IP Library Granted Patent US 8,325,454
Granted Patent B2
US 8,325,454 · App. 12/384,624 · Granted Dec 4, 2012

Over heating detection and interrupter circuit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,325,454
App. No.
12/384,624
Granted
Dec 4, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An over heating detection circuit and an interrupter circuit are disclosed for interrupting electrical power from a power source receptacle to a load upon the detection of an over heating condition of an electrical plug. A heat sensitive device monitors the temperature of the electrical plug. The over heating detection circuit is connected to the heat sensitive device for detecting an over heated condition in the electrical plug. The interruption circuit includes a disconnect switch connected to the over heating detection circuit for disconnecting electrical power upon the detection of the over heated condition in the electrical plug.

Claims (35)

1. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit for detecting an over heating condition of an electrical plug having a first and a second electrical blades inserted into slots of a power source receptacle, comprising:

a first and a second thermistor mounted directly to the first and second electrical blades for monitoring the temperature of the electrical plug;

an over heating detection circuit connected to said first and second thermistors for detecting an over heated condition in the electrical plug; and

an interruption circuit having a disconnect switch connected to said over heating detection circuit for disconnecting electrical power upon the detection of an over heated condition in the electrical plug.

2. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second thermistors provides an electrical output upon detecting said over heated condition in the electrical plug.

3. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 1 , including a device switch connected in series with said first and second thermistors for connecting and disconnecting powering to said electrical heat sensitive device.

4. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said disconnect switch comprises a disconnect switch input circuit connected to the power source and a disconnect switch output circuit connected to the load; and

said first and second thermistors being connected to said disconnect switch input circuit for powering said electrical heat sensitive device.

5. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said disconnect switch comprises a disconnect switch input circuit connected to the power source and a disconnect switch output circuit connected to the load; and

said first and second thermistors being connected to said disconnect switch output circuit for powering said electrical heat sensitive device.

6. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said disconnect switch comprises a disconnect switch input circuit connected to the power source and a disconnect switch output circuit connected to the load;

said first and second thermistors being connected to said disconnect switch input circuit for powering said electrical heat sensitive device; and

a heat sensitive device switch interposed between said first and second thermistors and said disconnect switch input circuit for connecting and disconnecting power to said electrical heat sensitive device.

7. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit for detecting an over heating condition of an electrical plug having a first and a second electrical blade inserted into slots of a power source receptacle, comprising:

a first and a second thermistor mounted directly to the first and second electrical blades for monitoring the temperature of the electrical plug;

a first and a second optocoupler interconnecting said first and second thermistor to an over heating detection circuit for detecting an over heated condition in the electrical plug; and

an interruption circuit having a disconnect switch connected to said over heating detection circuit for disconnecting electrical power upon the detection of an over heated condition in the electrical plug.

8. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 1 , including an optocoupler and heat sensitive device switch located on opposed sides of said first and second thermistors.

9. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit for interrupting electrical power from a power source receptacle to a load upon the detection of an over heating condition of an electrical plug inserted into a first and a second slot of the power source receptacle, comprising:

an electrical plug housing supporting a first and a second electrical blade for insertion within the first and second slots of the power source receptacle;

a first and a second thermistor mounted directly to said first and second electrical blades for monitoring the temperature of each of said first and second electrical blades;

an over heating detection circuit connected to said first and second thermistors for providing an over heating detection circuit electrical output upon the detection of an over heated condition in one of said first and second electrical blades; and

an interruption circuit having a disconnect switch connected for receiving said over heating detection circuit output for disconnecting electrical power to the load upon said over heating detection circuit detecting an over heated condition in one of said first and second electrical blades.

10. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said disconnect switch is located internal to said electrical plug housing.

11. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said disconnect switch is located external to said electrical plug housing.

12. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said disconnect switch is located as an integral part of the powered load assembly.

13. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the communication from the plug to the disconnect switch is either via the power supply cord or via wireless communication.

14. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein each said first and second thermistors has plural power terminals;

one of said plural power terminals of said first electrical heat sensitive device being connected to said first electrical blade; and

one of said plural power terminals of said second electrical heat sensitive device being connected to said second electrical blade.

15. An over heating detection and interrupter circuit for detecting an over heating condition of an electrical plug having an electrical blade inserted into a slot of a power source receptacle, comprising:

an electrical heat sensitive device mounted directly to the first and second electrical blades for monitoring the temperature of the electrical plug;

an over heating detection circuit connected to said electrical heat sensitive device for detecting an over heated condition in the electrical plug;

an optocoupler interposed between said electrical heat sensitive device and said over heating detection circuit for electrically isolating said electrical heat sensitive device from said over heating detection circuit; and

an interruption circuit having a disconnect switch connected to said over heating detection circuit for disconnecting electrical power upon the detection of an over heated condition in the electrical plug.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072299/0141 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC (F/K/A COLEMAN CABLE, INC.); TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC (F/K/A TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION); SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 069235/0104 →
CONVERSION Recorded Jun 10, 2014
From: TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 033120/0204 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 21, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032308/0469 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032251/0277 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 5, 2011
From: COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026707/0729 →