Method and apparatus for sequencing and controlling power distribution
First Claim
1. A power sequencing and controlling circuit comprising:
- a first electrical outlet for coupling to a first load;
a first current sensor having first, second and third sensor ends, said first sensor end for coupling to a power source, said second sensor end coupled to said first electrical outlet, said first current sensor sensing current through said first electrical outlet;
a switch controller coupled to said third sensor end, said switch controller receiving a signal from one of a plurality of inputs, said inputs including said first current sensor, a DC Dower supply and a second Dower sequencing and control circuit;
a switch having first and second switch ends, said switch being controlled by said switch controller, said first switch end for coupling to said power source; and
a second electrical outlet coupled to said second switch end, said second electrical outlet for coupling to a second load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for operating a power sequencer/controller system are disclosed. In a typical operation, an AC power sequencer/controller of the present invention senses the current through a first outlet connected to a first load, and when the current through the first outlet exceeds a first threshold voltage, indicating that the first load is turned on, the AC power sequencer/controller provides power to a second outlet so that a second load connected to the second outlet can be turned on. A power sequencer/controller of the present invention includes at least (a) a master outlet for coupling to a first load, (b) a current sensor for sensing the current through the master outlet and for coupling to a power source, (c) a switch controller for receiving a signal from the current sensor, a DC power supply or an input from a second power sequencer/controller, (d) a switch controlled by the switch controller and for coupling to the power source, and (e) a slave outlet coupled to the switch and for coupling to a second load. Multiple power sequencers/controllers can be also cascaded. While a master outlet may be always powered, a slave outlet of a power sequencer/controller can be either always powered, controlled (a) by one of the master outlet or a slave outlet of the same power sequencer/controller or (b) by a master outlet or a slave outlet of another power sequencer/controller in a cascaded system.
135 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A power sequencing and controlling circuit comprising:
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a first electrical outlet for coupling to a first load; a first current sensor having first, second and third sensor ends, said first sensor end for coupling to a power source, said second sensor end coupled to said first electrical outlet, said first current sensor sensing current through said first electrical outlet; a switch controller coupled to said third sensor end, said switch controller receiving a signal from one of a plurality of inputs, said inputs including said first current sensor, a DC Dower supply and a second Dower sequencing and control circuit; a switch having first and second switch ends, said switch being controlled by said switch controller, said first switch end for coupling to said power source; and a second electrical outlet coupled to said second switch end, said second electrical outlet for coupling to a second load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A power sequencing and controlling circuit comprising:
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a first electrical outlet for coupling to a first load; a first current sensor having first, second and third sensor ends, said first sensor end for coupling to a power source, said second sensor end coupled to said first electrical outlet, said current sensor sensing current through said first electrical outlet; a first switch controller coupled to said third sensor end; a first switch having first and second switch ends, said first switch end for coupling to said power source, said first switch being controlled by said first switch controller; a second electrical outlet for coupling to a second load; a second current sensor having fourth, fifth and sixth sensor ends, said fourth sensor end coupled to said second switch end, said fifth sensor end coupled to said second electrical outlet, said second current sensor sensing current through said second electrical outlet; a second switch controller coupled to said sixth sensor end; a second switch having third and fourth switch ends, said third switch end for coupling to said power source, said second switch being controlled by said second switch controller; and a third electrical outlet coupled to said fourth switch end, said third electrical outlet for coupling to a third load.
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13. A method for operating a power sequencing and controlling circuit comprising the steps of:
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sensing current through a first electrical outlet; and providing power to a second electrical outlet when the current through said first electrical outlet exceeds a threshold current level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for operating a power sequencing and controlling circuit comprising the steps of:
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sensing current through a first electrical outlet; selecting a signal from (a) a first current sensor coupled to said first electrical outlet, (b) a power supply, or (c) an input port coupled to a second power sequencing and controlling circuit; and closing a switch coupled to a second electrical outlet when said signal turns on a circuit that controls said switch; and providing power to said second electrical outlet when said switch closes wherein when said signal is from said DC power supply, the step of sensing the current through said first electrical outlet is not needed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification