Automatic power line disconnect apparatus

• US 7,431,601 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kussmaul Electronics LLC
• Original Assignee: Ernest A. Kussmaul
• Inventors: Kussmaul, Ernest A., Nugent, Thomas H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US11/640,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20080146058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/181, 200/51.1
• US Class Current: 439/188
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7132 having ejecting mechanisms

Abstract

An automatic power line disconnect apparatus has a sensor pin for signaling the separation of the plug from the disconnect apparatus. The operative movement of the sensor pin is shorter than the length of the male electrical connectors on the apparatus, thereby insuring that the apparatus is disconnected from the power line before the electrical connectors'"'"' contact is broken to reduce electrical connector erosion from arcing. A motor driving a rack and pinion gear combination responds to an engine starter signal by driving the rack in a direction that disconnects the power line plug from the automatic disconnect apparatus. Further circuits are provided to lock out low voltage starter signals, photoelectric detectors to control movement of the rack, and timer circuits to limit the duration of the motor operation and to lock out starter signals when the disconnect apparatus is being separated from the power line plug.

Claims

1. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus for response to a disconnect signal comprising a receptacle for the apparatus, a male electrical contact having a length protruding from said receptacle, a switch, a sensor pin protruding from said receptacle for movement through a predetermined distance relative to said male electrical contact, a plug for uncoupling and coupling to said receptacle, a mating plug portion for contact with said sensor pin for selectively moving said pin through said predetermined distance, a driving means responsive to the disconnect signal for moving said mating plug portion and said sensor pin through said predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being less than said protruding male electrical contact length for selectively deactivating said switch and disconnecting the power line disconnect apparatus from the power line.

2. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising, a female electrical contact for said plug to establish electrical continuity through said male electrical contact with the power line in said coupled state.

3. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus for uncoupling a plug to the power line in response to an engine activation signal, comprising a direct current motor, a pinion gear selectively rotatable by said motor, a gear rack meshed with said pinion gear for linear movement in response to said pinion gear rotation, and a circuit for energizing said direct current motor in response to the engine activation signal, said energized motor rotation in a first direction to press said gear rack against the plug to uncouple the plug from the power line disconnect apparatus.

4. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a photoelectric detector for sensing said gear rack motion, and a circuit responsive to said photoelectric detector for energizing said direct current motor for rotation in a direction opposite. to said first direction to retract said gear rack toward the automatic power line disconnect apparatus.

5. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising another photoelectric detector for sensing said gear rack in said retracted status, and a circuit responsive to said another photoelectric detector to dynamically brake said direct current motor and terminate said gear rack movement.

6. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a low voltage lock out circuit for the engine activation signal to prevent the disconnect apparatus from operating.

7. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a timer circuit for limiting the length of time said direct current motor is energized.

8. An automatic power line disconnect apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a startup synchronizing capacitor for resetting said timer circuit to enable the disconnect apparatus to shut down.

9. An automatic power line disconneict apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a. circuit coupled to said timer circuit to lock out the engine activation signal and to prevent the engine activation signal from disconnecting the power line from uncoupling the plug during power line disconnect apparatus activation.