Systems and methods for a temperature-controlled electrical outlet

• US 8,680,442 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Miller Manufacturing Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Allied Precision Industries, Inc. (Miller Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reusche, Thomas K., Chumbley, Philip E., McHugh, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCHALL, MARK H
• Application Number:
  US11/479,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20070006603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,825 Days
• Field of Search: 219/491, 219/494, 219/497, 219/501, 219/504, 219/505, 219/507, 219/511, 219/519, 337/113, 337/300, 337/380, 337/112
• US Class Current: 219/507
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/00 Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature G01K7/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7137 with thermal interrupter H01R13/7132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an electrical outlet including a power output adapted to provide electricity to an electrically coupled device, a switch adapted to activate and deactivate the power output, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature, and a control unit in communication with the switch and the temperature sensor. The control unit is adapted to control the power output using the switch based at least in part on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

Claims

1. An electrical outlet comprising:

a power output adapted to provide electricity to an electrically coupled device;

a switch adapted to activate and deactivate said power output, said switch comprising a triac and a relay, wherein said triac controls said relay in order to activate and deactivate said power output;

a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature; and

a control unit in communication with said switch and said temperature sensor, wherein said control unit is adapted to control said power output using said switch based at least in part on the temperature detected by said temperature sensor, wherein said control unit is adapted to be programmed at least in part by a user interface, and wherein said user interface includes a power line receiver, said power line receiver adapted to receive a programming signal superimposed on an alternating current.

2. The outlet of claim 1, wherein the temperature is an ambient air temperature.

3. The outlet of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor includes at least one of a thermistor, thermocouple, resistance temperature detector, thermometer, and silicon bandgap temperature sensor.

4. The outlet of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is thermally isolated from said power output.

5. The outlet of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises at least one of a processor, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, and a plurality of discrete logic components.

6. The outlet of claim 1, wherein said user interface is adapted to allow a user to adjust at least one of a turn-on set point and a turn-off set point.

7. The outlet of claim 1, wherein said control unit is adapted to utilize at least one of an adjustable turn-on set point and an adjustable turn-off set point.

8. The outlet of claim 1, further comprising a power input component electrically connected to said power output.

9. The outlet of claim 1, wherein said power output is one of a plurality of power outputs adapted to provide electricity to a plurality of electrically coupled devices.

10. The outlet of claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of power outputs is individually controlled by said control unit using an associated switch.

11. The outlet of claim 1, further including a remote temperature sensor adapted to detect a remote temperature, wherein said remote temperature sensor is in communication with said control unit.

12. The outlet of claim 11, wherein said control unit is adapted to control said power output using said switch based at least in part on the remote temperature detected by said remote temperature sensor.

13. An electrical outlet comprising:

a power outlet adapted to provide electricity to an electrically coupled device;

a temperature sensor, wherein said temperature sensor is thermally isolated from said power outlet by an air gap;

a switch adapted to control said power outlet based on said temperature sensor, said switch comprising a triac and a relay, wherein said triac controls said relay in order to control said power outlet; and

a main body supporting said power outlet, said temperature sensor, and said switch.

14. The electrical outlet of claim 13, wherein said main body is adapted to be placed in a wall mount.

15. The electrical outlet of claim 13, wherein said main body is included in an extension cord.

16. The electrical outlet of claim 13, wherein said main body is potted to electrically insulate said electrical outlet to prevent at least one of entry and collection of water within said electrical outlet.

17. An electrical outlet comprising:

a power output adapted to provide electricity to an electrically coupled device;

a switch adapted to activate and deactivate said power output;

a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature;

a control unit in communication with said switch and said temperature sensor, wherein said control unit is adapted to control said power output using said switch based at least in part on the temperature detected by said temperature sensor; and

a user interface including an LCD screen, an increment/decrement rocker button and a select button, said control unit being programmed at least in part through said user interface, wherein temperature options are changed through said increment/decrement rocker button and selected through said select button.

18. An electrical outlet comprising:

a power outlet adapted to provide electricity to an electrically coupled device;

a temperature sensor, wherein said temperature sensor is thermally isolated from said power outlet;

a switch adapted to control said power outlet based on said temperature sensor;

a main body supporting said power outlet, said temperature sensor, and said switch; and

a user interface including an LCD screen, an increment/decrement rocker button and a select button, wherein temperature options are changed through said increment/decrement rocker button and selected through said select button.

19. A method for controlling power to a device based on temperature, said method comprising:

programming a control unit with a user interface including an LCD screen, an increment/decrement rocker button and a select button, wherein said programming said control unit includes adjusting a set point for said control unit by changing possible set points through the increment/decrement rocker button and selecting a desired set point through said select button;

detecting a temperature with a temperature sensor; and

operating a switch with said control unit to control a flow of electricity to an electrically coupled device based on the temperature and the set point.

20. An electrical outlet comprising:

a power outlet adapted to provide electricity to an electrically coupled device;

a temperature sensor, wherein said temperature sensor is thermally isolated from said power outlet;

a switch adapted to control said power outlet based on said temperature sensor, said switch comprising a triac and a relay, wherein said triac controls said relay in order to control said power outlet; and

a main body supporting said power outlet, said temperature sensor, and said switch, wherein said main body is potted to electrically insulate said electrical outlet to prevent at least one of entry and collection of water within said electrical outlet.