Compact contour electrical converter package

• US 7,477,533 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2006
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wave Intellectual Property, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wave Intellectual Property, Inc.
• Inventors: Gilliland, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Rajnikant B
• Application Number:
  US11/458,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20060292905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 363/72, 363141-146, 439/620, 439/957, 439/936, 439/276, 439/620.1
• US Class Current: 363/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/652 with earth pin, blade or socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/30 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/936 Potting material or coating, e.g. grease, insulative coating, sealant or, adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/957 Auxiliary contact part for circuit adaptation

Abstract

A circuit assembly and package incorporates a front cover with power contacting blades extending from a front surface thereof for electrical engagement in a receptacle having a standard peripheral dimension. A housing is attached to the front cover and extends perpendicularly therefrom. The housing contains an electrical circuit connected to the power contacting blades which is contained on a plurality of circuit boards mounted substantially perpendicular to the front cover. The housing and front cover create a footprint less than the peripheral dimension of the receptacle. A connecting cable extends from the housing and is connected to the electrical circuit.

Claims

1. An electrical converter comprising:

an alternating current plug body with electrical contacts extending perpendicularly from a front surface thereof for electrical engagement in a receptacle having a peripheral dimension, said plug body having a footprint less than the peripheral dimension of the receptacle, the electrical contacts extending rearwardly from said front surface and including an integral vertical arm supporting two circuit boards mounted proximate a front edge to opposite ends of the vertical arm and containing

a power entry circuit with a line voltage input connected to at least one electrical contact and having at least one means for interrupting the line voltage input;

a startup regulator having a first rectifier connected intermediate the power entry circuit and a regulation circuit charging a startup voltage storage capacitor, the startup regulator further having a feedback circuit for setting the startup voltage level;

a power supply having a second rectifier connected to the power entry circuit and having;

a power storage capacitor connected to the second rectifier,

a first power FET connected to the power storage capacitor;

an output inductor connected to the power FET, and

a first switching regulator control circuit powered by the startup regulator for regulating switching of the first power FET,

a converter and isolation circuit having

a first isolation device connected between the power supply output and a converter output,

a second power FET controlling power through the first isolation device,

a second switching regulator control circuit powered by the startup regulator and regulating switching of the second power FET,

a feedback circuit for control of the second switching regulator control circuit,

a connecting device connected to the electrical circuit and including a connecting device body received in an opening in the alternating current plug body distal the front surface and extending from the housing perpendicular to the front surface.

2. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 wherein the feed back circuit incorporates a second isolation device.

3. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 wherein the first isolation device is an isolation transformer having a primary winding connecting the power supply output inductor and the second power FET and a secondary winding connected to the converter output.

4. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 wherein a first power storage capacitor is connected to the output inductor.

5. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 wherein the converter output is provided through a second storage capacitor.

6. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 wherein an output rectifier is connected intermediate the first isolation device and the converter output.

7. An electrical converter as defined in claim 3 further comprising a catch diode connected across the primary winding.

8. An electrical converter as defined in claim 2 wherein the second isolation device is an optocoupler.

9. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 wherein the power entry circuit has a means for surge and transient protection.

10. An electrical converter as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for surge and transient protection is a parallel transient protection diode connected across the line voltage input.

11. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 wherein the interruption means is a fuse.

12. An electrical converter as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second power storage capacitor connected to the output inductor.

13. An electrical converter comprising:

an alternating current (AC) plug body having a front surface with electrical contacts extending therefrom, the plug body having a peripheral dimension substantially contained within a maximum peripheral dimension of a mating AC receptacle, the electrical contacts further extending rearwardly from said front surface and including an integral vertical arm supporting two circuit boards mounted proximate a front edge to opposite ends of the vertical arm the plug body containing

a power entry circuit on one of said circuit boards with a line voltage input;

a startup regulator on one of said circuit boards having a first rectifier connected to the power entry circuit and having a first voltage output;

a power supply connected to the power entry circuit and controlled by the first voltage output, the power supply having a second voltage output;

a converter and isolation circuit on one of said circuit boards having

a first isolation device connected between the second voltage output and a converter output,

a power FET controlling power through the first isolation device,

a switching regulator control circuit powered by the first voltage output and regulating switching of the power FET,

a feedback circuit having a second isolation device for control of the switching regulator control circuit, and,

a connecting cable with a plurality of conductors extending from the alternating current plug body distal and perpendicular to the front surface and connected to an output end of the electrical circuit.

14. An electrical converter as defined in claim 13 wherein the first isolation device is an isolation transformer having a primary winding connecting the power supply second voltage output and the power FET and a secondary winding connected to the converter output.

