Control device and method for varying power supply and load

摘要

A control unit connected to power supplies and loads transitions between states to connect supplies and loads in various configurations. In a first state, for example, the first supply and first load are connected in series, and the second supply and second load are connected in series. In a second state, the first supply and second load are connected in series, and the second supply and first load are connected in series. The control unit transitions between states via a transition state in which all supplies and loads are connected in parallel, avoiding load power disruptions. First and second power supplies can be rechargeable battery packs, and first and second loads can be any devices drawing or generating power. If one load is a motor and the other a generator, one battery can power the motor and the other battery can be charged using the generator.

主权项

1. A system for controlling power supplies and loads, the system including a control unit configured to:
a) interface with:
1) a first power supply and a second power supply,
(i) the first power supply having a pair of first supply positive contacts and a pair of first supply negative contacts, and(ii) the second power supply having a pair of second supply positive contacts and a pair of second supply negative contacts;2) a first load and a second load,
(i) the first load having a first load positive contact and a first load negative contact, and(ii) the second load having a second load positive contact and a second load negative contact; b) transition between first and second states via a transition state, the first and second states being non-transition states, wherein:
1) in the first state, the control unit connects:
(i) the first load positive contact and the first load negative contact with:
(A) one of the pair of first supply positive contacts; and(B) one of the pair of first supply negative contacts; and(ii) the second load positive contact and the second load negative contact with:
(A) one of the pair of second supply positive contacts; and(B) one of the pair of second supply negative contacts;2) in the second state, the control unit connects:
(i) the first load positive contact and the first load negative contact with:
(A) one of the pair of second supply positive contacts; and(B) one of the pair of second supply negative contacts; and(ii) the second load positive contact and the second load negative contact with:
(A) one of the pair of first supply positive contacts; and(B) one of the pair of first supply negative contacts; and3) in the transition state, the control unit connects:
(i) the first load positive contact and the first load negative contact with:
(A) one of the pair of first supply positive contacts and one of the pair of first supply negative contacts; and(B) one of the pair of second supply positive contacts and one of the pair of second supply negative contacts; and(ii) the second load positive contact and the second load negative contact with:
(A) one of the pair of first supply positive contacts and one of the pair of first supply negative contacts; and(B) one of the pair of second supply positive contacts and one of the pair of second supply negative contacts.