Current sensing load demand apparatus and methods

Abstract

An apparatus supplies AC power to a load. The apparatus includes a set output terminals, a primary circuit, and a load sensing circuit. The primary circuit is electrically coupled to a source of AC power and to the output terminals for selectively providing power at a low voltage at the output terminals or electronically coupling the source of AC power directly to the output terminals. The load sensing circuit coupled to the primary circuit and the source of AC power for determining a resistance associated with the load at initial application of the load and controlling the primary circuit to electronically couple the source of AC power directly to the output terminals if a proper load is detected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A circuit for use with a power circuit for selectively providing power, comprising:
 a switching circuit coupled to the power circuit; and   a sensing device coupled to the switching circuit for sensing a parameter associated with the power circuit, the switching circuit for comparing the parameter with a predetermined condition associated with the parameter and responsively cutting off power using the switching circuit if the parameter meets the predetermined condition.   
     
     
         2 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sensing device measures a temperature associated with the power circuit. 
     
     
         3 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a communications device coupled to the sensing device for generating a signal in response to the sensing device cutting off power. 
     
     
         4 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the communications device is one of a wired or wireless device. 
     
     
         5 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the communications device is implemented using a data bus. 
     
     
         6 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the data bus is Wireless, Power Line Carrier, Category 5 Network, USB, Firewire, Serial or Parallel. 
     
     
         7 . A circuit for use with a power circuit for selectively providing power, comprising:
 a switching circuit coupled to the power circuit; and   a temperature sensing device coupled to the switching circuit for sensing a temperature associated with the power circuit, the switching circuit for comparing the temperature with a predetermined acceptable temperature range and responsively cutting off power using the switching circuit if the ambient temperature is outside of the predetermined acceptable temperature range.   
     
     
         8 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the temperature sensing device includes a thermometer. 
     
     
         9 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising a communications device coupled to the temperature sensing device for generating a signal in response to the temperature sensing device cutting off power. 
     
     
         10 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the communications device is one of a wired or wireless device. 
     
     
         11 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the communications device is implemented using a data bus. 
     
     
         12 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the data bus is Wireless, Power Line Carrier, Category 5 Network, USB, Firewire, Serial or Parallel. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for supplying AC Power to a load, comprising:
 a pair of output terminals;   a primary circuit electrically coupled to a source of AC power and to the output terminals for selectively providing power to the output terminals; and,   a load sensing circuit coupled to the primary circuit and the source of AC power for controllably coupling the source of AC power directly to the output terminals, the load sensing circuit including a temperature sensor coupled to the load sensing circuit for sensing a temperature associated with the primary circuit, the load sensing circuit for comparing the temperature with a predetermined acceptable temperature range and responsively cutting off power to the output terminals if the temperature is outside of the predetermined acceptable temperature range.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the temperature sensor is a thermometer. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a communications device coupled to the temperature sensing device for generating a signal in response to the temperature sensing device cutting off power. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the communications device is implemented using a data bus. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the data bus is Wireless, Power Line Carrier, Category 5 Network, USB, Firewire, Serial or Parallel.