Power control circuits with enhanced nonlinear current sensing
US6735705B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2200/261
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Analog and digital power control switching circuits and power strips for use with various electronic devices and electrically operated appliances all enable a first device to control the powering or start-up of other devices. A smart power strip variation enables a user to energize all computer peripherals simply by turning the computer on or off. All embodiments comprise a sensing subcircuit that monitors AC current passed through the device or appliance plugged into a sensing outlet, which, in turn, generates a conditioned DC monitoring signal. A related control subcircuit driven by the monitoring signal powers suitable relays or transistors for activating downstream devices or appliances. All sensing subcircuits comprise a transformer primary, a capacitor, and at least one pair of anti-parallel diodes all connected in parallel. The stepped-up transformer output is rectified and filtered, yielding a DC monitoring signal delivered to the control subcircuit. Each control subcircuit has a solid state switch responsive to the monitoring signal that controls relays or transistors that power the controlled appliance or device. Preferred digital control subcircuits comprise a microcontr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.