Electrical power distribution system and method for distributing electrical power

Abstract

An electrical power distribution system has a current converter module with a current converter designed to convert an alternating voltage of an alternating voltage source into a direct voltage and to provide a direct voltage power with a settable power maximum to electrical output interfaces of the current converter module up to a module power maximum. The power distribution system further comprises a power configuration management device coupled with the current converter and designed to negotiate individual power configurations with consumers connected to respective ones of the electrical output interfaces, the current converter providing electrical power for the consumers via the electrical output interfaces according to the power configurations up to the negotiated power maximums, the power configurations being stored in a power configuration memory of the power configuration management device. The power configuration management device is configured to detect an instantaneous actual power input of the connected power consumers with the already existing individually negotiated power configurations, to calculate for each individually negotiated power configuration a power reserve value of the current converter as a difference of the negotiated power maximum and the instantaneous actual power input, to negotiate a new power configuration with one or more of the consumers whose power reserve value is above a settable reserve threshold when the sum of the negotiated power maximums exceeds the module power maximum, the new power configuration having a power maximum which is smaller than the negotiated power maximums.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical power distribution system having dynamically controllable connection ports for different power consumers, and a method for distributing electrical power to power consumers according to a dynamically controllable power configuration, particularly for use in civil aerospace applications. Background Technology

[0002] Personal electronic devices (PEDs) are now ubiquitous. Normally, these PEDs are carried by the user during travel, even on airplanes. For passenger convenience, it is desirable to provide passengers with the possibility of charging the PED's power storage or keeping the PED plugged in while on board. Airlines generally provide charging options for PEDs (such as laptops, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, etc.), with either a USB port or a power outlet located at each passenger's seat.

[0003] For local power supply of electrical appliances on the aircraft (both fixed and mobile devices, such as PEDs), a power distribution system with power converters installed locally is used, and multiple electrical appliances with different power requirements can be connected to these power converters.

[0004] The efficiency of such power distribution systems depends primarily on the maximum power that can be supplied simultaneously. The higher this maximum power, the greater the weight and cost of the power distribution system. Therefore, a balance must be struck between efficiency and weight and cost, especially in aviation.

[0005] Power distribution systems for seating groups in passenger aircraft should be able to supply electrical power equally to all passengers in the seating group, for example, for plug-in operation of PEDs and / or charging of energy storage devices. Currently, the maximum power input in conventional charging standards such as USB-PD (“Universal Serial Bus Power Transfer”) is, for example, a maximum of 100 watts.

[0006] Electrical devices such as those in the PED (Power Controller Area Equipment) or other fixed electrical equipment in the aircraft cabin typically have power requirements that vary over time. The more electrical devices that supply power to each other independently, the less likely it is that all devices will unexpectedly have maximum power requirements at the same time.

[0007] However, it should also be ensured that a minimum amount of electrical power can be supplied to each passenger whose PED is connected to the power distribution system in the seating group, and that the power required for operation can be provided at any time for equipment fixed in the seating group (such as seat back displays, other electronic components such as seat actuators, sensors, lighting, AC voltage outputs or other entertainment accessories).

[0008] Documents US 2013 / 0297089 A1, EP 2 514 062B1, US 2004 / 0057177 A1, DE 10 2006028 823A1, DE 196 17 915A1 and US 9,914,548 B1 disclose different schemes for dynamically supplying power to appliances connected to a power distribution system. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of this invention is to find an improved solution for implementing a power distribution system, particularly on passenger aircraft, in which the maximum available power can be utilized efficiently.

[0010] This and other objectives are achieved by a power distribution system having the features of claim 1 and a distribution method having the features of claim 8 for distributing electrical power to power-consuming devices.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, a power distribution system includes a plurality of electrical output interfaces designed to provide DC voltage power having a settable maximum power value to a current converter module up to the module's maximum power value. The power distribution system further includes a power configuration management device coupled to the current converter, the power configuration management device being designed to negotiate individual power configurations with power consumers connected to corresponding electrical output interfaces of the plurality of electrical output interfaces, the current converter providing electrical power to the power consumers via the electrical output interfaces according to the power configurations up to the negotiated maximum power value, and the power configurations being stored in a power configuration memory of the power configuration management device. The power configuration management device is configured to: detect the instantaneous actual power input of the connected power supply for which a individually negotiated power configuration already exists; calculate the power reserve value of the current converter for each individually negotiated power configuration as the difference between the negotiated maximum power value and the instantaneous actual power input; and, when the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​exceeds the module's maximum power value, negotiate a new power configuration with one or more power consumers whose power reserve values ​​are higher than a set reserve threshold, the new power configuration having a maximum power value less than the negotiated maximum power value.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for allocating electrical power to a power consumption device (e.g., a PED) connected to a power distribution system in a passenger aircraft includes the steps of: connecting the power consumption device to a corresponding electrical output interface of a plurality of electrical output interfaces of a current converter module having a current converter in the power distribution system; and negotiating a separate power configuration between a power configuration management device and the power consumption device, wherein the current converter provides electrical power to the power consumption device via the electrical output interface according to the power configuration up to the negotiated maximum power value. The method further includes the following steps: detecting the instantaneous actual power input of connected power consumers that already have individually negotiated power configurations; comparing the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​with the module maximum power value, which corresponds to the maximum DC voltage power, which can be provided to the plurality of electrical output interfaces by the current converter of the current converter module; for each individually negotiated power configuration, calculating the power reserve value of the current converter as the difference between the negotiated maximum power value and the instantaneous actual power input; when the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​exceeds the module maximum power value, renegotiating the power configuration between the power configuration management device and those power consumers whose calculated power reserve values ​​are higher than a set reserve threshold, the power configuration having a maximum power value lower than the previously negotiated maximum power value.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the invention, an aircraft, particularly a passenger aircraft, includes at least one electrical power distribution system according to a first aspect of the invention. In some embodiments, the aircraft may also have a voltage source, such as an AC voltage source, that feeds voltage to the at least one electrical power distribution system. The power distribution system may be assigned to one of the seat groups in a passenger aircraft having multiple seat groups.

[0014] One of the key concepts of this invention is that, in principle, each power consumer connected to the power distribution system can request its own individual power configuration, meaning there are no system-side power configuration restrictions across power consumers. Furthermore, granular power demand planning can be achieved through tiered power configuration limits. However, it is also guaranteed that even newly added power consumers can be assigned a power configuration with a guaranteed minimum power allocation value by reallocating already assigned power configurations according to fixed rules. This also creates a power reserve value for situations where the renegotiated power configurations for theoretically accessible new connections exceed the maximum power that the power distribution system can provide.

[0015] A particular advantage of the solution of the present invention arises from the fact that those power consumers that make minimal use of the power configuration specified at the beginning can be used individually to release the power reserve value without affecting the power input of those power consumers that actually utilize the power configuration they requested.

[0016] In addition, the solution of the present invention takes into account the actual instantaneous power demand or the actual instantaneous power reserve value in the way that, instead of estimating the negotiated and allocated theoretical power configuration parameters, it estimates the actual power value measured when allocating and re-allocating the new power consumption to be added.

[0017] Advantageous design options and improvements are derived from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] According to several embodiments of the power distribution system, the plurality of electrical output interfaces of the current converter module include a USB interface. In several embodiments, the power configuration management device negotiates the power configuration according to the USB Power Transfer Specification and / or the USB Battery Charging Specification. The USB (“Universal Serial Bus”) serial bus system provides an interface primarily configured for fast and simple data exchange between electronic devices. Various USB versions such as USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, and 4.0 can power connected devices via USB cable connections. The USB specification also implements a charging connection (“Dedicated Charging Port”, DCP), by means of which a USB-enabled electronic device with a charging regulator and a battery can draw current from the electrical energy connected to the charging connection to charge the battery. Various USB standards, such as the “Battery Charging Specification” (USB-BC) or the “Power Transfer Specification” (USB-PD), regulate the maximum allowable current, charging voltage, and charging mode. Many PEDs (Power Distribution Devices) favorablely meet the USB standard in terms of plug-in operation and charging capabilities, making power distribution systems with such interfaces particularly well-suited for granular power demand planning across a range of tiered power configuration limits.

