Vertical-mount electrical power distribution plugstrip

• US 7,043,543 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2001
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Cleveland, Andrew J., Auclair, Brian P., Maskaly, James P., McGlumphy, Dennis W., Ewing, Carrel W., Bigler, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pwu, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, ASHOKKUMAR B
• Application Number:
  US09/930,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20020002593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,728 Days
• Field of Search: 361/601, 361/622, 361/624, 361/626, 361/627, 361/641, 713/340, 439/652, 337/186, 307/11, 307/18, 307/31, 307/32, 307/36, 307/37, 307/43, 307/149, 307/150
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3209 Monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or network connections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3246 by software initiated power-off
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/34 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

A vertical-mount electrical power distribution plugstrip comprises a long, thin plugstrip body with several power outlet plugs distributed along the length of one face. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies operating power to each of the power outlet plugs through individual relay control.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution plugstrip connectable to one or more electrical loads in a vertical electrical equipment rack, the electrical power distribution plugstrip comprising in combination:

A. a vertical strip enclosure having a thickness and a length longer than a width of the enclosure;

B. a power input penetrating said vertical strip enclosure;

C. a plurality of power outputs disposed along a face of said length of the strip enclosure, each among the plurality of power outputs being connectable to a corresponding one of said one or more electrical loads;

D. a plurality of power control relays disposed in said vertical strip enclosure, each among said plurality of power control relays being connected to said power input and in independent power controlling communication with one or more corresponding power outputs among said plurality of power outputs;

E. a current-related information display disposed on said vertical strip enclosure in current-related information-determining communication with at least one among said power input and said plurality of power outputs; and

F. a current-related information reporting system associated with said vertical strip enclosure and being (i) in current-related information-determining communication with at least one among said power input and said plurality of power outputs, and (ii) connectable in current-related information transfer communication with a separate communications network distal from the electrical power distribution plugstrip.

2. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 1 further comprising at least one intelligent power section disposed in the vertical strip enclosure and in which is disposed at least one of the plurality of power control relays.

3. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 2 further comprising an external power manager application external to the vertical strip enclosure in network communication with the intelligent power section disposed in the vertical strip enclosure, whereby a user of the external power manager may control power provided to selectable ones of said plurality of power outputs.

4. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the vertical strip enclosure, each said intelligent power section being in independent communication with at least a corresponding one or more among the plurality of power outputs.

5. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 4 further comprising an external power manager application external to the vertical strip enclosure and in network communication with the plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the vertical strip enclosure, whereby a user of the external power manager may control power provided to selectable ones of said plurality of power outputs.

6. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 1 wherein the current-related information display is in current determining communication with all among the plurality of power outputs through at least one current sensing device.

7. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 4 wherein the current-related information display is in current determining communication with all among the plurality of power outputs through at least one current sensing device.

8. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 5 wherein the current-related information display is in current determining communication with all among the plurality of power outputs through at least one current sensing device.

9. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 2 wherein said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding power output for such one power control relay.

10. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 3 wherein said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding power output for such one power control relay.

11. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 4 wherein each said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding one or more power outputs for such one power control relay.

12. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 5 wherein each said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding one or more power outputs for such one power control relay.

13. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 7 wherein each said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding one or more power outputs for such one power control relay.

14. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 8 wherein each said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding one or more power outputs for such one power control relay.

15. An electrical power distribution plugstrip connectable to one or more electrical loads in a vertical electrical equipment rack, the electrical power distribution plugstrip comprising in combination:

A. a vertical strip enclosure having a thickness, and a length longer than a width of the enclosure;

B. a power input penetrating said vertical strip enclosure;

C. a plurality of power outputs disposed along an area on a face of said length of the strip enclosure, each among the plurality of power outputs being connectable to a corresponding one of said one or more electrical loads;

D. a plurality of power control relays disposed in said vertical strip enclosure, each among said plurality of power control relays being connected to said power input and to one or more corresponding power outputs among said plurality of power outputs;

E. a digital current information display disposed on another area of said vertical strip enclosure and adjacent to said plurality of outputs in current-determining communication with at least one among said power input and said plurality of power outputs; and

F. a plugstrip current reporting system (i) associated with the vertical strip enclosure (ii) in power information determining communication with at least one among said power input and said plurality of power outputs, and (iii) communicatingly connectable with a distal current reporting system through a communications network external to the electrical power distribution plugstrip.

16. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 15 further comprising at least one intelligent power section disposed in the vertical strip enclosure and in which is disposed at least one of the plurality of power control relays.

17. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 16 further comprising, an external power manager application external to the vertical strip enclosure in network communication with the intelligent power section disposed in the vertical strip enclosure, whereby a user of the external power manager may control power provided to selectable ones of said plurality of power outputs.

18. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the vertical strip enclosure, each said intelligent power section being in independent communication with at least a corresponding one or more among the plurality of power outputs.

19. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 18 further comprising an external power manager application external to the vertical strip enclosure and in network communication with the plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the vertical strip enclosure, whereby a user of the external power manager may control power provided to selectable ones of said plurality of power outputs.

20. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 16 wherein said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding power output for such one power control relay.

21. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 17 wherein said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding power output for such one power control relay.

22. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 18 wherein each said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding one or more power outputs for such one power control relay.

23. The electrical power plugstrip of claim 19 wherein each said intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and the corresponding one or more power outputs for such one power control relay.