices or smart cables.
Operating Sequences
[00162] In some embodiments of the power manager (400) described above and
shown in Figure 4, the energy management schema may be implemented as computer
programs, such as software or firmware stored on the memory (430) and running
on
the data processing device (420). In other embodiments, the energy management
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schema is encoded into a finite state logic array that implements the energy
management schema as a set of state transitions.
[00163] In some embodiments, the energy management schema is driven by events
such as device port connection or disconnection events. Other events, such as
timer
expiration events, can be implemented to support interval-based processing of
the
energy management schema. One such implementation is for the power manager to
interrogate all attached power devices when one or more of the events occurs,
and for
the power manager to adjust its power management configuration in response to
the
interrogation results. Other events may be generated when part of the power
managers
circuitry detects that the power provided by a power source, the power
consumed by a
power load, or the voltage or amperage on the power managers' internal bus are
not
within expected tolerances for a connected power device and/or power manager.
[00164] In some embodiments, the power manager reacts to specific events with
sets
of program steps or a sequence of operations uniquely associated with that
event. One
such example is a reaction to the loss of power from a power device connected
to the
power bus, or an over-current or over-voltage event. Such events may initiate
a
reaction that causes the power manager to isolate the offending device from
connection to the power bus or to connect another power or energy source to
the
power bus to prevent a power loss. The events may cause the power manager to
toggle one or more controllable switches; change the state of a FET or other
semiconductor device, change the operating mode of a power converter, or
taking
some other action. These reactions may be straightforward and serve to protect
the
power manager and/or the other power devices attached to the power manager.
These
types of reactions are appropriate when quick response time is necessary, such
as
when the power manager is protecting other power devices from an abrupt change
in
power conditions from a currently in use power source and may include quickly
connecting a secondary power device to the power bus to prevent connected
power
loads from an interruption in power when a power source is either unexpectedly
disconnected, drops in voltage or is otherwise unable to meet the power
demands of
the power bus. It is noted that the reactions discussed in this section rely
on interval-
based processing and therefore have time delays associated with the processing
interval. In particular, a loss of power, over-current or over-voltage
condition is
detected upon an interval-based query, responded to by an action taken by the
digital
processor (420) and then corrected by an action taken on the next interval
base query
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or state update. While the interval-based queries frequencies may match the
processor frequency, some interval-based responses may not be fast enough to
prevent
a device connected to the power bus from becoming damaged by an over-current
or
voltage or from powering down in response to a voltage drop on the power bus.
In
cases where interval-based responses are not fast enough, the hot-change-over
circuit
shown in Figure 13 can provide a faster reaction time for responding to a
voltage or
power drop on the power bus.
[00165] In other cases, a set of common processing steps are performed. These
common steps take longer to perform so they are not appropriate in all usages.
The
common steps provide the power manager with updated information on each power
device attached to the power manager, and typically result in a recalculation
of power
totals of the allocation interfaces and the power routing strategy. In some
cases, the
energy management schema causes the power manager to internally reconfigure to
implement the newly recalculated power routing strategy. The internal
reconfiguration may include connecting or disconnecting device ports from the
power
bus or adjusting operating modes of a power converter.
[00166] In one particular exemplary embodiment, the energy management schema
may be configured to select a primary energy source for exclusive connection
to the
power bus. It is noted here that the term primary energy source should not be
confused with the term primary cell used to describe a non-rechargeable
battery or
non-reversible electrochemical reaction. In particular, the energy management
schema may choose the least-charged energy storage device for use as a primary
energy source and exclusively connect the primary energy source to the power
bus
until the charge on the selected primary energy source is completely used up.
Moreover, once the primary energy source is fully depleted, the energy
management
schema again selects the next least-charged energy storage device for use as a
primary
energy source and exclusively connects the selected primary energy source to
the
power bus until the charge on the selected primary energy source is completely
used
up. This sequence of steps produces the result that each energy source
connected to a
power manager is fully depleted of remaining charge before switching to
another
energy source connected to the power manager. Of course, if a higher priority
source
becomes available, e.g. a power grid, the higher priority source will be
selected as the
primary source for as long as it is available.
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[00167] In one embodiment, the network manager (400) may access a coulomb
count
or another high resolution, high accuracy measure of remaining charge value
from
connected energy storage devices that can provide an accurate remaining charge
value. In another example embodiment, detailed further below, a voltage sensor
associated with the power bus may be used to measure power bus voltage and to
connect one or more additional power or energy sources to the power when a
power
bus voltage drops below a desired voltage level. In either case, the power
manager of
the present invention is configured to discharge a energy storage devices to
less than
about 5% of the rated capacity as compared to conventional smart battery usage
where smart batteries are often discarded or changed when the remaining charge
value
is in the 20 to 30% range.
[00168] Thus, one aspect of the present invention provides an increase in
usable
battery power of 15-20% per battery, resulting in 30-50% better battery
utilization.
When beginning these steps, the power manager interrogates each energy source
using its data interface to determine its current power attributes, including
its
remaining charge value, if it can be determined. In alternate embodiments, the
power
manager may observe the energy being drawn from an energy source connected to
the
power bus, e.g. by measuring, voltage, current, or energy output, or the like,
to
determine or estimate a remaining charge value. When it is determined which
energy
source has the lower remaining charge value the power manager may designate
that
energy source as the primary energy source for exclusive connection to the
power bus.
In some exemplary embodiments, the power manager ignores one or more of the
energy sources based upon settings of their current power attributes. For
example, a
battery power source may be ignored if its remaining charge value is below a
certain
percentage threshold of its maximum value, e.g. below 2-5%. The power manager
may use other means for tracking remaining charge value such as tracking total
energy drawn, length of time in service, or any other measurable parameter
that may
predict remaining charge value.
[00169] After the power source is selected, the power manager reconfigures the
connections between the power bus, the ports, and the power converters in
order to
operably connect the power source to the power bus. This reconfiguration can
occur
by opening and closing logical switches that control power flow. In one
example
embodiment, these logical switches are FETs as described above. Other
technologies,
such as micro-switches or relays may also be used.
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[00170] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a power
management decision tree in order to effect aspects of the energy management
schema operating on a power manager of the present invention. The power
management decision process is started at step (10010) , when an event that
triggers
this process occurs. As shown in the flowchart, this event is when a cable is
plugged
into a device port or a new power device connection with a device port is
somehow
recognized by the power manager. Other events that may trigger step ( 10010)
may
include the expiration of a timer or processor interval, a notification of an
exception
detected on a device port or power bus, or any other processing step that
requires the
power manager to recalculate its use and allocation of power. Plugging a cable
into
the power manager identifies the port in question, and the energy management
schema automatically scans information stored on the connected device or the
associated cable to determine if the device is compatible with the selected
device port
and how the device can be connected to the bus, (steps not shown). Once the
connected device information is determined and associated with the device
port, it can
be stored in the power manager memory (step not shown) and the device
interrogation
step does not have to be repeated unless the status of the device port changes
or there
are other reasons to continue to interrogate the connected power device.
During the
interrogation step, the power manager generally determines the device type,
its
communication preferences, average and peak operating voltages, currents and
power
ranges and a device power or source priority.
[00171] A first evaluation of the connected device is made at step (10020), in
which
the power manager makes the determination as to whether the newly connected
device is a rechargeable battery or not. This decision is made, in part, based
upon the
information provided to the power manager during the device attribute
interrogation
process steps. If the newly connected device is a rechargeable battery,
processing by
the power manager continues at step (10030) , Figure 10B, where the power
manager
determines if a power source suitable for recharging the rechargeable battery,
(e.g. a
generator of some form) is operably connected to the power manager.
[00172] If a power source is available, the energy management schema
designates
the rechargeable battery as ready for recharging according its source priority
or
according to a recharging priority and, if required, reconfigures the power
manager to
connect the corresponding device port to the power grid, usually over a power
converter, to recharge the newly connected battery (steps not shown). If there
are a
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plurality of rechargeable batteries connected to the power manager, the power
manager recharges
the rechargeable batteries in priority order which may include a charging
priority established by
the energy management schema. In one example embodiment, the charging priority
is set to
designate the rechargeable battery with the highest remaining charge value as
the highest
charging priority (step 10035).
[00173] If a power source suitable for recharging batteries is not available,
(step 10030), the
power manager checks to see if there are a plurality of rechargeable batteries
operably connected
to device ports (step 10040). If not, the power manager designates the newly
connected
rechargeable battery as an energy source and connects it to the power bus for
discharge (step
10045). If yes, other rechargeable batteries are operably connected to device
ports, the energy
management schema may keep the battery on stand-by by not connecting the
corresponding
device port to the power bus (step 10050). Alternately, the energy management
schema may sort
the plurality of rechargeable batteries by a source priority and connect the
highest source priority
to the power bus while disconnecting lower source priority source from the
power bus (steps not
shown). In one example embodiment, the source priority for rechargeable
batteries is set to
designate the rechargeable battery having the lowest remaining charge value as
the highest source
priority for connection to the power bus. Thus batteries having the lowest
remaining charge value
are fully-discharged first while batteries having higher remaining charge
values are in reserve
(step 10050).
[00174] Continuing from step (10020) in Figure 10A, when the newly connected
device is not a
rechargeable battery, the power manager then determines if the newly connected
device is a
power source (step 10080). If no, (e.g. it is a load), then the energy
management schema checks
to determine if sufficient power is available to power the load (step 10090).
If sufficient power is
available, the device is connected to the power bus to provide power to the
load (step 10095). If
not, the device is not connected to the power bus and the load remains
unpowered (step 10098).
[00175] If the newly plugged in device is a power or energy source (e.g. it's
a
generator-based source or non-rechargeable battery), the power manager
determines if the port
used includes a power converter or is a scavenge-capable port (step 10100). In
some
exemplary implementations, only some of the ports are scavenge-capable; in
other implementations, all ports are scavenge-capable. Moreover, not all power
or energy
sources require power conversion for connection to the power bus. If
the port is not scavenge-capable, the power manager checks the operating
voltages provided
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by the power source (step 10110), and if the voltages provided are compatible
with
the required voltages on the internal power bus, the power manager may connect
the
power source to the internal power bus, depending on the source priority (step
10118) .
If the voltage provided by the power source is not compatible with the
required
voltages on the internal bus, the source is not connected to the power bus
(step 10115); however, the power manager may display an error condition by
lighting
a red warning light or displaying an error warning on a display device.
[00176] If the port is scavenge capable, the power manager checks to determine
if
the source is a battery (step 10120) . If it is, the power manager may
reconfigure its
circuitry to connect the battery to the internal bus (step 10125) or simply
hold the
battery in reserve by not connecting the battery to the power bus. If the
power source
is not a battery, the power manager checks the voltage provided by the power
source
to determine if it is compatible with the internal bus (step 10130), and if
so, connects
the power source to the internal bus (step 10135). If not, the power manager
connects
the power source to the power bus over a scavenge power converter associated
with
the device port (step 10138).
[00177] The above example implementation of a new device connection to a power
manager illustrates the types of processing carried out by the energy
management
schema for a new connection. More generally, the energy management schema
carries out similar process steps for device port at a refresh rate. In this
mode the
energy management schema periodically checks the connection status of every
device
port, e.g. once per second, to determine what if any conditions have changed
and to
reevaluate the power allocation interfaces, power and source priority status
and may
reconfigure its circuitry to connect or disconnect various device ports.
Moreover, if
another power manager is connected to a device port, the energy management
schema
may allocate the connected power manager to the appropriate power allocation
interface and connect the corresponding device port to the power bus if
conditions
warrant exchanging power with a connected network manager.
