US6172891B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
AC voltage adapter with integrated DC voltage power supply connector
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1999-03-26
•
Granted: 2001-01-09
•
Expires: 2019-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A computer system operable on a DC voltage is provided. The computer system includes a microprocessor, a system memory coupled to the microprocessor, a bus coupled to the microprocessor, an input device coupled to the bus, and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system. The voltage adapter system includes a voltage modifying device adapted for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage. A first cable assembly is electrically connected to supply the AC voltage from an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device. A second cable assembly is provided for selectively supplying the DC voltage to the system from the voltage modifying device or from a remote DC voltage power supply. The second cable assembly is connectable at a first end to the system and connectable at a second end to the voltage modifying device and to the remote DC voltage power supply.
Inventors
- 👤 Sean P. O'Neal
- 👤 Reynold Liao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:48
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/10; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage regulating portion for maintaining the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level and wherein the first connector is electrically coupled to the second connector through the voltage regulating portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage regulating portion for maintaining the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level and wherein the first connector is electrically coupled to the second connector through the voltage regulating portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage switch, the voltage switch being electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage switch, the voltage switch being electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage converting portion and a voltage regulating portion, the voltage regulating portion being electrically coupled between the voltage switch and the second connector and being adapted to maintain the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage converting portion and a voltage regulating portion, the voltage regulating portion being electrically coupled between the voltage switch and the second connector and being adapted to maintain the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 1 wherein the second cable assembly includes a first cable and a second cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 5 wherein the first connector is electrically coupled to the first cable and the second connector is electrically coupled to the second cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 5 wherein the first and second cables are electrically coupled to the voltage modifying device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
160 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input device coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
160 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input device coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
175 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input device coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage regulating portion for maintaining the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level and wherein the first connector is electrically coupled to the second connector through the voltage regulating portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
175 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input device coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device including a voltage regulating portion for maintaining the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level and wherein the first connector is electrically coupled to the second connector through the voltage regulating portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device further including a voltage switch, the voltage switch being electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the remote DC voltage power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device further including a voltage switch, the voltage switch being electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device further including a voltage converting portion and a voltage regulating portion, the voltage regulating portion being electrically coupled between the voltage switch and the second connector and being adapted to maintain the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input coupled to the bus; and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device; and the voltage modifying device further including a voltage converting portion and a voltage regulating portion, the voltage regulating portion being electrically coupled between the voltage switch and the second connector and being adapted to maintain the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable device at a prescribed voltage level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 8 wherein the second cable assembly includes a first cable and a second cable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 12 wherein the first connector is electrically coupled to the first cable and the second connector is electrically coupled to the second cable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 2 wherein the first and second cables are electrically coupled to the voltage modifying device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
140 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage, the voltage modifying device having a mating socket electrically coupled thereto; a first cable assembly for coupling an AC voltage power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and having a second connector removably coupled to the mating socket of the voltage modifying device, the second connector being connectable to a respective mating socket of the remote DC voltage power supply; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
140 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and a remote DC voltage power supply, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage, the voltage modifying device having a mating socket electrically coupled thereto; a first cable assembly for coupling an AC voltage power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and having a second connector removably coupled to the mating socket of the voltage modifying device, the second connector being connectable to a respective mating socket of the remote DC voltage power supply; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input coupled to the bus; and voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage, the voltage modifying device having a mating socket electrically coupled thereto; a first cable assembly for coupling an AC voltage power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and having a second connector removably coupled to the mating socket of the voltage modifying device, the second connector being connectable to the respective mating socket of the remote DC voltage power supply; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer system operable on a DC voltage, said computer system comprising: a microprocessor; a system memory coupled to the microprocessor; a bus coupled to the microprocessor; an input coupled to the bus; and voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system, the voltage adapter system, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage, the voltage modifying device having a mating socket electrically coupled thereto; a first cable assembly for coupling an AC voltage power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and having a second connector removably coupled to the mating socket of the voltage modifying device, the second connector being connectable to the respective mating socket of the remote DC voltage power supply; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
168 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and an in seat power supply in an aircraft, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage, the voltage modifying device including a voltage regulating portion maintaining the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable computing device at a prescribed voltage level; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the in-seat power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector through the voltage regulating portion; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
168 words
A voltage adapter system for use with a DC voltage operable device and an in seat power supply in an aircraft, comprising: a voltage modifying device for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage, the voltage modifying device including a voltage regulating portion maintaining the DC voltage supplied to the DC voltage operable computing device at a prescribed voltage level; a first cable assembly for electrically coupling an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device; a second cable assembly having a first connector for being electrically coupled to the DC voltage operable device and a second connector for being electrically coupled to the in-seat power supply, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector and to the voltage modifying device, the first connector being electrically coupled to the second connector through the voltage regulating portion; and a voltage switch electrically coupled between the first and second connectors and being responsive to the AC voltage to electrically decouple the first connector from the second connector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 17 wherein the second cable assembly includes a first cable and a second cable.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 18 wherein the first connector is electrically coupled to the first cable and the second connector is electrically coupled to the second cable.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The voltage adapter system of claim 18 wherein the first and second cables are electrically coupled to the voltage modifying device.
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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) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |