Patent US4806854A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4806854A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Current draw and power consumption display circuit
Assignee: Richard Hirschmann Radiotechnisches Werk
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Filing: 1986-09-23
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Granted: 1989-02-21
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Expires: 2006-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A circuit layout for continuous display of power consumption of an electric device includes a light emitting diode actuated by voltage pulses, the frequency whereof corresponds to the current draw of the electric device. It is possible to determine directly whether the instantaneous power consumption of the electric device, in particular a household device, is low or high in case of varying loads as the frequency of the voltage pulses and thus the flashing frequency are below the flicker limit resolvable by the human eye. The power consumption display can be manufactured in a highly cost effective manner and in a compact configuration, so that it may be placed in an electric outlet housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans-Dietrich Mayer
- 👤 Klaus Hirrlinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R21/00; G01R19/00; G01R19/145; G01R19/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A circuit for continuous display of electrical draw comprising: a continuous connection circuit input; means for generating voltage pulses exhibiting a frequency below an upper flashing frequency normally resolvable by a human eye for a predetermined anticipated electrical draw range and corresponding to current flow to said circuit input, connected to said circuit input; means for displaying said frequency as light pulses, connected to said means for generating voltage pulses wherein said means for generating voltage pulses further generates pulses exhibiting a frequency above an upper flashing frequency normally resolvable by a human eye for an electrical draw above said predetermined anticipated electrical draw range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A circuit for continuous display of electrical draw comprising: a continuous connection circuit input; means for generating voltage pulses exhibiting a frequency below an upper flashing frequency normally resolvable by a human eye for a predetermined anticipated electrical draw range and corresponding to current flow to said circuit input, connected to said circuit input; means for displaying said frequency as light pulses, connected to said means for generating voltage pulses wherein said means for generating voltage pulses further generates pulses exhibiting a frequency above an upper flashing frequency normally resolvable by a human eye for an electrical draw above said predetermined anticipated electrical draw range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said means for displaying is a light emitting diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating further comprises: means for producing a signal indicative of current flow connected to said input; means for rectifying said signal indicative of current flow connected to said means for producing; and means for converting a voltage level to a pulse sequence responsive to said means for rectifying.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit according to claim 3, wherein said means for producing a signal comprises a resistive load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A circuit according to claim 4, wherein said resistive load exhibits a low resistance value and said means for rectifying further comprises means for amplifying a voltage drop across said resistive load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit according to claim 5, further comprising an electrical outlet housing for holding said means for displaying and means for generating voltage pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit according to claim 4, further comprising an electrical outlet housing for holding said means for displaying and means for generating voltage pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit according to claim 3, further comprising an electrical outlet housing for holding said means for displaying and means for generating voltage pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit according to claim 2, further comprising an electrical outlet housing for holding said means for displaying and means for generating voltage pulses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical outlet housing for holding said means for displaying and means for generating voltage pulses.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-21 | 1992-08-22 | 1993-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-21 | 1996-08-22 | 1997-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-21 | 2000-08-22 | 2001-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |