Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to power circuits, and more particularly, to a system and a method for categorizing and pre-charging an electric load connected with a power supply unit.
BACKGROUND

[0002] A power supply unit (PSU) is an essential component in electronic devices, providing stable electrical energy to various electrical and electronic loads. Typically, the PSUs, in an embodiment, may comprise a plurality of individual cells housed within a casing, along with essential components like electrical contacts and short-circuit protection circuits. Within a PSU, pre-charge and short circuit protection functions play crucial roles in ensuring safe and efficient operation. The pre-charge functionality involves gradually applying power to the capacitive loads or pre-charging the capacitive loads to prevent sudden voltage spikes or surges that could damage sensitive components of the PSU. Additionally, the PSUs may comprise any device that supplies power to an electrical load, wherein this device may also include the pre-charge and short circuit protection circuits.
[0003] However, a conventional configuration of the capacitive load connected with the power supply unit has a plurality of limitations. The first limitation is that the capacitive load requires a designated/specific circuit to get pre-charged by the power supply unit when the power supply unit is initially switched ON. Further, the specific circuit is only responsible for pre-charging the fixed capacitive load. Additionally, different capacitive load requires different timings to get pre-charged. Therefore, this increases the requirement of the different circuits depending on the load and timing of the capacitive load to get pre-charged. Therefore, this increases an overall cost of the power supply unit.
[0004] The second limitation is that when the capacitive load is connected to the power supply unit, where the power supply unit is in an ON condition, there is an inrush flow of the current for a short interval of time in the capacitive load. In that instance, the power supply unit is unable to categorize whether the electric load is the capacitive load or a short circuit load. Therefore, the short circuit protection member senses the inrush and forces the power supply unit into a short circuit safe mode, as the short circuit protection member is sensitive to any surges in the current and operates quickly to protect the power supply unit from the short circuit. This configuration decreases an efficiency of the power supply unit and thus, impacts the transfer of the stored electrical energy from the power supply unit.
[0005] Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, it is desirable to provide a system and a method that can eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned problems associated with the existing configuration for power supply circuits.
SUMMARY

