Abstract: A fault detection system and method for detecting a fault condition in a direct current (DC) system. A power transmitter energizes a cable with electrical power. A power receiver connected to the cable provides the electrical power to a load. At the power receiver, a signal generator coupled to the cable generates and propagates a deterministic signal on the cable. At the power transmitter, a fault detector is coupled to the cable to receive the deterministic signal and noise after propagation through the cable. The fault detector has a plurality of filter branches with each of the filter branches having an associated bandwidth. Adjusting a gain of one or more of the filter branches in response to a signal-to-noise ratio of the cable. The cable is deenergized when a fault is detected on at least one of the filter branches.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault condition on a direct current (DC) transmission line. The system may include a transmitter including a DC source to energize a transmission line and a receiver connected to the transmission line and including a signal generator to generate a periodic signal at or near a resonant frequency. The transmitter may include a termination impedance higher than a characteristic impedance of the transmission line to reflect substantially all the periodic signal to establish a standing wave on the transmission line. The transmitter may include a first fault detection circuit coupled to the transmission line to detect an amplitude attenuation of the standing wave of more than a threshold amount and, in response, to disconnect the transmission line from the DC source.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault condition in a direct current (DC) system. The system may include a DC power transmitter to energize a cable and a DC power receiver connected to the cable. A signal generator at the receiver employs orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and combines symbols for messaging or data communications with redundant symbols dedicated to fault detection. At a signal receiver, the transmitted OFDM signal is used to measure changes in the channel transfer function by monitoring changes in a parameter of the received redundant symbols. The redundant symbols need not be decoded to detect a greater-than-threshold change in the transfer function that is indicative of a fault on the cable.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault condition on a direct current (DC) transmission line. The system may include a transmitter including a DC source to energize a transmission line and a receiver connected to the transmission line and including a signal generator to generate a periodic signal at or near a resonant frequency. The transmitter may include a termination impedance higher than a characteristic impedance of the transmission line to reflect substantially all the periodic signal to establish a standing wave on the transmission line. The transmitter may include a first fault detection circuit coupled to the transmission line to detect an amplitude attenuation of the standing wave of more than a threshold amount and, in response, to disconnect the transmission line from the DC source.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault condition in a direct current (DC) system. The system may include a transmitter including a DC source to energize a cable and a receiver connected to the cable and including a signal generator to generate a periodic signal. The transmitter may include a termination impedance matched to the characteristic impedance of the cable to absorb substantially all the periodic signal. The transmitter may include a fault detection circuit coupled to the cable to detect changes in the frequency response of the cable by tracking changes in the envelope of the power of the periodic signal and outputting a fault signal if the rate-of-change of the envelope of the power of the period signal exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault condition on a direct current (DC) transmission line. The system may include a transmitter including a DC source to energize a transmission line and a receiver connected to the transmission line and including a signal generator to generate a periodic signal at or near a resonant frequency. The transmitter may include a termination impedance higher than a characteristic impedance of the transmission line to reflect substantially all the periodic signal to establish a standing wave on the transmission line. The transmitter may include a first fault detection circuit coupled to the transmission line to detect an amplitude attenuation of the standing wave of more than a threshold amount and, in response, to disconnect the transmission line from the DC source.

Abstract: Power combiner systems and methods for combining power from a number of power sources, which can differ in output power level, to at least one output. A controller monitors energy storage elements and controls a switch network to dynamically charge and discharge the energy storage elements while matching a desired output level. The controller can dynamically direct the switch network to alter inputs and outputs, thereby changing the frequency and order in which energy storage elements are connected.

Abstract: Power distribution systems and methods for distributing power from at least one power source to a plurality of outputs that can differ in output power level. A controller monitors energy storage elements and controls a switch network to dynamically charge and discharge the energy storage elements while matching one or more desired output levels. The controller can dynamically direct the switch network to alter inputs and outputs, thereby changing the frequency and order in which energy storage elements are connected.

Abstract: A wide range power combiner (WRPC) includes an electronics system that combines power from a plurality of input sources, which can differ in level, to at least a single output. In certain embodiments, a circuit can be constructed as shown in the figures (FIG. 1); a controller is used to generate a control signal to the switches, and for monitoring the energy storage elements. A possible control signal to the switches is shown in the figures (FIG. 2). The control signal, or signals, can dynamically change the frequency and order of switching to cause the switches to change the electrical connections of the energy storage elements, between the input and the output or outputs. A possible dynamic control algorithm is shown in the figures (FIG. 4). Switches can be any electrical switch, including transistors and relays. Energy storage elements can be any energy storage element, including capacitors and inductors.

Abstract: Power distribution systems and methods for distributing power from at least one power source to a plurality of outputs that can differ in output power level. A controller monitors energy storage elements and controls a switch network to dynamically charge and discharge the energy storage elements while matching one or more desired output levels. The controller can dynamically direct the switch network to alter inputs and outputs, thereby changing the frequency and order in which energy storage elements are connected.

Abstract: Power combiner systems and methods for combining power from a number of power sources, which can differ in output power level, to at least one output. A controller monitors energy storage elements and controls a switch network to dynamically charge and discharge the energy storage elements while matching a desired output level. The controller can dynamically direct the switch network to alter inputs and outputs, thereby changing the frequency and order in which energy storage elements are connected.