Method and power distribution system for generating electrical power
A method and apparatus for generating electrical power, including providing a generator configured to generate a first voltage, providing a voltage converter configured to operably down-convert the first voltage output to a second voltage output to provide a first amount of power to a set of electrical loads, and changing a power demand for at least a subset of the set of electrical loads, wherein the changed power demand increases the power demanded. To meet the increased power demand, the voltage converter is controlled to operably down-convert the first voltage output to the second voltage output to provide a second amount of power to the set of electrical loads. The second amount of power is greater than the first amount of power. The power-generating capabilities of the generator are not modified between providing the first amount of power and providing the second amount of power.
1. A power distribution system, comprising:
a generator configured to generate electrical power at a generator power output;
a set of electrical loads;
a DC to DC converter having an input coupled with the generator power output and a converted power output coupled with the set of electrical loads; and
a converter control module configured to:
operably control the DC to DC converter to convert power from the generator power output to meet a first power demanded by the power distribution system to energize a first subset of the set of electrical loads; and
in response to at least one of replacing a subset of the set of electrical loads or adding an additional subset of the set of electrical loads, the replacing or adding defining a second subset of the set of electrical loads having a second power demanded by the power distribution system, operably control the DC to DC converter to convert power from the generator power output to meet the second power demanded by the power distribution system to energize the second subset of the set of electrical loads;
wherein the second power demanded is greater than the first power demanded, and wherein the generator configuration is unchanged between the first power demanded and the second power demanded.
2. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the generator is further configured to generate electrical power at a first DC voltage, wherein the set of electrical loads are configured to consume electrical power at a second DC voltage, and where the first DC voltage is greater than the second DC voltage.
3. The power distribution system of claim 2 , wherein a ratio of the first DC voltage to the second DC voltage is greater than or equal to 1.3.
4. The power distribution system of claim 2 , wherein a ratio of the first DC voltage to the second DC voltage is greater than or equal to 2.
5. The power distribution system of claim 2 , wherein the generator includes a rectifier to rectify alternating current (AC) power to the first DC voltage.
6. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of replacing a subset of the set of electrical loads or adding an additional subset of electrical loads occurs when the power distribution system is not operating.
7. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of replacing a subset of the set of electrical loads or adding an additional subset of electrical loads occurs during operation of the power distribution system as subsets of the electrical loads are selectively energized or deenergized.
8. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the DC to DC converter is configured to operably down-convert the generator power output to the converted power output.