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
[0007] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system for categorizing and pre-charging an electric load connected with a power supply unit. The system includes a control unit. The control unit is communicatively coupled to the power supply unit and the electric load. The control unit is configured to monitor a plurality of pulses associated with an input indicative of current passing through a plurality of Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) of the power supply unit, for a predefined time period. The control unit is configured to determine an operational value indicative of a voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs within a predetermined time period, after monitoring the plurality of pulses for the predefined time period. The control unit is configured to compare the determined operational value with a predetermined range of operational values indicative of a voltage associated with the power supply unit. The control unit is configured to categorize, based on the comparison, that the electric load connected to the power supply unit is at least one of a capacitive load and a short circuit load. The control unit is configured to control the plurality of MOSFETs to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the electric load, when the electric load is categorized as the capacitive load and to stop the transmission of the plurality of pulses, when the electric load is categorized as a short circuit load.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method for categorizing and pre-charging an electric load connected with a power supply unit is disclosed. The method includes monitoring, by a control unit, a plurality of pulses associated with an input indicative of current passing through a plurality of MOSFETs of the power supply unit for a predefined time period. The method includes determining, by the control unit, an operational value indicative of a voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs within a predetermined time period, after monitoring the plurality of pulses for the predefined time period. The method includes comparing, by the control unit, the determined operational value with a predetermined range of operational values indicative of a voltage associated with the power supply unit. The method includes categorizing, by the control unit, based on the comparison, that the electric load connected to the power supply unit is at least one of a capacitive load and a short circuit load. The method includes controlling, by the control unit, the plurality of MOSFETS to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the electric load, when the electric load is categorized as the capacitive load, or to stop the transmission of the plurality of pulses, when the electric load is categorized as the short circuit load.
[0009] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for categorizing and pre-charging an electric load connected with a power supply unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system including a control unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] Figure 3 illustrates a graph depicting a plurality of pulses, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] Figure 4A illustrates a schematic diagram of the power supply unit having a capacitive load, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] Figure 4B illustrates a schematic diagram of the power supply unit having a short circuit load, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] Figure 5 illustrates a graph depicting an exemplary implementation of the system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0017] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method to categorize and pre-charge the electric load, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0019] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.
[0020] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0021] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”
[0022] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.
[0023] Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
[0024] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.
[0025] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.
[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 106 for categorizing and pre-charging an electric load 104 connected with a power supply unit 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the power supply unit 102 may include at least one of a battery, a power take-out device for a smart safety gear component, an electronic power supply device, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the electric load 104 may be connected with the power supply unit 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the electric load 104 may be a DC-DC converter, a motor controller, a charger, a grid, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0028] In an embodiment, the system 106 may be configured to categorize and pre-charge the electric load 104 based on a plurality of pulses to maintain the efficiency of the power supply unit 102 while protecting the power supply unit 102 from short circuits. In one embodiment, the system 106 may be communicatively coupled with the power supply unit 102 and the electric load 104, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the system 106 may be deployed in the power supply unit 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In such an embodiment, the system 106 may correspond to a battery management system, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0029] In an embodiment, the system 106 may include, but is not limited to, a control unit 108. The control unit 108 may be configured to categorize and pre-charge the electric load 104 depending on the plurality of pulses associated with current provided to a plurality of Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) 202 (as shown in Figure 2). The constructional and operational details of the control unit 108 are explained in detail in subsequent paragraphs.
[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system 106 including the control unit 108, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a graph depicting the plurality of pulses, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4A illustrates a schematic diagram of the power supply unit 102 having a capacitive load 402, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4B illustrates a schematic diagram of the power supply unit 102 having a short circuit load 406, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] In an embodiment, the control unit 108 may be communicatively coupled to the power supply unit 102 and the electric load 104. In an embodiment, the control unit 108 may operate on a predetermined voltage between a range of 2.5V to 15V from the power supply unit 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The control unit 108 may include, but is not limited to, memory 224, a processor 222, and module(s) 204.
[0032] The key elements of the control unit 108 typically include communication protocols including, but not limited to, a CAN protocol, Serial Communication Interface (SCI) protocol, and so on. A sequence of programmed instructions and data associated with the control unit 108 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as the memory 224 or a storage device which may be any suitable memory apparatus such as, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk drive, and the like. In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, non-transitory computer-readable storage media may be embodied with a sequence of programmed instructions for monitoring and controlling the operation of different components of the power supply unit 102.
[0033] The processor 222 may include any computing system which includes, but is not limited to, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Processor (AP), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Visual Processing Unit (VPU), and/or an AI-dedicated processor such as a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). In an embodiment, the processor 222 may be a single processing unit or several units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor 222 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.
[0034] Among other capabilities, the processor 222 may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory 224. The instructions may be compiled from source code instructions provided in accordance with a programming language such as Java, C++, C#.net, or the like. The instructions may also comprise code and data objects provided in accordance with, for example, the Visual Basic™ language, LabVIEW, or another structured or object-oriented programming language. The one or a plurality of processors control the processing of the input data in accordance with a predefined operating rule or artificial intelligence (AI) model stored in the non-volatile memory and the volatile memory. The predefined operating rule or artificial intelligence model is provided through training or learning algorithms which include, but are not limited to, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning.
