Apparatus and method for simultaneously detecting the power state of a plurality of circuit breaker switches

• US 20060238363A1
• Filed: 04/21/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hi-Tech Electronic Products & Mfg., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hi-Tech Electronic Products & Mfg., Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Glenn T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,554,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/638
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3277 of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting the power state of a circuit breaker switch is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a detector circuit, a processor and an indicator. The processor is coupled to the detector circuit. The indicator is coupled to the processor. In operation, the detector circuit senses an electronic signal at the circuit breaker switch and transmits a signal to the processor. The processor then transmits a signal to the indicator indicating the power state and location of the circuit breaker switch.

Claims

1. An display panel for detecting the power state and location of at least one circuit breaker switch disposed within a circuit breaker box, comprising:

a circuit board, the circuit board including a processor, a memory location and an indicator;

a detector circuit coupled to the circuit board, the detector circuit including a sensing mechanism;

wherein the detector circuit is disposed in close proximity the circuit breaker switch; and

wherein display panel is mounted to the circuit breaker box.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electrical outlet, the electrical outlet being coupled to one of the circuit breaker switches.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a transmitter/receiver device, the transmitter/receiver device being disposed in one of the electrical outlets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmitter/receiver device is capable of generating an electronic signal that will be sensed by the sensing mechanism of one of the detector circuits.

5. The apparatus of claim 4;

wherein the transmitter/receiver device is capable of receiving a signal indicating the circuit breaker switch that controls the electrical outlet in which the transmitter/receiver is disposed.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing mechanism disposed in the detector circuits is capable of sensing an electronic signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source coupled to the circuit board.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a dead circuit detector coupled to the circuit board.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dead circuit detector is adapted for determining the level of activity on one of the circuit breaker switches.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a recorder coupled to the circuit board and configured to record a mapping sequence wherein the recorder is also configured to replay the mapping sequence.

11. A method for detecting the power state of a circuit breaker switch disposed in a circuit breaker box, comprising:

mounting a sensing mechanism in close proximity to the circuit breaker switch, the sensing mechanism being disposed in a detector circuit;

activating a circuit board, the circuit board including a controller;

sensing an electronic signal at the sensing mechanism;

transmitting a signal from the detector circuit to the controller indicating the existence/presence of the electronic signal;

processing the signal by the controller to determine a condition of the circuit breaker switch; and

transmitting a signal to an associated indicator to indicate the condition of the circuit breaker switch.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising disposing a transmitter/receiver device in an electrical outlet prior to activating the circuit board.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting the electronic signal at the transmitter/receiver device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting a signal from the controller to the transmitter/receiver device indicating the circuit breaker switch that controls the electrical outlet in which the transmitter/receiver is disposed.

15. An display panel for detecting the power state and location of at least one circuit breaker switch disposed within a circuit breaker box, comprising:

a circuit board, the circuit board including a processor, a memory location and an indicator;

a plurality of detector circuits coupled to the circuit board, the detector circuit including a sensing mechanism;

wherein the detector circuit is disposed in close proximity the circuit breaker switch; and

wherein display panel is mounted to the circuit breaker box.