Systems and methods for a temperature-controlled electrical outlet
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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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.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrical outlet comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrical outlet comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An electrical outlet comprising:
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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.
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18. An electrical outlet comprising:
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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.
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19. A method for controlling power to a device based on temperature, said method comprising:
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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.
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20. An electrical outlet comprising:
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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.
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Specification