U.S. patent application number 11/555064 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for computer servicing cart.
Invention is credited to William Baker.
Application Number | 20070058344 11/555064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37189262 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070058344 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baker; William |
March 15, 2007 |
Computer Servicing Cart
Abstract
A computer servicing cart containing one or more battery
servicing compartments or modules for charging and storing
batteries for electronic devices, such as computers, cellular
phones, and PDAs. One or more computer servicing compartments or
modules for charging and storing electronic devices, such as
computers, cellular phones, and PDAs. One or more internal power
supplies selectively connectable to at external electrical outlet.
A power shedding control circuit to prevent the cart from
overloading an external outlet.
Inventors: |
Baker; William;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARDINAL LAW GROUP
Suite 2000
1603 Orrington Avenue
Evanston
IL
60201
US
|
Family ID: |
37189262 |
Appl. No.: |
11/555064 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10716094 |
Nov 18, 2003 |
7130190 |
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11555064 |
Oct 31, 2006 |
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60484176 |
Jun 30, 2003 |
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60427463 |
Nov 18, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/695 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 1/10 20130101; H02J
3/32 20130101; H02J 7/0031 20130101; G06F 1/1632 20130101; B62B
2202/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/695 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/20 20060101
H05K007/20 |
Claims
1. A computer servicing cart comprising: a first battery servicing
compartment disposed in the outer cabinet for selectively charging
one or more batteries; and a first computer storage compartment
disposed in the outer cabinet and including a first electrical
outlet for selectively charging one or more computers; a first
internal power supply for providing power to at least the first
battery servicing compartment.
2. The computer servicing cart of claim 1 wherein the first
internal power supply is selectively connectable to an external
electrical outlet.
3. The computer servicing cart of claim 1 wherein the computer
storage compartment further comprises: at least one shelf; at least
one electrical outlet adjacent to each shelf; and at least one
compartment adapted to conceal at least one AC/DC adapter for use
with a computer.
4. The computer servicing cart of claim 2 wherein: each shelf
adjusts vertically; each shelf is tilted downward toward a back end
at a predetermined angle; each shelf has a recessed portion near a
front end adapted to facilitate insertion and removal of computers;
and each shelf has a retainer adapted to guide an adapter cord to
the computer.
5. The computer servicing cart of claim 1 wherein the outer cabinet
further comprises a plurality of wheels;
6. The computer servicing cart of claim 1 further comprising a
cooling system.
7. The computer servicing cart of claim 1 wherein the first battery
servicing compartment further comprises a storage system adapted
for storing the one or more batteries.
8. The computer servicing cart of claim 7 wherein the first battery
servicing compartment is adaptable to store and charge different
battery types.
9. The computer servicing cart of claim 1 further comprising: a
second internal power supply; a second computer storage
compartment; and a power shedding circuit, the power shedding
circuit comprising: a current sensing device adapted to measure
current drawn from the external electrical outlet; a first relay
adapted for controlling power to the first computer storage
compartment; a second relay adapted for controlling power to the
second computer storage compartment; and logic circuitry adapted
for: closing the first and second relays, and activating the second
power supply in a predetermined order when the first power supply
is activated; opening the relays and deactivating the second power
supply in a predetermined order when the current sensing device
indicates a current being drawn from the external electrical outlet
in excess of a predefined limit; recording a relay or power supply
and a current drawn by the relay or power supply that caused the
current drawn that is over the predefined limit; monitoring the
current drawn from the external electrical outlet such that a
deactivated power supply or an opened relay can be activated or
closed respectively when the current drawn from the external outlet
has fallen enough to allow reactivation or closing without causing
current to be drawn that is in excess of the predefined limit; and
deactivating the second power supply and opening the first and
second relays when the first power supply is deactivated.
10. A computer servicing cart comprising: a first battery servicing
module for selectively charging one or more batteries; a first
computer storage module containing at least one electrical outlet
for selectively charging one or more computers; and a first
internal power supply for providing power to at least the first
battery servicing module.
11. The computer servicing cart of claim 10 wherein the first
internal power supply is selectively connectable to an external
electrical outlet.
