U.S. patent application number 15/786880 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for power drop assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is David R. Hall, Christopher Jones, Jerome Miles, Justin Robinson, Casey Webb. Invention is credited to David R. Hall, Christopher Jones, Jerome Miles, Justin Robinson, Casey Webb.
Application Number | 20190006064 15/786880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64738002 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190006064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2019 |
Power Drop Assembly
Abstract
A power drop assembly is disclosed which, in general, includes a
power cord housing, a reel, a power cord, a female power outlet, an
electrical input, switching circuitry, and a controller. The reel
is positioned within the power cord housing. The reel is rotatably
connected to the power cord housing. The power cord is mechanically
attached to the reel. The female power outlet is mechanically and
electrically attached to the power cord. The switching circuitry is
electrically connected to the electrical input. The switching
circuitry selectively, electrically connects the electrical input
and the power cord. The switching circuitry is electrically
connected to the power cord. The controller is communicatively
connected to the switching circuitry for controlling the switching
circuitry.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Miles; Jerome; (Spanish Fork, UT) ;
Jones; Christopher; (Spanish Fork, UT) ; Webb;
Casey; (Spanish Fork, UT) ; Robinson; Justin;
(Provo, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hall; David R.
Miles; Jerome
Jones; Christopher
Webb; Casey
Robinson; Justin |
Provo
Spanish Fork
Spanish Fork
Spanish Fork
Provo |
UT
UT
UT
UT
UT |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64738002 |
Appl. No.: |
15/786880 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62526523 |
Jun 29, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/4449 20130101;
H01B 7/06 20130101; H01R 13/70 20130101; B65H 75/4484 20130101;
H01H 63/36 20130101; B65H 75/4486 20130101; H01B 9/00 20130101;
F21V 33/00 20130101; G05B 15/02 20130101; B65H 75/446 20130101;
H02G 11/02 20130101; G05F 1/66 20130101; H01R 13/46 20130101; B65H
2701/34 20130101; F21V 21/38 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01B 7/06 20060101
H01B007/06; H01B 9/00 20060101 H01B009/00; H01H 63/36 20060101
H01H063/36; G05F 1/66 20060101 G05F001/66; F21V 33/00 20060101
F21V033/00 |
Claims
1. A power drop assembly comprising: a power cord housing; a reel
positioned within and rotatably connected to the power cord
housing; a power cord mechanically attached to the reel; a female
power outlet mechanically and electrically attached to the power
cord; an electrical input; switching circuitry electrically
connected to the electrical input and electrically connected to the
power cord, wherein the switching circuitry selectively,
electrically connects the electrical input and the power cord; and
a controller communicatively connected to the switching circuitry
for controlling the switching circuitry.
2. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising power
throttling circuitry electrically connected to the power cord,
wherein the power throttling circuitry allows variable amounts of
power to be consumed via the power cord.
3. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the switching
circuitry comprises electrical usage circuitry for monitoring
electrical usage of the power cord.
4. The power drop assembly of claim 3, wherein the electrical input
comprises a power rail input.
5. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical input
comprises a male power input.
6. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical input
comprises a female power output.
7. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
wireless transceiver communicatively connected to the
controller.
8. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a motor
mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the
power cord housing.
9. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring
mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the
power cord housing.
10. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a damper
mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the
power cord housing.
11. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a tilt
lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically
attached to the power cord housing.
12. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a
velocity lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel and
mechanically attached to the power cord housing.
13. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a hose
reel stopper mechanically attached to the power cord.
14. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising multiple
female power outlets mechanically and electrically attached to the
power cord.
15. The power drop assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of
the multiple female power outlets comprises a light attached to the
at least one of the multiple female power outlets and electrically
connected to the power cord.
16. The power drop assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of
the multiple female power outlets comprises a sprinkler system
attached to the at least one of the multiple female power outlets
and electrically connected to the power cord.
17. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the switching
circuitry comprises a circuit breaker.
18. The power drop assembly of claim 17, wherein the circuit
breaker is a relay electrically connected to the controller.
19. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the power cord
housing comprises mounting brackets mechanically attached to a top
portion of the power cord housing.
20. The power drop assembly of claim 3, wherein the controller
controls the switching circuitry based on the electrical usage of
the power cord.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/526,523, filed Jun. 29, 2017, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of smart home
devices, and more specifically to smart power devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Garages, workshops, warehouses, and the like, are common
areas where tools, such as power tools are used. Tools are often
electrically powered. Whether wired or wireless, electrical tools
need to be connected to electrical power for some interval at time.
