Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits
Inventors
Long, David N. • Piela, Nicholas J. • Butler, David J.
Assignees
Galvion Solider Power LLC • Galvion Ltd • Galvion Soldier Power LLC
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Publication Number
US-10848067-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A reconfigurable power circuit (400) includes a single one-way DC to DC power converter (220, 221). The reconfigurable power circuit is configurable by a digital data processor as one of three different power channels (230, 232, and 234). Power channel (230) provides output power conversion. Power channel (232) provides input power conversion. Power channel (234) provides bi-directional power exchange without power conversion.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a reconfigurable power circuit including a first electrical connection interface and a second electrical connection interface. The circuit includes a one-way DC to DC power converter with an input terminal for receiving input power at a first power amplitude and an output terminal for delivering output power at a second power amplitude. A plurality of converter channel legs are arranged as three different conductive pathways that are selected to control current flow between the interfaces and the converter terminals.
The three conductive pathways include a first bidirectional current flow path between the first electrical connection interface and the second electrical connection interface, a second one-way current flow path extending from the first electrical connection interface to the input terminal through the one-way DC to DC power converter to the output terminal and from the output terminal to the second electrical connection interface, and a third one-way current flow path that is the opposite one-way direction between the first and second electrical connection interfaces through the one-way DC to DC power converter. At least one configurable switch is disposed along each converter channel leg.
By closing one or more first configurable switches and opening one or more second configurable switches, the circuit enables exclusive current flow along one of the first bidirectional current flow path, the second one-way current flow path, and the third one-way current flow path. The described architecture further includes a digital controller and sensor-based measurements of input and output current and voltage, and an energy management schema that selects connected power devices and sets a variable voltage DC power bus, including support for MPPT via perturb and observe tied to a converter current setpoint.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set centers on a reconfigurable power circuit with exclusive selection among three current-flow pathways through a one-way DC-to-DC converter, implemented via configurable switches along multiple converter channel legs. Additional claim coverage includes system-level power management and an MPPT module implementing perturb-and-observe tied to a converter current set point.
Exclusive conductive pathway selection using configurable switches
Closing one or more first configurable switches and opening one or more second configurable switches enables exclusive current flow along one of the first bidirectional current flow path, the second one-way current flow path, and the third one-way current flow path.
Three conductive pathways arranged on converter channel legs
A plurality of converter channel legs arranged as three different conductive pathways including a first bidirectional current flow path between the first electrical connection interface and the second electrical connection interface, a second one-way current flow path extending from the first electrical connection interface to the input terminal through the one-way DC to DC power converter to the output terminal and from the output terminal to the second electrical connection interface, and a third one-way current flow path that is the opposite one-way direction between the first and second electrical connection interfaces through the one-way DC to DC power converter.
One-way DC to DC power conversion between input and output terminals with different amplitudes
A one-way DC to DC power converter comprising an input terminal for receiving input power at a first power amplitude and an output terminal for delivering output power at a second power amplitude.
Energy-managed autonomous power exchange using a DC power distribution system
A DC power distribution system uses a DC power bus, a plurality of reconfigurable power circuits, and a digital data processor with memory and at least one sensor measuring instantaneous input/output power amplitudes to autonomously exchange power between external DC power devices.
Perturb-and-observe MPPT tracking tied to converter current set point
An MPPT module implements a perturb-and-observe power point tracking process by tracking an input power amplitude as a function of an output current set point of a one-way DC-to-DC power converter.
Across the provided claim excerpts, the core claim coverage focuses on reconfigurable, exclusive current-flow selection among a bidirectional path and two opposite one-way paths through a one-way DC-to-DC converter using configurable switches, together with digital control, sensing, energy management, and MPPT implemented via perturb-and-observe tied to the converter output current set point.
Stated Advantages
Enables exclusive current flow along one of the first bidirectional current flow path, the second one-way current flow path, and the third one-way current flow path.
Supports an MPPT function via a perturb-and-observe power point tracking process tied to a converter output current set point.
Allows autonomous exchange of power between external DC power devices using a DC power distribution system with instantaneous input/output sensing and energy management.
Documented Applications
A DC power distribution system with a DC power bus and multiple reconfigurable power circuits, including autonomous power exchange between external DC power devices.
A power node embodiment with networking/communication interfacing and controller-based reconfiguration.
A reconfigurable power circuit used as a standalone reconfigurable circuit.
A multi-circuit power manager arrangement using reconfigurable power circuits.
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