Devices for detecting the presence of a source of power

• US 7,129,822 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Powerware Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Thompson, Jim, Finan, Darrick, Mears, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/790,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20050195090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 34031011-31018, 340/693.5, 340/693.1, 340/628, 340/521, 340/538, 340/539, 340/693.2, 361/797, 361/724, 361/624, 363/37, 363/48, 363/98, 307/66, 714/14, 221/7, 600/300
• US Class Current: 340/12.32
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00006 characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• 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: Y04S 20/12 Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured to be connected to a power distribution network. A communications circuit is also provided. The communications circuit is operatively associated with the UPS and operative to generate a power line carrier status signal on the power distribution network. The power line carrier status signal is indicative of a status of power delivered to the power distribution network by the UPS. Related methods of operating such apparatus are also provided.

Claims

1. A power outlet assembly, comprising:

a frame;

a power outlet attached to the frame and configured to be connected to a power distribution network to provide access thereto; and

an indicator circuit attached to the frame, configured to be coupled to the power distribution network and operative to generate a sensory indication responsive to a power line carrier status signal received from the power distribution network, the power line carrier status signal indicating a status of a source of energy for the power distribution network.

2. The power outlet assembly of claim 1 wherein the power line carrier status signal relates to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

3. The power outlet of claim 1 wherein the source of energy comprises at least one of a current source of energy and a potential source of energy.

4. The power outlet of claim 1 wherein the power line carrier status signal comprises a low impact signal and wherein the low impact signal comprises at least one of an analog signal and a digital bit stream.

5. The power outlet assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator circuit comprises a liquid crystal display and wherein the liquid crystal display is configured to display a first color responsive to a first state of the power line carrier status signal and display a second color, different from the first color, responsive to a second state of the power line carrier status signal.

6. The power outlet assembly of claim 1, wherein the indicator circuit comprises an audio circuit.

7. A power outlet comprising an indicator circuit, the indicator circuit being coupled to a power distribution network and configured to generate a sensory indication responsive to a power line carrier status signal received from the power distribution network, the power line carrier status signal indicating a status of a source of energy for the power distribution network.

8. The power outlet of claim 7 wherein the source of energy comprises at least one of a current source of energy and a potential source of energy.

9. The power outlet of claim 7 wherein the indicator circuit is further configured to generate the sensory indication responsive to the power line carrier status signal when the indicator circuit electrically contacts an external probe device.

10. The power outlet of claim 7 wherein the power line carrier status signal comprises a low impact signal and wherein the low impact signal comprises at least one of an analog signal and a digital bit stream.

11. The power outlet of claim 7 wherein the indicator circuit comprises a liquid crystal display and wherein the liquid crystal display is configured to display a first color responsive to a first state of the power line carrier status signal and display a second color, different from the first color, responsive to a second state of the power line carrier status signal.

12. The power outlet of claim 7 wherein the indicator circuit comprises an audio circuit.