Voltserver, Inc.

Other

Electric Boat Corporation

Modular Energy Devices, Inc.

Stephen Spencer Eaves

Stanley Mlyniec

Harry Daniel Lowe

Jeffrey N Weiss

James S Smith

Jonathan J Casey

Matthew L Kasson

Likhita Ravuri

Harry Lowe

The integrity of transmission-line voltage measurements in a digital-electricity power system in the presence of line-voltage disturbances during a sample period is ensured via detection or prevention by (a) acquiring at least three measurements of transmission-line voltage, performing numerical analysis on the measurements to produce a polynomial function, and estimating accuracy of the polynomial function based on magnitude of variance of the individual measurements; (b) applying a negative or positive bias to the transmission line during the sample period and acquiring voltage measurements to determine a rate of voltage change with the bias applied; (c) shifting a start time of a first sample period on a first transmission line in reference to a second sample period on a second transmission line to reduce overlap of sample periods across both transmission lines; and/or (d) synchronizing start times of respective sample periods on first and second transmission lines.

Methods for verifying digital-electricity line integrity

A digital power distribution system includes a source sensor configured to provide feedback that includes a signal indicative of voltage across the source terminals; a source controller configured to receive the feedback from the source sensor and to generate a control signal that opens a source disconnect switch between the power source and the source terminals; a non-linear load configured such that the electrical current it draws from the load terminals drops by at least an order of magnitude below a non-zero voltage threshold; reduced capacitance for storing charge and discharging that charge during the sample period, wherein the reduced capacitance is at a level for providing this low level of electrical current drawn by the non-linear load. The system can be configured without a disconnect switch between the load terminals and the non-linear load to thereby maintain the non-linear load in electrical contact with the load terminals.

Digital power distribution system with a non-linear load

Transmission-line voltage measurements in a digital-electricity power system are validated by acquiring a series of transmission-line voltage measurements during a sample period when a transmitter-disconnect device is in a non-conducting state. A numerical analysis is performed to determine a point in time at which AC components in the transmission line have diminished and at which the primary change in the transmission-line voltage measurement values is due to DC decay. A receiver acquires a series of receiver-voltage measurements during the same sample period; and a numerical analysis is performed on the receiver-voltage measurements to determine the point in time at which the AC components have diminished and where the primary change in the transmission-line voltage measurement values is due to DC decay. The transmitter-disconnect device is then placed in a non-conducting state based on an evaluation of those measurements.

Method for validating voltage measurements in a digital-electricity transmission system

A power-distribution system can detect a transmission-line electrical fault, and the power source can be electrically isolated from the transmission line before a human or equipment is substantially harmed or damaged. A controller on the source side is responsive to one or more sensors that provide a signal indicative of the voltage across the transmitter side of the transmission line. A source-disconnect device operable by the controller electrically isolates the source from the transmission line. A signal-generator circuit is configured to superimpose a higher-wavelength carrier waveform with the source-output waveform on the transmission line. The controller determines the normal impedance of the transmission line from measurement and detects a transmission-line fault, as indicated by a change in carrier waveform reflections or energy content of the carrier waveform and generates a command to open the source-disconnect device upon detection of the fault.

Digital electricity using carrier wave change detection

The disclosed charging system has multiple charging ports emanating from a central digital power transmitter to charge a plurality of battery packs. The system comprises a centralized bulk power converter to produce a first DC voltage and multiple additive power converters. One additive power converter is assigned to each charger port. The output of each charging port is transmitted in digital power format to a receiver local to each battery pack. The receiver converts the digital power to conventional analog DC power for charging the battery packs. The bulk converter provides the majority of the power needed to charge all the battery packs simultaneously, while the additive power converters adjust for the individual characteristics of each battery pack.

Digital power multiport battery charging system

A digital power distribution system comprises a digital power transmitter configured to accept analog electrical power and to convert the analog electrical power into discrete energy packets for distribution across a common set of transmission lines; a plurality of digital power receivers with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the digital power receivers are configured to accept the energy packets from the digital power transmitter and to convert the packets back into analog electrical power for use by the load device; a load device electrically coupled with at least one of the digital power receivers and configured to receive analog electrical power from the digital power receiver with which it is electrically coupled; and a termination module with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the termination module includes at least a capacitor configured to establish the characteristic capacitance of the transmission lines.

Method and apparatus for parallel operation of packet energy transfer receivers

A digital power network comprises at least one digital electric power routing device that includes (a) at least one DC power bus; (b) at least two power control elements, each with at least two sets of power terminals, at least one of which accommodates electrical power in packet energy transfer format, and wherein each power control element has electrical connections that allow one set of power terminals to be connected to the DC power bus; and (c) at least one network controller operable to execute control functions within the power control elements to route electrical power from at least one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network. The digital power network further includes at least one power source and at least one load.

