Touch responsive electric power controller
OwnerPramod Vorainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical power controller includes an input filter, a touch logic and a power conditioner combining to control a power device coupled to an electrical load which in turn is coupled to an AC main power source. The controller includes an overload or short circuit current sensor and apparatus for disabling the electrical power coupling to the load to protect both the load and the output power device against excessive current. A visual display indicating the level of voltage applied to the load is provided. In alternate embodiments, a timer having a preprogrammed power variation profiles imposes a predetermined variation of power to the load over time.
Claims14
For use in controlling electrical power applied to a load from a power source producing a load current therein, a controller applying electrical power to loads which are resistive, capacitive or inductive, said controller comprising:
- a touch logic circuit coupled to said power source and having a touch input;
- a power conditioner coupled to said touch logic having a voltage level display and producing a power control signal responsive to said touch logic circuit;
- a power device coupled to said power conditioner and said load, such that substantially all of said load current flows through said power device, varying the voltage applied to said load from said power source in response to said power control signal;
- sensing means coupled to said power device for providing a signal indicative of the magnitude of said load current flowing through said power device;
- overload means responsive to said signal from said sensing means for causing said power conditioner to apply a power control signal condition to said power device when said signal from said sensing means exceeds a predetermined level which terminates operation of said power device and the flow of said load current flowing therethrough;
- and
- touch means for altering said touch logic circuit in response to touch.
For use in controlling AC electrical power applied to and load current within a load from an AC main, a controller comprising:
- a triac coupling AC electrical power to said load and having a gate electrode for receiving a triac trigger signal, said triac conducting substantially all of said load current and ceasing to couple AC electrical power to said load in the absence of a triac trigger signal at said gate electrode;
- a triac trigger circuit producing a triac trigger signal coupled to said trigger electrode having a phase relative to said AC main;
- touch means coupled to said trigger circuit for varying the phase of said trigger signal in response to human touch;
- and
- overload means for sensing the magnitude of said load current carried by said triac and terminating the coupling of said triac trigger signal when sensed triac current exceeds a predetermined current to interrupt said load current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.