Auto-switching duplex module

Abstract

A system and method (“utility”) for providing power to an electrically powered device from alternate, redundant power sources via a single power cord. The utility is operable to provide redundant power to an electrical device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug. The utility is operable to sense a loss of power quality from one power source, and to switch a connection to another power source in response to the loss. The utility may be configured to match the form factor of a standard (e.g., NEMA or other electrical standard) duplex receptacle unit. The utility may be incorporated into a standard outlet box or may plug into a standard outlet box.

1 . An apparatus for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, comprising:
 a first standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug;   a first terminal assembly for interconnecting to a first power source;   a second terminal assembly for interconnecting to a second power source;   a switch for selectively interconnecting said first standard receptacle to either said first terminal assembly or said second terminal assembly, wherein said switch is operative for sensing a reduction of power quality from one of said first or second power sources and for switching a connection of said first standard receptacle responsive to said reduction of power quality, said switching being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources; and   a housing configured to house said first standard receptacle, said first terminal assembly, said second terminal assembly, and said switch within a form factor of a standard National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug, said second standard receptacle being interconnected to said switch so as to selectively receive power from either said first power source or said second power source. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is adapted to plug into a standard receptacle configured to receive power from said first and second power sources. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is adapted to plug into a power strip having receptacles associated with first and second power sources. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a power strip interconnected to said first standard receptacle, said power strip including multiple receptacles for receiving standard plugs. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device is an electrical or electronic device of a data center. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device is a medical device. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device includes a single power cord. 
     
     
         11 . A method for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a module including a module receptacle for receiving said standard plug and a switch for switching a connection of said module receptacle;   first connecting said module to first and second power sources;   second connecting said standard plug to said module receptacle;   sensing a power quality from one of said first or second power sources; and   switching said connection of said module receptacle using said switch in response to sensing a reduction of said power quality and so as to suppress arc carryover during said switching, said switching being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources.   
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of first connecting comprises providing a standard electrical outlet having first and second standard receptacles configured to provide power from said first and second power sources, respectively, and connecting said module to said first and second standard receptacles. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of first connecting comprises providing a power strip having first and second strip receptacles configured to provide power from first and second power sources, respectively, and connecting said module to said first and second strip receptacles. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of second connecting comprises plugging said standard plug directly into said module receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of second connecting comprises plugging said standard plug into a strip receptacle of a power strip and interconnecting said power strip to said first and second power sources via said module. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of connecting a network device of a data center to said first and second power sources via said module. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of connecting a medical device to said first and second power sources via said module. 
     
     
         18 . A method for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first standard receptacle for receiving said standard plug, said first standard receptacle being selectively associated with first and second power sources via a switch;   sensing a predetermined undesirable change in loss of power quality from one of said first and second power sources;   responsive to said change, cycling said switch to provide power to said first standard receptacle from the other of said first and second power sources, said cycling being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources; and   forcing said power to zero during at least a portion of said cycling so as to suppress arc carryover during said cycling.   
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:
 sensing a restoration of power quality from said one of said first and second power sources; and   responsive to said restoration, cycling said switch to provide power to said first standard receptacle from said one of first and second power sources.   
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of providing a second standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug, said second standard receptacle being selectively associated with said first and second power sources via said switch. 
     
     
         21 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said device comprises a power strip, said power strip including multiple receptacles for receiving standard plugs. 
     
     
         22 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said device is a network device of a data center or a medical device. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for use in delivering power to a device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug, comprising:
 a first standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug;   a first terminal assembly for interconnecting to a first power source;   a second terminal assembly for interconnecting to a second power source; and   a switch for selectively interconnecting said first standard receptacle to either said first terminal assembly or said second terminal assembly, wherein said switch is operative for sensing a power quality of one of said first and second power sources and for switching a connection of said first standard receptacle responsive to said power quality; and an arc carryover suppresser operable to force an interrupt in current flowing into said first standard receptacle during a time when said switch is switching said connection of said first standard receptacle responsive to said reduction of power quality, said switching being electronically controlled by power of said one of said first and second power sources.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said switch comprises circuitry disposed within said apparatus and coupled to said first and second terminal assemblies and said standard receptacle, and wherein said circuitry is operable to sense said power quality on one of said terminal assemblies and automatically couple said standard receptacle to one of said terminal assemblies in accordance with a value of said power quality. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said circuitry is operable to automatically couple said standard receptacle to one of said terminal assemblies in accordance with a value of said power quality after a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said circuitry comprises one or more relays. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said circuitry comprises a timer. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said circuitry comprises an optical isolation circuit for isolating said first and second power sources. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said circuitry is operable to automatically couple said standard receptacle to one of said terminal assemblies in accordance with a value of said power quality in a period of time that is less than about 15 milliseconds. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said power quality includes at least one of interruptions, undervoltage, overvoltage, voltage fluctuations, and frequency variations. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said apparatus has an average power dissipation at full load of less than about 5 watts. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said apparatus has an average power dissipation at no load of less than about 200 milliwatts. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising a second standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug, said second standard receptacle being interconnected to said switch so as to selectively receive power from either said first power source or said second power source. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said apparatus is adapted to plug into a standard receptacle configured to receive power from said first and second power sources. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said apparatus is adapted to plug into a power strip having receptacles associated with first and second power sources. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising a power strip interconnected to said first standard receptacle, said power strip including multiple receptacles for receiving standard plugs. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said device is an electrical or electronic device of a data center. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said device is a medical device. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said apparatus is incorporated into a standard receptacle. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said device includes a single power cord.