219results about "Hot plugging-unplugging power/load" patented technology

A system for optimizing utility usage is described. The system comprises a monitoring device adapted to be connected to a utility point, a utility consuming device and a central processing unit (CPU). The monitoring device is configured to regulate utility usage information of the utility consuming device and is further configured to assign a unique identifier to the monitoring device. The monitoring device comprises a measurement circuit for measuring utility usage information, wherein the measurement circuit is coupled to the utility point. The monitoring device is configured to communicate with the CPU, wherein the monitoring device is configured to transmit utility usage information of the utility consuming device to the CPU on the unique identifier and wherein the monitoring device is configured to receive utility usage information of the utility consuming device and wherein the CPU is configured to process the utility usage information based on the unique identifier.

PCT No. PCT / AU96 / 00637 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 23, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 23, 1998 PCT Filed Oct. 10, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 14206 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 17, 1997A modular power supply (2) suitable for application as an uninterruptable power supply for use with electrical equipment such as computers. A module (6) of the power supply may include a battery (32), a charging circuit for the battery (34), a power supply circuit coupled to mains electricity and the battery (30, 36, 40), and a control circuit (38) for selectively providing power to the electrical equipment (12) by way of the power supply circuit from either mains electricity (10) or the battery as source. The module is also provided with a coupling which is adapted to connect the module in parallel with at least one other module. A housing may be provided to receive a plurality of modules, which are connected together in parallel by way of plugs and sockets when received in the housing. The plugs and sockets and the control circuit may be adapted to enable "hot-swapping" of the modules from the housing. The modules may also be interconnected in the housing by way of a control line (20) which enables communication of the modules for making a majority rules decision concerning the provision of power from the mains or battery on the basis of fluctuations in the electrical mains supply.

A method and an apparatus are used for power supply input connection. The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises a first switch module (143_1) connected to a first power supply input (Vin1); a first controller module (145_1) connected to the first power supply input (Vin1) and to a secondary power connection (Vc), wherein the first controller module (145_1) puts the first switch module (143_1) in a first operating state when a parameter relating to the first power supply input (Vin1) is larger than a parameter relating to the secondary power connection (Vc), and puts the first switch module (143_1) in a second operating state when the parameter relating to the first power supply input (Vin1) is smaller than the parameter relating to the secondary power connection (Vc); and a first driver module (160_1) connected to the first controller module (145_1) and to the first switch module (143_1), wherein the first driver module (160_1) modifies a parameter relating to a drive characteristic of the first switch module (143_1).

Provided is a parallel uninterruptible power supply system including a first uninterruptible power supply and a second uninterruptible power supply connected in parallel with each other, and a connector interconnecting a first signal transmission line of the first uninterruptible power supply and a second signal transmission line of the second uninterruptible power supply. A first control module of the first uninterruptible power supply can directly receive data signal outputted from a second power supply module and a second battery module of the second uninterruptible power supply, and a second control module of the second uninterruptible power supply can directly receive data signal outputted from a first power supply module and a first battery module of first uninterruptible power supply, so that the first uninterruptible power supply and the second uninterruptible power supply can communicate directly with each other.

A system for rack level power management, the system comprising: at least one power source; a management module; and a plurality of power managed modules in communication with the management module and connected to draw power from the at least one power source, each of the plurality of power managed modules comprising a power manager and an operating circuit, the operating circuit being operable at a plurality of power drawing levels responsive to the power manager, the management module being operative to allocate a power budget to each of the plurality of power managed modules and communicate the allocated power budgets to the power managers, each of the power managers being operative to control the operating circuit of the power managed module to be operable at a power drawing level within the allocated budget.

One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of providing dynamic temperature-adjusted power redundancy for a system. Tracking is performed of the number of power supply units, n, that are presently in an up state. The temperature in which the power supply units are operating is measured, and a temperature-adjusted number of power supply units, N, which are presently needed to supply power to the system, is dynamically determined.

One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of providing dynamic power redundancy for a system. A number of power supply units, n, that are presently in an up state is tracked. In addition, a number of power supply units, N, that are presently needed to supply power to the system is dynamically determined. If a margin of safety corresponding to a difference between n and N reaches a minimum acceptable level, then action is taken to increase the margin of safety.

A portable power source for starting a variety of outdoor power equipment, particularly a portable generator. The portable power source generally includes a housing, an electrochemical power supply, a switch, and a connector connected to the switch. The switch may be electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and, using a conductor (e.g., a cable), the connector is operable to be electrically connected to a starter motor associated with the outdoor power equipment. The portable power source is adapted to be used as a primary power source and as an auxiliary power source. The portable power source can also includes an integrated light, an air compressor, a power supply indicator, and one or more inputs and outputs to receive and provide direct current (“DC”) and alternating current (“AC”).

A method and an apparatus are used in hot swap of AC or DC line replaceable modules (40A). The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises a pin assembly (183), the pin assembly (183) being connectable to a module (40A) and connectable to a backplane (104), the pin assembly (183) resistively reducing a current associated with the module (40A) during disconnection of the module (40A) from the backplane (104), and presenting a high resistance to the module (40A) during connection of the module (40A) to the backplane (104), and a low resistance to the module (40A) at completion of the connection of the module (40A) to the backplane (104); and a hot swap detector (134) connectable to the pin assembly (183), the hot swap detector (134) detecting the disconnection of the module (40A) from the backplane (104), and detecting the connection of the module (40A) to the backplane (104). In one embodiment, the method and apparatus provide a main advantage of preventing electrical arcs and damage to mating pins (183). Embodiments for the method and apparatus prevent any excessive voltage and / or current transients that would disturb the operation of other connected subsystems.

The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for variably supplying power from a stand-alone fuel cell power supply system including a power conversion unit, a power switching unit and a load control unit. Preferably, a controller manages system configuration to switch the loads, the power conversion and the delivery between the two without reducing capacity by redundantly backing up each individual portion with a bank of at least two modules for each unit. Preferably, controller actuated devices are triggered automatically in response to monitors that sense performance operating parameters and detect values operating outside a threshold range. Preferably, each of the units and the components in each unit are banked in a plurality of modular units so that individual converters may be interchanged, individual fuel cells may be interchanged, individual controllers may be interchanged, and individual storage units such as batteries may be interchanged to ensure proper operation of each bank despite changes or failures in individual components of the bank. The power system may include couplers for connecting the system to dedicated outlets such as an NEC standard 120 / 240 volt building circuitry. The invention monitors multiple elements from fuel supply, fuel cells, converters, storage units, and controls as well as the loads for balanced, reliably robust, high power quality, and independent power supply.

The present invention discloses a power conversion system and a method for pre-charging DC-Bus capacitors therein. The power conversion system comprises a plurality of power modules, each including a power input end; a charging input end; a power output end; at least one power conversion unit, each of the power conversion unit including at least one DC-Bus capacitor and being electrically connected to the power input end and the power output end; and a pre-charging unit electrically connected to the charging input end for receiving direct current and electrically connected to the DC-Bus capacitor for pre-charging the DC-Bus capacitor. The power input ends of the plurality of power modules are connected in series and then electrically connected to an AC power source, and the power output ends of the plurality of power modules are connected in parallel.