12. The computer servicing cart of claim 10 wherein the computer
storage module further comprises: at least one shelf; at least one
electrical outlet adjacent to each shelf; at least one compartment
adapted to conceal at least one AC/DC adapter for use with a
computer.
13. The computer servicing cart of claim 12 wherein: at least one
shelf adjusts vertically; at least one shelf is tilted downward
toward at a back end at a predetermined angle; and at least one
shelf has a recessed portion near a front end adapted to facilitate
insertion and removal of computers.
14. The computer servicing cart of claim 10 wherein the first
battery servicing compartment further comprises a storage system
adapted to store the one or more of batteries.
15. The computer servicing cart of claim 14 wherein the first
battery servicing module is adaptable to store and charge different
battery types respectively.
16. The computer servicing cart of claim 10 further comprising a
wheeled transport module, the transport module comprising: a
plurality of wheels attached to a frame; wherein the frame is
adapted to detachably receive at least the first computer storage
module and the first battery servicing module.
17. The computer servicing cart of claim 10 further comprising a
ventilation system.
18. The computer servicing car of claim 11 farther comprising: a
second computer storage module; a second power supply disposed in
the battery servicing module; and a power shedding circuit
comprising: a first and second relay adapted to connect the first
and second computer storage modules, respectively, to the external
outlet; a current sensing device adapted to measure the current
drawn from the external outlet; and logic circuitry adapted for:
closing the first and second relays, and activating the second
power supply in a predetermined order when the first power supply
is activated; opening the relays and deactivating the second power
supply in a predetermined order when the current sensing device
indicates a current being drawn from the external electrical outlet
in excess of a predefined limit; recording a relay or power supply
and the current that caused the current drawn from the external
outlet that is over the predefined limit; monitoring the current
drawn from the external outlet such that a deactivated power supply
or an opened relay can be activated or closed respectively when the
current drawn from the external outlet has fallen enough to allow
reactivation or closing without causing current to be drawn that is
in excess of the predefined limit; and deactivating the second
power supply and opening the first and second relays when the first
power supply is deactivated.
19. A power shedding circuit for selective disconnection of loads
from a power source to prevent overloading, the power shedding
circuit comprising: a current sensing device for monitoring current
drawn from an external electrical outlet; a plurality of logical
outputs to indicate a power on or power off state for a plurality
of devices powered by the outlet; logic circuitry adapted for:
setting the logical outputs from power oft to power on, in a
predetermined order when the power shedding circuit is activated;
setting the logical outputs from power on, to power off, in a
predetermined order when the current sensing device indicates a
current being drawn from the outlet that is in excess of a
predetermined limit; recording a logical output, and the current
drawn, that caused the current to be drawn from outlet that is in
excess of the predefined limit; monitoring the current drawn from
the external outlet such that a logical output set to power off can
be set back to power on when the total current from the outlet has
fallen enough to allow powering on without causing the current in
excess of the predefined limit to be drawn from the outlet; and
setting the logical outputs to power off when the shedding circuit
is deactivated.
20. The power shedding circuit of claim 19 wherein: the current
sensing device comprises a Hall effect sensor; the logic circuitry
comprises a microcontroller; at least one of the logical outputs is
adapted to power up an external device by use of a relay connected
from the external device to the outlet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/484,176, filed on Jun. 30, 2003, and
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/427,463, filed on
Nov. 18, 2002.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to battery charging
hardware, and more particularly to a computer servicing cart for
use with computers or other battery-driven devices.
[0003] Various computers and other battery driven devices are
widely used today. Due to the various configurations of internal
and external components, the connections to power supplies and
batteries can be cumbersome. End-to-end wiring and loose external
pieces may be involved and make the connections unsightly and
difficult to manage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a second embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a computer storage
module.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective view of a computer storage
module.
[0009] FIG. 6 is perspective view of a battery servicing
module.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a cutaway perspective view of a battery servicing
module.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wheeled transport
module
[0012] FIG. 9 is a perspective view another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a power distribution diagram corresponding to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a power shedding circuit diagram corresponding to
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention relates generally to battery charging
hardware, and more particularly to a computer servicing cart for
use with computers or other battery-driven devices. It is
understood, however, that the following disclosure provides many
different embodiments or examples. Specific examples of components
and arrangements are described below to simplify the present
disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not
intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may
repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples.
This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and
does not, in itself, dictate a relationship between the various
embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of a
computer servicing cart 100a, showing one possible internal
configuration. The computer servicing cart 100a comprises an outer
cabinet 120, which comprises a battery servicing compartment 140
and a computer storage compartment 160. In some embodiments, the
cart 100a will also comprise other compartments and storage areas.
The cart 100a may comprise a cooling system, which, in one
embodiment, includes open vents 106 in the outer cabinet 120. In
another embodiment, the cooling system includes a series of fans
108 disposed in the outer cabinet 120. In yet another embodiment,
the cooling system includes a forced air system, which may make use
of both fans 108 and vents 106. In one embodiment, the cart 100a
may have wheels 304, 306. One or more of the wheels 306 may be
rotatably attached to the cabinet 120, while some wheels 304 may,
be attached in a fixed direction. One or more wheels 304 may also
be equipped with a brake 308.
[0017] The computer storage compartment 160 may have a door 122 and
a lock 124. The computer storage compartment 160 may contain one or
more shelves 162, which may be adjustable. In one embodiment, the
shelves 162 have a front end 172 situated higher in the compartment
160 than a back end 170, to facilitate secure storage of one or
more computers 200. The computer 200 may be a personal laptop
computer, a cell phone, a PDA, or other portable electronic device.
In one embodiment, the shelf 162 has a recessed portion 168 on the
front end 172 to facilitate insertion and removal of the computer
200.
[0018] Each shelf 162 may have a compartment or cover 166, which
may be near the back 170, to conceal or store an AC/DC adapter 204.
The adapter 204 may be usable with the computer 200. In one
embodiment, a retainer 164 is provided near the shelf 162. The
retainer 164 may be adapted for guiding a cable 205 from the AC/DC
adapter 204 to the computer 200. The retainer 164 may be a clip, a
clamp, a hook-and-loop closure, a plastic or metal conduit, or any
other device suitable to retain the cable 205 in a relatively fixed
position.
[0019] In one embodiment, the shelves 162 are configured to adjust
such that each stop may be near an outlet 176. The outlets 176 may
be a part of a grid or strip of outlets 178. The outlets 176 may be
standard U.S. electrical outlets, European outlets, or other types
of electrical connections. The outlets 176 and grid 178 may be
powered by a power cord 110 which may connect to an external
electrical outlet 112. The outlet 112 may be a standard US outlet,
a European outlet, or any outlet adaptable to fulfill the needs of
the cart 100a.
[0020] The battery servicing compartment 140 may comprise a drawer
or a smaller cabinet within the outer cabinet 120. The compartment
140 may have a battery storage system 141 adapted to store one or
more batteries 202. The batteries 202 may be held in place by
receptacles 150 adapted to store a specific battery type. The
receptacles 150 may be adjustable, or removable, to store a variety
of different battery types. In another embodiment, the entire
storage system 141 may be removable to facilitate different battery
types.
[0021] A charging system 146 may be configured to charge the
batteries 202 when they are stored in the receptacles 150. The
charging system 146 may also be adaptable, or replaceable, to
charge a variety of different battery types. In one embodiment, the
charging system 146 is integrated with the storage system 141. In
another embodiment, the charging system 146 is a separate component
that maybe stored in the battery servicing compartment 140 or
elsewhere in the cabinet 120. In yet another embodiment, the
battery servicing compartment 140 is a removable drawer integrating
both the charging system 146 and storage system 141.
[0022] A power supply 155, disposed in the outer cabinet 120, may
power the charging system 146. The power supply 155 may be any
power supply capable of supplying the battery charging system 146
with the correct current and/or voltage. The power supply 155
connects to the external outlet 112 by a power cord 110. The power
supply 155 may be activated by a manual switch 114. In other
embodiments, the power supply 155 may be activated wirelessly, by
connecting the power cord 110 to the outlet 112, by connecting a
battery 202 for charging, or other suitable means.
[0023] In one embodiment, the cart 100a is equipped with a power
shedding circuit 144, which may prevent overloading of the external
outlet 112. As will be explained in greater detail below the power
shedding circuit 144 may monitor the current drawn on the external
outlet 112 via a current sensing device 148. If the current exceeds
a predefined limit, the power shedding circuit 144 may shut off
power to the computer storage compartment 160. In one embodiment,
the power shedding circuit 144 retains the value, or estimated
value, of the current drawn at the time it exceeded the predefined
limit. The circuit 144 may then restore power to the computer
storage compartment 160 when the current drawn by the power supply
155 drops enough to allow restoring power without exceeding the
predefined limit.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the cart, herein
designated with reference numeral 100b, may have a modular design.
The one or more computers 200 may be stored in a computer storage
module 160. The computer storage module 160 may comprise all of the
features of the computer storage compartment of a non-modular
embodiment (FIG. 1). For example, the computer storage module 160
may have shelves 162 that may have a back end 170 disposed lower
than a front end 172. There may be a recessed portion 168 near the
front end 172. There may be an AC/DC adapter 204 storage
compartment 166 near the back end 170 of each shelf 162. A retainer
164 may also be provided to guide the cord 205 from the AC/DC
adapter 204 to the computer 200. There may be an electrical outlet
176 disposed near the AC/DC storage compartment 166, aid the outlet
may be a part of a power strip 178.
[0025] In one embodiment, a cooling system may be provided in the
computer storage module 160. The cooling system may include a
series of vents 106, fans 108, or both. Power to the computer
storage module 160 may come from the battery servicing module 140,
for example, via a cable 208 passing through a port 138. The
computer storage module 160 may be attached to the battery
servicing module 140 by a permanent fixation (e.g. welding), or it
may be removably attached (e.g. by bolts or clamps).
[0026] The battery servicing module 140 may contain one or more
battery servicing compartments 154, 156. The battery servicing
module 140 may also comprise all of the features of the battery
servicing compartment of a non-modular embodiment (FIG. 1). For
example, the battery servicing module 140 may contain a first power
supply 155 supplying power by cable 206 to a battery charging
system 146. A second power supply 157 may supply power to a second
charging system 147 by cable 207. The charging systems 146, 147 may
be configured to charge batteries being stored in battery storage
systems 141 and 143, respectively. The charging systems 146, 147
maybe disposed in battery servicing compartments 154, 156,
respectively. In other embodiments, charging systems 146, 147 may
be disposed elsewhere in the battery servicing module 140.
[0027] The battery storage systems 141, 143 may be adaptable, or
removable, to store a variety of battery types. Similarly, charging
systems 146, 147 may be adaptable or removable to charge a variety
of battery types. In one embodiment, the charging systems 146, 147
are integrated with battery storage systems 141, 143, such that the
charging systems and battery storage systems may be replaced as one
unit. In another embodiment, the entire battery servicing
compartments 154, 156 are integrated with storage systems 141, 143
and charging systems 146, 147, respectively, such that the entire
compartments 154, 156 can be exchanged to facilitate different
battery types. In FIG. 7, the compartments 154, 156 are illustrated
as drawers but other configurations that are suitable for
containing or integrating the storage systems 141,143 and/or
charging systems 146, 147 are possible
[0028] The battery servicing module 140 may also utilize a cooling
system, which may comprise vents 106, fans 108, or both. The
battery servicing module 140 may be connected to an external outlet
112 by a power cord 110. The outlet 112 may be a standard US
outlet, a European outlet, or any other outlet adaptable to fulfill
the needs of the power supplies 155, 157, and computer storage
module 160. The power supply 155 may be activated by a manual
switch 114. In other embodiments, the power supply 155 maybe
activated wirelessly, by connecting the power cord 110 to the
outlet 112, by connecting a battery 202 for charging, or any other
suitable means.