Digital power network method and apparatus

In a digital power system a digital power receiver is electrically coupled with a power control element to receive electrical current therefrom. The power control element includes (i) a power conditioning circuit electrically coupled with an electrical power source and (ii) element controller circuitry electrically coupled with the power conditioning circuit. The element controller circuitry is configured to control and receive feedback from the power conditioning circuit, to receive a communication/synchronization signal, and to output digital power under packet energy transfer protocol.

Packet energy transfer power control elements

Digital power is regulated by transmitting digital power via a transmission line pair to at least one receiver circuit in a digital power receiving system. The digital power is converted into analog power in the receiver circuit. The analog power is transmitted to at least one power conditioning circuit, and output power is transmitted from the power conditioning circuit. At least one voltage in the digital power receiver system is monitored; and, in response to that monitoring, the output power from the power conditioning circuit is regulated to improve at least one of safety, efficiency, resiliency, control, and routing of power.

Digital power receiver system

Data is communicated between a digital power transmitter and one or more digital power receivers over a transmission line comprising positive and negative conductors. If the transmitter is sending data to the receiver, a first transmitter electrical switch is selectively operated to increase electrical charge in the transmission-line capacitance. If the receiver is sending data to the transmitter, a first receiver electrical switch is selectively operated to increase electrical charge in the transmission-line capacitance.

Packet energy transfer in-line communications

A power distribution system (that can detect an unsafe fault condition where an individual or object has come in contact with the power conductors) regulates the transfer of energy from a source to a load. Periodically, the source controller opens an Sdisconnect switch, a and load controller opens an Sdisconnect switch. A capacitor represents the capacitance across the load terminals. If the capacitor discharges at a rate higher or lower than predetermined values after the Sand Sdisconnect switches are opened, then a fault condition is registered, and the Sand Sswitches will not be commanded to return to a closed position, thus isolating the fault from both the source and the load.

Safe exposed conductor power distribution system

The disclosed power distribution system regulates the transfer of energy from a sourceto a load. Source Controlleron the source side closes Disconnect Deviceand monitors the transfer of a pulse or 'packet' of energy to the load side. A Load Controlleron the load side communicates the amount of energy received at the load back to the source controller via Communication Link. If it is confirmed that the energy received on the load side corresponds to that sent by the source side, another energy packet is sent. If the energy received does not correspond with that sent by the source side, energy transfer is stopped, indicating a system fault or safety hazard. The energy content of a single packet is kept small, such that if it is not properly delivered, it can not cause damage to equipment or harm personnel.

Power distribution system with fault protection using energy packet confirmation

Methods and systems for constructing a battery, the battery including at least two energy storage sections connected in parallel to a common module power bus, the energy storage sections including at least one battery cell and at least one section disconnect device capable of disconnecting the at least two energy sections from the module power bus, and, a section protection device to control the section disconnect device based on data from the energy storage sections. In an embodiment, the battery can include at least two battery modules connected in series using an interlock signal, where the battery modules include a module protection device having an interlock signal controller and fault logic for controlling the interlock signal controller, such that the modules can control the interlock signal and hence a disconnect device that receives the interlock signal and is connected between the modules and a load and/or charger.

Systems and methods for constructing a battery pack

A large battery pack of specified voltage and capacity can be assembled from a plurality of identical small cells by dividing the specified capacity by a nominal battery module capacity to determine a desired number of parallel modules to be provided, dividing the nominal battery module capacity by a nominal cell card capacity, to determine the number of cell cards required in each module, connecting the call cards in parallel to a common buswork to form the battery module, and connecting the modules in parallel to obtain the specified battery pack capacity and in series to obtain the specified battery pack voltage Protection circuitry can be implemented at the module level, by disconnecting one or more modules or the entire battery pack if a fault at the module level is identified; at the cell card level, by disconnecting a cell card if a cell within it is determined to be faulty; and/or internally, in each cell.

Methods and systems for assembling batteries

In the embodiment described in the specification, a fault tolerant motor drive circuit arrangement includes a motor having three stator windings which are electrically isolated and are supplied by separate single phase drive circuits, each having a differential current sensor detecting current in both circuit conductors and an overcurrent sensor in one circuit conductor, along with a ground connection for each circuit having a ground conductor with an overcurrent sensor and a high resistance with a voltage sensor across the high resistance. A monitoring unit receives signals from all of the differential current sensors, overcurrent sensors and voltage sensors to provide indications of the location of insulation faults or incipient faults in the windings.

Growing community of inventors

Charlestown, RI, United States of America

Stephen Spencer Eaves