Abstract: Circuit interrupter positioned between supply circuit and load circuit includes fault detection circuit that senses wave forms to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.

Abstract: A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid stale dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.

Abstract: A resonant power converter has a main switch, a resonant tank coupled across the main switch, and a signal processing circuit coupled to the main switch and the resonant tank. The signal processing circuit generates a driving signal for driving the main switch ON and OFF at a switching frequency. The resonant tank includes circuit components designed to have a resonant frequency that is tuned to a designed switching frequency of the main switch. The signal processing circuit includes a zero voltage switching (ZVS) circuit, a signal generator, a detection circuit, and a latch oscillator. The signal processing circuit is configured to adjust the switching frequency of the driving signal to be tuned to the actual resonant frequency of a resonant tank under very high switching frequency conditions, 1 MHz and greater, thereby accounting for the influence of parasitics at very high switching frequencies and achieving resonance of the circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a solid-state switch, a sense resistor, a current detection circuit, and a switch control circuit. The solid-state switch and sense resistor are connected in series in an electrical path between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker. The current detection circuit is configured to (i) sample a sense voltage that is generated across the sense resistor in response to load current flowing through the sense resistor, (ii) detect an over-current fault condition based on the sampled sense voltage, and (iii) output a fault detection signal in response to detecting the over-current fault condition. The switch control circuit is configured to control the solid-state switch, wherein the switch control circuit is configured to switch-off the solid-state switch in response to the fault detection signal output from the current detection circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state switch, an air-gap electromagnetic switch, switch control circuitry, a zero-crossing detection circuit, and a current sensor. The solid-state and air-gap switches are connected in series in an electrical path between line input and load output terminals of the circuit breaker. The switch control circuitry controls the solid-state and air-gap switches. The zero-crossing detection circuit detects zero crossings of an AC power waveform on the electrical path. The current sensor senses current flow in the electrical path to detect a fault condition based on the sensed current flow. In response to a detected fault condition, the switch control circuitry generates control signals to place the solid-state switch into a switched-off state and place the air-gap switch into a switched-open state after the solid-state switch is placed into the switched-off state.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state bidirectional switch, a switch control circuit, current and voltage sensors, and a processor. The solid-state bidirectional switch is connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-on state and a switched-off state. The switch control circuit control operation of the bidirectional switch. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in an electrical path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage on the electrical path and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to process the current and voltage sense signals to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker, a fault event, and power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a circuit breaker housing, an air-gap switch disposed within the housing, and a first visual indicator configured to provide an indication of an open state and a closed state of the air-gap switch. The first visual indicator includes a first window that is formed as part of the circuit breaker housing, and first and second indicator elements disposed within the circuit breaker housing. The first indicator element is configured to move into position behind the first window as the air-gap switch is placed into the open state and thereby provide a visual indication of the open state of the air-gap switch. The second indicator element is configured to move into position behind the first window as the air-gap switch is placed into the closed state and thereby provide a visual indication of the closed state of the air-gap switch.

Abstract: A bidirectional switch for the control of power from an AC source to a load is described. The approach uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A boost circuit is included to ensure that the control voltage exceeds a threshold voltage of the MOSFETs to force an off state. A plurality of subcircuits can be easily cascaded to provide improved performance.

Abstract: A novel approach for the control of AC power uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off” state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A plurality of subcircuits can be easily cascaded to provide improved performance.

Abstract: An element of a building automation system is described that comprises a multifunctional system integrator contained in a standard receptacle gang box for outlets. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The module can include an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid state dimmer switch, a microprocessor, a communications subsystem and sensors that are controlled by the internal microprocessor. The module includes a user interface for programming and control. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.

Abstract: An improved AC power supply is described. The supply identifies the load through monitoring the current and voltage wave forms and phase relations with the AC Mains. The comparison is done in conditions where the power to the load is programmably varied through use of a control switch located in the line and neutral between the AC mains and the load. The program of controlling the switch is varied to optimize the ability to distinguish similar load types. The switch can be further used to control power to the load that varies according to a set of rules based upon the identity of the load. In a preferred embodiment, the design enables high efficiency with minimal components that may be fully integrated onto silicon.

Abstract: A bidirectional switch for the control of power from an AC source to a load is described. The approach uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A boost circuit is included to ensure that the control voltage exceeds a threshold voltage of the MOSFETs to force an off state.

Abstract: An improved AC to DC conversion system consists of an electronic switch employed to disconnect the input of a prior art series voltage regulator circuit from a rectified AC mains power supply over a fraction of the period of the AC mains to reduce the power dissipated within the series regulator.

Abstract: Circuit interrupter positioned between supply circuit and load circuit includes fault detection circuit that senses wave forms to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a solid-state switch and a mode control circuit. The solid-state switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit interrupter. The mode control circuit is configured to implement a first control mode and a second control mode to control operation of the circuit interrupter. The first control mode is configured to generate a self-bias turn-on threshold voltage for the solid-state switch during power-up of the circuit interrupter, while maintaining the solid-state switch in a switched-off state until the self-bias turn-on threshold voltage is generated. The second control mode is configured to disrupt the self-bias turn-on threshold voltage and place the solid-state switch into a switched-off state.

Abstract: A bidirectional switch for the control of power from an AC source to a load is described. The approach uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off” state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A boost circuit is included to ensure that the control voltage exceeds a threshold voltage of the MOSFETs to force an off state. A plurality of subcircuits can be easily cascaded to provide improved performance.

Abstract: A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid stale dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.