In workspaces, it is often convenient to have power in spaces that
are not necessarily nearby a wall mounted outlet. For these
applications, drop down power receptacles (that are attached to an
overhead outlet, for example) may be particularly beneficial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An invention has been developed in response to present state
of the art and, in particular, in response to problems and needs in
the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available
systems and methods. Accordingly, a power drop assembly has been
developed. Features and advantages of different embodiments of the
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description and appended claims, or may be learned by practice of
the invention as set forth hereinafter.
[0005] A power drop assembly is disclosed which, in general,
includes a power cord housing, a reel, a power cord, a female power
outlet, an electrical input, switching circuitry, and a controller.
The reel is positioned within the power cord housing. The reel is
rotatably connected to the power cord housing. The power cord is
mechanically attached to the reel. The female power outlet is
mechanically and electrically attached to the power cord. The
switching circuitry is electrically connected to the electrical
input. The switching circuitry selectively, electrically connects
the electrical input and the power cord. The switching circuitry is
electrically connected to the power cord. The controller is
communicatively connected to the switching circuitry for
controlling the switching circuitry.
[0006] The power drop assembly may further include power throttling
circuitry electrically connected to the power cord. The power
throttling circuitry may allow variable amounts of power to be
consumed via the power cord. The switching circuitry may include
electrical usage circuitry for monitoring electrical usage of the
power cord. The electrical input may include a power rail input.
The electrical input may include a male power input. The electrical
input may include a female power output.
[0007] The power drop assembly may further include a wireless
transceiver communicatively connected to the controller. The power
drop assembly may further include a motor mechanically attached to
the reel. The motor may also be mechanically attached to the power
cord housing.
[0008] The power drop assembly may further include a spring
mechanically attached to the reel. The spring may also be
mechanically attached to the power cord housing. The power drop
assembly may further include a damper mechanically attached to the
reel. The damper may also be mechanically attached to the power
cord housing. The power drop assembly may further include a tilt
lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel. The tilt lock
mechanism may also be mechanically attached to the power cord
housing. The power drop assembly may further include a velocity
lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel. The velocity lock
mechanism may also be mechanically attached to the power cord
housing. The power drop assembly may further include a hose reel
stopper mechanically attached to the power cord.
[0009] The power drop assembly may further include multiple female
power outlets mechanically and electrically attached to the power
cord. At least one of the multiple female power outlets may include
a light attached to the at least one of the multiple female power
outlets. The light may also be electrically connected to the power
cord. At least one of the multiple female power outlets may include
a sprinkler system attached to the at least one of the multiple
female power outlets. The sprinkler system may also be electrically
connect to the power cord.
[0010] The switching circuitry may include a circuit breaker. The
circuit breaker may be a relay electrically connected to the
controller. The power cord housing may include mounting brackets
mechanically attached to a top portion of the power cord
housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A more particular description of the invention briefly
described above is made below by reference to specific embodiments.
Several embodiments are depicted in drawings included with this
application, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a front cut-away view of a power drop
assembly;
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with power
throttling circuitry;
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with
electrical usage circuitry;
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a power
rail input;
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a side cut-away view of a power drop
assembly;
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 5 with a
spring;
[0018] FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 6 with a lock
mechanism;
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a
light;
[0020] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 8 with a
sprinkler; and
[0021] FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a
circuit breaker.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided
below by example, with reference to embodiments in the appended
figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that components
of the invention as described by example in the figures below could
be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments
in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the
invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention
as claimed.
[0023] Numbering corresponding to the appended figures is provided,
wherein like numbering corresponds to like embodiments. Each pair
of ending numerals, of numbering corresponding to components of
figures, indicates an example embodiment of a corresponding
component. It should be understood that while each pair of ending
numerals corresponds to a component of the invention, components
belonging to separate figures may have differing configurations or
functionality.
[0024] It may be desirable to control electrical current and power
to tools and other equipment. A smart power delivery assembly is
described herein. The assembly may be designed to interconnect, via
power or communication, to other smart home devices. The assembly
may provide power based on a programmable schedule of events for
providing power. The assembly may provide power consumption
feedback of devices powered via the assembly. The assembly may
include a circuit breaker to prevent overloading of the assembly
and/or devices connected to the assembly.
[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a front cut-away view of a power drop
assembly. Power drop assembly 100 includes power cord housing 102,
reel 104, power cord 106, female power outlet 108, electrical input
110, switching circuitry 112, and controller 114. Reel 104 is
positioned within and rotatably connected to power cord housing
102. Power cord 106 is mechanically attached to reel 104. Female
power outlet 108 is mechanically and electrically attached to power
cord 106. Switching circuitry 112 is electrically connected to
electrical input 110. Switching circuitry 112 selectively,
electrically connects electrical input 110 and power cord 106.
