Abstract: An electrical receptacle includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a power control unit coupled to the PCB, AC electrical conductors, and an electrical receptacle coupled to the PCB. The electrical contacts are in electrical communication with respective ones of the electrical conductors. A first portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to a power source and a second portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to respective ones of the electrical contacts. The power control unit includes a controller and a switch, the switch operable to selectively establish continuity between the first and second portions of at least one of the electrical conductors. The controller is configured to selectively place the switch into either a closed position or an open position in response to a signal received from an environmental or occupancy sensor.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a power control unit coupled to the PCB, AC electrical conductors, and an electrical receptacle coupled to the PCB. The electrical contacts are in electrical communication with respective ones of the electrical conductors. A first portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to a power source and a second portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to respective ones of the electrical contacts. The power control unit includes a controller and a switch, the switch operable to selectively establish continuity between the first and second portions of at least one of the electrical conductors. The controller is configured to selectively place the switch into either a closed position or an open position in response to a signal received from an environmental or occupancy sensor.

Abstract: A furniture electrical system includes an electrical power unit including a housing that is mountable to a furniture article and that defines an interior cavity, with a low voltage DC electrical outlet positioned in the interior cavity. An electrical power cord is in electrical communication with the electrical outlet and exits the housing, the power cord extending to a higher voltage DC power supply associated with an electric motor for raising and lowering a furniture article. An electrical power converter in the housing reduces the voltage from the higher voltage DC power supply to the low voltage DC electrical outlet. Optionally, an indicia lamp associated with each outlet illuminates at a first luminous intensity when the outlet is energized, and illuminates at a different second luminous intensity when the outlet is energized and supplying power to an electrical power consumer.

Abstract: An electrical power coupler is configured to convey electrical power upon detecting that a compatible other coupler is properly aligned and no undesirable operating conditions are detected. The power coupler includes a first ferromagnetic metal adjacent a first magnet, a hall sensor for detecting a magnetic field in the first ferromagnetic metal, and at least two first electrical contacts. A control unit is in electrical communication with the power conductors, and includes an electrical switch operable to selectively allow a flow of electricity from a power source through the associated power conductors when the hall sensor detects the magnetic field, such as when the first electrical contacts are in contact with at least two second electrical contacts of another electrical power coupler. The second electrical contacts make contact with the first electrical contacts upon proper alignment of a correspondingly configured other electrical power coupler.

Abstract: A furniture electrical system includes an electrical power unit including a housing that is mountable to a furniture article and that defines an interior cavity, with a low voltage DC electrical outlet positioned in the interior cavity. An electrical power cord is in electrical communication with the electrical outlet and exits the housing, the power cord extending to a higher voltage DC power supply associated with an electric motor for raising and lowering a furniture article. An electrical power converter in the housing reduces the voltage from the higher voltage DC power supply to the low voltage DC electrical outlet. Optionally, an indicia lamp associated with each outlet illuminates at a first luminous intensity when the outlet is energized, and illuminates at a different second luminous intensity when the outlet is energized and supplying power to an electrical power consumer.

Abstract: An electrical article with cord-free charging zone provides users in a work area with access to low-voltage charging for portable electronic devices, in which electrical current is conveyed upon placement of an electronic device within the charging zone. The electrical article is configured for use in a work area, and includes a housing, a low voltage charging zone with power unit, and an electrical power input. The charging zone is defined along at least a portion of an upper surface of the housing. The low voltage power unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device that is positioned at the low voltage charging zone.

Abstract: An electrical power infeed module for modular electrical power systems selectively provides power to one or more electrical outlets in the system from a single power source, regardless of the number of power sources are engaged by power infeed modules in the system. The power infeed module includes a power infeed cable, a power output cable, and an electrical circuit disposed between the power infeed cable and the power output cable, the electrical circuit being operable to selectively connect the power output cable to the power infeed cable if the power infeed cable is connected to a first power source and the power output cable is not already electrically energized by a second power source. The circuit includes an electrical switch, a sensor for detecting whether the power output cable is electrically energized, and a controller for operating the switch in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An electrical power coupler is configured to convey electrical power upon detecting that a compatible other coupler is properly aligned and no undesirable operating conditions are detected. The power coupler includes a first ferromagnetic metal adjacent a first magnet, a hall sensor for detecting a magnetic field in the first ferromagnetic metal, and at least two first electrical contacts. A control unit is in electrical communication with the power conductors, and includes an electrical switch operable to selectively allow a flow of electricity from a power source through the associated power conductors when the hall sensor detects the magnetic field, such as when the first electrical contacts are in contact with at least two second electrical contacts of another electrical power coupler. The second electrical contacts make contact with the first electrical contacts upon proper alignment of a correspondingly configured other electrical power coupler.

