# US 2021/0344194 A1 · Power distribution using hydra cable systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0344194 A1 - Document ID: US20210344194A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/905,846 - Filed: 2020-06-18 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-12 - Assignees: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC - Applicants: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC - Inventors: William Pachoud; Steve Chapel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210344194A1 ## CPC - G06F 11/3058: {Monitoring arrangements for monitoring environmental properties or parameters of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring of power, currents, temperature, humidity, position, vibrations (thermal management in cooling arrangements of a computing system G06F1/206)} - G06F 1/26: Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C) - H01R 24/20: Coupling parts carrying sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable - H02G 15/113: Boxes split longitudinally in main cable direction - H02J 1/001: {Hot plugging or unplugging of load or power modules to or from power distribution networks} - H02J 1/14: Balancing load and power generation in DC networks - H02J 9/061: {for DC powered loads} - H04L 41/24: {using dedicated network management hardware} - H04L 43/0817: by checking functioning - H05K 7/1491: {having cable management arrangements (management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06)} - H05K 7/1492: {having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications} - H01R 13/20: Pins, blades, or sockets shaped, or provided with separate member, to retain co-operating parts together - H04L 41/0253: using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information - Y04S 40/00: Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided for reliable redundant power distribution. Some embodiments include micro Automatic Transfer Switches (micro-ATSs), including various components and techniques for facilitating reliable auto-switching functionality in a small footprint (e.g., less than ten cubic inches, with at least one dimension being less than a standard NEMA rack height). Other embodiments include systems and techniques for integrating a number of micro-ATSs into a parallel auto-switching module for redundant power delivery to a number of devices. Implementations of the parallel auto-switching module are configured to be mounted in, on top of, or on the side of standard equipment racks. Still other embodiments provide power distribution topologies that exploit functionality of the micro-ATSs and/or the parallel micro-ATS modules. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-head power cord apparatus, comprising: a first power cord portion terminating in a first coupler for coupling to a power port of a power source; second and third power cord portions terminating in respective second and third couplers for coupling to electronic equipment; at least one junction assembly for electronically interconnecting said first power cord portion to each of said second and third power cord portions free from any intervening electronic equipment associated with said junction for altering an electronic power signal communicated between said first power cord portion and said second and third power cord portions; and at least one locking system for locking at least one coupler of said first, second and third couplers so as to inhibit unintended separation of said at least one coupler from a mating power port, said locking system including a release mechanism to assist in separation of said at least one coupler from said mating power port when desired. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one locking system comprises at least two locking mechanisms for locking at least two of said first, second and third couplers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said at least two locking mechanisms comprise a first locking mechanism for locking said first coupler and a second locking mechanism for locking said second coupler. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said at least two locking mechanisms comprise first, second and third locking mechanisms for locking said first, second and third couplers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes one or more additional power cord portions that are electrically interconnected to said first power cord portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power source is a power distribution unit and said first coupler is adapted for locking engagement with a power output port of said power distribution unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said junction comprises a power cord branch point where a conductor strand of said first power cord portion branches to form conductor strands of each of said second and third power cord portions so as to define a continuous electrical connection between said first coupler and each of said second and third couplers. ### Claim at position 8 -16. (canceled) ### Claim 17 A power cord apparatus, comprising: a first power cord portion terminating in a first coupler for coupling to a power port of a power source; and at least one junction assembly for electronically interconnecting said first power cord portion to each of second and third power cord portions; wherein said junction assembly comprises a first junction housing supporting a first coupler, a second junction housing supporting a second coupler, and a flexible power cord for interconnecting said first and second junction housings. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said junction assembly including at least one mini-coupler having a maximum pin spacing dimension of no more than about 12 mm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said maximum pin spacing is no more than about 10 mm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said mini-coupler is a female coupler having recesses for receiving pins of a male coupler and said maximum pin dimension is defined by two of said recesses. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, further comprising a power connecter assembly for connecting said mini-coupler to a power port of a piece of electronic equipment, said power port having a maximum pin spacing of greater than 12 mm. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said power connector assembly comprises a power cord. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said power connector assembly comprises a junction cover wherein said junction cover attaches to said junction assembly on a first side of said cover and attaches to said power connector assembly on a second side of said cover. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said junction assembly comprises a junction housing having multiple mini-couplers disposed thereon. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, further comprising support structure for supporting at least a portion of said junction assembly so that said portion maintains a desired configuration. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said support structure comprises a mounting assembly for mounting said portion of said junction assembly to a rigid support. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) An apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said support structure comprises a rigid housing extending between said second and third couplers. ### Claim at position 20 -60. (canceled) ### Claim 61 A multi-head power cord method, comprising: providing a multi-head power cord comprising a first power cord portion terminating in a first coupler for coupling to a power port of a power source, second and third power cord portions terminating in respective second and third couplers for coupling to electronic equipment, at least one junction assembly for electronically interconnecting said first power cord portion to each of said second and third power cord portions free from any intervening electronic equipment associated with said junction for altering an electronic power signal communicated between said first power cord portion and said second and third power cord portions, and at least one locking system for locking at least one coupler of said first, second and third couplers so as to inhibit unintended separation of said at least one coupler from a mating power port, said locking system including a release mechanism to assist in separation of said at least one coupler from said mating power port when desired; connecting said first coupler to said first power port; and connecting each of said second and third couplers to respective pieces of said electronic equipment, wherein at least one of said first, second, and third couplers is associated with said at least one locking system. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) A method as set forth in claim 61, wherein said at least one locking system comprises at least two locking mechanisms for locking at least two of said first, second and third couplers. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) A method as set forth in claim 62, wherein said at least two locking mechanisms comprise a first locking mechanism for locking said first coupler and a second locking mechanism for locking said second coupler. ### Claim 64 (depends on 62) A method as set forth in claim 62, wherein said at least two locking mechanisms comprise first, second and third locking mechanisms for locking said first, second and third couplers. ### Claim 65 (depends on 61) A method as set forth in claim 61, wherein said multi-head power cord includes one or more additional power cord portions that are electrically interconnected to said first power cord portion. ### Claim 66 (depends on 61) A method as set forth in claim 61, wherein said power source is a power distribution unit and said first coupler is adapted for locking engagement with a power output port of said power distribution unit. ### Claim 67 (depends on 61) A method as set forth in claim 61, wherein said junction comprises a power cord branch point where a conductor strand of said first power cord portion branches to form conductor strands of each of said second and third power cord portions so as to define a continuous electrical connection between said first coupler and each of said second and third couplers.