In-line remote controllable power switch
View Patent ↗An apparatus for powering one or more devices is provided. The apparatus includes a housing that has a power input connector that directly receives a power cord and a power output connector connected in series to the power input connector. The housing also contains a power supply connected in parallel to the power input connector. The power supply can generate power for delivery to a second powered device, such as a remote server management device. A cable assembly may extend from the housing for delivering power to the second powered device. The housing may also store a control circuit for controlling the flow of current between the power input connector and the power output connector. The control circuit receives an input signal and, based on the input signal, allows or prevents the flow of current to the integrated power output connector.
1. An apparatus for providing power to one or more devices, the apparatus comprising:
a housing comprising an integrated power input connector for directly receiving a power cord;
an integrated power output cord connected in series to the integrated power input connector, the integrated power output cord configured to mate directly with a power input connector on a first powered device to provide alternating current to the first powered device;
a power supply mounted within the housing, the power supply connected in parallel to the power input connector and operative to generate direct current for delivery to at least a second powered device;
a cable assembly extending from the housing, the cable assembly connected to an output of the power supply and operative to deliver the direct current to the second powered device; and
a control circuit mounted within the housing, the circuit operative to receive an input signal from the second device powered by the direct current of the power supply and, based on the input signal, to allow or prevent the flow of the alternating current to the integrated power output cord.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable assembly is terminated with a connector compatible with a power input on the second powered device.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes a switch interposed between the integrated power input connector and the integrated power output cord, the switch operative to prevent the flow of the alternating current to the integrated power output cord when in an open position.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the switch is mounted on and accessible from an external portion of the housing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes a switch interposed between the integrated power input connector and the power supply, the switch operative to prevent the flow of current to the power supply when in an open position.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the switch is mounted on and accessible from an external portion of the housing.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable assembly comprises an electrical connection to the input signal.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a parallel bus connector mounted on an external surface of the housing, the bus connector having electrical connections to the input signal and the power supply.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the bus connector is compatible with the terminating connector on the cable assembly.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the integrated power input connector comprises an IEC-320/C14 connector.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the integrated power output cord comprises an IEC-320/C13 connector.
12. An apparatus for providing power to one or more devices, the apparatus comprising:
a housing comprising an integrated power input connector for directly receiving a power cord and an integrated power output connector connected in series to the integrated power input connector, the integrated power output connector configured to mate directly with a power input connector on a first powered device to provide alternating current to the first powered device;
a power supply mounted within the housing, the power supply connected in parallel to the power input connector and operative to generate direct current for delivery to at least a second powered device;
a cable assembly extending from the housing, the cable assembly connected to an output of the power supply and operative to deliver the direct current to the second powered device; and
a control circuit mounted within the housing, the circuit operative to receive an input signal from the second device powered by the direct current of the power supply and receive power from the power supply, and based on the input signal, to allow or prevent the flow of the alternating current to the integrated power output connector.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a parallel bus connector mounted on an external surface of the housing, the bus connector having electrical connections to the input signal.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the bus connector is compatible with a terminating connector on the cable assembly.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the integrated power input connector comprises an IEC-320/C14 connector.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the integrated power output connector comprises an IEC-320/C13 connector.
17. An apparatus for providing power to one or more devices, the apparatus comprising:
a housing comprising an integrated power input connector for directly receiving a power cord;
a power output cord connected in series to the integrated power input connector, the power output cord configured to mate directly with a power input connector on a first powered device;
a power supply mounted within the housing, the power supply connected in parallel to the power input connector and operative to generate direct current for delivery to at least a second powered device; and
a control circuit mounted within the housing, the circuit operative to receive an input signal having only a high or low value from the second device powered by the direct current of the power supply and receive power from the power supply, and based on whether the input signal has a high or low value, to allow or prevent the flow of alternating current to the integrated power output cord.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a cable assembly extending from the housing, the cable assembly connected to an output of the power supply and operative to deliver the direct current to the second powered device.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the power output cord is integral with the housing.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a parallel bus connector mounted on an external surface of the housing, the bus connector having electrical connections to the input signal.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the bus connector is compatible with a terminating connector on the cable assembly.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the integrated power input connector comprises an IEC-320/C14 connector.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the power output cord comprises an IEC-320/C13 connector.