Electrical safety outlet
US7978447B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H11/005
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A safety outlet that prevents hazardous conditions is described. Embodiments of the outlet use safe low-voltage DC power to check and ensure that an appliance is plugged into the outlet, that the appliance does not have short circuits or ground faults, and that the appliance is switched on. Some embodiments warn of unsafe conditions. Until the safety checks are performed and satisfactorily passed, embodiments of the outlet keep the AC power turned off and isolated from the outlet. Only then is the receptacle powered, after which the appliance can be used normally. Once the appliance is switched off, the power at the outlet is also turned off automatically. When an appliance is in use, some embodiments of the invention continue providing ground fault protection using GFCI technology. All this is performed automatically and quickly, nearly imperceptibly in normal use. Some embodiments may be integrated with external control systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.