Patent Application
20210074498
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to power controllers.
Conventional programmable/configurable power strips can be altered via programming and/or wiring to allow more than one classification of circuit (e.g., secure, non-secure, top secret, sensitive compartmented information, etc.) to be energized at a time. This means if a Secure Videoconference is in process and a Non-Secure Videoconference Codec was to receive power simultaneously, the possibility of a security data breach via the non-secure channel is unacceptably high. This conditional state could allow SECURE information that was spoken verbally, seen visually, or transmitted electronically to be accessed by person(s) in a NON-SECURE environment.
A power controller that cannot be overridden such as with conventional power controllers that have contact closure, IP, or serial control is desired.
A mutually exclusive power controller with master lockout embodying aspects of the present disclosure can be utilized with a variety of external dry contact switches or control devices that provide a dry contact closure for an intrinsically safe low voltage method of insuring that only one chosen system is activated at any given time. The ability to safely control AC power to secure systems without directly accessing equipment eliminates the potential for accidental or unauthorized activation. Hierarchy of control prevents activation of higher priority systems when a lower priority system is active. The master lockout feature disables all systems to prevent unauthorized activation.
In an aspect, a mutually exclusive power controller with master lockout includes a plurality of isolated power circuits electrically connected to an AC power supply. Each of the isolated power circuits has a female receptacle for mating engagement with a corresponding male plug and a relay electrically connected to the receptacle. The relay connects the receptacle to the AC power supply when the relay is energized. A master lockout electrically connected between the AC power supply and the relay of each of the isolated power circuits disconnects the isolated power circuits from the AC power supply when the master lockout is at rest.
In another aspect, a mutually exclusive power controller comprises a plurality of isolated power circuits configured to be electrically connected to an AC power supply. The isolated power circuits are electrically connected to each other in a hierarchy configured to prevent activation of a higher priority isolated power circuit when a lower priority isolated power circuit is active. Each of the isolated power circuits has a female receptacle configured for mating engagement with a corresponding male plug and a single pole double throw relay electrically connected to the receptacle. The relay is configured to connect the receptacle to the AC power supply when the relay is energized. The power controller also includes a single pole single throw master lockout electrically connected between the AC power supply and the isolated power circuits. The master lockout is configured to disconnect the isolated power circuits from the AC power supply such that the relay of each of the isolated power circuits is not energized when the master lockout is at rest. By energizing the relay of the higher priority isolated power circuit, the relay of the lower priority isolated power circuit is prevented from being energized.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A mutually exclusive, multi-channel power controller 100 with master lockout embodying aspects of the present disclosure can be utilized with a variety of external dry contact switches or control devices that provide a dry contact closure for an intrinsically safe low voltage method of insuring that only one chosen system is activated at any given time. The ability to safely control AC power to secure systems without directly accessing equipment eliminates the potential for accidental or unauthorized activation.
The mutually exclusive power controller 100 of
Each power circuit 102 also includes a relay 110 electrically connected to the receptacle 106. The relay 110 is configured to connect receptacle 106 to the AC power supply via line 112 when relay 110 is energized. The power controller also includes a master lockout 114 electrically connected between the AC power supply and relay 110 of each of the isolated power circuits 102 via the line 112. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the master lockout 114 is configured to disconnect the isolated power circuits 102 from the AC power supply when master lockout 114 is at rest.
As shown in
The relay 110 of
As shown in
In an embodiment, master lockout 114 and each relay 110 employs a flyback diode 156. Because an inductor (i.e., coil 124 or coil 146) cannot change its current instantly, the flyback diode 156 provides a path for the current when the corresponding coil 124, 146 is switched off. Advantageously, flyback diode 156 prevents a voltage spike that could cause arcing on switch contacts.
Referring further to
For safety, power controller 100 includes a 120 Volt 15-Amp circuit breaker 170 with reset in line 112 and a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) ½ Amp fuse 172 following step down transformer 160. The PPTC fuse 172 is a passive electronic component used to protect against overcurrent faults in electronic circuits. In an embodiment, power controller 100 also includes a 1000 μF capacitor 174 between line 136 and ground that forms a low-pass filter for line 136, as it removes high-frequency signals from the line by giving those signals a low-impedance path to ground.
Each power circuit 102 also includes an active circuit power indication green LED 178 for indicating when the corresponding receptacle 106 has power via line 112 and the respective relay 110. In an embodiment, a protection diode 180 in series with a 22 kOhm 1 Watt current limiting resistor 182 prevents reverse current flow in the circuit.
In operation, the mutually exclusive power controller 100 with master lockout ensures electrical isolation between all videoconferencing codecs in a multi classification, multi codec videoconference system. The failsafe design of power controller 100 ensures that only one 120 Volt AC circuit can be energized at any time. This guarantees that only one codec classification can have electrical power at any time. The only certain way to guarantee data integrity and that there is no data leakage is to electrically disconnect power to a device. The power controller 100 cannot be overridden such as with conventional programmable/configurable power controllers that have contact closure, IP, or serial control. The conventional types of power strips can be altered via programming and/or wiring to allow more than one classification of circuit to be energized at a time. This means if a Secure Videoconference is in process and the Non-Secure Videoconference Codec was to receive power simultaneously the possibility of a security data breach is unacceptably high via the non-secure channel. This conditional state could allow SECURE information that was spoken verbally, seen visually, or transmitted electronically to be accessed by person(s) in a NON-SECURE environment. Advantageously, power controller 100 ensures the Non-Secure Videoconference Codec cannot receive power during a Secure Videoconference.
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)/Continental United States (CON US) preferred design of a multi videoconferencing codec system differs from a single codec solution that must traverse different classifications of networks. Every time the single codec solution is to power on the codec it must be reconfigured for the classification of the network it is to communicate on. This process of reconfiguration takes a considerable amount of time as it can only happen after the codec has had time to complete its boot sequence, then be reconfigured, and then be re-booted again all of this adversely affects the videoconferencing time necessary to place a call. A multi codec solution time to place a call is dependent on the time for a given codec to power on. Subsequent changes in classification are only dependent on the next codec powering on as the codec can store its network information since it is dedicated to a single network and not the same codec going through the deletion of data, re-boot, re-configuration of the codec and other re-boot, before the codec is ready to place the call.
The power controller 100 embodying aspects of the present disclosure is controllable by third party controllers via dry contact closure, does not require a yearly service fee or any type of software updates, and is totally agnostic as to the codec it is connected to (unlike a single codec solution). In addition, power controller 100 is not affected by differences in software version and does not require system commissioning fees as with a single codec solution. The design of a multi codec videoconferencing system greatly reduces the number of applicable Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) requirements of a single codec solution. Any STIG requirement that includes the term “Periods Processing” is not applicable in a multiple codec video teleconference solution.
In an embodiment, power controller 100 can be utilized with a variety of external dry contact switches or control devices that provide a dry contact closure for an intrinsically safe low voltage method of insuring that only one chosen system is activated at any given time. The ability to safely control AC power to secure systems without directly accessing equipment eliminates the potential for accidental or unauthorized activation. Hierarchy of control prevents activation of higher priority systems when a lower priority system is active. The master Lockout feature disables all systems to prevent unauthorized activation. Universal mounting brackets are included.
In an embodiment, the power control has the following construction and features: Compact steel chassis with black powder epoxy finish; Power Rating of 15A 125VAC; Four Independent NEMA 5-15R Single Receptacles; Color coded terminals and receptacles for clear, intuitive operation; Detachable 6-ft. cord with NEMA 5-15P plug; Dimensions (H×W×D) of 1.500″×12.000″×6.000″; and Control Type—Dry Contact.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure.
When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/896,711, filed Sep. 6, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62896711 | Sep 2019 | US |