Switching circuitry 112 is also electrically connected to power
cord 106. Controller 114 is communicatively connected to switching
circuitry 112 for controlling switching circuitry 112.
[0026] Electrical input 110 may be electrically connected to
switching circuitry 112 wirelessly or via wiring 116. Electrical
input 110 and switching circuitry 112 may each include wireless
power transfer coils for inductive coupling of electrical input 110
and switching circuitry 112.
[0027] Power cord 106 may be electrically connected to switching
circuitry 112 via wiring 118. Switching circuitry 112 may be
communicatively connected to controller 114 wirelessly or via wire
120. Wiring 118 may be connected with power cord 106 via a rotating
electrical connector.
[0028] Electrical input 110 may be electrically connected to a
power source such as a power outlet. Instructions may be sent from
controller 114 to switching circuitry 112. Switching circuitry 112
may subsequently allow or disallow electrical current to flow
through electrical input 110 to power cord 106. An electrical
device may be electrically connected to female power outlet 108.
While switching circuitry 112 allows current flow through power
cord 106, the electrical device may draw power from power cord 106
through female power outlet 108.
[0029] Controller 114 may include calendar instructions to send
instructions to switching circuitry 112, to either allow or
disallow current flow through power cord 106, according to hourly,
daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly calendar instructions. For
example, controller 114 may include calendar instructions which
cause controller 114 to send instructions to switching circuitry
112 such that switching circuitry 112 allows current flow through
power cord 106 during a first set of hours of day. Controller 114
may also include calendar instructions which cause controller 114
to send instructions to switching circuitry 112 such that switching
circuitry 112 disallows current flow through power cord 106 during
a second set of hours of day.
[0030] Reel 104 may be rotatably connected to power cord housing
102 with any of a variety of means, including ball bearing(s),
roller bearing(s), or journal bearing(s).
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with power
throttling circuitry. Power drop assembly 200 may further include
power throttling circuitry 220. Power throttling circuitry 220 may
be electrically connected to power cord 206. Power throttling
circuitry 220 may allow variable amounts of power to be consumed
via power cord 206. For example, current passing through power
throttling circuitry 220 may begin to exceed a preset current
threshold. Power throttling circuitry 220 may limit current passing
through power throttling circuitry 220 to below or at the preset
current threshold.
[0032] Controller 214 may be communicatively connected to power
throttling circuitry. For example, controller 214 may send
instructions to power throttling circuitry 220 and power throttling
circuitry 220 may limit an amount of current flow across power
throttling circuitry 220 in accordance with the instructions sent
by controller 214. Controller 214 may receive current flow data
from power throttling circuitry 220. Controller 214 may instruct
power throttling circuitry 220 to limit current flow based on any
of a number of criteria, including time of day, time of week, time
of month, or time of year.
[0033] Electrical input 210 may include male power input 222. Male
power input 222 may include power input cord 224. Electrical input
210 may include female power output 226. Female power output 226
may allow for multiple of power drop assembly 200 to be
electrically connected in a daisy chain, where a daisy chain is an
electrical connection scheme in which multiple devices are
electrically connected together in sequence or in a ring.
[0034] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with
electrical usage circuitry. Switching circuitry 312 of power drop
assembly 300 may include electrical usage circuitry 328 for
monitoring electrical usage of power cord 306. Power drop assembly
300 may further include wireless transceiver 330. Wireless
transceiver 330 may be communicatively connected to controller
314.
[0035] Electrical usage circuitry 328 may collect electrical usage
data corresponding to current through, electrical impedance of,
phase shift of electrical current through, and potential difference
across switching circuitry 312. Electrical usage circuitry 328 may
subsequently send the electrical usage data to controller 314.
Controller 314 may store the electrical usage data. Controller 314
may send the electrical usage data to a peripheral device of a user
via wireless transceiver 330. The user may subsequently access the
electrical usage data via the peripheral device. The mentioned
peripheral device may be any of a variety of devices, including a
smart phone, a tablet, or a laptop. Electrical usage data may
include a timestamp from a time when it is collected by electrical
usage circuitry 328 or from a time when it is received by
controller 314.
[0036] In some embodiments, the electrical usage data may be
analyzed to identify patterns and usage characteristics. The
identified patterns and usage characteristics may be compared and
analyzed with respect to other data (e.g., proximity sensor data,
schedule data, etc.) to determine predicted usage schedules. These
predicted usage schedules may enable "smart" operation where the
power drop assembly 300 learns and anticipates needs. This learning
behavior may be optimized for reducing power consumption, for
optimizing battery performance (of powered devices, for example),
for providing access control, and the like. In some embodiments,
long term electrical usage data may be used to determine
maintenance and replacement notifications for particular powered
devices.
[0037] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a power
rail input. Electrical input 410 of power drop assembly 400 may
include power rail input 432. Power cord housing 402 may include
mounting brackets 434 mechanically attached to a top portion of
power cord housing 402. Power rail input 432 may receive electrical
current via a powered rail. Power rail input 432 may receive power
using any of a variety of means, including wireless power transfer
or wired power transfer.
[0038] Mounting brackets 434 may include apertures 436 which may be
used to mount to a bracket attached to a support structure. For
example, a rail may be attached to a ceiling of a room. Mounting
brackets 434 may be fixed to the rail using pins attached to the
rail and inserted into apertures 436. Furthermore, the pins may be
electrically connected to a power source via the rail. The power
source may transfer electrical current to power rail input 432 via
said pins.
[0039] FIG. 5 depicts a side cut-away view of a power drop
assembly. Power drop assembly 500 may include motor 538
mechanically attached to reel 504 and mechanically attached to
power cord housing 502. Motor 538 may turn reel 504 such that power
cord 506 coils or uncoils around reel 504; subsequently, female
power outlet 508 may raise or lower, respectively.
[0040] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 5 with a
spring. Power drop assembly 600 may include spring 640 mechanically
attached to reel 604. Spring 640 may also be mechanically attached
to power cord housing 602. Spring 640 may store mechanical energy
as power cord 606 is uncoiled from reel 604, angularly displacing
reel 604. Spring 640 may be a rotational spring.
[0041] For example, female power outlet 608 may be pulled with a
force away from power cord housing 602. Power cord 606 may
subsequently be pulled in a direction corresponding to the force
such that power cord 606 is uncoiled from reel 604. Spring 640 may
store energy and induce a tension in power cord 606 as a function
of angular displacement of reel 604. If the force is released, then
the tension in power cord 606 and the energy stored in spring 640
may cause reel 604 to angularly displace and power cord 606 to
re-coil about reel 604. Spring 640 may store energy as a linear or
non-linear function of angular displacement of reel 604.
[0042] Power drop assembly 600 may further include damper 642
mechanically attached to reel 604. Damper 642 may be mechanically
attached to power cord housing 602. Damper 642 may be a rotational
damper. Damper 642 may dissipate energy and induce a tension in
power cord 606 as a function of angular velocity of reel 604. For
example, female power outlet 608 may be pulled with a force away
from power cord housing 602. Power cord 606 may subsequently be
pulled in a direction corresponding to the force such that power
cord 606 is uncoiled from reel 604. Spring 640 may store energy and
induce a tension in power cord 606 as a function of angular
displacement of reel 604. Damper 642 may dissipate energy and
induce a tension in power cord 606 as a function of angular
velocity of reel 604. If the force is released, then the tension in
power cord 606 and the energy stored in spring 640 may cause reel
604 to angularly displace and power cord 606 to recoil about reel
604. Subsequently, damper 642 may dissipate energy as a function of
angular velocity of reel 604 and damper 642 may cause power cord
606 to coil about reel 604 with decreased angular velocity.
[0043] Damper 642 may actuate when reel 604 is rotated in a first
direction, and damper 642 may not actuate when reel 604 is rotated
in a second direction. The first direction may be rotationally
opposite the second direction. For example power cord 606 may be
uncoiled from reel 604, which may cause reel 604 to be rotated in
the first direction. Subsequently, while power cord 606 is uncoiled
from reel 604, damper 642 may not actuate.
[0044] Power drop assembly 600 may further include hose reel
stopper 644 mechanically attached to power cord 606. Power cord 606
may pass through aperture 646 in power cord housing 602. Hose reel
stopper 644 may prevent power cord 606 from coiling about reel 604
by having geometry which cannot pass through aperture 646 of power
cord housing 602. Hose reel stopper 644 may have geometry which is
spherical having a diameter of a greater magnitude than a width,
length, or thickness belonging to aperture 646. Hose reel stopper
644 may be adjustable to be moved to different locations along
power cord 606.
