Multimode Distribution Systems and Methods for Providing Power From Power Sources to Power Consuming Devices

Abstract

Multimode distribution systems and methods are described. A multimode distribution system includes a first source interface for coupling to a first power source, a second source interface for coupling to a second power source, and a first selection device to be coupled via a first connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide main power to one or more power consumption devices. The multimode distribution system includes a second selection device to be coupled via a second connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide main power to one or more additional power consumption devices. The second selection device is to be coupled via the second connection matrix and the second source interface with the second power source to provide alternative power to the additional power consumption devices.

1 . A system for distributing power to a plurality of power sources, comprising:
 a first power source configured to generate power;   a second power source configured to generate power;   a first selection device;   a first connection matrix that couples the first selection device to the first power source;   a second selection device;   a second connection matrix configured to couple the second selection device to the second power source,   wherein the first connection matrix is configured to couple the first power source to a first power consumption device via the first selection device and cannot be configured to couple the second power source to the first power consumption device,   wherein the second connection matrix is configured to couple the first power source to a second power consumption device via the second selection device and is configured to couple the second power source to the second power consumption device via the second selection device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first power source and the second power source is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a main power supply, a utility power supply, or a generator. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first selection device and the second selection device is a multiplexer. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection matrix includes a set of connection lines coupled to the first and second power sources and includes a connection line coupled to the first selection device, wherein the connection line coupled to the first selection device is coupled to one of the connection lines of the set for transferring the power generated by the first power source to the first power consumption device, wherein the first connection matrix lacks a connection line coupling the second power source to the first selection device for not allowing a transfer of the power generated by the second power source to the first power consumption device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second connection matrix includes a set of connection lines coupled to the first and second power sources, a first connection line coupled to the second selection device, and a second connection line coupled to the second selection device, wherein the first connection line is coupled to one of the connection lines of the set for transferring the power generated by the first power source to the second power consumption device, wherein the second connection line is coupled to another one of the connection lines of the set for transferring the power generated by the second power source to the second power consumption device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second connection matrix is configured to couple the second power source to the second power consumption device at a time the first power source is not coupled to the second power consumption device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bypass connection line configured to be coupled to the first and second power consumption devices, wherein the bypass connection is connected to a bypass power source, wherein the first selection device is decoupled from the first power consumption device for coupling the bypass power source via the bypass connection line to the first power consumption device, wherein the second selection device is decoupled from the second power consumption device for coupling the bypass power source via the bypass connection line to the second power consumption device.   
     
     
         8 . A method for distributing power to a plurality of power sources, comprising:
 generating power from a first power source;   generating power from a second power source;   transferring the power generated by the first power source via a first connection matrix and a first selection device to a first power consumption device;   preventing a transfer of the power generated by the second power source via the first connection matrix to the first power consumption device; and   transferring the power generated by the first power source via a second connection matrix and a second selection device to a second power consumption device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first power source and the second power source is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a main power supply, a utility power supply, or a generator. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising multiplexing between the transfer of the power from the first power source via the second connection matrix and the second selection device to the second power consumption device and a transfer of the power from the second power source via the second connection matrix and the second selection device to the second power consumption device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein transferring the power generated by the first power source via the first connection matrix and the first selection device to the first power consumption device comprises:
 transferring the power generated by the first power source via a connection line coupled to the first power source to a connection point within the first connection matrix;   transferring the power from the connection point to a connection line coupled to the first selection device; and   transferring the power from the connection line coupled to the first selection device via the first selection device to the first power consumption device, wherein the first connection matrix lacks a connection line coupling the second power source to the first selection device for not allowing a transfer of the power generated by the second power source to the first power consumption device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein transferring the power generated by the first power source via the second connection matrix and the second selection device to the second power consumption device comprises:
 transferring the power generated by the first power source via a connection line coupled to the first power source to a connection point within the second connection matrix;   transferring the power from the connection point to a connection line coupled to the second selection device; and   transferring the power from the connection line coupled to the second selection device via the second selection device to the second power consumption device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising transferring the power generated by the second power source via the second connection matrix and the second selection device to the second power consumption device at a time the power generated by the first power source is not being transferred via the second connection matrix and the second selection device to the second power consumption device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said transferring the power generated by the second power source via the second connection matrix and the second selection device to the second power consumption device comprises:
 transferring the power generated by the second power source via a connection line coupled to the second power source to a connection point within the second connection matrix;   transferring the power from the connection point to a connection line coupled to the second selection device; and   transferring the power from the connection line coupled to the second selection device via the second selection device to the second power consumption device.   
     
     
         15 . A system for distributing power to a plurality of power sources, comprising:
 a first power source configured to generate power;   a first source interface coupled to the first power source;   a second power source configured to generate power;   a second source interface coupled to the second power source;   a first selection device;   a first connection matrix that couples the first selection device to the first source interface;   a second selection device;   a second connection matrix configured to couple the second selection device to the second source interface,   wherein the first connection matrix is configured to couple the first source interface to a first power consumption device and cannot be configured to couple the second source interface to the first power consumption device,   wherein the second connection matrix is configured to couple the first source interface and the second source interface to a second power consumption device.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first power source and the second power source is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a main power supply, a utility power supply, or a generator. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first selection device and the second selection device is a multiplexer. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first connection matrix includes a set of connection lines coupled to the first and second source interfaces, and a connection line coupled to the first selection device, wherein the connection line coupled to the first selection device is coupled to one of the connection lines of the set for transferring the power from the first source interface to the first power consumption device, wherein the first connection matrix lacks a connection line coupling the second source interface to the first selection device for not allowing a transfer of the power from the second source interface to the first power consumption device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second connection matrix includes a set of connection lines coupled to the first and second source interfaces, a first connection line coupled to the first selection device, and a second connection line coupled to the second selection device, wherein the first connection line is coupled to one of the connection lines of the set for transferring the power from the first source interface to the second power consumption device, wherein the second connection line is coupled to another one of the connection lines of the set for transferring the power from the second source interface to the second power consumption device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second connection matrix is configured to couple the second source interface to the second power consumption device at a time the first source interface is not coupled to the second power consumption device.