Hardware Based Over-Current Protection Circuitry for Power Distribution Systems
First Claim
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1. A power distribution unit comprising:
- a plurality of switched power outlets adapted to provide power to external devices wherein the switched power outlets are adapted to be controlled by a control signal;
a sensor that measures the magnitude of the current of power being drawn by the power distribution unit;
a comparator that determines if the magnitude of the current exceeds a predetermined threshold;
time qualification circuitry that determines if the magnitude of the current exceeds the predetermined threshold for a predetermined time duration; and
control circuitry that sends a control signal to said switched power outlets when the magnitude of the current exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time duration.
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Abstract
A power distribution unit that switches off power outlets in the event of an over-current condition by using circuitry that measures how long input current has exceeded a threshold and sending a reset signal to the power outlets when input current has exceeded the threshold for a predetermined time duration.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A power distribution unit comprising:
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a plurality of switched power outlets adapted to provide power to external devices wherein the switched power outlets are adapted to be controlled by a control signal; a sensor that measures the magnitude of the current of power being drawn by the power distribution unit; a comparator that determines if the magnitude of the current exceeds a predetermined threshold; time qualification circuitry that determines if the magnitude of the current exceeds the predetermined threshold for a predetermined time duration; and control circuitry that sends a control signal to said switched power outlets when the magnitude of the current exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time duration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for determining when an over-current condition occurs in a power distribution unit comprising the steps of:
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measuring the magnitude of current of power drawn by the power distribution unit; determining if the magnitude of the current exceeds a predetermined threshold; determining if the magnitude of the current exceeds the predetermined threshold for a predetermined time duration; indicating that the magnitude of the current has exceeded a predetermined threshold for the predetermined time duration; sending a control signal preventing power distribution unit from distributing power. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A power distribution unit comprising:
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a plurality of switched power outlets adapted to provide power to external devices wherein the switched power outlets are adapted to be controlled by a control signal; sensor circuitry that measures the magnitude of the current of power being drawn by each of said plurality of switched power outlets; comparator circuitry that determines for each of said plurality of switched power outlets if the magnitude of the current exceeds a predetermined threshold; time qualification circuitry that determines for each of said plurality of switched power outlets if the magnitude of the current exceeds the predetermined threshold for a predetermined time duration; control circuitry that sends a control signal to a subset of said plurality of switched power outlets if the magnitude of the current of the switched power outlet exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time duration. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification