Load condition controlled power strip

• US 7,795,759 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2008
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Inventors: Heil, Michael D., DuBose, Richard G., Thornton, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US12/180,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20090322160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 307 31- 41, 340/500, 340/540, 340/657, 340/3.1
• US Class Current: 307/126
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power strip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power strip is configured for reducing or eliminating power during idle mode by disengaging an outlet from power input. A power strip may include two or more outlets and two or more outlet circuits, with AC power input connected to the outlets through the outlet circuit(s), which may include a current transformer, a control circuit, and a switch. The current transformer secondary winding provides an output power level signal proportional to the outlet load. If behavior of the current transformer secondary winding indicates that the outlet is drawing substantially no power from the AC power input, the switch facilitates disengaging of the current transformer primary from the outlet.

Claims

1. A power strip configured to reduce power during idle operation of an electronic device, said power strip comprising:

an alternating current (AC) line input comprising a plug and a cord configured to be connected to an external outlet;

a plurality of outlets configured to transmit power to the electronic device, said external outlet is distinct from said plurality of outlets; and

an outlet circuit configured to receive power from said AC line input and transmit power to a first outlet of said plurality of outlets, wherein said outlet circuit disengages transmitting power to said first outlet in response to said first outlet drawing substantially no power.

2. The power strip of claim 1, wherein said outlet circuit comprises:

a current measuring system configured to monitor current from said AC line input, wherein said current measuring system provides an output power level signal that is proportional to a load at said first outlet;

a switch in communication with said current measuring system and said first outlet; and

a control circuit configured to receive said output power level signal and control the opening and the closing of said switch to disengage said first outlet from power.

3. The power strip of claim 1, further comprising a green mode switch configured to select an operating mode of said first outlet, wherein said operating mode is at least one of a normal mode and a green mode.

4. The power strip of claim 1, further comprising at least one LED indicator configured to indicate if said electronic device at said first outlet is active, and wherein said at least one LED indicator is further configured to flash if said outlet circuit is testing said first outlet.

5. The power strip of claim 2, further comprising a reconnection device configured to override said control circuit and reengage said switch to a closed state, and wherein said reconnection device is further configured to disengage said switch to an open state.

6. The power strip of claim 5, wherein said reconnection device is located remotely from said power strip.

7. The power strip of claim 5, wherein said reconnection device is configured to override a single control circuit and reengage a single switch to a closed state, and wherein said reconnection device is further configured to disengage said single switch to an open state.

8. The power strip of claim 5, wherein said reconnection device is configured to override a plurality of control circuits and reengage a plurality of switches to a closed state, and wherein said reconnection device is further configured to disengage a plurality of switches to an open state.

9. The power strip of claim 1, wherein said substantially no power is approximately 0-1% of a typical maximum output load of said electronic device at said first outlet.

10. The power strip of claim 1, wherein said outlet circuit is configured such that parameters of said power strip may be modified by a user.

21. The power strip of claim 1, wherein said outlet circuit is further configured to transmit power to a second outlet of said plurality of outlets, wherein said outlet circuit disengages transmitting power to said second outlet of said plurality of outlets in response to said second outlet drawing substantially no power.

22. The power strip of claim 1, further comprising a second outlet circuit configured to transmit power to a second outlet of said plurality of outlets, wherein said second outlet circuit disengages transmitting power to said second outlet of said plurality of outlets in response to said second outlet drawing substantially no power.

11. A power strip configured to efficiently provide power to an electronic device, said power strip comprising:

at least one outlet configured to provide power to said electronic device;

a switch having at least an open state and a closed state, wherein said switch is in communication with said at least one outlet and an alternating current (AC) line input;

a current measuring system configured to monitor the current drawn by said at least one outlet; and

a control circuit configured to control the state of said switch;

wherein said control circuit sets said switch to the open state if the current drawn by said at least one outlet is below a threshold level, such that said at least one outlet is effectively disengaged from said AC line input.

12. The power strip of claim 11, wherein said control circuit controls a plurality of said at least one outlet.

13. The power strip of claim 11, further comprising a reconnection device configured to override said control circuit and re-engage said switch to the closed state.

14. The power strip of claim 11, further comprising:

a current sensor and a logic control unit inside said control circuit; and

a photocell configured to indicate a level of ambient light surrounding said power strip, wherein said logic control unit is configured to disengage said at least one outlet based upon the level of ambient light.

15. The power strip of claim 14, further comprising an internal clock, wherein said logic control unit uses said internal clock to determine periods of use of said at least one outlet.

16. The power strip of claim 11, wherein said threshold level is a percentage of a determined approximate low power level of said electronic device, and wherein said percentage of said determined approximate low power level is at least one range of approximately 100-105%, approximately 100-110%, and approximately 110-120%.

17. The power strip of claim 11, wherein said at least one outlet comprises a first outlet with a first threshold level and a second outlet with a second threshold level, wherein said first threshold level is different from said second threshold level.

18. A method of facilitating a power strip with low power consumption, the method comprising:

providing power to an electronic device at an outlet;

monitoring, with a current measuring system, a load condition at said outlet to generate a measured load condition;

transmitting the measured load condition to a control circuit;

controlling, with said control circuit, the state of a switch; and

setting said switch to an open state if the load condition is below a threshold level and disengaging said outlet from an alternating current (AC) line input.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a testing method of the load condition at said outlet, said testing method comprising:

setting said switch to a closed state; and

determining if the load condition is below the threshold level.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining said threshold level based upon the monitoring of the load condition at said outlet; and

electrically isolating said control circuit from said AC line input using a power disconnect.