15. An electrical converter as defined in claim 13 wherein the second isolation device is an optocoupler.

16. An electrical converter as defined in claim 13 wherein the power entry circuit has at least one means for disconnecting the line voltage input.

17. An electrical convener as defined in claim 13 wherein the power supply includes a second rectifier connected to the power entry circuit and has:

a power storage capacitor connected to the second rectifier,

a supply power FET connected to the power storage capacitor;

an output inductor connected to the power FET to provide the second voltage output, and

a supply switching regulator control circuit powered by the startup regulator for regulating switching of the first power FET.

18. An electrical convener as defined in claim 13 wherein the startup regulator has a regulation circuit charging a first storage capacitor to provide the first voltage output.

19. An electrical converter as defined in claim 17 wherein the output inductor charges a second storage capacitor providing the second voltage output.

20. An electrical converter comprising:

an alternating current (AC) plug body having a front surface with electrical contacts extending therefrom, the plug body having a peripheral dimension substantially contained within a maximum peripheral dimension of a mating AC duplex device

two circuit boards mounted proximate a front edge to opposite ends of the vertical arm the plug body containing

a power entry circuit mounted on one of said circuit boards with a line voltage input;

a startup regulator mounted on one of said circuit boards having a first rectifier connected to the power entry circuit and having a first voltage output;

a power supply mounted on one of said circuit boards and connected to the power entry circuit having a second rectifier and further having

a power storage capacitor connected to the second rectifier,

a first power FET connected to the power storage capacitor;

an output inductor connected to the power FET and charging a storage capacitor for a second voltage output, and

a first switching regulator control circuit powered by the first voltage output for regulating switching of the first power FET,

a converter and isolation circuit mounted on one of said circuit boards having

a first isolation device connected between the second voltage output and a converter output;

means for controlling power through the first isolation device, and,

a means for connecting an external power consuming device, said connecting means adapted for exit from the plug body perpendicular to the front surface.

21. An electrical converter as defined in claim 20 wherein the first isolation device is an isolation transformer and the means for controlling power through the first isolation device comprises:

a power FET controlling power across a primary winding of the transformer,

a switching regulator control circuit powered by the first voltage output and regulating switching of the power FET, and

a feedback circuit having a second isolation device for control of the switching regulator control circuit.

22. An electrical converter as defined in claim 20 wherein the startup regulator further comprises a regulation circuit connected to the first rectifier and charging an output capacitor providing the first output voltage, the startup regulator further having a feedback circuit for setting the first output voltage level.

23. An electrical converter as defined in claim 21 wherein the second isolation device is an optocoupler.

24. An electrical converter as defined in claim 23 wherein the optocoupler is controlled by a comparator receiving a bandgap voltage derived from the converter output.

25. An electrical converter comprising:

an alternating current (AC) plug body having a front surface with electrical contacts extending therefrom, the electrical contacts extending rearwardly from said front surface and including an integral vertical arm supporting two circuit boards mounted proximate a front edge to opposite ends of the vertical arm the plug body receivable by an alternating current receptacle outlet having a peripheral dimension as specified in NEMA standard 5-15R for an individual duplex device with two receptacles each having a general dimension of a 1.343 inch diameter circle truncated on the top and bottom by horizontal chords spaced at 1.125 inches from the center, the AC plug body having a peripheral dimension substantially conforming to the mating AC receptacle, the plug body containing

a power entry circuit mounted on one of said circuit boards with a line voltage input and having

a power storage capacitor,

a supply power FET connected to the power storage capacitor;

an output inductor connected to the power FET and charging a second storage capacitor connected to the converter output, and

a supply switching regulator control circuit powered by the startup regulator for regulating switching of the first power FET, the power entry circuit further having a fuse for disconnecting the line voltage input and a parallel transient protection diode connected across the line voltage input;

a startup regulator mounted on one of said circuit boards having a first rectifier connected intermediate the power entry circuit and a regulation circuit charging an output capacitor providing a first output voltage, the startup regulator further having a feedback circuit for setting output voltage level;

a power supply mounted on one of said circuit boards having a second rectifier connected to the power storage capacitor of the power entry circuit and controlled by the first voltage output, the power supply having a second voltage output;

a converter and isolation circuit mounted on one of said circuit boards having

an isolation transformer connected between the second voltage output and a converter output;

a second power FET controlling power across a primary winding of the transformer,

a catch diode across the primary winding,

a switching regulator control circuit powered by the first voltage output and regulating switching of the power FET, and

a feedback circuit having an optocoupler controlled by a comparator receiving a bandgap voltage derived from the converter output for control of the switching regulator control circuit.