Systems and methods for delivering power in response to a connection event

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source. An electrical system for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source comprises an interface configured to be coupled to the second energy source, a switching element coupled between the first energy source and the interface, and a processing system coupled to the switching element and the interface. The processing system is configured to identify a connection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the second energy source and operate the switching element to provide a path for current from the first energy source in response to identifying the connection event.

1 . An electrical system for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source, the electrical system comprising:
 an interface configured to be coupled to the second energy source;   a switching element coupled between the first energy source and the interface; and   a processing system coupled to the switching element and the interface, wherein the processing system is configured to:
 identify a connection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the second energy source; and 
 in response to identifying the connection event, operate the switching element to provide a path for current from the first energy source. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electrical system of  claim 1 , the interface comprising a shielded cable including a shield, wherein the processing system is configured to identify the connection event based on a voltage of the shield. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical system of  claim 1 , the interface comprising a shielded cable including a shield, wherein the processing system is configured to identify the connection event based on a capacitance of the shield. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is configured to:
 identify a disconnection event, the disconnection event being indicative of the interface being decoupled from the second energy source; and   operate the switching element to remove the path for current from the first energy source in response to the disconnection event.   
     
     
         5 . The electrical system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power conversion module coupled between the switching element and the interface, the power conversion module being configured to deliver power from the first energy source to the second energy source via the interface when the switching element provides the path for current from the first energy source. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical system of  claim 5 , wherein the processing system is configured to:
 identify a disconnection event, the disconnection event being indicative of the second energy source no longer requiring power from the first energy source; and   in response to identifying the disconnection event, operate the switching element to prevent current from the first energy source to the power conversion module.   
     
     
         7 . The electrical system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a third energy source, the third energy source being coupled to the processing system when the switching element prevents current from the first energy source; and   battery management circuitry coupled between an output of the power conversion module and the third energy source, wherein the processing system is configured to:
 operate the switching element provide a path for current from the first energy source when a state of charge of the third energy source is less than or equal to a first threshold, wherein the battery management circuitry is configured to charge the third energy source from the output of the power conversion module; and 
 operate the switching element to prevent current from the first energy source to the power conversion module when the state of charge of the third energy source is greater than or equal to a second threshold. 
   
     
     
         8 . A system for delivering power from a first energy source to a device, the system comprising:
 a first interface, the first interface being configured to be coupled to the first energy source;   a second interface, the second interface being configured to be coupled to the device;   a switching element coupled between the first interface and the second interface, the switching element being configured to control flow of current from the first interface; and   a power management system coupled to the second interface and the switching element, the power management system being configured to close the switching element in response to the second interface being coupled to the device, wherein closing the switching element results in a path for current from the first interface.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a power conversion module coupled between the switching element and the second interface, the power conversion module being configured to deliver power from the first energy source to the device via the second interface when the switching element is closed, wherein in response to the second interface being decoupled from the device, the power management system is configured to open the switching element to inhibit current flow from the first energy source. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the device includes a second energy source; and   the second interface comprises:
 a connection arrangement; and 
 a sensing arrangement, the sensing arrangement being integral with the connection arrangement and coupled to the power management system, wherein the power management system is configured to:
 detect a first condition of the sensing arrangement, the first condition being indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device; and 
 close the switching element in response to the first condition, wherein the connection arrangement is configured to be coupled between the switching element and the second energy source when the second interface is coupled to the device and the switching element is closed. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the power management system is configured to:
 detect a second condition of the second interface that is indicative of the second interface being decoupled from the device; and   open the switching element in response to the second condition such that the switching element prevents flow of current from the first energy source.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the device includes a second energy source; and   the second interface comprises:
 an inner conductive core; 
 an insulator coaxial to and circumscribing the inner conductive core; and 
 a conductor coaxial to and circumscribing the insulator, wherein the power management system is coupled to the conductor and configured to:
 detect a characteristic of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device; and 
 close the switching element in response to detecting the characteristic of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device, wherein the inner conductive core is coupled between the switching element and the second energy source when the second interface is coupled to the device. 
 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the power management system is configured to:
 detect a voltage of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device; and   close the switching element in response to the voltage of the conductor that is indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the power management system is configured to:
 apply an input electrical signal to the conductor, resulting in a response signal on the conductor;   determine a capacitance of the conductor based on the response signal; and   close the switching element in response to the capacitance of the conductor being indicative of the second interface being coupled to the device.   
     
     
         15 . A method for delivering power to a target energy source from a supply energy source using an interface configured to be coupled to the target energy source, the interface comprising a connection arrangement and a sensing arrangement integral with the connection arrangement, the method comprising:
 detecting a connection event based on an electrical characteristic of the sensing arrangement, the connection event being indicative of the interface being coupled to the target energy source; and   establishing a path for current from the supply energy source in response to the connection event, wherein the supply energy source delivers power to the target energy source via the connection arrangement when the path for current from the supply energy source is established.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the connection arrangement comprises a first conductor;   the sensing arrangement comprises a second conductor coaxial to the first conductor; and   detecting the connection event comprises detecting a capacitance of the second conductor that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the target energy source.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the connection arrangement comprises a first conductor;   the sensing arrangement comprises a second conductor coaxial to the first conductor; and   detecting the connection event comprises detecting a voltage of the second conductor that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the target energy source.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 a switching element is coupled between the supply energy source and the interface, the switching element being configured to prevent current from the supply energy source in an open state; and   establishing the path for current comprises closing the switching element in response to the connection event, wherein the switching element provides the path for current from the supply energy source in a closed state.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 detecting a disconnection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface, the disconnection event being indicative of the target energy source no longer requiring delivery of power from the supply energy source; and   opening the switching element in response to the disconnection event.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 detecting a disconnection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface, the disconnection event being indicative of the target energy source no longer requiring delivery of power from the supply energy source; and   preventing current from the supply energy source in response to the disconnection event.