Abstract:
The present disclosure sets forth a power management system including a plurality of power management devices configured to transfer power among a plurality of external devices. The power management system includes a first power management device and a second power management device. The first power management device includes a first, second and third communication ports along with first, second and third power ports. The second power management device includes fourth, fifth and sixth communications port along with fourth, fifth and sixth power ports. The first power port of the first power management device is coupled to the fourth power port of the second power management device such that first and second power and the first communications port of the first power management device is coupled to the fourth communications port of the second power management device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/362,204 entitled WEARABLE POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an electric power management system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The material presented in this section merely provides background information to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Batteries are typically utilized to meet energy demands of portable electronic devices. However, the amount of batteries that can be carried and utilized by a person is limited by size, weight and cost. In military exercises, portable electronic devices can increase a soldier&#39;s effectiveness. These portable electronic devices can include mission critical devices such as tactical radios, global positioning system (“GPS”) devices, night vision goggles, laser range finders, target designators, lights, and laptop or handheld computers. Such portable electronic devices can consume high energy levels, especially during extended mission durations. Batteries providing power to these devices have become a significant weight burden. 
         [0005]    Energy conversion devices can be utilized in conjunction with power management apparatuses to reduce the size, weight and cost burden of batteries. Energy conversion devices such as generators, photovoltaic cells and fuel cells can be utilized to recharge batteries in portable applications, thereby providing large cost, weight, and volume savings. Power management apparatuses can manage electrical parameters such as electrical voltage, electrical current and electrical power levels when transferring electrical energy among multiple devices. The power management apparatus can include a buck boost converter to convert electrical parameters. Buck boost converters are DC-DC converter that can provide an output voltage that is a selected conversion magnitude greater than or less than an input voltage. The selected conversion magnitude can be determined by a control system based on sensed inputs and selected electrical parameter outputs to thereby accommodate devices having differing electrical parameter requirements. Power management apparatuses can measure an input electrical current level or an input electrical voltage level to convert the electrical current level or the electrical voltage level to a desired output electrical current level or output electrical voltage level. A controller can be utilized to monitor the input electrical current and voltage levels and to determine buck boost converter commands based on the input electrical current and electrical voltage levels. 
         [0006]    Typically, energy conversion devices and power management apparatuses require a specific position and orientation in order to operate effectively. Thus, the energy conversion devices and power management apparatuses cannot be operated while a soldier is moving on foot. The process for utilizing these energy conversion devices to charge a battery includes human interaction and several steps including unhooking the battery from the power consuming device, charging the battery, and reattaching the battery to the power consuming device. Further, recharging a battery utilizing current power manager apparatuses requires cumbersome equipment including power cables, power management circuitry, and direct voltage conversion electronics. 
         [0007]    Therefore, improved power management apparatuses are needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present disclosure sets forth a power management system including a plurality of power management devices configured to transfer power among a plurality of external devices. The power management system includes a first power management device and a second power management device. The first power management device includes first, second and third communication ports along with first, second and third power ports. The first power management device further includes a first communications bus and a first power bus, wherein the first, second, and third power ports are configured to electrically connect external power devices to the communications bus and wherein the first, second and third power ports are configured to electrically connect the external power devices to the power bus. The second power management device includes fourth, fifth and sixth communications port along with fourth, fifth and sixth power ports. The second power management device, further includes a second communications bus and a second power bus, wherein the fourth, fifth, and sixth power ports are configured to electrically connect a first external power device to the communications bus and wherein the first, second and third power ports are configured to electrically connect the external power devices to the power bus. The first power port of the first power management device is coupled to the fourth power port of the second power management device such that the first and second power buses are electrically connected and the first communications port of the first power management device is coupled to the fourth communications port of the second power management device such that the first communications bus and the second communications bus are signally connected. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a power management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a prospective view of a power management device of the power management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a combined top view and schematic diagram of a first portion of the power management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a second portion of the power management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a third portion of the power management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a prospective view of a wearable power management system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a user interface of the power management system of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a portable power management system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a portable power management device of the portable power management system of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a power management system  20  includes a power management device  22 , a power management device  24 , a power management device  26 , and a power management device  28 . The power management device  22  includes a power and communications port  30 , a power and communications port  32 , and a power and communications port  34 . The power management device  24  includes a power and communications port  36 , a power and communications port  38 , and a power and communications port  40 . The power management device  26  includes a power and communications port  52 , a power and communications port  48 , and a power and communications port  50 . The power management device  28  includes a power and communications port  54 , a power and communications port  56 , and a power and communications port  58 . 
