Adaptable modular power system (AMPS) and dedicated connector; modular payload boxes and autonomous water vehicle configured to accept same
An adaptable modular power system (AMPS) is hierarchical in a number of ways. AMPS modules connect to a backplane, and one or multiple AMPS backplanes can form an AMPS domain. At the same time, the vehicle electronics is modular, with various payload boxes needing to communicate with each other. A common power and signaling cable is provided to interconnect payload boxes. A dedicated connector system is also provided so that AMPS modules may communicate, control, receive data, and supply and receive power.
1. A power system for an autonomous water vehicle, the system comprising:
a three-line power bus having a producer voltage line, a consumer voltage line, and a ground line;
a plurality of modules, referred to as AMPS modules, each AMPS module being coupled to the power bus, wherein:
the plurality of AMPS modules are distributed over a plurality of spatially separated power domains;
the power bus spans the plurality of power domains;
at least one power domain includes an AMPS module that is a consumer module having circuitry for coupling an electrical load to the consumer voltage line;
at least one power domain includes an AMPS module that is a producer module having circuitry for coupling an electrical power source to the producer voltage line; and
each power domain includes an AMPS module that is a bridge module having circuitry for:
coupling to the producer and consumer voltage lines;
coupling the power bus in that power domain to a different power domain;
providing signaling with the different power domain; and
limiting outbound current on corresponding producer and consumer voltage output lines.
2. A power system for an autonomous water vehicle, the system comprising:
a three-line power bus having a producer voltage line, a consumer voltage line, and a ground line;
a plurality of modules, referred to as AMPS modules, each AMPS module being coupled to the power bus, the AMPS modules including at least one module that is:
a consumer module having circuitry for coupling an electrical load to the consumer voltage line; or
a producer module having circuitry for coupling an electrical power source to the producer voltage line.
3. A power system for an autonomous water vehicle, the system comprising:
a three-line power bus having a producer voltage line, a consumer voltage line, and a ground line; and
a plurality of modules, referred to as AMPS modules, each AMPS module being coupled to the power bus, the AMPS modules including at least one consumer module having circuitry for coupling an electrical load to the consumer voltage line.
4. A power system for an autonomous water vehicle, the system comprising:
a three-line power bus having a producer voltage line, a consumer voltage line, and a ground line; and
a plurality of modules, referred to as AMPS modules, each AMPS module being coupled to the power bus, the AMPS modules including at least one producer module having circuitry for coupling electrical power source to the producer voltage line.
5. A power system for an autonomous water vehicle, the system comprising:
a three-line power bus having a producer voltage line, a consumer voltage line, and a ground line; and
a plurality of modules, referred to as AMPS modules, each AMPS module being coupled to the power bus, the AMPS modules including at least one bridge module having circuitry for coupling to the producer and consumer voltage lines and for limiting outbound current on corresponding producer and consumer voltage output lines.
6. The power system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the AMPS modules is a battery charge controller module that has circuitry for:
coupling to the producer voltage line to charge a battery; and
coupling to the consumer voltage line to or a voltage of the battery onto the consumer voltage line.
7. The power system of claim 1 , and further comprising a backplane carrying the power bus and including a plurality of connectors, wherein:
the plurality of connectors are arranged on a grid;
the AMPS modules are coupled to the power bus by engagement with the connectors on the backplane; and the AMPS modules are implemented on circuit boards having sizes compatible with the grid spacing.
8. The power system of claim 1 , and further comprising a passive backplane carrying the power bus wherein:
complex electronic circuits are implemented on the AMPS modules; and high-power paths for the power bus are implemented on the backplane.
9. The power system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of AMPS modules further includes battery control modules.
10. The power system of claim 1 wherein each power domain has a distinct backplane.
11. The power system of claim 1 wherein the AMPS modules include a power domain controller for each power domain.
12. The power system of claim 2 wherein:
the AMPS modules are distributed over a number of power domains; and
each power domain includes a bridge module for coupling the power bus in that power domain to a different power domain, the bridge module also providing signaling with the different power domain.
13. The power system of claim 1 wherein:
a first power domain is located on a hull of the autonomous water vehicle; and
a second power domain is located on a structure below the water and coupled to the first power domain via an underwater cable.
14. The power system of claim 1 , in combination with an electrical load, an electrical power source, or an energy storage device.
15. The power system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the AMPS modules is a battery charge controller module that has circuitry for:
coupling to the producer voltage line to charge a battery; and
coupling to the consumer voltage line to or a voltage of the battery onto the consumer voltage line.
16. The power system of claim 2 , and further comprising a backplane carrying the power bus and including a plurality of connectors, wherein:
the plurality of connectors are arranged on a grid;
the AMPS modules are coupled to the power bus by engagement with the connectors on the backplane; and
the AMPS modules are implemented on circuit boards having sizes compatible with the grid spacing.
17. The power system of claim 2 , and further comprising a passive backplane carrying the power bus wherein:
complex electronic circuits are implemented on the AMPS modules; and
high-power paths for the power bus are implemented on the backplane.
18. The power system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of AMPS modules further includes battery control modules.
19. The power system of claim 2 wherein the power system includes multiple power domains with each power domain having a distinct backplane.
20. The power system of claim 2 wherein:
the power system includes multiple power domains;
a first power domain is located on a hull of the autonomous water vehicle; and
a second power domain is located on a structure below the water and coupled to the first power domain via an underwater cable.