Abstract: A wireless electrical power system provides access to high voltage and/or low voltage electrical power at portable articles that are positionable at different locations within a work area, and substantially without the use of exposed cabling. The power system includes a portable article that is positionable at two or more locations within a work area. The work area is defined by a plurality of surfaces, at least one of which incorporates a wireless electrical power transmitter. The portable article incorporates a wireless electrical power receiver that is configured to receive electrical power from the wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmitter. The portable article further includes an electrical power outlet that provides users in the work area with access to the electrical power.

Abstract: A wireless electrical power system provides access to high voltage and/or low voltage electrical power at portable articles that are positionable at different locations within a work area, and substantially without the use of exposed cabling. The power system includes a portable article that is positionable at two or more locations within a work area. The work area is defined by a plurality of surfaces, at least one of which incorporates a wireless electrical power transmitter. The portable article incorporates a wireless electrical power receiver that is configured to receive electrical power from the wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmitter. The portable article further includes an electrical power outlet that provides users in the work area with access to the electrical power.

Abstract: An electrical power coupling includes a pair of power coupling parts, each having a base and a coupling portion that is movable relative to said base. Each coupling portion has first and second electrical contacts that are spaced laterally outboard, by respective first and second distances, from centers of the coupling portions. Magnetic elements attract the respective coupling portions to one another when the coupling portions are positioned closely to one another. Each coupling portion moves relative to its respective base to align the coupling portions with one another and establish electrical connections between the first electrical contacts and between the second electrical contacts. Optionally, at least two electrical contacts are arcuate or circular in shape.

Abstract: An electrical article with cord-free charging zone provides users in a work area with access to low-voltage charging for portable electronic devices, in which electrical current is conveyed upon placement of an electronic device within the charging zone. The electrical article is configured for use in a work area, and includes a housing, a low voltage charging zone with power unit, and an electrical power input. The charging zone is defined along at least a portion of an upper surface of the housing. The low voltage power unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device that is positioned at the low voltage charging zone.

Abstract: A wireless electrical power system provides access to high voltage and/or low voltage electrical power at portable articles that are positionable at different locations within a work area, and substantially without the use of exposed cabling. The power system includes a portable article that is positionable at two or more locations within a work area. The work area is defined by a plurality of surfaces, at least one of which incorporates a wireless electrical power transmitter. The portable article incorporates a wireless electrical power receiver that is configured to receive electrical power from the wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmitter. The portable article further includes an electrical power outlet that provides users in the work area with access to the electrical power.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.

Abstract: An electrical article with cord-free charging zone provides users in a work area with access to low-voltage charging for portable electronic devices, in which electrical current is conveyed upon placement of an electronic device within the charging zone. The electrical article is configured for use in a work area, and includes a housing, a low voltage charging zone with power unit, and an electrical power input. The charging zone is defined along at least a portion of an upper surface of the housing. The low voltage power unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device that is positioned at the low voltage charging zone.

Abstract: A docking station for mechanically supporting and electrically communicating with an electronic device, such as a portable phone, computer, media player, or the like includes a housing with upper and lower housing surfaces, a device mount pivotably coupled to the housing, and an electrical and mechanical connector on the device mount. The upper housing surface defines an opening through which the connector extends. The opening in the upper housing is sized and shaped to correspond to an upper portion of the device mount, which has arcuate surfaces that remain in close proximity or contact with surfaces defining the opening in the upper housing, to limit or preclude the intrusion of contaminants into the housing regardless of the position of the device mount relative to the housing.