Power supply configured to detect a power source

• US 20060098358A1
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RRC power solutions GmbH
• Original Assignee: RRC power solutions GmbH
• Inventors: Hackett, Gareth J., Wambsganss, Peter M.
• Application Number:
  US10/984,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20060098358A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/18
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 Balancing the load in a network

Abstract

Described herein is a power supply that is able to detect that the power supply is coupled to an in-seat power source of an aircraft, for example, and limit the available output power, thereby reducing the possibility of the in-seat power supply turning off. Thus, those electronic devices that include power management systems can adjust to the reduced available power by turning off unused devices or processes, such as battery charging, or reducing a processor power.

Claims

1. A power supply including a connector engaged with a receptacle of a power source, the power supply comprising:

a sensor configured to sense one or more characteristics of the power source;

and

a microprocessor coupled to the sensor, wherein the microprocessor receives an input from the sensor indicative of the sensed one or more characteristic and the microprocessor is configured to determine a type of power source to which the connector is engaged in response to the received input.

2. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the one or more characteristic comprises a voltage difference between two terminals of the receptacle.

3. The power supply of claim 2, wherein if the voltage difference is about 5 volts, the microprocessor determines that the connector is engaged with an air receptacle and the microprocessor limits the power drawn from the power source.

4. The power supply of claim 3, wherein the microprocessor limits the power drawn from the power source to a percentage of a shut-off threshold in response to determining that the connector is engaged with an air receptacle.

5. The power supply of claim 3, wherein the microprocessor limits the power drawn from the power source to about 65 Watts in response to determining that the connector is engaged with an air receptacle.

6. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the one or more characteristic comprises a data value stored in a data element coupled to the power source.

7. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the one or more characteristic comprises at least one of a current, a resistance, a capacitance, and an inductance.

8. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises an air connector integrally connected to the power supply and configured to engage an air receptacle.

9. The power supply of claim 8, wherein the connector further comprises a vehicle connector configured to engage the air connector on a first end and to engage a vehicle receptacle on a second end.

10. A method of adjusting a power level of a power supply, the method comprising:

sensing one or more characteristics of a power source;

determining a power level of the power supply in response to the sensed one or more characteristic; and

limiting the power level of the power supply to the determined power level.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determined power level is a fraction of a power level of the power source.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the determined power level is about 65 Watts if the one or more characteristics are indicative of an air power source.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the determined power level is substantially equal to a power level of the power source if the one or more characteristics are indicative of a vehicle power source.

14. The power supply of claim 10, wherein the one or more characteristic comprises at least one of a voltage, a current, a resistance, a capacitance, an inductance, and a digital data bit.

15. A system for adjusting a power level of a power supply, the system comprising:

means for sensing one or more characteristics of a power source;

means for determining a power level of the power supply in response to the sensed one or more characteristic; and

means for limiting the power level of the power supply to the determined power level.

16. A connector configured to engage with a receptacle of a power source, the connector comprising:

a sensor configured to sense one or more characteristics of the power source;

and

one or more output terminals coupled to a microprocessor, wherein the one or more terminals each transmit an electrical signal indicative of the sensed one or more characteristics and the microprocessor is configured to determine a type of power source to which the connector is engaged based on the one or more transmitted electrical signals.