Travel voltage converter and adapter
A portable power converter includes a housing having a front surface and a rear surface, a socket disposed on the front surface and configured to conduct an input waveform, and a plug disposed on the rear surface and configured to conduct an output waveform. The power converter also includes a power conversion circuit disposed within the housing and coupled to the socket and the plug. The power conversion circuit includes a low power conversion circuit coupled to the socket and configured to transform the input waveform into a first waveform, a high power conversion circuit coupled to the socket and configured to transform the input waveform into a second waveform, and a switch circuit coupled to the low power conversion circuit and the high power conversion circuit. The switch circuit is configured to combine the first waveform and the second waveform to generate the output waveform.
1. A power converter comprising:
a housing;
an input disposed on the housing and configured to conduct an input waveform;
an output disposed on the housing and configured to conduct an output waveform;
a power conversion circuit disposed within the housing and coupled to the input and the output, power conversion circuit including:
a low power conversion circuit coupled to the input and configured to transform the input waveform into a first waveform;
a high power conversion circuit couple to the input and configured to transform the input waveform into a second waveform; and
a switch circuit couplable to the low power conversion circuit and the high power conversion circuit; and,
a switch mounted to the housing and configured to move between a first position, a second position, and a third position corresponding to first, second and third modes of operation of the switch circuit to control the output waveform, wherein:
when in the first mode of operation, the switch circuit is coupled to the low power conversion circuit and is disconnected from the high power conversion circuit to deliver the first waveform to the outlet;
when in the second mode of operation the switch circuit is coupled to the high power conversion circuit and is disconnected from the low power conversion circuit to deliver the second waveform to the outlet; and
when in the third mode of operation the switch circuit is coupled to the high power conversion circuit and the low power conversion circuit to combine the first waveform and the second waveform for delivery to the outlet.
2. A power converter, comprising:
a housing including an input configured to conduct an input waveform and an output configured to conduct an output waveform;
a power conversion circuit disposed within the housing and coupled to the input and the output, the power conversion circuit including:
a low power conversion circuit coupled to the input and configured to transform the input waveform into a first waveform;
a high power conversion circuit coupled to the input and configured to transform the input waveform into a second waveform; and
a switch circuit coupled to the low power conversion circuit and the high power conversion circuit, the switch circuit actuable to combine the first waveform and the second waveform; and
a sensor coupled to the switch circuit, the sensor configured to detect an increase in temperature due to excessive power draw and to disconnect the low power conversion circuit in response to the increase in temperature.
3. The power convertor according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a switch disposed on the housing and configured to move between a plurality of positions.
4. The power converter according to claim 3 , wherein the switch is coupled to the switch circuit, the switch being configured to set the switch circuit into one of a plurality of operating modes.
5. The power converter according to claim 4 , wherein the switch is configured to move between a first position, a second position, and a third position.
6. The power converter according to claim 5 , wherein the switch circuit is configured to operate in a first mode in which the switch circuit is coupled to the low power conversion circuit and is disconnected from the high power conversion circuit.
7. The power converter according to claim 6 , wherein the switch circuit is configured to operate in a second mode in which the switch circuit is coupled to the high power conversion circuit and is disconnected from the low power conversion circuit.
8. The power converter according to claim 7 , wherein the power conversion circuit further includes a high power resistor coupled in series relative to the low power conversion circuit and the switch circuit.
9. The power converter according to claim 8 , wherein the switch circuit is configured to operate in a third mode in which the switch circuit is coupled to the high power conversion circuit and the low power conversion circuit through the high power resistor.
10. The power converter according to claim 9 , wherein the power conversion circuit further includes a thermistor disposed adjacent the high power resistor, the thermistor configured to measure a temperature of the high power resistor.
11. The power converter according to claim 10 , wherein the thermistor is coupled to the switching circuit and the switching circuit is configured to disconnect the low power conversion based on the temperature of the high power resistor.
12. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the low power conversion circuit is a transformer.
13. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the high power conversion circuit is a triode for alternating current circuit.
14. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power conversion circuit further includes a high power resistor coupled in series relative to the low power conversion circuit and the switch circuit, the switch circuit coupled to the high power conversion circuit and the low power conversion circuit through the high power resistor when in the third mode of operation.