Energy saving cable assemblies

• US 7,910,834 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VoltStar Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VoltStar Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: McGinley, James W., Rimdzius, Donald, McGinley, Valerie
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III; William H
• Application Number:
  US12/176,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20090294150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 174/74.R, 174/78, 174/84.R
• US Class Current: 174/112
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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

An embodiment of the present invention is direct to a cable assembly for use with any power cable for an electrical device. The cable assembly includes a remotely locatable switch for connecting or disconnecting the electrical device from power draw. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a cable assembly for a power device, such as a charger, for providing output power to an electronic device. The cable assembly includes two pairs of wires, wherein a first pair provides output power for the electronic device and a second pair includes a switch for turning off the charger. The cable assembly allows the switch to be located remotely from a charger housing for the converter circuitry and remotely from a power source such as an outlet, and allows the switch to be generally co-located with and operable at the connector for connecting the power device with the electronic device.

Claims

1. A cable assembly for use with an electrical device, the cable assembly including:

a first portion for connection with and receipt of input power from a power source;

a second portion including a user-actuated switch;

a cable extending between the first and second portions;

a third portion for electrical connection with and for providing output power to the electrical device, wherein the switch is operable for at least connection of the output power; and

circuitry operable to automatically disconnect power in the cable assembly when current to the electrical device falls below a threshold level.

2. The cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the first portion includes a plug having a plug body and a first and second side, the first side having prongs for electrical connection with the power source in the form of a power outlet, the second side having a secondary power outlet for receiving prongs of the electrical device for delivering electrical power thereto.

3. The cable assembly of claim 2 wherein the switch may be secured with a portion of the electrical device.

4. The cable assembly of claim 3 wherein the electrical device includes a power cord including a connector for removable connection to and from the electrical device, and wherein the switch may be secured to the connector.

5. The cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the switch is a two-position user-actuated switch.

6. The cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the switch is user-actuated by a momentary connection across switch terminals thereof.

7. The cable assembly of claim 6 further including a timer, wherein actuation of the switch allows power to be provided to the third portion for a predetermined time, and the timer effects disconnection of the power after the predetermined time.

8. The cable assembly of claim 7 further including a current sense element for sensing the current to the electrical device.

9. The cable assembly of claim 8 wherein a predetermined delay period is provided, wherein the power in the cable assembly remains connected for the delay period subsequent to actuation of the switch.

10. The cable assembly of claim 6 further including a current sense element for sensing the current to the electrical device.

11. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the threshold level is predetermined.

12. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the threshold level is adjustable.

13. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is operable to sample current to the electrical device in order to determine the threshold level.

14. The cable assembly of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is operable to sample current to the electrical device when the electrical device is in an idle state in order to determine the threshold level.

15. A cable assembly for supplying output power to an electronic device, comprising:

a first portion for connection with and receipt of input power from a power source, the first portion including a housing and electrical circuitry housed therein;

a second portion including a switch;

a cable extending between the first and second portions, the cable including;

a first sub-cable including;

a pair of switch wires electrically connectable via the switch;

a second sub-cable including;

a pair of output wires, each of the wires connected with output power from the power device, and each of the output wires electrically connected with a connector for transmitting output power to the electronic device,

wherein the switch is operable to close the electrical circuitry, the electrical circuitry drawing substantially no power when open.

16. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second sub-cables are encased by a single jacket.

17. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second sub-cables are joined by a bridge.

18. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the switch disconnects power from an input terminal of the first portion.

19. The cable assembly of claim 18 wherein the switch disconnects the input terminal in the form of a plug prong of the first portion from the electrical circuitry.

20. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second sub-cables are joined substantially in parallel to extend a length from the housing of the first portion in which the electrical circuitry is disposed to the second portion including the switch.

21. The cable assembly of claim 20 wherein the second sub-cable extends from the second portion to the connector.

22. The cable assembly of claim 20 wherein the output wires extend from the second portion to the connector.

23. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the switch is a functional switch.

24. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the switch is remotely located from the electrical circuitry.

25. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the first portion is a step down AC to DC converter, and the switch cuts input AC power to the electrical circuitry.

26. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the switch is moveable between first and second positions corresponding to open and closed states of the electrically circuitry.

27. The cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the cable assembly is elongated and flexible, the first portion includes input prongs for receiving input power from a power source, and the switch is located remotely from the housing.

28. A power device for use with an electrical device, the power device including:

an input for connection with and receipt of input power from a power source;

an output for electrical connection with and for providing output power to the electrical device, wherein a switch is operable for at least connection of the output power; and

circuitry operable to automatically de-power at least a portion of the power device when current to the electrical device falls below a threshold level, wherein the circuitry initially ignores current to the electrical device below the threshold level for an initial startup period, while the power device is coupled with the electrical device.

29. The power device of claim 28, where the current to the electrical device is for charging a battery thereof, and wherein a duration of the initial startup period is sufficiently long to permit the current charging the battery to rise above the threshold level.

30. The power device of claim 28, wherein the circuitry is operable to sample current to the electrical device in order to determine the threshold level.

31. The power device of claim 30, wherein the circuitry is operable to sample current to the electrical device when the electrical device is in an idle state in order to determine the threshold level.