Power distribution unit and method of distributing high density power

Abstract

A power distribution unit includes a first solid state power module comprising a first plurality of solid state power controllers, where the first solid state power module comprises a first set of power characteristics. Also included is a second solid state power module comprising a second plurality of solid state power controllers. The second solid state power module comprises a second set of power characteristics. Also, the first solid state power module and the second solid state power module are interchangeably coupled to a first location of a common chassis.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A power distribution unit comprising:
 a first solid state power module comprising a first plurality of solid state power controllers, wherein the first solid state power module comprises a first set of power characteristics; 
 a second solid state power module comprising a second plurality of solid state power controllers, wherein the second solid state power module comprises a second set of power characteristics, wherein the first solid state power module and the second solid state power module are interchangeably coupled to a first location of a common chassis; 
 a first side and a second side of the each of the solid state power modules, the first side having at least one first side mounting component, the second side having at least one second side mounting component, wherein the first and second plurality of solid state power controllers are configured to mount to the first side and the second side of the solid state power modules; 
 a plurality of common chassis locations, wherein a plurality of interchangeable solid state power modules are interchangeably coupled to the plurality of common chassis locations; and 
 a plurality of remote data concentration modules and a plurality of remote power control modules, wherein the control interface is configured to control the plurality of remote data concentration modules and the plurality of remote power control modules. 
 
     
     
       2. The power distribution unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a control interface in operable communication with the power distribution unit, wherein the control interface is configured to control the first solid state power module and the second solid state power module. 
     
     
       3. The power distribution unit of  claim 2 , wherein the control interface is configured to control the plurality of remote data concentration modules and the plurality of remote power control modules. 
     
     
       4. The power distribution unit of  claim 1 , wherein the solid state power module comprises a common backplane. 
     
     
       5. A method of distributing high density power comprising:
 packaging a first plurality of solid state power controllers to form a first solid state power module, wherein the first solid state power module comprises a first set of power characteristics, wherein the first solid state power controllers are configured to be mounted to a first side of the first solid state power module and a second side of the first solid state power module; 
 packaging a second plurality of solid state power controllers to form a second solid state power module, wherein the second solid state power module comprises a second set of power characteristics, wherein the second solid state power controllers are configured to be mounted to a first side of the second solid state power module and a second side of the second solid state power module; 
 selectively placing the first solid state power module and the second solid state power module within respective positions of a plurality of positions of a chassis, wherein the first solid state power module and the second solid state power module are interchangeably mounted to the plurality of positions of the chassis; 
 controlling one of the first solid state power module and the second solid state power module with a control interface; 
 interchangeably mounting the first solid state power controllers and the second solid state power controllers to the first solid state power module and the second solid state power module to provide reconfigurable power characteristics of the solids state power modules; 
 integrating at least one remote data module and at least one remote power control module; and 
 controlling the at least one remote data module and the at least one remote power control module with the control interface. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising selectively packaging a plurality of solid state power modules to form a solid state power module family, wherein the solid state power module family comprises a plurality of alternative configurations. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising controlling the power block with the control interface.