Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-15
2001-05-08
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S638000, C340S644000, C340S656000, C340S691500, C340S691600, C340S693500, C702S176000, C968S976000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229450
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for monitoring interruption of utility power, and more particularly to an apparatus for informing an end user or consumer of the nature (i.e., number and/or duration) of power disturbances in a utility power line.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Providers of utility power have sophisticated computer-implemented systems for monitoring supply of utility power to utility customers. However, there is a need in the art for a simple and inexpensive apparatus that can be employed by a utility customer for monitoring provision of utility power, and for informing the customer of the number and/or duration of power interruptions. A utility power customer may often know that a power interruption has taken place, such as by a blinking display at an alarm clock, VCR or microwave oven. However, the customer does not know from this information how many times power was interrupted, or have any information concerning the duration of power interruptions. Information concerning the duration of power interruptions can be particularly important in connection with equipment sensitive to power interruptions, such as basement sump pumps, medical life support systems and aquarium equipment. It can also be valuable for the customer to have information of this character to supply to the utility power provider to help locate and diagnose sources of power interruption.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for monitoring interruptions in utility power that is particularly well designed and adapted for use by utility power customers. In connection with this objective, another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the described character that is compact, portable and battery-operated, that is inexpensive to manufacture, and that is adapted for use by persons without technical training—i.e., that is user friendly. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the described character that includes an audible alarm, which may be selectively disabled by the user, to inform the user of a power interruption. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the described character that has facility for operator selection of displaying either total duration of power interruptions or duration of the most recent power interruption.
Apparatus for monitoring interruptions in utility power in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention includes a utility power plug for connection to a utility wall socket to provide a signal indicative of loss of utility power. A counter is responsive to such signal for counting and displaying the number of power interruptions, and a timer is responsive to such signal for measuring and displaying time duration of power interruptions. An operator switch is coupled to the timer for selectively measuring and displaying either duration of the latest power interruption or total duration of all power interruptions. The counter and timer may be reset at the option of the operator.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3958212 (1976-05-01), Henthorne
patent: 4097843 (1978-06-01), Basile
patent: 4466074 (1984-08-01), Jindrick et al.
patent: 4584651 (1986-04-01), Carey, Jr. et al.
patent: 5148686 (1992-09-01), You
patent: 5410581 (1995-04-01), Hollenbeck et al.
patent: 5485363 (1996-01-01), Reitwiesner
patent: 5568398 (1996-10-01), Trainor
patent: 5568529 (1996-10-01), Masuda
patent: 5663711 (1997-09-01), Sanders et al.
patent: 5684710 (1997-11-01), Ehlers et al.
patent: 5801635 (1998-09-01), Price
patent: 0256815 (1987-08-01), None
Reising Ethington Barnes Kisselle Learman & McCulloch
The Detroit Edison Company
Wu Daniel J.
LandOfFree
Power interruption monitoring apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Power interruption monitoring apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Power interruption monitoring apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2436401