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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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.

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: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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: A power distribution system that can detect an unsafe fault condition where an individual or object has come in contact with the power conductors. A block diagram of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The power distribution system regulates the transfer of energy from a source 1 to a load 3. Periodically, source controller 5 opens S1 disconnect switch 7 and load controller 9 opens S2 disconnect switch 13. A capacitor 4 represents that capacitance across the load terminals. If the capacitor discharges at a rate higher or lower than predetermined values after S1 and S2 are opened, then a fault condition is registered and S1 and S2 will not be commanded to return to a closed position, thus isolating the fault from both the source and load.

Abstract: The disclosed power distribution system regulates the transfer of energy from a source 1 to a load 3. Source Controller 5 on the source side closes Disconnect Device 7 and monitors the transfer of a pulse or “packet” of energy to the load side. A Load Controller 9 on the load side communicates the amount of energy received at the load back to the source controller via Communication Link 11. 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.

Abstract: The disclosed power distribution system regulates the transfer of energy from a source 1 to a load 3. Source Controller 5 on the source side closes Disconnect Device 7 and monitors the transfer of a pulse or “packet” of energy to the load side. A Load Controller 9 on the load side communicates the amount of energy received at the load back to the source controller via Communication Link 11. 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.