US6243276B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power supply system for battery operated devices
Assignee: Robert Bosch Tool Corp
•
Filing: 1999-05-07
•
Granted: 2001-06-05
•
Expires: 2019-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A power supply converts an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplies the DC output voltage to power devices. The power supply includes a housing, a transformer provided in the housing for reducing a voltage level of the AC input voltage and a thermal protection device thermally connected between the AC input voltage and the transformer for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from the transformer when activated responsive to the transformer exceeding a predetermined temperature. A rectifier is electrically connected to the transformer for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by the transformer into the DC output voltage which is supplied to the power devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter W. Neumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:37
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/865; H02H; H02H5/00; H02H5/04; H02H5/047; H02J7/60; H02J7/65; H02M; H02M7/00; H02M7/02; H02M7/04; H02M7/06; H02H3/00; H02H3/02; H02H3/04; H02H3/05; H02H7/00; H02H7/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S323/00; Y10S323/901; Y10S323/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to the power tool; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the AC input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; and means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is adapted to be supplied to the power tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to the power tool; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the AC input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; and means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is adapted to be supplied to the power tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transforming means is a step-down transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first thermal protection means is thermally connected to one of said primary winding and said secondary winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said first thermal protection means is a resettable thermostat which automatically resets to electrically connect the AC input voltage to said transformer through said thermostat when said temperature of said transformer falls below said predetermined temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said predetermined temperature is approximately 70° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4 further comprising an indicator circuit connected in parallel with said first thermal protection means and including first indicating means for indicating to an operator that said temperature of said transforming means has exceeded said predetermined temperature, when said first thermal protection means is activated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said indicator circuit is connected to said primary winding and includes a diode and a current reducing resistor in series with said first indicating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further comprising second indicating means connected to said secondary winding, said second indicating means being adapted to be energized when said first thermal protection means is not activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and said indicating means are LEDs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 further comprising second thermal protection means connected to said primary winding for electrically disconnecting said transformer from the AC input voltage when said temperature of said transformer exceeds a maximum temperature which is greater than said predetermined temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said second thermal protection means is a thermal fuse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first thermal protection means is a resettable thermostat which automatically resets to electrically connect the AC input voltage to said transforming means through said thermostat when said temperature of said transforming means falls below said predetermined temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising latching means operatively connected in parallel with said thermostat for allowing said thermostat to reset after said temperature of said transforming means falls below said predetermined temperature and after a supply of the AC input voltage to said latching means is at least momentarily interrupted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said latching means is one of a positive temperature coefficient device and a resistor in thermal communication with said thermostat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 further comprising an indicator circuit connected in parallel with said first thermal protection means and including first indicating means for indicating to an operator that said temperature of said transforming means has exceeded said predetermined temperature, when said first thermal protection means is activated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said indicator circuit is connected to said transforming means and includes a diode and a current reducing resistor in series with said first indicating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 further comprising second indicating means connected to said transforming means, said second indicating means being adapted to be energized when said first thermal protection means is not activated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said first and said indicating means are LEDs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said thermal protection means is a manual reset thermostat which is adapted to be reset by a user when said temperature of said transforming means falls below said predetermined temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said manual reset thermostat is a Thermo-Disc (TOD) type manual reset button.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further comprising an indicator circuit connected in parallel with said first thermal protection means and including first indicating means for indicating to an operator that said temperature of said transforming means has exceeded said predetermined temperature, when said first thermal protection means is activated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said bypass indicator circuit includes a current limiting resistor in series with said indicating means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said indicating means is a LED.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said indicator circuit further includes a diode connected in parallel with said LED for protecting said LED from a reverse voltage breakdown.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said indicator circuit includes a first diode and a current limiting resistor connected in series with said indicating means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said indicating means is a bi-color LED which is adapted to illuminate a first color when said temperature of said first thermal protection means exceeds said predetermined temperature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 26 further comprising a second diode connected in series with said bi-color LED and said current limiting resistor for energizing said LED to illuminate a second color when said predetermined temperature is not exceeded and said thermal protection means is not activated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 27 further comprising a pair of third diodes connected to said LED for protecting said LED from a reverse voltage breakdown.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rectifying means is a full-wave AC to DC rectifier.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising second thermal protection means connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting said transforming means from the AC input voltage when said temperature of said transforming means exceeds a maximum temperature which is greater than said predetermined temperature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said second thermal protection means is a thermal fuse.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising an electrical cord connected to said housing for supplying the AC input voltage to said transforming means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
