Network Power Management System

Abstract

A vertical-mount network remote power management outlet strip embodiment of the present invention comprises a long, thin outlet strip body with several independently controllable power outlet sockets distributed along its length. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies AC-operating power to relays associated with each of the power outlet sockets. The relays are each addressably controlled by a microprocessor connected to an internal I2C-bus serial communications channel. The power-on status of each relay output to the power outlet sockets is sensed and communicated back on the internal I2C-bus. A device-networking communications processor with an embedded operating system translates messages, status, and controls between the internal I2C-bus and an Ethernet port, and other external networks.

1 . A remotely manageable power distribution unit of the type useable to remotely control power provided to external electrical loads from a remote power manager location distal from the external electrical loads, the remotely manageable power distribution unit configured to be vertically mounted in a vertical electrical equipment rack and comprising in combination:
 A. a power distribution unit housing comprising a long, thin, vertical enclosure configured to be mounted in a vertical orientation in a back portion of the electrical equipment rack;   B. at least one power input disposed in the power distribution unit housing;   C. a plurality of power outputs disposed in the power distribution unit housing, each said power output being connectable to an electrical load external to the power distribution unit housing;   D. a communications bus disposed in the power distribution unit housing;   E. two or more power sections disposed in a longitudinal relationship in the power distribution unit housing, each in communication with the communications bus and controllably connected to at least one power output among the plurality of power outputs;   F. a network communications section (i) having a network interface application system, (ii) being disposed in the power distribution unit housing in communication with the communications bus and therethrough the power sections, and (iii) being communicatingly connectable to a communications network external of the remotely manageable power distribution unit.   
     
     
         2 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  wherein the network communications section comprises a network communications module is removably disposed in the power distribution unit housing in communication with the communications bus. 
     
     
         3 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  also having:
 G. a digital power information display disposed in on the power distribution unit in power information determining communication with at least one among the plurality of power outputs. 
 
     
     
         4 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  also having:
 G. a power output power-on sequencing system associated with the remotely manageable power distribution unit. 
 
     
     
         5 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  also having at least one additional power input disposed in the power distribution unit housing and wherein the power distribution unit housing is removably mountable in the equipment rack. 
     
     
         6 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  wherein the network interface application system supports transfer-control-protocol/internet-protocol data communications and includes web browser interface application. 
     
     
         7 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  wherein the network communications module is communicatingly connectable to at least an additional communications module in a separate remotely manageable power distribution unit. 
     
     
         8 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  also having a master-slave compatible communications port and wherein the network communications module comprises a master power distribution unit system or a slave power distribution unit system. 
     
     
         9 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  also having a master-slave compatible communications port and wherein the network communications module comprises a master power distribution unit system or plural slave power distribution unit system and wherein the power distribution unit housing is removably mountable in the equipment rack. 
     
     
         10 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1  wherein (i) the power distribution unit housing is removably mountable in an electrical equipment rack and (ii) the remotely manageable power distribution unit also comprises:
 G. a power information display disposed in the power distribution unit in power information determining communication through the communications bus with at least one among the plurality of power outputs. 
 
     
     
         11 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein the communication bus comprises a serial communications bus. 
     
     
         12 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein the communication bus comprises an I2C bus. 
     
     
         13 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein each power section comprises an electronic controller in communication with the communications bus. 
     
     
         14 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical equipment rack is a RETMA rack. 
     
     
         15 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical equipment rack is a RETMA rack and the power distribution unit housing is mountable in a rear portion of the RETMA rack, the rear portion comprising a space not occupied by appliances in the rack. 
     
     
         16 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein the network interface application system includes an HTML interface. 
     
     
         17 . The remotely manageable power distribution unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a digital power information display disposed in on the power distribution unit in measured current value information transfer communication with at least one among the power input and plurality of power outputs.