Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits
Inventors
Long, David N. • PIELA, I, Nicholas J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11108230-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A portable power manager device (100) includes a DC power bus (110) and a plurality of device ports (141, 142, and 143). A primary device port (143) is connectable to the DC power bus over a primary power channel that does not include a DC to DC power converter. A plurality of secondary device ports (141, 142) is each connectable to the DC power bus over a different reconfigurable power channel (151, 152). Each reconfigurable power channel includes a single one-way DC to DC power converter (220, 221). Each reconfigurable power channel is configurable by a digital data processor as one of three different circuit legs (230, 232, and 234). Leg (230) provides output power conversion. Leg (232) provides input power conversion. Leg (234) provides bi-directional power exchange without power conversion.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses a DC to DC power manager comprising a DC power bus and a digital data processor with a memory device and an energy management schema operating on the digital data processor. The power manager includes a single primary device port and a primary power channel disposed between the single primary device port and the DC power bus, where the primary power channel does not include a DC to DC power converter. A primary switch is disposed along the primary power channel and is operable by the digital data processor.
For converter device ports, the invention provides one or more reconfigurable power channels disposed between each converter device port and the DC power bus. Each reconfigurable power channel includes a one-way DC to DC power converter with an input terminal and an output terminal, and a plurality of converter legs each including a secondary switch. The converter legs connect the DC power bus to one of the input terminal or the output terminal, or connect the converter device port to one of the input terminal and the output terminal.
The one-way DC to DC power converter and the plurality of secondary switches are independently operable by the digital data processor to configure the reconfigurable power channel into one of three different power channel configurations for transferring power between the DC power bus and a corresponding converter device port. The energy management schema determines operating voltage, device type, and power characteristics for interfaced external DC power devices, selects a bus voltage operating point matched with a determined operating voltage, and modifies a present bus voltage operating point when the determined operating voltage differs from the present bus voltage operating point.
The energy management schema determines a State of Charge (SoC) when the device type is determined to be a rechargeable DC battery. One independent claim further includes an internal rechargeable battery configured to power the data processor and memory device and to receive charging power from an external DC power device interfaced with the primary device port or the converter device port.
Claims Coverage
The document provides four independent claims, each focused on a DC power bus controlled by a digital data processor and an energy management schema, together with a primary channel without a DC to DC power converter and a reconfigurable converter channel using a one-way DC to DC power converter and independently operable switches. Across the independent claims, the number of inventive features is organized around channel architecture, three-configuration power transfer, bus voltage matching and modification, and SoC/battery integration logic.
Reconfigurable power channel with one-way DC to DC converter and independently operable converter legs
Each reconfigurable power channel includes a one-way DC to DC power converter having an input terminal and an output terminal and a plurality of converter legs each including a secondary switch, wherein the plurality of converter legs connect the DC power bus to one of the input terminal or the output terminal or connect the converter device port to one of the input terminal and the output terminal.
Three different power channel configurations for transferring power
The one-way DC to DC power converter and each of the plurality of secondary switches is independently operable by the digital data processor to configure the reconfigurable power channel into one of three different power channel configurations for transferring power between the DC power bus and a corresponding one of the one or more converter device ports.
Primary power channel without DC to DC converter and processor-controlled primary switch
A primary power channel disposed between the single primary device port and the DC power bus and a primary switch operable by the digital data processor disposed along the primary power channel.
Bus voltage operating point matched to external device operating voltage and modified when different
The energy management schema is configured to determine an operating voltage of an external DC power device interfaced with the primary device port, select a bus voltage operating point matched with the determined operating voltage, and modify a present bus voltage operating point when the determined operating voltage differs from the present bus voltage operating point.
Operating voltage, device type, and power characteristics determination with SoC selection
The energy management schema is configured to determine for external DC power devices interfaced with the primary device port and converter device port an operating voltage, a device type, and power characteristics thereof, and to determine a State of Charge (SoC) when the device type is determined to be a rechargeable DC battery.
Internal rechargeable battery receiving charging power from primary or converter port
An internal rechargeable battery is configured to power the data processor and memory device and to receive charging power from an external DC power device interfaced with the primary device port or the converter device port.
Across the independent claims, the claim coverage centers on a DC to DC power manager architecture that separates a primary power channel without a DC to DC power converter from one or more reconfigurable power channels that include a one-way DC to DC converter and independently operable secondary switches. The reconfigurable converter channel can be configured into multiple power channel configurations for transferring power, while the energy management schema determines operating voltage and related device characteristics and selects and modifies bus voltage operating points to match external device operating voltage, including SoC determination when the device type is a rechargeable DC battery. One independent claim further includes an internal rechargeable battery that powers the processor and can receive charging power from either the primary device port or a converter device port.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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