[0019] According to several embodiments of the power distribution system, the power configuration management device can also be designed to calculate the instantaneous actual power input of connected power consumers by acquiring a moving average of the power input of the connected power consumers. It is during charging operation that power consumers such as PEDs extract charging power from the power distribution system, which typically remains constant or changes very little over time and also does not experience abrupt changes. Acquiring moving averages (MA), especially by means of linearly weighted moving averages (LWMA), allows for relatively reliable prediction of current and pre-diagnostic power retention ratios. The power distribution system can also temporarily operate beyond its maximum power limit, allowing reliable prediction of overall power demand to advantageously provide an uninterrupted power supply to all connected power consumers, while in the event of a anticipated or actual power bottleneck, the temporary overload operation of the power distribution system can be used to resolve the bottleneck as quickly as possible by renegotiating a matched power configuration.

[0020] According to several embodiments of the power distribution system, the power configuration management device can also be designed to: negotiate a new power configuration with one or more of the power consumers when the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​is lower than the module's maximum power value by more than a module reservation threshold. At a point in time when some connected power consumers have requested a power configuration with a defined maximum power value from the power configuration management device, due to the currently dominant power reservation status at that point in time, the connected power consumers are only allowed a power configuration with a lower maximum power value.

[0021] In several embodiments, whenever a power consumer connected to a corresponding power output interface among the plurality of power output interfaces is unplugged from that interface, the power configuration management device can negotiate a new power configuration with a maximum power value higher than the negotiated maximum power value. Unplugging the power consumer in particular releases a power reserve value, which can help alleviate the burden of power reserve conditions at a later time. The power configuration management device can then retroactively assign the finally requested power configuration to power consumers that were initially only allowed to obtain a power configuration lower than the finally requested power configuration.

[0022] According to several other embodiments of the power distribution system, the power distribution system also includes a temperature control device that can be connected before the at least one current converter module and is designed to adapt the maximum module power of the at least one current converter module to the temperature of the power distribution system.

[0023] According to several embodiments of the matching method, the plurality of electrical output interfaces of the current converter module can be USB interfaces. Here, in several embodiments of the matching method, the step of negotiating power configuration is performed according to the USB Power Delivery Specification and / or the USB Battery Charging Specification.

[0024] According to several other embodiments of the allocation method, whenever a power consumer connected to a corresponding power output interface among the plurality of power output interfaces is unplugged from the output interface, a power configuration renegotiation can be performed, wherein the power configuration has a maximum power value higher than the negotiated maximum power value.

[0025] The above-described designs and improvements can be combined with each other arbitrarily where meaningful. Other feasible designs, improvements, and implementations of the invention include combinations of features not explicitly mentioned in the preceding or subsequent descriptions of the invention with reference to embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the corresponding basic forms of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The invention will now be explained in detail with the aid of embodiments shown in the illustrative drawings. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram illustrating the construction of a power distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0028] Figure 2 Example of using according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a distribution method for allocating electrical power to power-consuming appliances in the power distribution system shown; and

[0029] Figure 3 An aircraft with a power distribution system according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] The accompanying drawings should provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention in relation to the specification. Many other embodiments and advantages described above will be apparent from viewing the drawings. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to each other. Terms given regarding orientation, such as “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “above,” “below,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “before,” “after,” and similar terms, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the generality to the specific configurations shown in the drawings.

[0031] In the accompanying drawings, identical, functionally identical, and operationally identical elements, features, and components are correspondingly given the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified. Detailed Implementation

[0032] In the context of this invention, Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) include all electronic devices that can be used for entertainment, communication, and / or office purposes. For example, PEDs can include all types of terminal devices such as laptops, mobile phones, smartphones, handheld devices, PDAs, tablet PCs, GPS devices, navigation devices, audio devices such as MP3 players, portable DVDs, or... A media player or a digital camera.

[0033] In the context of this invention, vehicle seats can include any form of structural component determined to accommodate passengers during the duration of the vehicle's operation. Vehicle seats in an aircraft can, in particular, be used individually and at least temporarily by passengers of the aircraft during flight. In the context of this invention, a seat or vehicle seat can be an aircraft seat divided into groups, but can also be a recliner, armchair, bed, first-class or business-class suite, or similar seating furniture within the aircraft interior.