[0035] Furthermore, the modules 204, processes, systems, and devices may be implemented as a single processor or as a distributed processor. Also, the processes, the modules 204, and sub-modules described in the various figures of and for embodiments herein may be distributed across multiple computers or systems or may be co-located in a single processor or system. Further, the modules 204 may be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by the processor 222, or by a combination thereof. A processing unit may comprise a computer, the processor 222, such as the processor 222, a state machine, a logic array, or any other suitable devices capable of processing instructions.
[0036] The processor 222 may be a general-purpose processor that executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit 222 may be dedicated to performing the required functions. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modules 204 may be machine-readable instructions (software) which, when executed by the processor/processing unit, perform any of the described functionalities. The database serves, amongst other things, as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by the modules 204.
[0037] Exemplary structural embodiment alternatives suitable for implementing the modules 204, sections, systems, means, or processes described herein are provided below. In an implementation, the module(s) 204 may include a monitoring module 206, a receiving module 208, a determining module 210, a holding module 212, a comparing module 214, a categorizing module 216, a controlling module 218, and a switching module 220. The monitoring module 206, the receiving module 208, the determining module 210, the holding module 212, the comparing module 214, the categorizing module 216, the controlling module 218, and the switching module 220 may be in communication with each other.
[0038] In the present disclosure, the monitoring module 206, the receiving module 208, the determining module 210, the holding module 212, the comparing module 214, the categorizing module 216, the controlling module 218, and the switching module 220, are configured to perform one or more operations which are explained in subsequent paragraphs.
[0039] In an embodiment, the monitoring module 206 may be configured to monitor the plurality of pulses (as shown in Figure 3). The plurality of pulses may be associated with an input indicative of current passing through the plurality of MOSFETs 202 of the power supply unit 102, for a predefined time period. In an embodiment, the current passes through the plurality of MOSFETs 202 and the monitoring module 206 determines when to switch ON/OFF each MOSFET. Further, the current passing through the MOSFET may be limited in an uncontrolled manner. This results in the generation of the plurality of pulses associated with the input indicative of current, which may be further monitored by the monitoring module 206.
[0040] In one embodiment, a number of the plurality of pulses may be fixed, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the number of the plurality of pulses may be variable and dependent on the predefined time period, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In yet another embodiment, both, the number of the plurality of pulses and the predefined time period of the plurality of pulses may be variable, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of the plurality of pulses may be 8 which may be monitored for the predefined time period (as shown in Figure 3). Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of pulses may have a waveform of rectangular profile, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the plurality of pulses may have waveform of any other profile compatible with the system 106, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the plurality of pulses may be inrush short circuit pulses, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The plurality of pulses may be chopped from a top portion, which indicates the limited current. Further, the plurality of pulses indicates an ON state and an OFF state of the plurality of MOSFETs 202, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0041] In an embodiment, after monitoring the plurality of pulses for the predefined time period, the monitoring module 206 may be configured to monitor an input signal indicative of voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs 202. In such an embodiment, the receiving module 208 may be configured to receive the input signal indicative of the voltage from a voltage divider member 404 through an analog to digital converter member of the control unit 108, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0042] Further, the receiving module 208 transfers the received input signal indicative of the voltage to the monitoring module 206, where the monitoring module 206 monitors the input signal indicative of the voltage.
[0043] In an embodiment, after monitoring, the determining module 210 may be configured to determine an operational value of the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs 202 within a predetermined time period. In the illustrated embodiment, the determining module 210 may determine the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs 202 which may be denoted by Formula 1 (as shown in Figure 3):
V= (Vbat-Vpchg)*Rdiv (Formula 1)
Where Vbat denotes the voltage of the power supply unit 102, Vpchg denotes the voltage of the electric load 104, and Rdiv denotes resistor divider factor R2/(R1+R2) (as shown in Figures 4A and 4B).
[0044] Further, in such an embodiment, during the determination of the operational value, the holding module 212 may be configured to pause the plurality of pulses for the predetermined time period such that the plurality of MOSFETs 202 may be in the OFF state (as shown in Figure 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined time period may be 100microsec (as shown in Figure 3), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the predetermined time period may vary as per the requirement of the system 106, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0045] In an embodiment, the comparing module 214 may be configured to compare the determined operational value with a predetermined range of operational values indicative of a voltage associated with the power supply unit 102. In an embodiment, the predetermined range of operational values may be of a fixed value that is compatible with the system 106 or may dynamically vary, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0046] In an embodiment, based on the comparison, the categorizing module 216 may be configured to categorize that the electric load 104 as connected to the power supply unit 102 may be at least one of the capacitive load 402 and the short circuit load 404.
[0047] In an embodiment, the categorizing module 216 may be configured to categorize that the electric load 104 is the capacitive load 402, when the determined operational value may be lesser than the predetermined range of operational values. For example, the predetermined range of operational values is (47.5V (50V-5%*50V), 10V). Further, the voltage of the capacitive load is 5V. Thus, the determined operational value of the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs 202 is (50V-5V)*Rdiv, which is less than the predetermined range of operational values. Thus, the categorizing module 216 categorizes that the electric load 104 is the capacitive load 402.
[0048] In an embodiment, when the electric load 104 may be categorized as the capacitive load 402, the controlling module 218 may be configured to control the plurality of MOSFETs 202 to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the electric load 104, i.e., the capacitive load 402. This configuration gradually increases the voltage of the capacitive load 402, thereby, decreasing the determined operational value of the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs 202, such that the determined operational value of the voltage remains lesser than the predetermined range of operational values. In an embodiment, the number of plurality of pulses may be dependent on a load/capacity of the capacitive load 402, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of pulses as transmitted may be the same as the number of the plurality of pulses monitored initially by the monitoring module 206 for the predefined time period, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the number of the plurality of pulses as transmitted may be different from the number of the plurality of pulses monitored initially by the monitoring module 206 for the predefined time period, where the number of the plurality of pulses as transmitted may be dependent on the load/capacity of the capacitive load 402, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, once the pre-charging of the capacitive load 402 is completed, then, the further transmission of the plurality of pulses may be also stopped.
[0049] Further, in an embodiment, the categorizing module 216 may be configured to categorize that the electric load 104 is the short circuit load 406, when the determined operational value may be at least in proximity to the predetermined range of operational values or greater than the predetermined range of operational values. In such an embodiment, the determined operational value of the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs 202 after each plurality of pulses may be provided by Formula 2 (as shown in Figure 3) as provided below:
V=Vbat*Rdiv (Formula 2)
[0050] When the electric load 104 may be categorized as the short circuit load 406, the controlling module 218 may be configured to control the plurality of MOSFETs 202 to stop the transmission of the plurality of pulses. Particularly, the switching module 220 may be configured to switch the plurality of MOSFETs 202 in the OFF state such that the further transmission of the plurality of pulses may be stopped to protect the power supply unit from the short circuit.
[0051] Figure 5 illustrates a graph depicting an exemplary implementation of the system 106, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined range of operational values may be (10V, 50V).. The control unit 108 considers 30V as an upper threshold voltage of the power supply unit 102. In an embodiment, when the determined operational value may be lesser than 30V, the categorizing module 216 may be configured to categorize that the electric load 104 is the capacitive load 402. In such an embodiment, the controlling module 218 may be configured to control the plurality of MOSFETs 202 to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the electric load 104. Further, once, the determined operational value reaches below 10V, the control unit 108 determines that the pre-charge of the capacitive load 402 is completed. Thus, the control unit 108 stops further transmission of the plurality of pulses while switching the plurality of MOSFETs 202 in the ON state.
[0053] Further, in an embodiment, when the determined operational value may be at least in proximity to 50V or greater than 30V (the upper threshold voltage), the categorizing module 216 may be configured to categorize that the electric load 104 is the short circuit load 406. In such an embodiment, the controlling module 218 may be configured to control the plurality of MOSFETs 202 to stop the transmission of the plurality of pulses where the plurality of MOSFETs 202 remains in the OFF state.
[0054] The present disclosure also relates to a method 600 for categorizing and pre-charging the electric load 104 as shown in Figure 6. The order in which the method steps are described below is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method steps may be combined in any appropriate order to execute the method or an alternative method. Additionally, individual steps may be deleted from the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.
[0055] The method 600 for categorizing and pre-charging the electric load 104 may be performed by using the system 106 as shown in Figures 1-4B.
[0056] The method 600 begins at step 602, monitoring, by the control unit 108, the plurality of pulses associated with the input indicative of current passing through the plurality of MOSFETs 202 of the power supply unit 102 for the predefined time period.
[0057] At step 604, the method 600 includes determining, by the control unit 108, the operational value indicative of the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs 202 within the predetermined time period, after monitoring the plurality of pulses for the predefined time period.
[0058] At step 606, the method 600 includes comparing, by the control unit 108, the determined operational value with the predetermined range of operational values indicative of the voltage associated with the power supply unit 102.
[0059] At step 608, the method 600 includes categorizing, by the control unit 108, based on the comparison, that the electric load 104 connected to the power supply unit 102 is at least one of the capacitive load 402 and the short circuit load 406.
[0060] At step 610, the method includes controlling, by the control unit 108, the plurality of MOSFETs 202, to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the electric load 104, when the electric load 104 may be categorized as the capacitive load 402; or to stop the transmission of the plurality of pulses, when the electric load 104 may be categorized as the short circuit load 406.
[0061] The system 106 and the method 600 of the present disclosure categorize and pre-charge the electric load 104 depending on the plurality of pulses and the plurality of MOSFETs 202. This configuration ensures that when the electric load 104 is the capacitive load 402, the control unit 108 controls the plurality of MOSFETs 202 to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the capacitive load 402. Further, when the electric load 104 is the short circuit load 406, the control unit 108 controls the plurality of MOSFETs 202 to stop transmitting the plurality of pulses. This configuration ensures that the power supply unit 102 is capable of categorizing between the capacitive load 402 and the short circuit load 406. Therefore, when the electric load 104 is the capacitive load 402, this configuration ensures pre-charging of the capacitive load 402 having variable load while eliminating the need for a designated circuit unlike the existing art. Further, the pre-charging of the capacitive load 402 is not configured for a fixed time, rather the pre-charging time is self-adjusted based on the value of a capacitance. This ensures the cost effective system 106 and flexibility to pre-charge the electric load 104. Further, when the electric load 104 is the short circuit load 406, the present configuration ensures protection of the power supply unit 102 from the short circuit by stopping the transmission of the plurality of pulses. Thus, this configuration eliminates any possibility of unwanted short circuit protection triggers unlike the existing art, therefore maintaining the efficiency of the power supply unit 102.
[0062] It will be appreciated that the modules, processes, systems, and devices described above can be implemented in hardware, hardware programmed by software, software instruction stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium or a combination of the above. Embodiments of the methods, processes, modules, devices, and systems (or their sub-components or modules), may be implemented on a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmed logic circuit such as a programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable array logic (PAL) device, or the like. In general, any process capable of implementing the functions or steps described herein may be used to implement embodiments of the methods, systems, or computer program products (software program stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium).
[0063] Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed methods, processes, modules, devices, systems, and computer program product may be readily implemented, fully or partially, in software using, for example, object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that may be used on a variety of computer platforms. Alternatively, embodiments of the disclosed methods, processes, modules, devices, systems, and computer program product may be implemented partially or fully in hardware using, for example, standard logic circuits or a very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design. Other hardware or software may be used to implement embodiments depending on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the systems, the particular function, and/or the particular software or hardware system, microprocessor, or microcomputer being utilized.
[0064] In this application, unless specifically stated otherwise, the use of the singular includes the plural and the use of “or” means “and/or.” Furthermore, use of the terms “including” or “having” is not limiting. Any range described herein will be understood to include the endpoints and all values between the endpoints. Features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc., within the scope of the invention to produce additional embodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.
, Claims:1. A system (106) for categorizing and pre-charging an electric load (104) connected with a power supply unit (102), the system (106) comprising:
a control unit (108) communicatively coupled to the power supply unit (102) and the electric load (104) and configured to:
monitor a plurality of pulses associated with an input indicative of current, passing through a plurality of Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) (202) of the power supply unit (102), for a predefined time period;
determine an operational value indicative of a voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs (202) within a predetermined time period, after monitoring the plurality of pulses for the predefined time period;
compare the determined operational value with a predetermined range of operational values indicative of a voltage associated with the power supply unit (102);
categorize, based on the comparison, that the electric load (104) connected to the power supply unit (102) is at least one of a capacitive load (402) and a short circuit load (406);
control the plurality of MOSFETs (202):
to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the electric load (104), when the electric load (104) is categorized as the capacitive load (402); or
to stop the transmission of the plurality of pulses, when the electric load (104) is categorized as a short circuit load.

