Electrical power distribution device having a current display

• US 7,702,771 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2006
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): PATEL, ASHOKKUMAR B
• Application Number:
  US11/548,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20070076340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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

An electrical power distribution unit can include a power distribution unit enclosure, a power input associated with the power distribution unit enclosure, and a plurality of power outputs associated with the power distribution unit enclosure. At least certain power outputs can be connectable to one or more electrical loads external to the power distribution unit enclosure and to the power input. In some embodiments, an intelligent power section can communicate with at least one of the power outputs and can connect to a communications network external to the power distribution unit enclosure.

Claims

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

A. an electrical power distribution device enclosure;

B. a power input penetrating the electrical power distribution device enclosure;

C. a plurality of power outputs disposed along the electrical power distribution device 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 the electrical power distribution device 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 the electrical power distribution device 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 the electrical power distribution device 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 device.

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

3. The electrical power distribution device of claim 2 further comprising an external power manager application external to the electrical power distribution device enclosure connectable in network communication with the intelligent power section disposed in the electrical power distribution device 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 distribution device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the electrical power distribution device 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 distribution device of claim 4 further comprising an external power manager application external to the electrical power distribution device enclosure and connectable in network communication with the plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the electrical power distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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.

8. The electrical power distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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 device connectable to one or more electrical loads in an electrical equipment rack, the electrical power distribution device comprising in combination:

A. an enclosure having a length that is longer than a width of the enclosure;

B. a power input penetrating the enclosure;

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

D. a plurality of power control relays disposed in the 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 the enclosure in current determining communication with at least one among said power input and said plurality of power outputs; and

F. a current information reporting system (i) associated with the 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 information reporting system through a communications network external to the electrical power distribution device.

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

17. The electrical power distribution device of claim 16 further comprising an external power manager application external to the enclosure connectable in network communication with the intelligent power section disposed in the 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 distribution device of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the 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 distribution device of claim 18 further comprising an external power manager application external to the enclosure and connectable through said communications network with the plurality of intelligent power sections disposed in the 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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 distribution device 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.