Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Switching systems – Condition responsive
Patent
1998-05-11
1999-11-09
Gaffin, Jeffrey
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Switching systems
Condition responsive
3611681, 361186, 361191, 36452826, 36452832, H01H 3500
Patent
active
059820527
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system for controlling actuation of main powered electrical devices, using a low voltage, direct current control circuit to command and effect switching of power to the devices. The invention has been developed and is hereinafter described by way of example in the context of a system that utilizes a central processor which is arranged to act on command signals and issue actuating signals for the purpose of switching power to devices in a domestic residence or other building.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a system to which the invention relates, common control circuit wiring is employed to carry command signals, actuating signals and current at a level sufficient to effect actuation of switching relays. This approach minimizes the amount of wiring required for a given system installation but it does impose a requirement for voltage regulation in order that reliable operation will occur with changing circuit conditions, including changes to the size of the installation. The inclusion of a voltage regulated, direct current power supply as such does not present any difficulties, but a problem occurs when attempting to modulate the otherwise constant control circuit voltage with command and/or actuating signals. That is, a conventional regulated power supply will present zero impedance to an alternating signal and, thus, effectively absorb the command and actuating signals.
One attempt has been made to avoid this problem by arranging for the response time of voltage regulation to be slow relative to the frequency of modulation used by both the command and the actuating signals. However, this solution requires the introduction of R.C time constant circuit components, resulting in consequential power loss and imposing limits on the number of load devices that may be connected to a given installation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to avoid this problem, without increasing the amount of control circuit wiring, by arranging for the control circuit voltage to be regulated between two levels at the modulation rate of the control and actuating signals.
Thus, the present invention may be defined broadly as providing a system for controlling the connection of power to electrical devices by way of switching devices and which comprises a low voltage, direct current power supply, an electrical connection between the power supply and the switching devices, and means for generating and feeding to the electrical connection pulse-form control signals. The system is characterized in that the power supply includes means for detecting the presence of the pulse-form control signals and means for modulating the output voltage of the power supply between two discrete levels responsive to and at a rate corresponding with that of the pulse-form control signals.
The invention in a more specific, preferred form may be defined as providing a system for controlling the connection of power to electrical devices by way of switching devices and which comprises a low voltage, direct current power supply, a plurality of command units connected to and powered from the power supply by way of an electrical connection, and a plurality of switching devices connected to and powered from the power supply by way of the electrical connection. Respective ones of the command units are arranged to generate uniquely coded pulse-form command signals and to feed the command signals to a central processing unit by way of the electrical connection, and the central processing unit is arranged to generate pulse-form actuating signals having codes determined by respective command signals and to feed the actuating signals to the switching devices by way of the electrical connection. The system is characterized in that the power supply incorporates a voltage regulator which includes means for detecting the presence of the pulse-form signals and means for modulating the output voltage of the power supply between two discrete levels responsive to and at a rate corresponding with that
REFERENCES:
patent: 4348582 (1982-09-01), Budek
patent: 4471232 (1984-09-01), Peddie et al.
patent: 4785927 (1988-11-01), Dobbins
patent: 4903335 (1990-02-01), Shimizu
patent: 4963763 (1990-10-01), Minagawa et al.
patent: 5012120 (1991-04-01), Minagawa et al.
patent: 5191520 (1993-03-01), Eckersley
patent: 5777894 (1998-07-01), Settles et al.
patent: 5805989 (1998-09-01), Ushida
Gaffin Jeffrey
H.P.M. Industries PTY Limited
Zura Peter
LandOfFree
DC power control of switching devices does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with DC power control of switching devices, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and DC power control of switching devices will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1460456