[0029] In one embodiment, the cart 100b is equipped with a power
shedding circuit 144, which may prevent overloading of the external
outlet 112. As will be explained in greater detail below, the power
shedding circuit 144 may monitor the current drawn on the external
outlet 112 via a current sensing device 148. When the first power
supply 155 is powered on, the power shedding circuit may begin
monitoring the current drawn on the outlet 112. If the current
stays below a predefined limit, the second power supply 157 and the
computer storage module 160 may be powered on. The devices (e.g.
the second power supply 157 and computer storage module 160) may be
activated according to a predefined order, which may be stored in
the power shedding circuit 144.
[0030] If the current drawn from outlet 112, after activating a
device, is over the predefined limit, the device may be powered
off. The power shedding circuit 144 may store the value, or
estimated value, of the current drawn by one or more of the devices
when the current exceeded the predefined limit. The circuit 144 may
power on one or more powered-off devices when the current drawn on
the outlet 112 has fallen enough to allow powering back on without
exceeding the predefined current limit.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, a frontal view of one embodiment of
a modular design of the cart 100b is illustrated. In this
embodiment vents 106 comprise the cooling system. The AC/DC adapter
cover 166 is shown at the back end 170 of the shelves 162. The
retainer 164 is shown to the left side of the shelves 162. In this
embodiment, the computer storage module 160 is shown attached to
the left of the battery servicing module 140, but other
configurations are possible.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the computer storage module
160, detached from the cart 100b. In this embodiment, the module:
160 has a door 122 with a lock 124. Cooling may be provided by
vents 106. Power may be supplied by the battery servicing module
140 via the power cord 208 passing through port 138. FIG. 5 is a
cutaway view illustrating one possible internal configuration of
FIG. 4. Here, the retainer 164 is a plastic conduit through which
the AC/DC cable 205 may pass. A plurality of shelves 162 may each
be near an outlet 176, but in some embodiments there maybe fewer
shelves and the shelves may be adjustable.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the battery servicing module
140, detached from the cart 100b. In this embodiment, there are two
battery servicing compartments 154, 156, one or both of which may
be lockable by a lock 152. Extra storage space may be provided by
compartments 116 and 118. FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of FIG. 6. In
this embodiment the cooling system comprises fans 108 and vents
106. The battery charging systems 146, 147 maybe attached to the
battery servicing compartments 154, 156 in the locations shown, but
other embodiments may have alternative placements. Ports 138 are
illustrated along with power lines 208, 209 for powering a
plurality of computer storage modules 160. In FIG. 7, wiring 208,
208 for up to two computer storage modules 160 is shown, but other
configurations are possible,
[0034] Referring to FIG. 8, a wheeled transport module 300 may be
attached to the cart 100b. The module 300 may comprise a frame 302
which may be a metal, steel, or wooden frame, or made of any
material suitable for supporting one or more battery servicing
modules 140 and computer storage modules 160. Cross members 310, of
a same or different material as the frame 302, may also be used.
The wheeled module 300 may have a plurality of wheels 304, 306
which may be attached in a fixed direction 304 or attached
rotatably 306. One or more wheels may have a brake 308. The
transport module 300 may be attached to the cart 100b permanently
(e.g. by welding) or removably (e.g. by bolts or clamps). In one
embodiment, bolt holes 312 are used to bolt one or more battery
servicing modules 140 and/or one or more computer storage modules
160 to the wheeled transport module 300.
[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates one possible embodiment of a modular
cart, herein designated with reference numeral 100c. A single
computer servicing module 140 may have a computer storage module
160 attached on both sides. The battery servicing module 140 and
computer storage modules 160 may be attached to a wheeled transport
module 300, having two wheels attached in fixed direction 304, each
with a brake 308, and two wheels attached rotatably 306. FIG. 9 is
meant for illustration only as many other embodiments and
combinations of the modules are possible.
[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates a power distribution diagram for one
possible embodiment of a power shedding circuit 144. The current
sensing device 148 may be attached to the cord 110 coming from the
external outlet 112. The current sensor 148 may relay a signal
voltage, representing the current drawn from the outlet 112, to the
power shedding circuit 144. The first power supply 155, which may
be controlled by the logic switch 114, may draw current from line
110 downstream of the current sensor 148 such that the current
drawn by the power supply may be read. The first power supply 155
may supply power to the battery charging system 146 for battery
storage system 141. The first power supply 155 may also power the
power shedding circuit 144 such that the circuit may be activated
by the first power supply.
