Device for controlling power distribution to subsystems

• US 6,501,195 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2000
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BITS Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: BITS Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Barton, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): POLK, SHARON A
• Application Number:
  US09/597,666
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 307/38, 307/115, 307/125
• US Class Current: 307/125
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/001 Functional circuits, e.g. logic, sequencing, interlocking circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004

Abstract

A device for controlling a power distribution to subsystems which has a power input to be connected to a power source, a primary power output to be connected to a primary device, at least one secondary power output to be connected to at least one secondary device; sensing unit for sensing when a current level falls below a threshold in response to the primary device being turned off and when the level current raises above a threshold in response to the primary device being turned on; and executing unit operatively connected with the sensing unit and operative for interrupting a power supply to the at least one secondary device when the sensing unit sense the current level below the threshold and supplying power to the at least one secondary device when the sensing unit sense the current level above the threshold correspondingly; and means for limiting voltage across said sensing means so as to limit heat produced by said sensing means but at the same time to allow tripping of said sensing means.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a power distribution to subsystems, comprising a power input to be connected to a power source, a primary power output to be connected to a primary device;

at least one secondary power output to be connected to at least one secondary device;

sensing means for sensing when a current level falls below a threshold in response to the primary device being turned off and when the current level raises above a threshold in response to the primary device being turned on; and

executing means operatively connected with said sensing means and operative for interrupting a power supply to said at least one secondary device when the sensing means sense the current level below the threshold and supplying power to said at least one secondary device when said sensing means sense the current level above the threshold correspondingly; and

means for limiting voltage across said sensing means so as to limit heat produced by said sensing means but at the same time to allow tripping of said sensing means, said voltage limiting means including a gate element connected parallel with said sensing means, said voltage limiting means including means for ensuring that said sensing means first acts on said executing means, and only thereafter said gate element limits the voltage of said sensing means.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means including a sensing resistor, said gate element including a triac connected parallel with said sensing resistor.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said ensuring means include a diode element connected between a sensing resistor of said sensing means and said gate element.

4. A device defined in claim 3, wherein said diode element include two diodes which are inverted relative to one another.

5. A device as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising time delay means which is located between said sensing means and said executing means and is operative for delaying interruption of power or supply of power to the at least one secondary device in response to the sensing of the current level below the threshold or above the threshold by the sensing means correspondingly.

6. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said time delay means include a capacitor and resistors located between said sensing means and said executing means.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said executing means includes a DC relay.

8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said executing means includes a mechanical AC relay.

9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said executing means includes a solid state AC relay.

10. A device as in claim 1;

and further comprising means for adjusting the threshold.

11. A device as in claim 1;

and further comprising a switch connectable with each secondary device and turning the latter on, off, or for control.

12. In combination with an electrical power source a primary device, and at least one secondary device, a device for controlling a power distribution comprising a power input to be connected to the power source;

a primary power output to be connected to the at least one secondary device;

sensing means for sensing when a current level falls below a threshold in response to the primary device being turned off and when the current level raises above a threshold in response to the primary device being turned on; and

executing means operatively connected with said sensing means and operative for interrupting a power supply to said at least one secondary device when the sensing means sense the current level below the threshold and supply power to said at least one secondary device when said sensing means sense the current level above the threshold; and

means for limiting voltage across said sensing means so as to limit heat produced by said sensing means but at the same time to allow tripping of said sensing means.

13.The combination as defined in claim 12; and

further comprising means for adjusting the threshold.

13. A device for controlling a power distribution to subsystems, comprising a power input to be connected to a power source, a primary power output to be connected to a primary device;

at least one secondary power output to be connected to at least one secondary device;

sensing means for sensing when a current level falls below a threshold in response to the primary device being turned off and when the current level raises above a threshold in response to the primary device being turned on; and

executing means operatively connected with said sensing means and operative for interrupting a power supply to said at least one secondary device when the sensing means sense the current level below the threshold and supplying power to said at least one secondary device when said sensing means sense the current level above the threshold correspondingly; and

means for limiting voltage across said sensing means so as to limit heat produced by said sensing means but at the same time to allow tripping of said sensing means, said sensing means including a current sensing resistor arranged in series with said primary power output, and a triac connected to said resistor and to said executing means.

14. A device defined in claim 14, wherein said current sensing resistor is formed so as to convert current into voltage;

and further comprising means for limiting voltage across said current sensing resistor.