Systems and Methods for Protecting Electrical Wire Connections from Overheating

• US 20130180979A1
• Filed: 01/17/2012
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Borovinov, Valentin
• Original Assignee: Borovinov, Valentin
• Inventors: Borovinov, Valentin
• Granted Patent: US 9,531,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/494
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 5/043 the temperature dependent resistor being disposed parallel to a heating wire, e.g. in a heating blanket

Abstract

Systems and methods for protecting electrical wire connections from overheating are provided. In some embodiments, methods for protecting electrical wire connections from overheating are provided, the methods comprising: detecting a signal responsive to a temperature of an electrical wire connection using a temperature sensor; comparing the signal to a threshold; and disconnecting power to a circuit when the comparison indicates that the temperature is over a given value. In some embodiments, systems for protecting electrical wire connections from overheating are provided, the systems comprising: a temperature sensor that detects a signal responsive to a temperature of an electrical wire connection using a temperature sensor; an operational amplifier that compares the signal to a threshold; and a relay that disconnects power to a circuit when the comparison indicates that the temperature is over a given value.

Claims

1. A method for protecting electrical wire connections from overheating, comprising:

detecting a signal responsive to a temperature of an electrical wire connection using a temperature sensor;

comparing the signal to a threshold; and

disconnecting power to a circuit when the comparison indicates that the temperature is over a given value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is embedded in a wire connector.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wire connector is a twist-on wire connector.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing is performed by an operational amplifier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the disconnecting is performed by a relay.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising keeping the power disconnected from the circuit after the signal transitions from being higher to being lower than the threshold.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an audible alarm when the comparison indicates that the temperature is over the given value.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a visible alarm when the comparison indicates that the temperature is over the given value.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising interrupting current to the circuit using a circuit interrupting device when the temperature at the circuit interrupting device exceeds another given value.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the circuit includes a light bulb.

11. A system for protecting electrical wire connections from overheating, comprising:

a temperature sensor that detects a signal responsive to a temperature of an electrical wire connection using a temperature sensor;

an operational amplifier that compares the signal to a threshold; and

a relay that disconnects power to a circuit when the comparison indicates that the temperature is over a given value.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the temperature sensor is embedded in a wire connector.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the wire connector is a twist-on wire connector.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the relay is configured to keep the power disconnected from the circuit after the signal transitions from being higher to being lower than the threshold.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising an audible alarm that indicates that the temperature is over the given value.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a visible alarm that indicates that the temperature is over the given value.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising a circuit interrupting device that interrupts current to the circuit when the temperature at the circuit interrupting device exceeds another given value.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the circuit includes a light bulb.