[0045] FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 6 with a lock
mechanism. Power drop assembly 700 may include tilt lock mechanism
748 mechanically attached to reel 704. Tilt lock mechanism 748 may
also be mechanically attached to power cord housing 702. Tilt lock
mechanism 748 may engage or disengage to, respectively, disallow or
allow reel 704 to angularly displace. Tilt lock mechanism 748 may
engage or disengage based upon translational acceleration of reel
704 with respect to power cord housing 702. For example, a force
may be used to pull power cord 706 such that power cord 706 is at
an angle, with a magnitude greater than a preset angle value, with
respect to vertical (where vertical may mean a direction oriented
with acceleration due to gravity). The force on power cord 706 may
cause reel 704 to accelerate along a horizontal direction (where
horizontal direction may mean a direction perpendicular to
vertical), engaging tilt lock mechanism 748. If the force is
removed, tilt lock mechanism 748 may remain engaged until power
cord 706 is uncoiled by an amount from reel 704. Spring 740 may
coil power cord 706 in absence of the force, while tilt lock
mechanism 748 is disengaged.
[0046] Power drop assembly 700 may include velocity lock mechanism
750 mechanically attached to reel 704. Velocity lock mechanism 750
may also be mechanically attached to power cord housing 702.
Velocity lock mechanism 750 may engage or disengage to,
respectively, disallow or allow reel 704 to angularly displace.
Velocity lock mechanism 750 may engage or disengage based upon
translational velocity of reel 704 with respect to power cord
housing 702. For example, a force may be used to pull power cord
706. The force on power cord 706 may cause reel 704 to have an
angular velocity above a preset angular velocity threshold, causing
velocity lock mechanism 750 to engage. If the force is removed,
velocity lock mechanism 750 may remain engaged until power cord 706
is uncoiled by an amount from reel 704. Spring 740 may coil power
cord 706 in absence of the force, while velocity lock mechanism 750
is disengaged.
[0047] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a light.
Power drop assembly 800 may include multiple female power outlets
852 mechanically and electrically attached to power cord 806. At
least one of multiple female power outlets 852 may include light
854 attached to the at least one of multiple female power outlets
852. Light 854 may be electrically connected to power cord 806.
Light 854 may be any of a variety of lights, including a light
emitting diode (LED), an incandescent light, an arc light, or a
laser light.
[0048] Switching circuitry 812 may selectably electrically connect
each of multiple female power outlets 852 via power cord 806 and
electrical input 810. Controller 814 may instruct switching
circuitry 812 to allow electrical current from electrical input 810
to flow to all of multiple female power outlets 852. Controller 814
may instruct switching circuitry 812 to allow electrical current
from electrical input 810 to flow to one, multiple, or none of
multiple female power outlets 852. For example, Controller 814 may
instruct switching circuitry 812 to allow electrical current from
electrical input 810 to flow to the at least one of multiple female
power outlets 852, and subsequently to light 854, while disallowing
electrical current from electrical input 810 to flow to any other
of multiple power outlets 852.
[0049] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 8 with a
sprinkler. Power drop assembly 900 may include multiple female
power outlets 952. At least one of multiple female power outlets
952 may include sprinkler system 956 attached to the at least one
of multiple female power outlets 952. Sprinkler system 956 may also
be electrically connected to power cord 906.
[0050] Sprinkler system 956 may include water supply line 958 and
sprinkler 960. Sprinkler 960 may be fluidly connected with water
supply line 958 such that sprinkler 960 may draw water from water
supply line 958 and sprinkle said water. Sprinkler system 956 may
actuate to sprinkle water when the at least one of multiple female
power outlets 952 receives current flow or a electrical potential
difference from electrical input 910 via switching circuitry 912
and power cord 906.
[0051] FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a
circuit breaker. Switching circuitry 1012 of power drop assembly
1000 may include circuit breaker 1062. Circuit breaker 1062 may
connect electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006. Circuit breaker
1062 may disallow electrical current to flow from electrical input
1010 to power cord 1006 if a magnitude of electrical current
flowing through circuit breaker 1062 is greater than a preset
current flow threshold. Circuit breaker 1062 may be reset manually
or via switching circuitry 1012. For example, a magnitude of
electrical current flowing through circuit breaker 1062 may be
greater than the preset electrical current flow threshold. Circuit
breaker 1062 may disallow current to flow from electrical input
1010 to power cord 1006. Switching circuitry 1012 may subsequently
send circuit breaker state data to controller 1014. Controller 1014
may process the circuit breaker state data. Controller 1014 may
alert a user that circuit breaker 1062 has disallowed current flow
from electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006. Controller 1014 may
receive instructions from the user. Controller 1014 may send
restart instructions to circuit breaker 1062. Circuit breaker 1062
may subsequently allow electrical current to flow from electrical
input 1010 to power cord 1006.
[0052] Circuit breaker 1062 may be a relay electrically connected
to controller 1014 via wiring 1064. Controller 1014 may apply an
electrical current and/or an electrical potential difference across
wiring 1064 such that circuit breaker 1062 disallows or allows
electrical current to flow from electrical input 1010 to power cord
1006.
* * * * *