Audio amplifier power and temperature controller having network detecting and associated methods

• US 6,653,899 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Core Brands, LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Niles Audio Corporation (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Organvidez, Juan H., Quintanar, Felix C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/882,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20020011899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 330/51, 330/207.P, 330/289, 330/298, 381/120
• US Class Current: 330/207.00P
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/52 Circuit arrangements for protecting such amplifiers monitoring arrangements G01R31/28; increasing reliability in communication systems, e.g. using redundancy H04B1/74
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/3076 with symmetrical driving of the end stage
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/68 Combinations of amplifiers, e.g. multi-channel amplifiers for stereophonics power amplifiers using a combination of several semiconductor amplifiers H03F3/211; combinations of amplifiers using coupling networks with distributed constants H03F3/602

Abstract

An audio amplifier power and temperature controller and associated method are provided which preferably includes a power receiving circuit for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier and a power condition switching control circuit responsive to the power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions. The power condition switching control circuit preferably includes a network detecting circuit responsive to the power receiving circuit for detecting network conditions, a thermal status monitoring and controlling circuit for monitoring thermal status of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions, and an audio power sensing and processing circuit responsive to the power receiving circuit for monitoring audio power input conditions to the audio amplifier to enhance source output and to reduce or eliminate noise such as due to other components within a network system.

Claims

1. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions; and

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network.

2. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 1 wherein said power receiving means includes a power receiving circuit with a plurality of conductors positioned to receive power from a power source.

3. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 2 wherein said power source is a source of alternating current.

4. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 2 wherein said power source is a direct current power supply.

5. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 2 wherein said power source is a power transformer.

6. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 2 wherein said power receiving means further includes power sensing circuitry and switch circuitry.

7. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 1 wherein said power condition switching control means includes a power condition switching control circuit which switchingly controls power from the power receiving circuit to other components of the audio amplifier.

8. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 7 wherein said power condition switching control circuit is responsive to power supplied during start up and during continuous operation of the amplifier.

9. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 7 wherein said power condition switching control circuit includes soft starting means.

10. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 9 wherein said soft starting means is a soft start circuit responsive to said power receiving circuit for limiting inrush current from said power receiving circuit and for slowly ramping up to an audio amplifier on-state.

11. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 10 wherein said soft starting circuit includes a voltage regulating circuit connected to a voltage supply which regulates input voltage to said soft start circuit.

12. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 1 wherein said thermal status monitor and controlling means includes a thermal status monitoring and controlling circuit.

13. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 1 wherein said thermal status monitor and controlling means include a micro-controller and software programs embedded within said micro-controller.

14. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 7 wherein said power condition switching control circuit includes output monitoring means to protect said amplifier during a high current condition.

15. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 1 further comprising visual feedback means responsive to said power condition switching control means for providing visual operating and error status conditions.

16. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 15 wherein said visual feedback means include indicating means for indicating at least one predetermined visual signal and a plurality of light sources responsive to said indicating means to visually display light representing the at least one predetermined visual signal.

17. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier, said power receiving means including a power receiving circuit with a plurality of conductors positioned to receive power from a power source, power sensing circuitry and switch circuitry, a plurality of fuses connected to said conductors;

a damping capacitor connected to said conductors; and

a main power transformer connected to one of said fuses and one of said conductors;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions, output monitoring means to protect said amplifier during a high current condition, input power discriminating means responsive to said power receiving means for discriminating between incoming audio component signals to switch said audio amplifier to the on-state, and brown-out protecting means for preventing said audio amplifier from going into and remaining in a circuit protection or sleep mode by continuously monitoring said audio amplifier for normal current conditions and responsively resuming normal current amplifier operations when normal current conditions occur;

soft starting means within said power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for limiting inrush current from said power receiving means and for slowly ramping up to an audio amplifier on-state, said soft start means including a power level detection circuit to detect voltage changes by sensing frequency changes and voltage null points, a micro-controller responsive to said power level detection circuit to monitor low power conditions and high power conditions, and a voltage regulating circuit connected to a voltage supply which regulates input voltage to said soft start circuit;

wave analyzing embedded software within said micro-controller for analyzing the sinusoidal waves detected by said power level detection circuit to determine a voltage null so as to allow said audio amplifier to turn on just prior to a voltage null and to gradually ramp up to a fully on-start or high power condition;

visual feedback means responsive to said power condition switching control means for providing visual operating and error status conditions, said visual feedback means including indicating means for indicating at least one predetermined visual signal and a plurality of light sources responsive to said indicating means to visually display light representing the at least one predetermined visual signal; and

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network.

18. A method of controlling power to an audio amplifier comprising the steps of:

receiving power from a power source;

switching components in said audio amplifier by limiting inrush current from said power source, slowly ramping up said power to an audio amplifier on-state, monitoring the thermal status of the operating values of said audio amplifier components, responsively decreasing power to said audio amplifier components to protect said audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat, and responsively increasing power when said audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

further switching components in said audio amplifier by monitoring current output circuits of said audio amplifier to protect said audio amplifier during a high current condition by disconnecting a load to the current output circuits and reconnecting the load to the current output circuits when normal operating current conditions resume, discriminating between incoming audio component signals to switch the audio amplifier to the on-state and transient line voltage to momentarily sense the signal but not activating the audio amplifier to the on-state, and protectively preventing the audio amplifier from going into and remaining in a circuit protection made by continuously monitoring the audio amplifier for normal current conditions and responsively resuming normal amplifier operations when normal current conditions occur;

further limiting said inrush current by sensing frequency changes and voltage null points and monitoring low power conditions and high power conditions;

monitoring the output current circuits to determine if a full shut down of said audio amplifier is desirable to protect the audio amplifier and other system components when connected thereto; and

providing visual operating and error status feedback for enhancing diagnosis of operating and error status conditions.

19. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier, said power receiving means including, a power receiving circuit with a plurality of conductors positioned to receive power from a power source, power sensing circuitry and switch circuitry;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network; and

wherein said switch circuitry consists of resistors and diodes in a resistor-diode network.

20. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network; and

wherein said power receiving means includes a power receiving circuit with a plurality of conductors positioned to receive power from a power source, a plurality of fuses connected to said conductors, a damping capacitor connected to said conductors, and a main power transformer connected to one of said fuses and one of said conductors for supplying power to said power condition switching control means.

21. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network;

wherein said power condition switching control means includes a power condition switching control circuit which switchingly controls power from said power receiving means to other components of the audio amplifier;

wherein said power condition switching control circuit includes soft starting means consisting of a soft start circuit responsive to said power receiving circuit for limiting inrush current from said power receiving circuit and for slowly ramping up to an audio amplifier on-state; and

wherein said soft starting circuit includes a power level detection circuit to detect voltage changes by sensing frequency changes and voltage null points, and a micro-controller responsive to said power level detection circuit to monitor low power conditions and high power conditions.

22. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 21 wherein said micro-controller includes wave analyzing means for analyzing the sinusoidal waves detected by said power level detection circuit to determine a voltage null so as to allow said audio amplifier to turn on just prior to a voltage null and to gradually ramp up to a fully on-start or high power condition.

23. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 22 wherein said wave analyzing means consists of software programs embedded or stored within said micro-controller, said software programs being independent of micro-controller device technology.

24. The audio amplifier power and temperature controller of claim 21 wherein said power level detection circuit consists of a power triac.

25. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network;

wherein said power condition switching control means includes a power condition switching control circuit which switchingly controls power from said power receiving means to other components of the audio amplifier;

wherein said power condition switching control circuit includes soft starting means consisting of a soft start circuit responsive to said power receiving circuit for limiting inrush current from said power receiving circuit and for slowly ramping up to an audio amplifier on-state;

wherein said soft starting circuit includes a voltage regulating circuit connected to a voltage supply which regulates input voltage to said soft start circuit; and

wherein said voltage regulating circuit is comprised of a voltage regulator, one or more Zener or other diodes and capacitors connected to power and ground, a power transformer, a bridge rectifier connected to said power transformer, a capacitor connected to ground, and a capacitor positioned to rectify the voltage from the power transformer.

26. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network;

wherein said power condition switching control means includes a power condition switching control circuit which switchingly controls power from said power receiving means to other components of the audio amplifier; and

wherein said power condition switching control circuit includes input power discriminating means responsive to said power receiving means for discriminating between incoming audio component signals to switch said audio amplifier to the on-state.

27. An audio amplifier power and temperature controller comprising:

power receiving means for receiving power from a power source to an audio amplifier;

power condition switching control means responsive to said power receiving means for switching components of an audio amplifier during a plurality of power conditions, said power condition switching control means including thermal status monitoring and controlling means for monitoring thermal status of operating values of audio amplifier components and responsively decreasing power to the audio amplifier components to protect the audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat and for responsively increasing power when the audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

network condition monitoring means for monitoring network conditions of the audio amplifier to protect and enhance performance an audio amplifier within a network;

wherein said power condition switching control means includes a power condition switching control circuit which switchingly controls power from said power receiving means to other components of the audio amplifier; and

wherein said power condition switching control circuit includes brown-out protecting means for preventing said audio amplifier from going into and remaining in a circuit protection or sleep mode by continuously monitoring said audio amplifier for normal current conditions and responsively resuming normal current amplifier operations normal current conditions occur.

28. A method of controlling power to an audio amplifier comprising the steps of:

receiving power from a power source;

switching components in said audio amplifier by limiting inrush current from said power source, slowly ramping up said power to an audio amplifier on-state, monitoring the thermal status of the operating values of said audio amplifier components, responsively decreasing power to said audio amplifier components to protect said audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat, and responsively increasing power when said audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions; and

within said switching step, the further step of monitoring of current output circuits of said audio amplifier to protect said audio amplifier during a high current condition by disconnecting a load to the current output circuits and reconnecting the load to the current output circuits when normal operating current conditions resume, discriminating between incoming audio component signals to switch the audio amplifier to the on-state and transient line voltage to momentarily sense the signal but not activating the audio amplifier to the on-state, and protectively preventing the audio amplifier from going into and remaining in a circuit protection mode by continuously monitoring the audio amplifier for normal current conditions and responsively resuming normal amplifier operations when normal current conditions occur.

29. A method of controlling power to an audio amplifier comprising the steps of:

receiving power from a power source;

switching components in said audio amplifier by limiting inrush current from said power source, slowly ramping up said power to an audio amplifier on-state, monitoring the thermal status of the operating values of said audio amplifier components, responsively decreasing power to said audio amplifier components to protect said audio amplifier components against damage caused by excess heat, and responsively increasing power when said audio amplifier components return to normal thermal operating conditions;

limiting said inrush current sensing frequency changes and voltage null points and monitoring low power conditions and high power conditions; and

monitoring output current circuits of said audio amplifier to determine if a full shut down of said audio amplifier is desirable to protect said audio amplifier and other system components when connected thereto.