[0034] In the context of this invention, a current converter is any circuit or device that can be used to convert an input current type (direct current or alternating current) to another corresponding current type, or to change characteristic parameters (such as voltage and frequency) of the input current type. A current converter may include: a rectifier for converting alternating current to direct current; an inverter for converting direct current to alternating current; a converter for converting one type of alternating current to another; or a DC transformer for converting one type of direct current to another. In the context of this invention, a current converter can be implemented using analog components (such as resistors, inductors, and capacitors) and / or semiconductor-based electronic components (such as diodes, transistors, or thyristors).

[0035] Figure 1 A power distribution system 100 is illustrated schematically, which can be assigned, for example, to a passenger aircraft (such as in...). Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a seating group in aircraft A. For example, each seating group in a passenger aircraft can be assigned a separate and locally installed power distribution system 100 within aircraft A. Multiple such power distribution systems 100 can be fed by one or more voltage sources 20, as shown in... Figure 1 As exemplified in the example.

[0036] The voltage source 20 may, for example, have one or more AC voltage sources 20, such as generators, particularly engine generators or dynamic pressure turbine generators. Alternatively or additionally, the voltage source 20 may, for example, include a DC voltage source, such as a photovoltaic device or a fuel cell. Furthermore, the power distribution system 100 may have an input-side power factor correction circuit 5 (in the case of a cross-linked voltage supply) or an input-side DC transformer 5 (in the case of a DC voltage supply), which is downstream connected to one or more current converter modules 6a, 6b. Figure 1 Two of them are shown as examples. It should be understood that it is equally possible to use more or fewer current converter modules for the power distribution system 100.

[0037] Current converter modules 6a and 6b each include a current converter 3a or 3b, which converts a portion of the power supplied from voltage source 20 via power factor correction circuit or DC transformer 5 into DC voltage power. Current converter modules 6a and 6b can be configured as separate circuits or components; however, it is also possible that current converter modules 6a and 6b are part of a higher-level current converter system and are therefore assigned to the same module. Correspondingly, current converters 3a and 3b can also be functional circuit portions of the higher-level current converter circuit 3.

[0038] The power distribution system 100 may include a temperature control device 4, which may limit the proportion of the total power to be extracted from the voltage source 20 to the system maximum power, depending on the boundary conditions in the power distribution system 100, particularly the dominant temperature. The system maximum power may be the maximum power that the components of the power distribution system 100 can handle for system design or safety reasons. Setting the power distribution system 100 to the system maximum power may be done via the temperature control device 4 or via the power configuration management device 7, which will be described in detail below.

[0039] exist Figure 1The current converter module 6a is exemplarily shown as a current converter module that supplies power to a plurality of power consumers 11a to 11m via output interfaces 1a to 1m, the power input of which is predetermined and whose power supply is considered critical. This could be, for example, a display of an in-flight entertainment system in a passenger aircraft, seat lighting for a passenger seat, an AC voltage connection, a seat actuator, or a similar power consumer. Therefore, when all power consumers 11a to 11m are activated, the proportion of the system's total power supplied by the current converter module 6a (seat module power) to the DC voltage power is substantially constant, and when some or all of the power consumers 11a to 11m are deactivated, this proportion can take an intermediate level between zero and a constant module power value.

[0040] Consumers 11a to 11m can have active or inactive operating states, meaning they can or cannot request power from current converter module 6a. Because consumers 11a to 11m are critical loads, the power extraction from current converter module 6a has priority over other consumers.

[0041] The current converter module 6b includes a current converter 3b, which is designed to convert the voltage of one or more voltage sources 20 into a DC voltage. The current converter 3b then outputs DC voltage power with an adjustable maximum power value to multiple electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n of the current converter module 6b. Because the maximum power value at each electrical output interface can vary, the proportion of the total system power converted by the current converter module 6b to DC voltage power and delivered to one or more power consumers 10a to 10n can also vary.

[0042] Electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n may be, for example, USB interfaces that operate according to the USB Power Transfer Specification and / or USB Battery Charging Specification. Power-consuming devices 10a to 10n connected to these USB interfaces, such as passenger PEDs in an aircraft, can then negotiate power configurations with the power distribution system 100. These power configurations specify the maximum power at which the power distribution system 100 can provide power to the respective electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n.

[0043] The current converter module 6b or current converter 3b is designed to provide electrical power up to a variable maximum module power. Depending on the number of power consumers connected to the power output interfaces 2a to 2n and the power configuration that has been negotiated or should be negotiated, it is possible that the total requested maximum power exceeds the maximum module power.

[0044] To this end, the power distribution system 100 includes a power configuration management device 7, which is connected to the current converter 3b, the electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n, and in some cases, the temperature control device 4. The power configuration management device 7 is used to maintain an overview of: the variable total system power in some cases, the module power maximum of the current converter 3b, which is also variable due to the variability of the total system power, and the power configuration requested by the power consumers at the electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n.

[0045] The power configuration management device 7 receives, for example, a corresponding control signal from the temperature control device 4, which limits the total system power to an upper limit based on the operating conditions detected by the temperature control device 4. Furthermore, the power configuration management device 7 detects the instantaneous actual power input of the power consumers 11a to 11m connected to the output interfaces 1a to 1m of the current converter module 6a based on the activation status of the power consumers. The sum of the power required by the power consumers 11a to 11m forms the module power value of the current converter module 6a. Subtracting the module power value from the total system power value yields the maximum usable module power of the current converter module 6b.

[0046] Therefore, the maximum module power of the current converter module 6b can vary dynamically, on the one hand, with all the power available in the power distribution system 100, and on the other hand, with the instantaneous power required by the critical load connected to and activated by the current converter module 6a.

[0047] The power configuration management device 7 has a processor 8 equipped with software capable of negotiating individual power configurations with the power consumers 10a to 10n (e.g., passenger PEDs in an aircraft) that can be connected to the respective electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n among the plurality of electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n. The current converter 3b provides electrical power to the power consumers 10a to 10n via the electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n according to the power configuration until the negotiated maximum power is reached. The processor 8 can store the negotiated power configuration in a power configuration memory 9 of the power configuration management device 7, which is connected to the processor 8.

[0048] The power configuration management device 7 is designed to detect the instantaneous actual power input of the power consumers 10a to 10n connected to the electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n. This detected actual power input can then be compared with the corresponding individually negotiated power configuration. The processor 8 of the power configuration management device 7 performs this comparison, generating a difference between the negotiated maximum power and the measured or detected instantaneous actual power input for each negotiated power configuration. This yields a power reserve value for the current converter 3b, which provides information about which of the connected power consumers 10a to 10n actually requires less power than theoretically specified by the negotiated maximum power.

[0049] When additional power consumers are connected to power output interfaces 2a to 2n, the following situation may occur: the newly negotiated maximum power value increases the sum of all negotiated maximum power values ​​to a value exceeding the module's maximum power value. Similarly, the following situation may occur: the module's maximum power value decreases due to external influences, such as the control signal from temperature control device 4 or the activation of a previously inactive critical load at current converter module 6a, reducing the module's maximum power value to below the sum of all currently negotiated maximum power values. Typically, in these cases, power may be prevented from being requested from current converter 6b for reasons exceeding a reserve value.

[0050] By acquiring the power reserve value of the current converter 3b, the power configuration management device 7 can identify which power consumers can negotiate a new power configuration with a maximum power value lower than the initially negotiated maximum power value. The power configuration management device 7 can then compare the power reserve value with a settable reserve threshold to identify which power consumers can renegotiate their power configuration without significantly affecting operation or the charging process. It may be advantageous here that the renegotiated maximum power value is higher than the actual instantaneous power input, as before. If a power consumer does not accept such a power configuration, there is always the possibility that a power configuration with the minimum maximum power value will be specified. For example, in the USB-PD or USB-BC specifications, such a power configuration is mandatory for all compatible devices.

[0051] The power configuration management device 7 can exclude, during renegotiation, connected power consumers 10a to 10n that theoretically have sufficiently high power reserve values ​​but are connected to electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n classified as having higher supply priority. For example, it is possible that a user can secure higher supply priority by paying an additional fee or due to their status as a business class passenger or frequent flyer. Therefore, through the higher supply priority output interface, the requested power configuration with the desired maximum power is always assigned to the PED of such users, even if the actual power input of the connected PED might result in a power reserve value under certain circumstances.

[0052] The power configuration management device 7 can determine the instantaneous actual power input of the connected power consumers 10a to 10n by means of a suitable averaging and compensatory measurement or detection method, for example, by means of a moving average obtained over a dynamically trackable time window of a settable length. For this purpose, a linearly weighted moving average (LMWA) can be used, for example, to detect short-term and instantaneous peaks or drops that may be hidden in the power input of the connected power consumers 10a to 10n.

[0053] Conversely, it is possible to release the power reserve value again by reducing the number of connected power consumers, for example, by having the user unplug the PED from the connection interface. Alternatively or additionally, the following situation may occur: due to external influences, such as the control signal from the temperature control device 4 or the deactivation of a previously active critical load at the current converter module 6a, the module power maximum value increases again to a level higher than the sum of all currently negotiated power maximum values. The power reserve value can then be reassigned to the other remaining power consumers by the power configuration management device 7. Preferably, this applies to those power consumers that have been assigned a momentary negotiated power maximum value, which is lower than the initially requested power maximum value or has been renegotiated during a power shortage. The power configuration management device 7 can periodically, or whenever a power consumer 10a to 10n connected to a corresponding output interface among the plurality of electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n is unplugged from its corresponding output interface, compare the sum of the negotiated power maximum values ​​of the currently connected or remaining power consumers with the module power maximum value of the current converter module 6b. When the power reserve value thus determined exceeds the settable module reserve value, power configuration can be performed to increase the maximum power for the selected power consumer.

[0054] Figure 2A flowchart illustrates the steps of a method M for allocating electrical power to power-consuming devices (e.g., power-consuming devices 10a to 10n), which in a first step M1 have been respectively connected to a plurality of electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n (e.g., USB interfaces) of a current converter module 6b having a current converter 3b in a power distribution system 100. These output interfaces operate according to the USB-PD or USB-BC specifications. Method M can be performed, in particular, in the power distribution system 100, such as in conjunction with... Figure 1 What is being explained.

[0055] In the subsequent step M2, a separate power configuration is negotiated between the power configuration management device 7 and the power consumers 10a to 10n. The current converter 3b provides power to the power consumers 10a to 10n via the electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n according to this power configuration until the negotiated maximum power value is reached. In the third step M3, the instantaneous actual power input of the connected power consumers 10a to 10n with the individually negotiated power configuration is detected, for example, by acquiring a moving average of the measured power input over time. In the fourth step M4, the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​is compared with the module maximum power value, which corresponds to the maximum DC voltage power that can be provided to the plurality of electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n by the current converter 3b of the current converter module 6b.

[0056] In step M5, for each individually negotiated power configuration, the power reserve value of the current converter 3b can be calculated by the difference between the negotiated maximum power value and the instantaneous actual power input. This allows for a renegotiation of the power configuration between the power configuration management device 7 and those power consumers whose calculated power reserve values ​​are higher than a set reserve threshold, in step M5, whenever the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​exceeds the module's maximum power value. Conversely, in step M6, a renegotiation of the power configuration can be performed whenever a power consumer 10a to 10n connected to a corresponding electrical output interface among the plurality of electrical output interfaces 2a to 2n is disconnected from the output interface. This renegotiation results in a power configuration with a maximum power value higher than the previously negotiated maximum power value.

[0057] In the detailed description above, various features for improving the rigor of the illustrations are summarized in one or more examples. However, it should be clear that the above description is merely illustrative and not restrictive. This description is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of different features and embodiments. Many other examples will immediately and directly become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description.

