US 2016/0079718 A1Published application

High voltage and high current power outlet

AssigneeSchneider Electric It Corporation

InventorsDaniel J. Rohr, Weicheng Cheng

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Abstract

According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a power distribution device including a power outlet comprising a receptacle including an internal conductor configured to be coupled to a power source and to an external conductor inserted into the receptacle, a switch configured to provide an indication of whether the external conductor has been sufficiently inserted within the receptacle, a relay configured to form a first connection between the external conductor and the power source, a transistor configured to be coupled in parallel with the relay, to form a second connection between the external conductor and the power source, and a controller configured to determine, based on the switch, that the external conductor is being removed, in response to the external conductor being removed, control the relay to sever the first connection, and in response to opening the relay, control the transistor to sever the second connection after a predetermined delay.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A power distribution device including at least one power outlet, the at least one power outlet comprising:

a housing;
at least one receptacle within the housing, the at least one receptacle including an internal conductor configured to be coupled to a power source and to an external conductor inserted into the at least one receptacle;
a switch within the housing, the switch configured to provide an indication of whether the external conductor has been inserted at least to a predetermined point within the at least one receptacle;
a relay configured to be selectively coupled between the external conductor and the power source to form a first connection between the external conductor and the power source;
a transistor configured to be coupled between the external conductor and the power source, in parallel with the relay, to form a second connection between the external conductor and the power source;
and
a controller coupled to the relay, the transistor, and the switch, wherein the controller is configured to:
determine, based on the indication from the switch, that the external conductor is being removed from the at least one receptacle,
in response to the determination that the external conductor is being removed from the at least one receptacle, control the relay to open and sever the first connection, and
in response to opening the relay, control the transistor to turn off after a predetermined transistor delay and sever the second connection.

7 more elements

A method for controlling a power outlet, the power outlet including a housing, at least one receptacle within the housing having an internal conductor configured to be coupled to a power source and to an external conductor inserted into the at least one receptacle, a switch within the housing, a relay configured to be selectively coupled between the external conductor and the power source, and a transistor configured to be coupled between the external conductor and the power source, in parallel with the relay, the method comprising:

inserting the external conductor into the at least one receptacle to couple the external conductor to the internal conductor;
providing, with the switch, an indication that the external conductor is being inserted into the at least one receptacle;
in response to the indication by the switch that the external conductor is being inserted into the at least one receptacle, controlling the transistor to turn on and provide power from the power source to the external conductor via the transistor;
and
in response to turning on the transistor, controlling, after a predetermined relay delay, the relay to close and provide power from the power source to the external conductor via the relay.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/780,839Filed 29 Mar 2013
Published: 17 Mar 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H01R 13/703
With built-in switch: operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
H01H 50/541
Contact arrangements: auxiliary contact devices
H01R 13/7038
The switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling: making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g.…
H01R 31/065
Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter: with built-in electric apparatus