External Enclosure
[00178] Referring now to Figures 11-12, a power manager enclosure ( 1100)
according to one aspect of the present invention is shown in isometric view in
Figure 11 and in top view in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 11, the enclosure
has a
longitudinal length extending along an x-axis, a transverse width extending
along a y-
axis and a thickness extending along a z-axis of the coordinate axes shown in
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Figure 11. Generally the enclosure (1100) houses the power manager (400) shown
in
Figure 4 in a substantially sealed and mechanically and electrically shock-
protected
package. A top face of the enclosure (1110) includes an display device (112W
such as
a liquid crystal display (LED) for displaying menus, error messages and other
text and
graphic symbols as may be required. In other embodiments, a display screen is
provided. A front side face (1130) includes a user interface key pad (1140)
with four
buttons or key pads that generally interact with the display device (1120) to
provide a
user interface. The key pads allow a user to navigate through a menu displayed
on the
display screen and may provide other functionality such as on/off and error
reset. In
other embodiments, a user interface may comprise a single button keypad for
simply
turning the device on and off and/or resetting the device to clear an error
condition.
In a preferred embodiment, the external dimensions of the power manager (1100)
are 3.5 x 10.6 x 6.1 cm, (1.4 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches) wherein the longitudinal
dimension 10.6 cm is along the x-axis, the transverse width dimension 6.1 cm
is along
the y-axis and the thickness dimension 3.5 cm is along the z-axis.
[00179] As shown in the top view of Figure 12, the device includes six device
ports
(1150, 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, 1200) disposed with two on each end face (1210)
and
two on a back face (1220). In addition, the top face may includes port number
1-6
printed or thereon or otherwise indicated and may also include a plurality of
light
emitting diodes (LED's) or other indicator lights associated with each port 1-
6. In
particular, a first set of 5 indicator lights (1230) may be used to display a
remaining
charge value of a connected energy storage device. In this embodiment, all
five lights
lit indicates that the battery connected to the port is 80 to 100% charged and
one light
lit indicates that the battery connected to the port is less than 20% charged.
A second
set of three LED's or other indicator lights (1240), e.g. colored red, yellow,
and
green, may also be associated with each device port to indicate three status
levels of
the device ports such as green for connected to power bus, yellow for
communicating
with the power manager but not connected to the power bus or red for no device
connected, wrong device type connected or various other error conditions.
.. [00180] As best viewed in Figure 11, port connectors (1190) and (1200) may
include
a flat (1250) or other orienting feature disposed on the port connector to
properly
orient cable connectors connected to port connectors. According to one aspect
of the
present invention, adjacent port connectors, e.g. (1190) and (1200), are
installed with
the orienting features (1250) opposed in order to oppositely orient adjacent
cable
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connectors connected to adjacent port connectors. The orienting features
(1250) of
adjacent port connectors are opposed to ensure that right angle cable
connectors can
be installed in adjacent ports without interfering with each other.
[00181] Referring to Figure 12, the power manager (1100) is formed with port
connectors on three sides. Two port connectors (1150, 1160, 1190, and 1200)
are
disposed on each of the end faces (1210) and each end face (1210) has a
dimension
equal to the transverse width dimension of the power manager along the y-axis.
Two
more port connectors (1170, 1180) are disposed on the back face (1220) and the
back
face (1220) has a dimension equal to the longitudinal length dimension of the
power
manager along the x-axis. The front face (1130), top face (1110) and bottom
face, not
shown, do not include any port connectors. Generally, port connectors are only
disposed along one longitudinal face (1220, 1130) of the power manager in
order to
reduce the transverse width dimension along the y-axis. This reduces the
transverse
width of the power manager along the y-axis, approximately by half compared to
a
power manager that has port connectors disposed on both longitudinal faces
(1220, 1130). In the present embodiment, disposing port connectors on one
longitudinal face reduces the transverse width dimension by 11 to 12 cm
thereby
providing a more compact package for man-portable applications.
