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Signal Activated Circuit Interrupter

a technology of signal activation and circuit interrupter, which is applied in the field of electrical safety devices, can solve the problems of preventing the use of original outlets, discouraging the use of safety benefits, and affecting the safety of additional appliances plugged into their receptacles,

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-04-10
HOOPER DONALD RANDOLPH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a simple device that can be easily moved and plugged into different outlets. This allows the device to respond to hazard alarm signals in different environments.

Problems solved by technology

This arrangement has the disadvantage of hiding the original outlet with a seemingly permanent receptacle.
The consumer may inadvertently plug in an appliance that is intended to remain fully powered at all times. Also, its appearance may cause the consumer to believe they must purchase an additional unit for every outlet in the building, rather than move a portable unit as needed, thus discouraging its use and safety benefits.
This arrangement requires the power strip be permanently mounted nearby and above the appliance to be monitored for smoke, and additional appliances plugged into its receptacles may not be protected.
The disadvantages of this arrangement include that power is interrupted to all appliances on the circuit tripped, it requires professional installation, and it is difficult to reset the circuit while monitoring for the defective appliance.
The disadvantage of this bedside monitor is that it does not, and is not intended to, interrupt power to any appliance.
The disadvantage of this bedside monitor is that it does not, and is not intended to, interrupt power to any appliance.

Method used

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  • Signal Activated Circuit Interrupter
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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0046]AC power is conducted to both the hazard alarm detector components 32 and the circuit interrupter switch 34, which is controlled by the invention's hazard alarm detector components 32. In its preferred first embodiment, the circuit interrupter switch 34 is a mechanical relay such as Electronic Inc.'s R25-5A16-120 16 Amp 120V AC SPDT relay, but it could be any other type housing 10 contains a manually operated reset switch 24 to re-enable power to the receptacles 14 after power has been interrupted. A hazard condition indicator LED 26 on the housing 10 can be provided to show the AC power circuit to the receptacles 14 is in a tripped, or open, condition due to detection of a hazard alarm. An optional hazard alarm test button 28 to emit an audible alarm may be included. A conventional AC cord with male plug 16 is used to attach the power strip to a standard 120V AC power outlet. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention can be manufactured to operate with...

third embodiment

[0061]It will be obvious to those skilled in the art of making electrical component casings that any number or variety of brackets, hooks, slots, holes, or none at all, can be incorporated into the portable casing 42 and is nonessential to the invention. Moreover, the number, type, or configuration of external lights, buttons, and switches is nonessential to the invention, except that the invention must have at least a standard three-prong plug 44, a, main power ON indicator LED 46, and an alarm detector access hole 48.

[0062]It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the third embodiment of the invention described above can be modified into the fourth embodiment as follows: Industry producers may choose to incorporate the circuitry of the third embodiment of the invention into the control circuit of a single device being protected. In this case, the housing would be modified or eliminated entirely and the device housing would be modified to accommodate the invention. This f...

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PUM

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Abstract

The current invention is an automatic AC power interruption system built into a portable power strip or a portable casing or integrated into an appliances control circuitry. The invention monitors the environment for hazard alarms, for example, a T3 signal smoke detector alarm, and responds by tripping open the power supply circuit to the power strip's receptacles and thus interrupts AC power to the protected appliances the user has chosen to plug into them. One alternate form of the invention uses a portable casing that can be plugged into a power receptacle and, when a hazard alarm is detected, trip off the nearest GFCI. Other alternate forms of the invention are integrated within an individual appliance's control circuitry and may interrupt power using a built-in switch or by tripping off the nearest GFCI device. The invention's purpose is to help prevent death, injury, and property damage by preventing fires or facilitating fire suppression; more particularly, by interrupting electrical power to problematic appliances, such as toasters, space heaters, battery chargers, stoves, and motors, when a hazardous condition alarm is emitted. It further interrupts power to the problematic appliances when a detector emits an alarm indicating toxic fumes, natural gas, radon, carbon monoxide, or whatever other detector-alarm the consumer installs in the area to be protected.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Provisional Application 61 / 575,177 (Aug. 17, 2011) Donald Randolph HooperSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Wherever electrical circuits provide power to appliances, motors, and other equipment, it is desirable to electronically monitor the environment for hazardous conditions and, when detected, generate an audible alarm to warn people and protect property. For example, smoke detectors generate an audible alarm, but other detectors may warn of toxic fumes, flammable gases, radon, carbon monoxide, fire, or other hazardous conditions. The invention will interrupt electric power to select circuits when it detects a hazardous condition alarm in order to prevent personal injuries, prevent fires, facilitate fire suppression, and protect property. The sour...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H02H3/16
CPCH02H3/16G08B17/10G01R31/54H01H83/20H01H83/22H01H2239/054B60L3/0069B60L3/04G08B17/06H02H1/0007H02H3/165Y02T90/14
Inventor HOOPER, DONALD RANDOLPH
Owner HOOPER DONALD RANDOLPH
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