Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Plural load circuit systems – Anticoupling of load circuits through same source
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-14
2001-05-15
Fleming, Fritz (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Plural load circuit systems
Anticoupling of load circuits through same source
C307S038000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06232675
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a power distribution apparatus and, more particularly, to a power distribution apparatus having multiple relay devices for controlling the flow of current along multiple power paths within the power distribution apparatus from an input terminal connected to a power source to output terminals along the power paths.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Power distribution units typically comprise an input terminal for connecting a power source to the power distribution unit and one or more output terminals for connecting electrical components to be powered by the power source to the power distribution unit. The output terminals may have the same or different output current ratings. Typically, power distribution units have multiple power paths and contain electrical circuitry which reduces the amount of current being provided to certain output terminals to cause certain output terminals to have different current ratings than others. This allows different electrical components which have different power requirements to be powered from a single power distribution unit by connecting the electrical components to the appropriate output terminals.
Power distribution units currently available on the market do not implement relay devices for controlling the flow of current along power paths within the power distribution unit. Therefore, with typical power distribution units, current being provided to an output terminal cannot be turned off by activating a relay device on the power distribution unit. Rather, power being provided to an electrical component connected to an output terminal of the power distribution unit must be turned off by actuating a mechanism, such as an on/off switch, comprised by the electrical component, or by disconnecting the power supply from the power distribution unit.
It would be advantageous to provide a power distribution unit which would allow power being supplied to electrical components connected to the output terminals of the power distribution unit to be turned on and off from the power distribution unit. This would eliminate the need for separately turning on and off electrical components connected to the output terminals of the power distribution unit. However, simultaneously turning on several electrical components connected to output terminals along a single power path of the power distribution unit may result in an input current surge, which could damage the electrical components. Similarly, simultaneously turning off several electrical components connected to output terminals along a single power path of the power distribution unit may result in large voltage transients on the power source, which could damage the power source or damage electrical component loads that are being disconnected from the power source.
Accordingly, a need exists for a power distribution apparatus which comprises a plurality of output terminals disposed along one or more power paths of the power distribution apparatus and which comprises relay devices which control the flow of current along the power paths. A need also exists for a power distribution apparatus which can perform these functions without generating input current surges when power is provided to multiple electrical component loads connected to the output terminals of a power path and without generating large current and voltage transients when power being provided to multiple electrical component loads connected to the output terminals of a power path is removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a power distribution apparatus which utilizes relay devices to control the flow of power along power paths from an input terminal to one or more output terminals electrically coupled to the power paths. The present invention is not limited with respect to the number of power paths, relay devices, or output terminals comprised by the power distribution apparatus. Preferably, the power distribution apparatus comprises at least two isolated power paths, at least one output terminal electrically coupled to each power path, one relay device associated with each power path and one input terminal for receiving power from an external power source.
In operation, the relay device associated with each power path controls the flow of current from the input terminal to the output terminals electrically coupled to the power path. Preferably, a switching assembly is electrically coupled to the power distribution apparatus for controlling the relay devices. When the switching assembly is activated, the relay devices are switched on and current is allowed to flow from the input terminal to the output terminals. When the switching assembly is deactivated, the relay devices are switched off and current is prevented from flowing from the input terminal to the output terminals.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power distribution apparatus comprises a controller which controls the operation of the power distribution apparatus. The switching assembly is coupled to the controller such that the controller senses when the switching assembly has been activated and deactivated. The controller is also coupled to the input terminal. When the switching assembly is activated, the controller causes the relay devices to be closed so that current is provided to the output terminals. When the switching assembly is deactivated, the controller causes the relay devices to be opened so that current is prevented from flowing to the output terminals.
When multiple relay devices are implemented in the power distribution apparatus, preferably the controller switches the relay devices on and off in accordance with a predetermined timing sequence such that a time delay occurs from the time that one relay device is turned on or off before another relay device is switched on or off in the power distribution apparatus. By switching the relay devices on in accordance with this timing sequence, current surges on the power distribution apparatus are prevented. By switching the relay devices off in accordance with this timing sequence, voltage transients in the input power source are prevented from occurring.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4755691 (1988-07-01), Bethea
patent: 5579201 (1996-11-01), Karageozian
Fleming Fritz
Hewlett--Packard Company
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