Electric power conversion systems – Current conversion – Encased in plug housing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-25
2001-01-09
Berhane, Adolf Daneke (Department: 2838)
Electric power conversion systems
Current conversion
Encased in plug housing
C320S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172892
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to electrical connectors. In particular, the invention is directed to a DC connector adapter which provides a multi-plug DC electrical connection for powering chargers used to charge rechargeable batteries through a military vehicle NATO slave connector while preventing the over-discharge of the vehicle battery when a load is applied through the connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Presently, the Army requires that military vehicles be used to provide power to charging devices which in turn are used to charge Army portable rechargeable batteries. Under current practices, a NATO standardized DC slave plug connector is directly connected to vehicle battery to transfer charge from the vehicle to the charging device.
The problem with drawing power from the vehicle in this manner is that the NATO slave connector is unregulated. As such, the charging devices will continue to draw charge from the vehicle or host battery until the charging devices are fully charged or the host battery is drained of its own charge. Since a threshold amount of charge in the vehicle battery is necessary to operate the vehicle, the unregulated transfer of charge from the vehicle battery to the charger devices may potentially leave the vehicle battery with a charge level below that necessary to operate the vehicle. This situation is often encountered in the Army in charging up the charging devices used to charge the rechargeable batteries for the portable communication equipment of Army personnel, where the charge transferring process is set up and performed while the Army personnel are engaged in duties remote from the charging site.
Although the problem discussed above may be avoided by physically disconnecting the connector from the vehicle battery before the amount of charge drained from the battery reaches a critical level, this solution requires the sacrifice of manpower from other duties in order to keep vigil during the charging process. Such a solution, therefore, is generally impractical. Hence, it is desirable to find an alternative means for preventing the over-discharge of the vehicle battery which does not rely upon human intervention, while providing power to the charging devices in accordance with Army guidelines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In addressing the need identified above, it is thus an aspect of the present invention to provide a DC connector adapter for use in providing controlled DC power from a military vehicle to charger devices for recharging communication batteries.
It is an additional aspect of the present invention to provide a DC connector adaptor for use in providing DC power from a military vehicle to charger devices for recharging communication batteries, having a switching means to prevent the over-discharge of a vehicle power source.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a DC connector adaptor for use in providing DC power from a military vehicle to charger devices for recharging communication batteries, which automatically stops the transfer of power when the available charge level of the vehicle power source falls to a predetermined level.
The present invention provides a DC connector adapter which includes a slave connector on one side thereof and a plurality of output connectors on the other side thereof. The slave connector allows for the connection of the adapter to a power source such as a vehicle battery. The output connectors allow for the connection of a corresponding number of charger devices for recharging rechargeable batteries. The adapter further includes an automatic switch which terminates a load on the power source to which the slave connector is connected when a voltage supplied by the power source falls to a critical level.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5281904 (1994-01-01), Tomkins
patent: 5504413 (1996-04-01), Fernandez et al.
patent: 5850136 (1998-12-01), Kaneko
patent: 6115277 (2000-09-01), Plichta et al.
Plichta Edward J.
Thompson Ronald
Berhane Adolf Daneke
Tereschuk George B.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Zelenka Michael
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