Enhanced load management and distribution system

#This disclosure relates to systems for supplying power to one or more electrical loads. More specifically, this invention relates to managing the supply of power to one or more loads in a limited power environment.

#Transportation systems, such as an aircraft, a ship, or a train, typically provide only a limited supply of power. This power supply serves not only those systems that are essential, but non-essential equipment as well. Aboard an aircraft, for example, the propulsion system provides a finite amount of power to operate both essential equipment, such as life-support, communication, and flight control, and non-essential equipment, such as coffee makers, in-flight commercial phones, in-seat entertainment centers, and a variety of devices operated by passengers.

#Because power is limited, non-essential equipment must compete with other non-essential equipment for power. If the load from non-essential equipment exceeds the allowable load, some essential equipment may be deprived of power. Furthermore, the power supply itself may be damaged from the additional loads.

#FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a load distribution and management system in accordance with a prior disclosure.

#FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a load distribution and management system with power supply units having random timers, in accordance with another prior disclosure.

#FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an enhanced load management and distribution system in which a signal enabling activation of power outlets is propagated from one power control unit to another, in accordance an embodiment of the present disclosure.

#As described in detail below, embodiments of the disclosure include a power distribution and management system with a strategically controlled re-connect function, including a power measurement device, power controller units, and outlets for delivering power to distributed loads. Operation of the system, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, includes systematically connecting loads when power is available, in a controlled manner such that system power consumption can be maintained below a prescribed maximum limit; the system maintains controlled power management without the need for manual intervention.

#System Overview

#A system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown schematically in FIG. 3. Power management circuit 51 includes a limit comparator 55 which has an input corresponding to the power consumed by the system 53 and another input corresponding to the maximum power limit 54. The power management circuit distributes system power to a plurality of power control units 52, 70, etc. via power keyline 12. Each power control unit (e.g. power control unit 52) is connected to several power outlets 64, 66, 68. Each outlet has a power connection to the power control unit, and a line 65, 67, 69 for transmitting a request for power to the power control unit. As shown in FIG. 3, outlet 64 is associated with an enabling circuit 59 which receives a power request 65 and an enabling signal 60, and is connected to an outlet control 58 for controlling delivery of system power to the outlet. Each power control unit has a timing control circuit 63 which sends appropriate enabling signals 60, 61, 62 to the outlets 64, 65, 66 respectively. Timing control circuit 63 is connected to a first ENABLE keyline 56 and a second ENABLE keyline 57. Timing control circuit 63 receives the status of the ENABLE keyline 56 as an input, and outputs an appropriate signal to the next power control unit 70 over the second ENABLE keyline 57.