Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for power loss detection and saving of operation settings in an appliance

US6597144B2 · kind B2 · utility

22Cited by
23References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 20, 2001
Grant dateJul 22, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B40/00
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring voltage input to an appliance, such as a dryer, sensing when power input to the appliance is lost. In addition, a controller in the appliance pulses relay coils controlling motors and/or heating devices within the appliance to conserve energy on a backup capacitor that supplies the control circuit of the appliance in the event of power loss. Further, a voltage sense circuit outputting a square wave effects monitoring of the input voltage to the appliance by outputting the square wave signal whose cycle period is monitored to determine power outage. The controller stores current operation settings at the time of power outage in a memory device and ensures proper storage through the extra energy conserved from the capacitor by the pulsing of the relay coils.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.