PERIMETER ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM

• US 20110088941A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Original Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Inventors: Ty, Try, Kmiecik, Mark, Starkey, Aaron P.R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,330,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/505
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/386 in walls
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks

Abstract

An electrical power system including a first power entry unit, at least one receptacle, and a second power entry unit. The at least one receptacle is electrically connected to the first power entry unit. The second power entry unit is electrically connectable to the at least one receptacle. The first power entry unit and the second power entry unit include at least one detection device. Either the first power entry unit or the second power entry unit is a selected power entry unit and the remaining one is another power entry unit. The detection device is configured to preclude an electrical power connection of both the selected power entry unit and the other power entry unit to the at least one receptacle.

Claims

1. A modular office system, comprising:

at least one wall panel having a raceway; and

an electrical power system at least partially contained in said raceway, said electrical power system including;

a first power entry unit;

at least one receptacle electrically connected to said first power entry unit; and

a second power entry unit electrically connectable to said at least one receptacle, at least one of said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit including at least one detection device, one of said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit being a selected power entry unit and the remaining one being an other power entry unit, said detection device being configured to preclude an electrical power connection of both said selected power entry unit and said other power entry unit to said at least one receptacle.

2. The modular office system of claim 1, wherein said selected power entry unit, dependent upon information from said detection device, one of disconnects electrical power being supplied therethrough to said at least one receptacle upon detection of an electrical connection of said other power entry unit and precludes the application of electrical power from said selected power entry unit to said at least one receptacle upon detection of an electrical connection of said other power entry unit.

3. The modular office system of claim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle is a plurality of receptacles electrically connected together, said detection device of said first power entry unit additionally detecting a number of said plurality of receptacles being supplied electrical power from said first power entry unit.

4. The modular office system of claim 3, wherein said first power entry unit is further configured to discontinue supplying power to said plurality of receptacles if said number exceeds a predetermined number.

5. The modular office system of claim 1, wherein both said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit each include one of said at least one detection devices.

6. The modular office system of claim 5, wherein said detection device of said first power entry unit includes an event generator configured to select a time to alter a detection signal sent from said first power entry unit thereby enabling said detection device of said first power entry unit to sense a detection signal being sent from said second power entry unit to thereby detect the attempted electrical power connection of said second power entry unit to said at least one receptacle.

7. The modular office system of claim 6, wherein said event generator selects at least one additional time to alter said detection signal of said first power entry unit

8. The modular office system of claim 6, wherein said event generator is a random number generator.

9. An electrical power system, comprising:

a first power entry unit;

at least one receptacle electrically connected to said first power entry unit; and

a second power entry unit electrically connectable to said at least one receptacle, at least one of said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit including at least one detection device, one of said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit being a selected power entry unit and the remaining one being an other power entry unit, said detection device being configured to detect an attempted electrical power connection of both said selected power entry unit and said other power entry unit to said at least one receptacle.

10. The electrical power system of claim 9, wherein said selected power entry unit, dependent upon information from said detection device, one of disconnects electrical power being supplied therethrough to said at least one receptacle upon detection of an electrical connection of said other power entry unit and precludes the application of electrical power from said selected power entry unit to said at least one receptacle upon detection of an electrical connection of said other power entry unit.

11. The electrical power system of claim 9, wherein said at least one receptacle is a plurality of receptacles electrically connected together, said detection device of said first power entry unit additionally detecting a number of said plurality of receptacles being supplied electrical power from said first power entry unit.

12. The electrical power system of claim 11, wherein said first power entry unit is further configured to discontinue supplying power to said plurality of receptacles if said number exceeds a predetermined number.

13. The electrical power system of claim 9, wherein both said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit each include one of said at least one detection devices.

14. The electrical power system of claim 13, wherein said detection device of said first power entry unit includes an event generator configured to select a time to alter a detection signal sent from said first power entry unit thereby enabling said detection device of said first power entry unit to sense a detection signal being sent from said second power entry unit to thereby detect the attempted electrical power connection of said second power entry unit to said at least one receptacle.

15. The electrical power system of claim 14, wherein said event generator selects at least one additional time to alter said detection signal of said first power entry unit

16. The electrical power system of claim 14, wherein said event generator is a random number generator.

17. An electrical power distribution method, comprising the steps of:

connecting a first power entry unit to at least one electrical receptacle; and

detecting a second power entry unit that is electrically connected to said at least one electrical receptacle prior to said first power entry unit engaging electrical power to said at least one electrical receptacle.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of precluding the engaging of electrical power from said first power entry unit to said at least one electrical receptacle dependent upon a detection of an electrical connection of said second power entry unit in said detecting step.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of altering an illumination of an indicator dependent upon a detection of an electrical connection of said second power entry unit in said detecting step.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of selecting a time to alter a detection signal sent from said first power entry unit thereby enabling said first power entry unit to sense a detection signal being sent from said second power entry unit to thereby detect the attempted electrical power connection of said first power entry unit to said at least one electrical receptacle.