Hot-Change-Over Circuit
[00182] Referring now to Figures 4 and 13 an alternate embodiment of the power
manager (400) according to the present invention is shown with a first
embodiment of
a hot-change-over connection scheme (1300) shown in Figure 13. The first
embodiment hot-change-over connection (1300) includes a third power channel
(1310) extending from each device port to the power bus (410) and a low
voltage
sensor (1315) for measuring voltage on the power bus (1315). Each device port
is
operably connected with a power device (1-N), which in the present
illustrative
example is a power or energy source. Each source is grounded by a ground
terminal
(1350) and includes a power terminal that can be connected to the power bus
over one
of three different power channels or conductive paths (1305, 1310, 1320).
[00183] The first conductive path (1305) corresponds with the first power
channel or
conductive path (525) described above and shown in Figure 4. A source (1-N) is
directly connected to the power bus over the first power channel (1305) by
closing a
controllable switch or FET (A) to complete the conductive path (1305). The
switch
(A) corresponds with FET (455) in Figure 4. The second conductive path (1320)
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corresponds with the second power channel or conductive path described above
and
shown in Figure 4. A source (1-N) is connected to the power bus over the
second
power channel (1320) by closing a controllable switch (D) to complete the
conductive
path (1320). The second conductive path also includes a power converter (440)
for
making power conversions when the source is connected over the second
conductive
path (1320). The device (D) corresponds with FET (485) in Figure 4. The third
conductive path (1310) includes two controllable switches, preferably FETs (B)
and
(C) and a source (1-N) is connected to the power bus over the third conductive
path
(1310) by closing both of the switches (B) and (C). While all of the switching
devices
(A, B, C, D) may comprise FETs, other switching elements such as various
switchable
semiconductor devices, micro switches, relay switches, and other electrical
components suitable for controlled switching are usable.
[00184] Each of the switches (A, B, C, D) is in communication with the digital
data
processor (420) shown in Figure 4 and described above. In an initial state,
e.g. when
there are no power devices connected to device ports, all the switches (A, B,
C, D) are
open such that all three power channels associated with each device port are
disconnected from the power bus (410). When a power device is connected to the
device port, the energy management schema operating on the power manager
determines whether the device is a power or energy source or a power load and
decides if and how to connect the device to the power bus.
[00185] In the illustrative example of Figure 13, each of the power devices (1-
N) is a
source and each source can be connected to the power bus with power
conversion. As
each source is connected with the device port, the energy management schema
initially decides whether to connect each of the sources (1-N) to the power
bus over
the first power channel (1305), if power conversion is not required, or over
the second
power channel (1320), if power conversion is required or desirable. According
to one
aspect of the present invention, the energy management schema may select a
primary
source, e.g. device (N), to connect the power bus and designate the remaining
sources,
e.g. (1-3), as non-primary sources. In particular, when all of the devices (/-
N) are
energy storage devices, the energy management schema designates the energy
storage
device that has the lowest remaining charge level as the primary source and
connects
the primary energy source e.g. (N) to the power bus (410) by closing one of
the
switches (A) or (D). The remaining non-primary sources (1-3) are not connected
to
the power bus (410) and the primary energy source is used exclusively to meet
all of
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the power demands of the power manager network until the primary source (N) is
fully-discharged, disconnected from the device port or replaced or
supplemented by a
higher priority power source such a generated power source.
[00186] Referring to the third conductive path (1310), if a device connected
to the
device port is determined to be a power or energy source that can be connected
to the
power bus without power conversion, the switch (B) is closed. Otherwise, if
the
device is determined to be a power load, the switch (B) remains open.
Accordingly,
in the present example, the switch (B) is closed for each of the sources (1-N)
shown in
Figure 13 and the third conductive path extends from the device port to the
opened
switch (C) but not all the way to the power bus (410). As further shown in
Figure 13,
each switch (C) is directly connected to the low voltage sensor (1315) by a
conductive
element (1340). While primary source (N) is connected to the power bus (410)
over
the first and second power channels (1305) and (1320), none of the non-primary
sources (1-3) is connected to the power bus (410).
[00187] According to the present invention, the low voltage sensor (1315)
produces a
low voltage signal in response to a drop in voltage at the power bus (410).
Alternately, the low voltage sensor may comprise various sensors used in
various
locations to measure any parameter that might indicate that an undesirable
drop in
voltage, current or power at the power bus has occurred. Using the low voltage
sensor example, a low voltage threshold is preset, e.g. 11.9 volts for a 14.9
volt power
bus, and the low voltage sensor (1305) continuously monitors the voltage of
the
power bus (410). If the power bus voltage drops below the low voltage
threshold, the
low voltage signal is generated. The low voltage signal may comprise an abrupt
change in the amplitude of a continuous signal being output by the low voltage
sensor
(1315). The low voltage sensor (1315) is in communication with the digital
data
processor (420), described above, and the low voltage signal is transmitted to
the
digital data processor (420) to inform the energy management schema that an
undesirable power bus voltage drop has occurred. However, the low voltage
signal
also passes over the conductor (1340) to each of the switches (C) and each
switch (C)
is configured to close in response to the low voltage signal reaching the
switch (C).
Accordingly, an occurrence of the low voltage signal closes all the switches
(C)
thereby connected every source connected to a device port to the power bus
(410)
over the third conductive channels (1310). Moreover, if any of the devices (1-
3)
happens to be a power load that is not connected to the power bus (410), or a
power
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source that can not be connected to the power bus without power conversion,
closing
the switch (C) in response to a low voltage signal will not connect the power
load or
non-compatible source to the power bus because the switch (B) is always left
open if
the device connected to the device port is a power load or non-compatible
source.
However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the third power
channel
(1310) may include a power converter disposed between the switches (B) and (C)
to
power convert additional power sources for connection to the power bus (410)
in
response to the low voltage signal.
[00188] Upon receiving the low voltage signal, the digital data processor
(420)
initiates a reset or other sequence of energy management schema events. These
events query each device port, evaluate network status, recalculate the power
and load
allocation interfaces, connect and disconnect appropriate device ports to the
power
bus according to source and power priority. In addition, after conditions on
the
network have been stabilized the energy management schema opens all of the
switches (C) and may reset the low voltage sensor (1315) to again enable the
hot-
change-over circuit capability.
[00189] The arrangement of the hot-change-over circuit (1300) prevents any
power
loads and specifically mission critical power loads connected to the power bus
from
experiencing a loss of power when a power source delivering power to the power
bus
fails, is disconnected, becomes charge depleted or otherwise causes a voltage
drop at
the power bus. The hot-change-over circuit prevents prolonged power drops by
immediately connected every available power or energy source to the power bus
in
response to the low voltage signal by closing all of the switches (C). Due to
the
arrangement of the hot-change-over circuit (1300) the switches (C) may be
closed
before the low voltage signal reaches the digital data processor (420). The
response
time by the hot-change-over circuit (1300) is preferably faster than typical
processor
interrupt and reset sequences to specifically prevent connected power loads
from
sensing a voltage drop on the power bus and shutting down, resetting or
otherwise
interrupting useful operations. Data processing device interrupt and reset
sequences
may be preformed at the rate of between 1 and 100 times per second with cycle
durations ranging from 10 msec to 1 sec. According to the present invention,
the
switches (C) are preferably closed between 1 and 10 msec after the low voltage
signal
is generated and in a preferred embodiment the switches (C) are closed less
than 1
msec after the low voltage signal occurs.
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[00190] If the primary power supply is suddenly interrupted, e.g. if a primary
battery
becomes fully-discharged or a primary power source is otherwise disconnected
or
unavailable, the bus voltage drops enough to trigger the low voltage sensor
(1315). In
response to the low voltage signal, each switch (C) is immediately closed and
latched
closed such that at least one secondary source is connected to bus (410)
substantially
immediately. This represents a substantial improvement in performance over
traditional CPU-based switching mechanisms and permits the draining of "dumb"
power storage devices without risk of loss of bus power.
