Auto-switching duplex module
OwnerSteve Chapel, William Pachoudinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method (“utility”) for providing power to an electrically powered device from alternate, redundant power sources via a single power cord. The utility is operable to provide redundant power to an electrical device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug. The utility is operable to sense a loss of power quality from one power source, and to switch a connection to another power source in response to the loss. The utility may be configured to match the form factor of a standard (e.g., NEMA or other electrical standard) duplex receptacle unit. The utility may be incorporated into a standard outlet box or may plug into a standard outlet box.
Claims40
An apparatus for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, comprising:
- a first standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug;
- a first terminal assembly for interconnecting to a first power source;
- a second terminal assembly for interconnecting to a second power source;
- a switch for selectively interconnecting said first standard receptacle to either said first terminal assembly or said second terminal assembly, wherein said switch is operative for sensing a reduction of power quality from one of said first or second power sources and for switching a connection of said first standard receptacle responsive to said reduction of power quality, said switching being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources;
- and
- a housing configured to house said first standard receptacle, said first terminal assembly, said second terminal assembly, and said switch within a form factor of a standard National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) receptacle.
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A method for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a module including a module receptacle for receiving said standard plug and a switch for switching a connection of said module receptacle;
- first connecting said module to first and second power sources;
- second connecting said standard plug to said module receptacle;
- sensing a power quality from one of said first or second power sources;
- and
- switching said connection of said module receptacle using said switch in response to sensing a reduction of said power quality and so as to suppress arc carryover during said switching, said switching being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources.
A method for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first standard receptacle for receiving said standard plug, said first standard receptacle being selectively associated with first and second power sources via a switch;
- sensing a predetermined undesirable change in loss of power quality from one of said first and second power sources;
- responsive to said change, cycling said switch to provide power to said first standard receptacle from the other of said first and second power sources, said cycling being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources;
- and
- forcing said power to zero during at least a portion of said cycling so as to suppress arc carryover during said cycling.
An apparatus for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, comprising:
- a first standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug;
- a first terminal assembly for interconnecting to a first power source;
- a second terminal assembly for interconnecting to a second power source;
- and
- a switch for selectively interconnecting said first standard receptacle to either said first terminal assembly or said second terminal assembly, wherein said switch is operative for sensing a power quality of one of said first and second power sources and for switching a connection of said first standard receptacle responsive to said power quality;
- and an arc carryover suppresser operable to force an interrupt in current flowing into said first standard receptacle during a time when said switch is switching said connection of said first standard receptacle responsive to said reduction of power quality, said switching being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.