         [0019]    Each power management device  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  comprises a substantially flat, flexible strap-shaped geometry having different lengths such that the power management system can be configured for various user applications. The representative power management device  24  depicted in both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , comprises the power ports  36  and  40  on a first side and the power port  38  on a second side of the power management device  24 . The power management device  24  can have electronics such as electronics discussed further with reference to  FIG. 4 , embedded within a mechanical flexible outer material. Exemplary outer materials include plastic, fibers (for example, synthetic and natures materials such as those utilized in clothing material), rubber and like materials. 
         [0020]    Each of the power and communications port of the power management devices  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  depicted in  FIG. 1  can be coupled to an oppositely configured power and communications port of another power management device. A representative configuration is depicted in  FIG. 1 , wherein, the power and communications port  32  of the first power management device  22  is coupled to the power and communications port  36  of the second power management device  24 , the power and communications port  40  of the second power management device  24  is coupled to the power and communications port  48  of the third power management device  26 , and the power and communications port  52  of the third power management device  26  is coupled to the power and communications port  54  of the fourth power management device  28 . 
         [0021]    As represented the “zoom” depiction of power and communications port  56  of  FIG. 1 , each power and communications port  56  includes a power portion  42 , a communications portion  44 , and an attachment portion  46 . The exemplary attachment portion  46  comprises a snap tolerant fit for mating with a portion of an oppositely configured power and communications port. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  depicts power routing among the power portions and the communications portions of the power and communications ports  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  as solid lines labeled (‘P 1 ’), (‘P 2 ’), (‘P 3 ’), (‘P 4 ’), (‘P 5 ’) and (‘P 6 ’), respectively and further depicts communications routing among the communications portions of the power and communication ports  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  as dashed lines labeled (‘C 1 ’), (‘C 2 ’), (‘C 3 ’), (‘C 4 ’), (‘C 5 ’) and (‘C 6 ’), respectively. Further,  FIG. 3  schematically depicts the power bus  80 , the power bus  90 , the communications bus  82 , and the communications bus  92 . The power bus  80  comprises a network of power wires embedded within the first power management device  22 . The power bus  90  comprises a network of power wires embedded within the second power management device  24 . The communications bus  82  comprises a network of data routing wires embedded within the first power management device  22 . The communications bus  92  comprises a network of data routing wires embedded within the second power management device  24 . 
         [0023]    Since power and communications ports  30 ,  32 , and  34  transfer power to and receive power from the power bus  80 , and the power and communications ports  36 ,  38 , and  40  transfer power to and receive power from the power bus  90 , the interconnection between the power and communications port  32  and the power and communications port  36  electrically couples the power bus  80  and power bus  90  allowing power sharing therebetween. Likewise, since power and communications ports  30 ,  32 , and  34  transfer signals to and receive signals from the communications bus  82 , and the power and communications ports  36 ,  38 , and  40  transfer signals to and receive signals from the power bus  92 , the interconnection between the power and communications port  32  and the power and communications port  36  as depicted in  FIG. 3  signally couples the communications bus  82  and communications bus  92  allowing communications sharing therebetween. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , electronics embedded within the power management devices includes a buck boost module  130 , a buck boost module  132 , and a buck boost module  134 . The buck boost module  130  includes a diode  118 , a diode  120 , a voltage converter  122 , a controller  124 , a buck boost circuit  126 , a voltage and current sensor  128 , and a voltage and current voltage sensor  129 . The buck boost converter module  130  converts a voltage V 2  from the second power port  32  to a power bus voltage V 4  at an electrical lead  116 , wherein the difference in power between the power at the power and communications port  30  (P 1 ) and power at the electrical lead  116  (P 1 ′) results from energy conversion loses and from power provided to operate buck boost module  130  components such as the controller  124 . 
         [0025]    The buck boost module  130  includes a diode  118 , a diode  120 , a voltage converter  122 , a controller  124 , a buck boost circuit  126 , a voltage and current sensor  128 , and a voltage and current sensor  129 . The buck boost converter module  130  converts a voltage V 2  from the second power port  32  to a power bus voltage V 4  at an electrical lead  116 , wherein the difference in power between the power at the power and communications port  30  (P 1 ) and power at the electrical lead  116  (P 1 ′) results from energy conversion loses and from power provided to operate buck boost module  130  components such as the controller  124 . 
         [0026]    The buck boost module  132  includes a diode  138 , a diode  140 , a voltage converter  142 , a controller  144 , a buck boost circuit  146 , a voltage and current sensor  148 , and a voltage and current voltage sensor  149 . The buck boost converter module  132  converts a voltage V 2  from the second power port  32  to a power bus voltage V 4  at an electrical lead  136 , wherein the difference in power between the power at the power and communications port  32  (P 2 ) and power at the electrical lead  136  (P 2 ′) results from energy conversion loses and from power provided to operate buck boost module  132  components such as the controller  144 . 
