Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits
Inventors
Long, David N. • Piela, Nicholas J. • Butler, David J.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12068600-B2
Publication Date
2024-08-20
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 power node architecture that includes a first electrical connection interface and a second electrical connection interface, and routes one-way DC power between them through a one-way DC-to-DC power converter. A conductive pathway extends from the first electrical connection interface to an input terminal, through the converter to an output terminal, and from the output terminal to the second electrical connection interface. The architecture further includes at least one configurable switch disposed along the power channel and at least one power sensor module disposed along the power channel.
An electronic controller with a digital data processor and an associated memory module configures control signals based on received sensor signals. The one-way DC-to-DC power converter, the power sensor module(s), the configurable switch(es), and the network communication interface are electronically connected with the electronic controller over a communication network to deliver control signals and to receive signals. The controller is further configured to control at least one of the first and the second device ports to selectively connect to an external power device or to an external power bus architecture.
The disclosed reconfigurable power-management architecture enables connecting external power devices to a variable DC bus while allocating power among power loads and rechargeable DC batteries. It optionally performs Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) with perturb-and-observe, and includes current attenuation as part of the described control and management behavior.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides a power node with one-way DC-to-DC power conversion, configurable switching, power sensing, controller-based control over a communication network, and selective connection of device ports to external power devices or an external power bus architecture. Dependent claims add specific network protocol options, MPPT using perturb-and-observe, bidirectional conductive pathways, selectable behavior with an external power bus voltage, and internal rechargeable power using bulk capacitors.
Power node with one-way DC-to-DC conversion and selectable device-port connectivity
A power node comprising first and second electrical connection interfaces, a one-way DC-to-DC power converter with an input terminal and an output terminal, a conductive pathway with one-way current flow path from the first electrical connection interface through the converter to the second electrical connection interface, and a controller configured to control at least one of the first and the second device ports to selectively connect to an external power device or to an external power bus architecture.
Communication-network-controlled conversion, switching, and sensing
The one-way DC-to-DC power converter, the at least one power sensor module, the at least one configurable switch, and the network communication interface are each electronically connected with the electronic controller over the communication network to deliver control signals thereto and to receive signals therefrom.
Reconfigurable switching and power-channel sensing along the conductive pathway
At least one configurable switch disposed along the power channel and at least one power sensor module disposed along the power channel, where an electronic controller including a digital data processor and an associated memory module controls the power-channel elements via the communication network.
Network communication interface for communications with other power nodes or a power manager
A communication network including at least one communication network channel and a network communication interface for communication with at least one other power node or power manager.
Perturb-and-observe MPPT with tracked input power amplitude versus output current set point
A power node where time-variable DC power is provided and a digital data processor runs Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) using perturb-and-observe to track input power amplitude as a function of an output current set point.
Bidirectional conductive pathway using a second power channel
A power node where the conductive pathway includes a second power channel that allows bidirectional current flow between the first and second electrical connection interfaces.
External power bus selectable behavior including conversion or direct delivery
A power node where an external power bus architecture supplies a power bus voltage and the electronic controller configures conductive pathways to either convert the power bus voltage to an operating voltage for a DC power load or supply power directly at the power bus voltage to the power load.
Internal rechargeable power source comprising bulk capacitors
A power node that includes an internal rechargeable power source comprising one or more bulk capacitors.
Specified wired and wireless/cellular protocol options for the network communication interface
A power node where a communications protocol includes specified wired and other protocols and provides a network interface with specified wireless, cellular, and wired protocol interfaces for communicating with other power nodes or a power manager.
Overall, the claims coverage centers on a power node that combines one-way DC-to-DC conversion with configurable switching and power sensing, under electronic controller control communicated over a communication network, and supports selective connectivity to external power devices or an external power bus architecture. Dependent claim features further cover perturb-and-observe MPPT behavior, bidirectional conductive pathways, selectable external bus voltage conversion versus direct bus delivery, internal energy storage using bulk capacitors, and specific network protocol and interface options.
Stated Advantages
Improve transient stability using bulk capacitors and sensor feedback.
Increase control granularity using sensor feedback and controller-based management.
Documented Applications
Power-management architecture for connecting external power devices to a variable DC bus while allocating power among power loads and rechargeable DC batteries.
Use in embodiments involving a power manager for reconfigurable energy management over a communication network.
Standalone power node use with communication networking to communicate with other power nodes or a power manager.
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) operation with perturb-and-observe in the power-management behavior.
Interested in licensing this patent?