[00191] A second embodiment of a hot-change-over circuit (1500) is shown
schematically in Figure 15 for a single device port (N). Preferably the hot-
change-
over circuit (1500) is used at each device port (1-N) that is suitable for
connecting
with a power or energy source, or the hot-change-over circuit (1500) may used
at
every device port of a power manager.
[00192] The change over circuit (1500) comprises two conductive paths or power
channels (1510) and (1320) extending between the power bus (410) and the
device
port (N) with a ground terminal (1350) associated with the device port (N).
The
power channel (1320) includes a power converter (440) and a switching device
(D),
each described above, disposed between the power bus (410) and the device port
(N).
The power channel (1320) is used to connect the device port (N) to the power
bus
when a power conversation is needed or preferred. The power converter (440)
and
switching device (D) are each in communication with the power manager data
processing device (420) and controlled thereby as described above. The power
channel (1320) may be shared by two device ports such is shown in Figure 4
where
the power converter (440) may shared between device ports (1) and (2).
[00193] The power channel (1510) includes a single switching device (C)
disposed
between the power bus (410) and the device port (N), which is preferably a
semiconductor switching device such as a FET. Logic elements (1312) and (1314)
are disposed between the data processing device (420), the switch (C), and the
low
voltage sensor (1315). The logic elements allow the switch (C) to be closed by
the
data processing device (420) or to be closed in response to a low voltage
signal
emitted by the low voltage sensor (1315) thereby connecting the device port
(N) to the
power bus (420) over the power channel (1510). In the present example the OR
gate
(1314) is disposed between the data processing device (420) and the switch (C)
and
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the AND gate (1312) and the OR gate (1314) are disposed between the low
voltage
sensor (1315) and the switch (C).
[00194] Initially, each of the switches (C) and (D) is open such that neither
of the
power channels (1510) and (1320) are connected to the power bus (410). The
data
processing device (420) communicates an input control signal (1322) to the OR
gate
(1314) which emits an output signal to open or close the switch (C). If a
power or
energy source attached to the device port (N is designated as a primary source
by the
energy management schema, the data processor (420) connects the primary source
to
the power bus over one of the power channels (1510) and (1320) and the primary
source remains connected to the power bus (410) until the primary source
either
becomes depleted, is otherwise disrupted, or is changed to a non-primary
source by
the energy management schema.
[00195] If a power or energy source attached to the device port (N) is
designated as a
non-primary source, the data processing device (420) communicates an input
control
signal (1318) to the AND gate (1312) to set the AND gate (1312) at a first
state. If
needed, the data processor (420) communicates an input control signal (1322)
to the
OR gate (1314), which emits an output signal to open the switch (C) thereby
disconnecting the power channel (1510) from the power bus. Alternately, the
data
processing device (420) communicates an input control signal to open the
switch (D)
thereby disconnecting the power channel (1320) from the power bus (410).
Thereafter any low voltage signal (1316) emitted by the low voltage sensor
(1315) is
input to the AND gate (1312) and the AND gate responds by outputting a signal
(1317) to the OR gate (1314) which responds by emitting an output signal to
close the
switch (C) thereby connecting the non-primary source connected to the device
port
(N) to the power bus (410) over the power channel (1510).
[00196] As described above, the hot-change-over circuit (1500) acts
independently
of the data processing device (420) by communicating the low voltage signal
(1316)
to the AND gate (1312). According to the present invention, the combined
response
time to trigger the AND gate, trigger the OR gate, and close switch (C) is
less than 10
mscc and preferably less than 1 mscc. After a low voltage signal (1316) has
occurred, the digital processing device (410) may reset the AND gate (1312),
the OR
gate (1314), the switch (C) and the switch (D) according to conditions of the
power
network as determined by the energy management schema. In further embodiments
of the hot-change-over circuit (1500) the switch (D) can be configured with
AND/OR
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gates and connected to the low voltage sensor (1315) like the switch (C) such
that
either of the switches (C) or (D) can be set for hot changeover.
