Redundant and fault-tolerant power distribution system having an integrated communication network

A power distribution system having an integrated communication network comprising:

• a plurality of nodes connected by power lines, wherein the nodes are arranged in a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally between the nodes, and wherein the nodes are additionally connected by communication links there between for conducting data bi-directionally between the nodes;
• each node including:
• a port;
• a processing element;
• and
• a port monitor associated with the port and connected to the processing element, wherein the associated port monitor includes:
• a switch for enabling and disabling the corresponding port,
• a voltage monitor for measuring voltage differential across the switch, and
• a comparator for comparing the measured voltage differential with a threshold value;
• and
• wherein the switch is closed only upon approval from both the processing element and the comparator, and wherein the node is configured to disable the corresponding port by opening its associated switch, either by the processing element, or by the comparator in response to a condition in which the measured voltage differential exceeds the threshold value;
• wherein at least one of the plurality of nodes includes at least two ports, including a power port that is connected to one of the power lines, and a load port for connection by a load line to an external power consuming device, wherein the switch that corresponds to the power port is independent of the switch that corresponds to the load port.

In a power distribution system having an integrated communication network, a method for minimizing loss of function due to fault conditions, the method comprising:

• connecting a plurality of nodes in a topology that enables current to flow bi-directionally on power lines between the nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes:
• a processing element,
• a port, and
• a port monitor associated with the port and connected to the processing element, wherein the associated port monitor includes:
• a current monitor,
• a comparator for comparing the measured current with a threshold value to produce a comparison result and supplying the comparison result to the processing element, and
• a switch having a closed position for enabling the corresponding port, and an open position for disabling the corresponding port, wherein the switch is closed only upon approval from both the processing element and the comparator;
• wherein at least one of the plurality of nodes includes at least two ports, including a power port that is connected to one of the power lines, and a load port for connection by a load line to an external power consuming device, wherein the switch that corresponds to the power port is independent of the switch that corresponds to the load port;
• connecting an external power consuming device to the load port through the load line;
• conducting data bi-directionally between the nodes by communication links there between;
• with the associated current monitor, measuring current into and out of the corresponding port,
• with the comparator, comparing the measured current with a threshold value to produce a comparison result and supplying the comparison result to the processing element, and
• disabling the corresponding port by opening its associated switch, either by the processing element, or by the comparator in response to the comparison result.

A node for connection to an integrated communication network comprising, the node comprising:

• at least two ports, including a power port and a load port;
• and
• a processing element;
• wherein each of the ports includes a port monitor associated with the port and connected to the processing element, wherein the port monitor includes a switch for enabling and disabling current through the port, wherein the port monitor is enabled for measuring any of current and voltage differential across the switch, and wherein the port monitor further includes a comparator for comparing the measured current or voltage differential with a threshold value to produce a result, wherein the switch is closed only upon approval from both the processing element and the comparator;
• wherein the load port is configured for connection by a load line to an external power consuming device;
• wherein the node is connectable to a system that includes the node and one or more other modes in a topology that enables current and data to flow bi-directionally on power lines between the nodes;
• wherein each of the corresponding ports is configured to be disabled by opening its associated switch, either by the processing element, or by the comparator in response to the result;
• and
• wherein the switch that corresponds to the power port is independent of the switch that corresponds to the load port.