Universal surge protector for notebook computers
AssigneeAmerican Power Conversion Corporation
InventorsWilliam R. Manning, Ronnie L. Bell, Clint D. Veino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surge protector for portable personal computers, or notebooks, of the shunting type, employs two differently rated metal oxide varistors in a manner enabling operation with several differently rated AC power services. The surge protector is designed to provide an optimum effective clamping voltage with a low let-through voltage.
Claims18
A universal surge protector for protecting a portable notebook computer (“notebook”) and an associated power adapter from harmful electrical disturbances occurring on an alternating current (“AC”) power line when the notebook is powered by a direct current (“dc”) battery voltage generated by a power adapter while coupled to an AC power service over the line and neutral sides of an AC power line.
- the surge protector comprising in combination
- a higher rated voltage and current diverting and absorbing semiconductor device (“diverting and absorbing device”) coupled across the line and neutral sides of an AC power line for protecting a notebook and a power adapter from harmful electrical disturbances while the surge protector is coupled to a higher rated AC power service by an AC power line,
- a lower rated diverting and absorbing device for diverting harmful electrical disturbances from a notebook and a power adapter and
- a switch for coupling the lower rated diverting and absorbing device across the line and neutral sides on an AC power line in parallel with the higher rated diverting and absorbing device for protecting a notebook and power adapter from harmful electrical disturbances while the surge protector is coupled to a lower rated AC power service by an AC power line.
A universal surge protector for the protection of notebook computers and associated power adapters from harmful electrical disturbances comprising in combination
- a first MOV having a clamping voltage at about 775 VAC and an energy absorption rating at about 125 joules.
- a second MOV having a clamping voltage at about 330 VAC and an energy absorption rating at about 100 joules and
- a switching circuit including an electrically operated switch for coupling the second MOV across an AC power line in parallel with the first MOV while an AC power line is coupled to an AC power service rated from about 100 VAC to about 120 VAC and for de-coupling the second MOV from an AC power line while an AC power line is coupled to an AC power service rated from about 100 to about 120 VAC,
- the effective clamping voltage of the surge protector while the first and second MOVs are coupled to an AC power service rated from 100 to 120 VAC, being at about 300 VAC and the let-through voltage of the surge protector being at about 131 VAC when the surge protector is subjected to a 6000 VAC, 500 amp, 100 kHz category B combination surge.
A universal surge protector for protecting a battery powered notebook computer and an associated power adapter from harmful electrical disturbances occurring on an AC power line while the notebook is powered by a dc voltage generated by a power adapter coupled to an AC power source over the line and neutral sides of an AC power line,
- the surge protector comprising in combination
- a high voltage section for coupling to the line and neutral sides of an AC power line and including a high voltage rated MOV fixedly coupled across line and neutral for diverting harmful electrical disturbances away from a notebook and power adapter through the high voltage rated MOV when an AC power line is coupled to a high rated AC power service over an AC power line and
- a low voltage section for coupling to the line and neutral sides of an AC power line including
- a low voltage rated MOV and
- a switch for coupling the low voltage rated MOV in parallel pith the high voltage rated MOV for diverting harmful electrical disturbances away from a notebook and power adapter through the high and low voltage MOVs while the surge protector is coupled to a lower rated AC power service and for de-coupling the low voltage rated MOV from an AC power line when the surge protector is coupled to a high voltage rated AC power service.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.