[00197] While the hot-change-over circuit (1300) prevents a loss in power to
connected power loads, it also provides another important benefit in that it
allows a
user to continue to use battery power sources until they are completely
drained of
usable power. This is an important feature of the power manager of the present
invention because a user can fully utilize every battery source without the
fear of a
power down or performance interruption of a mission critical device being
powered
by the power manager. Moreover, the power manager of the present invention may
be used with batteries that do not display or otherwise communicate remaining
charge
level values. In this case, a battery with an unknown remaining charge level
can be
selected at the primary energy source and used until it is fully-discharged
without fear
of a power down or interruption of a mission critical device. Moreover a user
may be
unaware that a hot-change-over has occurred, however the power manager may
display an error signal or other indication that an energy source connected to
a port is
depleted and not longer usable without recharging or replacement.
[00198] The improved operating mode afforded by the hot-change-over circuit of
the
power manager of the present invention may increase available power by 20% or
more. In the case where a non-rechargeable battery with no charge level
indicator is
connected to the power manager of the present invention, a user may obtain 30%
to 50% more power usage simply by continuing to use the battery until it is
fully-
discharged without the fear of a power down or performance interruption of a
mission
critical device. In the case where a non-rechargeable battery that has a
charge level
indicator is connected to the power manager of the present invention, a user
may
obtain up to 20% more power usage simply by continuing to use the battery
until it is
fully-discharged and without the fear of a power down or performance
interruption of
a mission critical device. In the case of a rechargeable battery connected to
the power
manager of the present invention, the rechargeable battery does not need to be
equipped with a complex and costly coulomb counting circuit because the
battery can
be used until it is fully-discharged without the a power down or performance
interruption of a mission critical device.
[00199] Referring now to Figure 14, a set of curves (1400) plot battery
voltage on
the left axis vs. percentage of rated charge capacity or remaining charge
level on the
bottom axis for five different values of constant current discharge. As can be
seen
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from the curves (1400), the voltage ranges from approximately 16 volts when
the
battery is fully charged to a terminal voltage of 12 volts when the battery is
fully-
discharged. Based on the curves (1400) a power manager having a hot-change-
over
circuit (1300) configured with the low voltage sensor (1315) set at about 14-
volts
could effectively utilize approximately 90% to 95% of available charge
capacity.
This is a significant increase in battery charge capacity usage as compared to
conventional battery usage in many battery power devices.
[00200] As further shown in Figure 14, the curves (1400) relate to a 12 amp-
hour
battery. This means that the fully charged battery is usable for 12 hour when
drawing
a constant current of 1 ampere (defined as one coulomb of charge per second).
While
the example battery may be used for a longer duration when drawing less
current or a
shorter duration when drawing more current, a 1 ampere current draw is used
for the
following example. In the case where the battery associated with the curves
(1400) is
used to deliver a constant current of 1 amp to a power manager, the hot-change-
over
circuit (1300) may provide an additional 2.4 hours of battery usage as
compared to
discarding the battery as soon as an LED charge level indicator shows 20% or
less
charge capacity remaining.
[00201] It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that, while the
invention
has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments, it is not limited
thereto.
Various features and aspects of the above described invention may be used
individually or jointly. Further, although the invention has been described in
the
context of its implementation in a particular environment, and for particular
applications (e.g. as a portable DC power manager), those skilled in the art
will
recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present
invention can
-- be beneficially utilized in any number of environments and implementations
where it
is desirable to manage power distribution to portable power devices, to
network
power devices, to distribute power according to power priority settings, to
scavenge
power from a variety of power sources, to change power sources without
powering
down connected power loads and to more fully utilize battery energy sources.
Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the
full
breadth and spirit of the invention as disclosed herein.
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