Abstract: A set of packet-energy-transfer operating parameters is automatically configured to optimize safety, efficiency and/or resiliency in a digital-electricity power system. A set of limits is configured for packet-energy-transfer operation that does not immediately preclude safe operation of the transmission lines, wherein each limit in the set defines constraints for at least one of measurements and calculations based on impedance in series or in parallel with the transmission lines, operational efficiency of the digital-electricity power system, and/or voltage or current signal integrity. The operation of the transmission lines is measured, and the measurements are compared with the limits. Upon at least one of the limits being exceeded, a revised set of limits is automatically configured (or a new configuration is generated) based on which limit was exceeded.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In a digital-electricity power system, an electrical-current sample value is acquired along with a voltage sample value within a time window over which the electrical current and voltage are substantially unchanged. A transmission-line series voltage is derived from the difference between the voltage at the transmitter and the voltage at the receiver. Each transmission-line series voltage is divided by a corresponding stored electrical-current sample value to generate a ratio indicative of transmission-line series resistance. These steps are repeated, and the transmitter-disconnect device is placed in a non-conducting state if a difference in the ratio generated in one or more time periods exceeds a predetermined maximum, wherein exceeding the predetermined maximum is indicative of a series resistance fault. Alternatively, a series resistance value, determined by dividing a change in voltage over a change in current, is evaluated to detect a fault.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A set of packet-energy-transfer operating parameters is automatically configured to optimize safety, efficiency and/or resiliency in a digital-electricity power system. A set of limits is configured for packet-energy-transfer operation that does not immediately preclude safe operation of the transmission lines, wherein each limit in the set defines constraints for at least one of measurements and calculations based on impedance in series or in parallel with the transmission lines, operational efficiency of the digital-electricity power system, and/or voltage or current signal integrity. The operation of the transmission lines is measured, and the measurements are compared with the limits. Upon at least one of the limits being exceeded, a revised set of limits is automatically configured (or a new configuration is generated) based on which limit was exceeded.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 substantially increases or decreases impedance 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 on the load side for storing charge and discharging that charge during the sample period, wherein the reduced capacitance is reduced to a level for providing the at-least-an-order-of-magnitude-lower electrical current drawn by the non-linear load below the voltage threshold; and a source disconnect device responsive to the control signal from the source controller.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In the transfer of energy from a source to a load, a power distribution system is configured to detect unsafe conditions that include electrically conducting foreign objects or individuals that have come in contact with exposed conductors in the power distribution system. A responsive signal is generated in a source controller including source terminals. The responsive signal reverses a voltage on the source terminals. With the voltage on the source terminals reversed, a measurement of electrical current flowing through the source terminals is acquired; and the source controller generates signals to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals if and when the electrical current falls outside of high or low limits indicating that there is a conducting foreign object or living organism making electrical contact with the source or load terminals or a failure in power distribution system hardware.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: a digital power system includes at least one electrical power source, at least one power control element, and a digital power receiver electrically coupled with the power control element to receive electrical current therefrom. The power control element includes (i) a power conditioning circuit electrically coupled with the electrical power source and (ii) element controller circuitry electrically coupled with the power conditioning circuit and 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.