[0037] The power shedding circuit 144 may activate the second power
supply 157 by sending an enable signal on a logical output 506. The
second power supply 157 may supply power to the battery charging
system 147 for the battery storage system 143. The power shedding
circuit 144 may control power to computer storage modules 160 via
relays 340 attached to logical outputs 502, 504. In some
embodiments, it may not be necessary to control power to every
device via the power shedding circuit 144. Here, for example,
accessory power strip 180 is not directly controlled by the circuit
144.
[0038] A predetermined limit for current drawn from the outlet 112
maybe stored in circuit 144 and may vary depending upon the needs
of the end user. The predefined limit may be set, for example,
according the maximum allowable current that may be drawn from the
outlet 112 before an external breaker is thrown. If the current
drawn from outlet 112 is below the predefined limit, the circuit
144 may successively power on the second power supply 157 and
computer storage modules 160, providing that total current remains
below the predefined limit. The order in which devices (e.g. the
computer storage modules 160 and the second power supply 157) are
powered on may be a predetermined order, which may be stored in the
circuit 144, and may vary according to the needs of the user.
[0039] If the current drawn exceeds the predefined limit, the most
recently powered-on device may be powered off. If the current
remains above the predefined limit, other devices may also be
powered off according to a predefined order stored in the circuit
144. The current, or an estimate of the current, at each time a
device was powered off may be recorded by the circuit 144. A
powered-off device may be powered back on when the total current
being drawn has fallen (e.g. because of stored computers 200 being
removed, or batteries 202 being removed or reaching full charge)
such that the powered off device can be powered on without causing
the total current drawn from the outlet 112 to go over the
predefined limit.
[0040] For purposes of further illustration, FIG. 11 is a circuit
diagram for a possible embodiment of the power shedding circuit
144. The power supply 155 may supply a DC voltage to power the
circuit 144. A 5-volt regulator 350 may be used to power the
internal circuitry but other voltage levels or regulators may also
be used. The circuit 144 is adapted to receive a signal voltage
from a current sensing device 148. In one embodiment, the current
sensing device 148 comprises a Hall-effect sensor 149, which may
provide a signal voltage corresponding to the current being drawn.
In other embodiments, other kinds of sensors capable of providing a
readable signal voltage may be used.
[0041] The circuit 144 may pass the signal voltage from the current
sensor 148 through signal conditioning circuitry 352. The signal
conditioning circuitry 352 may comprise, for example, a noise
reducing capacitor 356. The signal conditioning circuitry 352 may
also comprise an operational amplifier 354 which may be configured
to amplify the voltage signal before it is processed further. In
other embodiments, the signal conditioning circuitry 352 may be
configured differently, or may not be needed at all.
[0042] A microprocessor 400 may be used to determine when the
current is over the predefined limit and to power devices on and
off The microprocessor 400 may have an analog-to-digital converter
406, which receives the conditioned analog voltage signal and
coverts it to a digital signal. The digital voltage signal may be
passed along to an Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) 402. The ALU 402
may compare the voltage against a value stored in EEPROM 408
corresponding to the predefined current limit. The ALU may execute
predefined instructions to determine which outputs 502, 504, 506 to
activate, or deactivate, depending upon the current being drawn and
which devices have been powered on or off.
[0043] In one embodiment, logical outputs 502, 504 are configured
to activate the devices (e.g. computer storage modules 160) via
relays K2 and K1 respectively. In other embodiments, the relays may
be configured differently, or not needed at all. In one embodiment,
a logical output 506 sends an enable signal to the second power
supply 157 via a relay K3, In alternate embodiments, the relay K3
may not be used. In some embodiments, jumpers 358 are used to
properly configure the enable signal for the second power supply
157, but in other embodiments, jumpers may not be needed.
[0044] This disclosure has been particularly shown and described
with reference to particular embodiments thereof. However, it is
understood that various changes in form and detail may be made
without departing from die spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Therefore the claims should be interpreted in a broad manner,
consistent with the present disclosure.
* * * * *