Electricity: measuring and testing – Measuring – testing – or sensing electricity – per se – With coupling means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-20
2003-06-03
Nguyen, Vinh P. (Department: 2829)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Measuring, testing, or sensing electricity, per se
With coupling means
C324S11700H
Reexamination Certificate
active
06573701
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to power line cords, and more particularly to current flow detection in a power line cord.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Power distribution boxes allow multiple power line cords from multiple devices to be plugged into a single piece of equipment in a convenient manner. With multiple power line cords plugged into a central location, a problem can arise when trying to unplug a line cord from the distribution box.
For example, sometimes there are a large number of line cords that are plugged in a distribution box. It is not possible to always determine when there are numerous cords and connections in locations away from the location of the distribution box if a line cord can be unplugged and new system plugged therein. Oftentimes, there is a need to determine if one of the line cords is being used to make room for another system to be powered.
At present, since there is not a definitive way to know whether a particular power line cord is currently carrying current, and there is no safe way of unplugging a line cord without the possibility of disrupting the operation of a device. Accordingly, a need exists for a technique that allows removal of a line cord from a distribution box in a safe and reliable manner. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides aspects detecting current flow in a power line cord. In these aspects, a line current detector circuit is provided for each input plug line of a power distribution box. A determination of whether line current is flowing in a system line cord plugged into the power distribution box is based on a light indicator from the line detector circuit. The line current detector circuit includes a magnetic device for detecting line current flowing in a power line cord, and a light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the magnetic device for outputting a light indicative of whether current is flowing in the power line cord.
Through a line current detection circuit, a system and method in accordance with the present invention prevents the disruption of machine operation normally caused by the unplugging of a line cord from a distribution box that is actively providing current to equipment. The aspects of the present invention provide an effective and efficient solution in a straightforward manner. These and other advantages of the aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4806854 (1989-02-01), Mayer et al.
patent: 5646535 (1997-07-01), Dornier
patent: 6043641 (2000-03-01), Singer et al.
Nguyen Vinh P.
Sawyer Law Group
LandOfFree
Method and system for line current detection for power line... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and system for line current detection for power line..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and system for line current detection for power line... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3093465