Automatic Power Source Configuration

• US 20090108681A1
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Litovsky, Roman N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,656,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/110
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0238 using supply converters
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0244 Stepped control
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/03 the amplifier being designed for audio applications
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/181 Low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers

Abstract

A circuit to supply power to a detachable load incorporates a power source, a power converter and an array of capacitors. Upon connection of the detachable load, the capacitors of the array of capacitors are automatically configured into a desired series, parallel or combination series and parallel configuration of interconnections to accommodate limitations in the voltage ranges of the capacitors in being coupled to the load and/or to achieve other desired characteristics of electrical power to be provided to the load. Further, upon connection of the detachable load, a limit on current flow imposed by the power converter may be set to a desired level to achieve desired characteristics of electrical power to be provided to the load and/or desired characteristics of charging and discharging behaviors of the array of capacitors.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a connector;

a power source to provide power to support at least one part of a load connected to the connector; and

a capacitor array comprising a first capacitor and a second capacitor having an alterable interconnection that changes between a series configuration and a parallel configuration in response to the connection of the at least one part of the load to the connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power converter, wherein the power converter is structured to impose a predetermined limit on a flow of current from the power source through a portion of the power converter, and wherein the power converter is structured to cooperate with the capacitor array to provide a temporary flow of current from the power source circumventing the power converter in response to an increase in power requirements of the load.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power converter is structured to change the predetermined limit in response to the receipt of a signal from the at least one part of the load connected to the connector.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switching device incorporated into the connector to change the alterable interconnection in response to a mechanical interaction between the connector and the at least one part of the load arising from the connection of the at least one part of the load to the connector.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switching device to change the alterable interconnection in response to a signal received from the at least one part of the load through the connector.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a processing device and a storage device in which a routine is stored that comprises a sequence of instructions that when executed by the processing device causes the processing device to:

receive the signal from the at least one part of the load; and

operate the switching device in response to receiving the signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the signal specifies a characteristic of electrical power required by the load, and wherein the processing device is further caused by the routine to perform a calculation based on the signal to derive a configuration of the alterable interconnection.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power source is structured to provide an additional signal specifying a characteristic of the power source to the processing device, and wherein the processing device is further caused by the routine to perform a calculation based on the signal and the additional signal to determine if the characteristic of electrical power required by the load is able to be satisfied utilizing the power source.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a first contact coupled to the first capacitor and a second contact coupled to the second capacitor, and wherein the connector is structured to enable the alterable interconnection to be changed by enabling the at least one part of the load to couple the first and second contacts when connected to the connector.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the load comprises an audio amplifier and an acoustic driver, and wherein the at least one part of the load is the acoustic driver.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a connector;

a power source to provide power to support at least one part of a load connected to the connector; and

a power converter, wherein the power converter is structured to impose a predetermined limit on a flow of current from the power source through a portion of the power converter, and wherein the power converter is structured to change the predetermined limit in response to the connection of the at least one part of the load to the connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a capacitor array comprising a first capacitor and a second capacitor having an alterable interconnection that changes between a series configuration and a parallel configuration in response to the connection of the at least one part of the load to the connector, and wherein the capacitor array is structured to cooperate with the power converter to provide a temporary flow of current from the power source circumventing the power converter in response to an increase in power requirements of the load.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power converter is structured to enable changing the predetermined limit in response to the receipt of a signal from the at least one part of the load connected to the connector.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a processing device and a storage device in which a routine is stored that comprises a sequence of instructions that when executed by the processing device causes the processing device to:

receive the signal from the at least one part of the load; and

operate the power converter to change the predetermined limit in response to receiving the signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the signal specifies a characteristic of electrical power required by the load, and wherein the processing device is further caused by the routine to perform a calculation based on the signal to derive a degree to which the predetermined limit is changed.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power source is structured to provide an additional signal specifying a characteristic of the power source to the processing device, and wherein the processing device is further caused by the routine to perform a calculation based on the signal and the additional signal to determine if the characteristic of electrical power required by the load is able to be satisfied utilizing the power source.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the load comprises an audio amplifier and an acoustic driver, and wherein the at least one part of the load is the acoustic driver.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a connector;

an audio amplifier to output amplified audio to the connector;

a power source to provide power to the amplifier; and

a power control device with an alterable power control parameter, wherein the power control device is structured to change the alterable power control parameter in response to the connection of a detachable acoustic driver to the connector.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the power control device is a capacitor array comprising a first capacitor and a second capacitor, and wherein the alterable power control parameter is an alterable interconnection between the first and second capacitors that is changeable between a series configuration and a parallel configuration.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the power control device is a power converter, and wherein the alterable power control parameter is a predetermined limit imposed by the power converter on a flow of current through a portion of the power converter.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a non-detachable acoustic driver; and

a switching device structured to redirect the amplified audio from the connector and to the non-detachable acoustic driver in response to there being no detachable acoustic driver connected to the connector.