         [0027]    The buck boost module  134  includes a diode  158 , a diode  160 , a voltage converter  162 , a controller  164 , a buck boost circuit  166 , a voltage and current sensor  168 , and a voltage and current voltage sensor  169 . The buck boost converter module  134  converts a voltage V 3  from the third power port  28  to a power bus voltage V 4  at an electrical lead  156 , wherein the difference in power between the power at the power and communications port  34  (P 3 ) and power at the electrical lead  136  (P 3 ′) results from energy conversion loses and from power provided to operate buck boost module  134  components such as the controller  164 . 
         [0028]    It is to be noted, that each of the buck boost modules  130 ,  132 , and  134  are bi-directional in that each buck boost modules  130 ,  132 , and  134  can be powered from one of the power ports  30 ,  32  and  34 , respectively or can be powered from the power bus  80 . The electronic component and design architecture described for the buck boost modules  130 ,  132 , and  134  is substantially similar to that described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 20100134077 entitled POWER MANAGEMENT APPARATUS WITH BUCK BOOST CONVERTER MODULE the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference, herein. 
         [0029]    Each power and communications port described herein is configured to couple with external power devices to transfer power and signals between each external devices and the power and communications port. The term “external power device” as used in this context can refer to other power management devices within the power management system or can refer to any device that provides, consumes, or transports power, wherein exemplary external power devices include tactical radios, global positioning system (“GPS”) devices, night vision goggles, laser range finders, target designators, lights, and laptop or handheld computers, generators, batteries, photovoltaic cells, and fuel cells. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  depicts the buck boost module  132  of the power management device  22  and a buck boost module  228  of the power management device  24  electrically and signally through coupling of the power and communications ports  32  and  36 . Power is routed between the power bus  80  and the power bus  90  through the buck boost module  132  and the buck boost module  228 . Further, signals are routed between the communications bus  82  and the communications bus  92  through the buck boost module  132  and the buck boost module  228 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  depicts a power management system  220  comprising a power management device  222 , a power management device  224 , a power management device  226 , a power management device  228 , and a power management device  230 . Each of the power management devices  220 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230  are substantially similar to the power management devices previously described (for example, power management device  22 ) and allow power transfer and communication therebetween utilizing components as described with reference to power management system  20 . The power management system  220  further comprises a battery  240 , a photovoltaic cell  242 , a fuel cell  248 , a radio transmitter  242 , and a user interface  300 , each coupled to a power and communications ports of the one of the power management devices  220 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230 . The power manager  220  is wearable in it can be securely attached to a user&#39;s body. In one embodiment, the power management system  220  is attached to a user using a shoulder support strap. In other embodiments, the power management system can be attached to or support by other parts of the user. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  depicts the user interface  300  including a display  302  and an input component  310 . The display  302  depicts power transfer levels between each device inputting power to and receiving power from the power from the power management devices  220 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230  of the power management system  200 . The input component  310  allows a user to monitor power levels, select power levels, and select power priority among components of the power management system  220 . In one embodiment, the power management allows a user to prioritize components utilizing hybrid power levels as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0134077 the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Other user interfaces may be utilized to manage the power management system  220 . In one embodiment, a master control interface (not shown) or a laptop computer (not shown) can provide user interface control to the power management system  220 . In one embodiment, the user interface  300  provides high level control, wherein a second user interface can provide enhanced control features. In one embodiment, the user interface  300  comprises a wireless transmitter and can communicate with a wireless receiver of the power management system  220  such that the user interface does not require attachment to communicate with other components of the power management system  220  and to manage power with the power management system  220 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a fuel cell system  400  of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The fuel cell system  400  includes power management devices  410  electrically and signally interconnected through power and signal cables  440 . Each power management device  410  includes a power and communications port  414  configured to receive an external device at any voltage within a predetermined voltage range and power and power and communications ports  412  and  416  configured to interconnect with other power management devices. Each power management device  410  further includes a controller  418 , a voltage converter  420 , signal routing wires  424 ,  426 , and  428 ; and power routing wires  421  and  422 . 
         [0034]    The power management device  410  can provide power and signal connection to an external device through the external device port  414  such that signals from the external device are routed to the controller  418 . The controller  418  can utilize the signal from the power and communications port  414  to command a desired voltage conversion level through the voltage converter  420  to appropriately convert power between a voltage of the external device connected to the power port  414  and that of the power routing wire  422 . In an exemplary embodiment, the voltage of the power routing  422  represents a voltage of a common power bus of the fuel cell system  400 . 
         [0035]    The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate, but do not limit, the claimed invention. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.