2. The system (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) is configured to:
categorize that the electric load (104) connected to the power supply unit (102) is the capacitive load, when the determined operational value is lesser than the predetermined range of operational values.

3. The system (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) is configured to:
categorize that the electric load (104) connected to the power supply unit (102) is the short circuit load, when the determined operational value is at least in proximity to the predetermined range of operational values or greater than the predetermined range of operational values.

4. The system (106) as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the electric load (104) is the short circuit load, the control unit (108) is configured to:
switch the plurality of MOSFETs (202) in an OFF state.

5. The system (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the determination of the operational value, the control unit (108) is configured to:
pause the plurality of pulses for the predetermined time period such that the plurality of MOSFETs (202) is in an OFF state.

6. The system (106) as claimed in claim 5, wherein prior to determining the operational value of the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs (202), the control unit (108) is configured to:
monitor an input signal indicative of the voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs (202).

7. The system (106) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit (108) receives the input signal indicative of the voltage from a voltage divider member of the power supply unit (102) through an analog to digital converter member of the control unit (108).

8. The system (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pulses is inrush short circuit pulses.

9. The system (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply unit (102) includes at least one of a battery, a power take-out device, and an electronic power supply device.

10. A method (600) for categorizing and pre-charging an electric load (104) connected with a power supply unit (102), the method (600) comprising:
monitoring (602), by a control unit (108), a plurality of pulses associated with an input indicative of current passing through a plurality of MOSFETs (202) of the power supply unit (102) for a predefined time period;
determining (604), by the control unit (108), an operational value indicative of a voltage associated with the plurality of MOSFETs (202) within a predetermined time period, after monitoring the plurality of pulses for the predefined time period;
comparing (606), by the control unit (108), the determined operational value with a predetermined range of operational values indicative of a voltage associated with the power supply unit (102);
categorizing (608), by the control unit (108), based on the comparison, that the electric load (104) connected to the power supply unit (102) is at least one of a capacitive load and a short circuit load;
controlling (610), by the control unit (108), the plurality of MOSFETS (202) :
to continue transmitting the plurality of pulses till the pre-charging of the electric load (104), when the electric load (104) is categorized as the capacitive load; or
to stop the transmission of the plurality of pulses, when the electric load (104) is categorized as the short circuit load.