US 8,708,746 B2Granted

Multifunction networkable controller plug and methods of operation thereof

OwnerWalter Jason Altice, Matthew Brandon Smithinventors

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Abstract

A compact electrical plug characterized as a receptacle with a self-contained programmable, networkable controller which can be installed directly onto an electromechanical valve or relay. The plug has a controller built into the receptacle housing. It can be configured to run autonomously based on an internal closed loop feedback algorithm or manually controlled based on commands received remotely by a computer or custom control interface. The invention can be networked with other plugs like it providing a streamlined network where multiple electromechanical valves and\or relays can be controlled at one time. The plug has multiple visual indications providing the operating status and error states of the connected component and contained controller.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A self-contained programmable controller connector comprising:

a connector housing containing an electronic circuit board;
a housing lid attached to the connector housing for protection of the electronic circuit board;
a wire grommet attached to the housing lid for preventing foreign matter from entering the connector housing;
a four pin plug, attached to the connector housing for direct electrical attachment to a mating coil of a valve;
a microcontroller electrically coupled to the electronic circuit board for controlling electrical inputs and outputs with software;
a communications transceiver electrically coupled to the microcontroller for remote serial communication;
a transistor electrically coupled to the microcontroller for control of voltage and current to the four pin plug;
light emitting diodes electrically coupled to the microcontroller for visual status indications;
a voltage regulator connected to the electronic circuit board for providing regulated voltage to the microcontroller.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.