[0058] These embodiments were selected and described in order to best demonstrate the principles upon which the invention is based and its practical applicability. Thus, those skilled in the art can optimally modify and use the invention and its various embodiments with reference to the intended uses. In the claims and description, the terms "comprising" and "having" are used as conceptualizations of the neutral language of the corresponding term "comprising." Furthermore, the use of the terms "a," "an," and "a" should, in principle, not exclude multiple features and components described in this manner.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution system (100), comprising: At least one current converter module (6b) having a current converter (3b) designed to provide DC voltage power with a settable maximum power value to multiple electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) of the current converter module (6b) up to the module's maximum power value; as well as A power configuration management device (7) is connected to the current converter (3b) and is designed to negotiate individual power configurations with the power consumers (10a;...; 10n) connected to the respective power output interfaces (2a;...; 2n) of the plurality of power output interfaces. The current converter (3b) provides power to the power consumers (10a;...; 10n) via the power output interfaces (2a;...; 2n) according to the power configurations up to the negotiated maximum power value, and the power configurations are stored in the power configuration memory (9) of the power configuration management device (7). Its features are, The power configuration management device (7) is also designed to: Detect the instantaneous actual power input of connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) with individually negotiated power configurations; For each individually negotiated power configuration, the power reserve value of the current converter (3b) is calculated as the difference between the negotiated maximum power and the detected instantaneous actual power input; and, When the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​of the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) exceeds the maximum power value of the module, a new power configuration is negotiated with one or more of the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) whose power reservation values ​​are higher than a set reservation threshold. The new power configuration has a maximum power value lower than the negotiated maximum power value.

2. The power distribution system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) of the current converter module (6b) are USB interfaces.

3. The power distribution system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the power configuration management device (7) is designed to negotiate the power configuration according to the USB power transfer specification and / or the USB battery charging specification.

4. The power distribution system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power configuration management device (7) is designed to calculate the instantaneous actual power input of the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) by acquiring a moving average of the power input of the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n).

5. The power distribution system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power configuration management device (7) is further designed to: negotiate a new power configuration with one or more of the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) when the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​is lower than the module power value by a module retention threshold, the new power configuration having a maximum power value higher than the negotiated maximum power value.

6. The power distribution system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the power configuration management device (7) is further designed to: negotiate a new power configuration whenever a power consumer (10a; ...; 10n) connected to a corresponding electrical output interface of the plurality of electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) is unplugged from the output interface, the new power configuration having a maximum power value higher than the negotiated maximum power value.

7. The power distribution system (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 6, wherein the power distribution system further comprises: A temperature control device (4) is connected before the at least one current converter module (6b) and is designed to adapt the maximum module power of the at least one current converter module (6b) to the temperature of the power distribution system (100).

8. A method (M) for allocating electrical power to power-consuming appliances (10a; ...; 10n), the method comprising: Connect (M1) the power consumption devices (10a; ...; 10n) to the corresponding electrical output interfaces of the multiple electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) of the current converter module (6b) with current converter (3b) of the power distribution system (100); and The power configuration management device (7) negotiates (M2) a separate power configuration with the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n), and the current converter (3b) provides electrical power to the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) via the plurality of electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) according to the power configuration up to the negotiated maximum power value. Its features are: The detector (M3) measures the instantaneous actual power input of the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) with individually negotiated power configurations. The sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​is compared with the maximum module power value (M4), which corresponds to the maximum DC voltage power, which can be provided to the plurality of electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) by the current converter (3b) of the current converter module (6b). For each individually negotiated power configuration, the power reserve value of the current converter (3b) is calculated as the difference between the negotiated maximum power and the detected instantaneous actual power input; and When the sum of the negotiated maximum power values ​​of the connected power consumers (10a; ...; 10n) exceeds the maximum power value of the module, the power configuration management device (7) renegotiates (M6) the following power configuration with those power consumers whose calculated power retention value is higher than the set retention threshold: the power configuration has a maximum power value lower than the previously negotiated maximum power value.

9. The method of adjustment (M) according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) of the current converter module (6b) are USB interfaces.

10. The allocation method (M) according to claim 9, wherein the steps of negotiating power configuration (M2; M6) are performed in accordance with the USB power transfer specification and / or the USB battery charging specification.

11. The allocation method (M) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein whenever a power consumer (10a; ...; 10n) connected to a corresponding electrical output interface among the plurality of electrical output interfaces (2a; ...; 2n) is unplugged from the output interface, a power configuration renegotiation (M6) is performed whereby the power configuration has a maximum power value higher than the negotiated maximum power value.

12. An aircraft (A) having at least one electric power distribution system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. The aircraft (A) according to claim 12 further comprises at least one voltage source that feeds voltage to the at least one power distribution system (100).

14. The aircraft (A) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the aircraft (A) is a passenger aircraft having a plurality of seat groups, each of which is assigned an electric power distribution system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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