157 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is supplied to the power tool; and an adapter electrically connected to said housing and constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to a battery compartment of the power tool for supplying the DC output voltage produced by said rectifying means to the power tool.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
157 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is supplied to the power tool; and an adapter electrically connected to said housing and constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to a battery compartment of the power tool for supplying the DC output voltage produced by said rectifying means to the power tool.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said housing further includes a battery charger and a receiving port adapted to receive the batteries.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said battery charger is electrically and operatively connected to said transforming means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said housing includes a holding member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said housing includes a holding member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
174 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to the power tool; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the AC input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; latching means connected between said AC input voltage and said transforming means for allowing said AC input voltage to be applied to said transforming means when said latching means is activated after said first thermal protection means has been deactivated; and means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is adapted to be supplied to the power tool.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
174 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to the power tool; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the AC input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; latching means connected between said AC input voltage and said transforming means for allowing said AC input voltage to be applied to said transforming means when said latching means is activated after said first thermal protection means has been deactivated; and means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is adapted to be supplied to the power tool.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said latching means includes a reset push button operationally connected to a triac which is connected in series with said first thermal protection means, said triac allowing said input voltage to be applied to said transforming means when said reset push button is activated and said temperature of said transforming means is below said predetermined temperature.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein said latching means further includes a diode connected in series with said reset push button for applying a DC gate voltage to a gate of said triac, a first resistor having a first end connected to said gate of said triac and a second end connected to said diode and first ends of a capacitor and a second resistor, said capacitor and said second resistor having second ends connected to said AC input voltage.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein said latching means further includes a filter capacitor in parallel with said first resistor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said first thermal protection means is a resettable thermostat which automatically resets to electrically connect the AC input voltage to said transforming means when said temperature of said transforming means falls below said predetermined temperature.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said transforming means is a step-down transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 43 wherein latching means and said first thermal protection means are electrically connected to said primary winding.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 43 further comprising indicating means connected to said secondary winding, said indicating means being energized when said first thermal protection means is not activated and the AC input voltage is being applied to said transforming means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 45 wherein said indicating means is a LED.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said rectifying means is a full-wave AC to DC rectifier.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 38 further comprising second thermal protection means connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting said transforming means from the AC input voltage when said temperature of said transforming means exceeds a maximum temperature which is greater than said predetermined temperature.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein said second thermal protection mean is a thermal fuse.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 38 further comprising an electrical cord connected to said housing for supplying the AC input voltage to said power supply apparatus.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 32 further comprising a first electrical cord connected to said housing for supplying the AC input voltage to said transforming means, and a second electrical cord connected between said housing and said adapter for transferring the DC output voltage produced by said rectifying means to said adapter.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein said housing further includes a battery charger and a receiving port adapted to receive the batteries.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 52 wherein said battery charger is electrically and operatively connected to said transforming means.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 52 wherein said housing includes a holding member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein said housing includes a holding member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
196 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; latching means connected between said AC input voltage and said transforming means for allowing said input voltage to be applied to said transforming means when said latching means is activated after said first thermal protection means has been deactivated; means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is supplied to the power tool; and an adapter electrically connected to said housing and constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to a battery compartment of the power tool for supplying the DC output voltage produced by said rectifying means to the power tool.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
196 words
A power supply apparatus for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplying the DC output voltage to a power tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing; transforming means provided in said housing and adapted to be electrically connected to the AC input voltage for reducing a voltage level of the input voltage; first thermal protection means thermally connected to said transforming means for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from said transforming means when activated responsive to said transforming means exceeding a predetermined temperature; latching means connected between said AC input voltage and said transforming means for allowing said input voltage to be applied to said transforming means when said latching means is activated after said first thermal protection means has been deactivated; means electrically connected to said transforming means for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by said transforming means into the DC output voltage which is supplied to the power tool; and an adapter electrically connected to said housing and constructed and adapted to be removably coupled to a battery compartment of the power tool for supplying the DC output voltage produced by said rectifying means to the power tool.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 56 further comprising a first electrical cord connected to said housing for supplying the AC input voltage to said transforming means, and a second electrical cord connected to said housing and said adapter for transferring the DC output voltage produced by said rectifying means to said adapter.
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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) | 2004-06-04 | 2004-12-04 | 2005-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-04 | 2008-12-04 | 2009-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-04 | 2012-12-04 | 2013-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |