Power converter having airplane power source frequency detector

• US 8,115,341 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2008
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Inventors: McCoy, Bryan W., DuBose, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUTLAND WALLIS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/316,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 307/73, 307/75, 307/129, 307/139, 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 307/73
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

A power converter having an aircraft power source detector configured to limit the amount of power that can be drawn by the power converter when utilized in an aircraft. The power converter may detect an artifact of the aircraft power source, such as the 400 Hz ripple noise on an aircraft power line, or existing in the aircraft cabin, such EMI or aircraft lighting.

Claims

1. A power converter, comprising:

a first circuit having an input configured to receive a power source having a first voltage, and configured to convert the first voltage to a second voltage provided to an output, the first circuit configured to power a portable electronic device; and

a second circuit coupled to a receiver and to the first circuit and configured to identify if the power source is an aircraft power source by detecting noise of the power source by the receiver.

2. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the first circuit is configured to respond to the second circuit when the aircraft power source is detected.

3. The power converter of claim 2 wherein the first circuit is configured to limit an output power provided to an output when the aircraft power source is detected.

4. The power converter of claim 3 wherein the first circuit is configured to limit a current of the output power when the aircraft power source is detected.

5. The power converter of claim 2 wherein the first circuit is energized upon detection of the aircraft power source frequency.

6. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is configured to detect a presence of generally a 400 Hz signal provided by the aircraft power source.

7. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the power converter further includes a connector configured to couple to the aircraft power source.

8. The power converter of claim 7 wherein the converter has a displaceable member configured to determine if the power source is provided by the aircraft power source.

9. The power converter of claim 5 wherein second circuit is configured to be electrically coupled to the aircraft power source.

10. The power converter of claim 9 wherein the converter further includes a connector configured to couple to the aircraft power source.

11. The power converter as specified in claim 5 wherein the second circuit is configured to detect the frequency component of an aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU).

12. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises at least one of an RF antenna, a photocell, and a photodiode.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the transitory electrical parameter is at least one of an aircraft auxiliary power unit carrier signal and an electro-magnetic interference.

13. A method, comprising:

providing a first circuit configured to control power from an aircraft power source;

providing a second circuit comprising a receiver, wherein the second circuit is configured to detect the presence of an active aircraft power source;

monitoring an aircraft power source, by a second circuit, for noise;

energizing the first circuit in response to the second circuit detecting the noise from the aircraft power source;

supplying output power by the first circuit.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiver comprises at least one of an RF antenna, a photocell, and a photodiode.

16. A power converter, comprising:

a first circuit having an input configured to receive a power source having a first voltage, and configured to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, the first circuit configured to power a portable electronic device; and

a second circuit coupled to a receiver and to the first circuit and configured to identify if the power source is an aircraft power source by detecting an AC ripple of the power source.