System and method for operating multiple devices from one electrical source

Abstract

An apparatus configured to selectively supply power among a plurality of electrical devices, includes a plug configured to be electrically connected to a power source, a first outlet selectively connected to the plug, a first sensor connected to the first outlet, a first switch disposed between the first outlet and the plug, a second outlet selectively connected to the plug, a second sensor connected to the second outlet, a second switch disposed between the second outlet and the plug, and a processing unit in electrical communication with the first and second switches and the first and second sensors. The processing unit being configured to selectively open and close the first and second switches based on parameters sensed by the first and second sensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified top plan view of multiple electrical devices connected to a single source of electrical power according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a switching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method of supplying electrical power to multiple electrical devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured to selectively supply power among a plurality of electrical devices, the apparatus comprising: a plug configured to be electrically connected to a power source;a first outlet selectively connected to said plug;a first sensor connected to said first outlet;a first switch disposed between said first outlet and said plug;a second outlet selectively connected to said plug;a second sensor connected to said second outlet;a second switch disposed between said second outlet and said plug; anda processing unit in electrical communication with said first and second switches and said first and second sensors, said processing unit configured to selectively open and close said first and second switches based on parameters sensed by said first and second sensors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is configured to close one of said first and second switches to complete one of a first circuit and a second circuit, respectively, based on whether a device attempts to draw current through one of said first and second outlets.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is configured to close one of said first and second switches to complete one of a first circuit and a second circuit, respectively, based on a sensed change of resistance at one of said first and second outlets.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said processing unit is configured to close said first switch to complete a first circuit when said processing unit determines that a first device is attempting to draw current through said first outlet.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said processing unit is further configured to open said second switch to break a second circuit when said processing unit determines that the first device is attempting to draw current through said first outlet.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said processing unit is further configured to open said first switch to break the first circuit when said processing unit determines that the first device is no longer attempting to draw current through said first outlet.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a thermometer in electrical communication with said processing unit, wherein said processing unit opens both said first and second switches to break first and second circuits when said thermometer detects a temperature above a predetermined threshold.

8. A system comprising: a power source;a switching apparatus connected to said power source;a first deicer connected to said power source through said switching apparatus; anda second deicer connected to said power source through said switching apparatus,said switching apparatus comprising: a plug electrically connected to said power source;a first outlet selectively connected to said plug through a first circuit, said first deicer being connected to said switching apparatus through said first outlet;a first sensor connected to said first outlet;a first switch disposed within said first circuit;a second outlet selectively connected to said plug through a second circuit, said second deicer being connected to said switching apparatus through said second outlet;a second sensor connected to said second outlet;a second switch disposed within said second circuit; anda processing unit in electrical communication with said first and second switches and said first and second sensors, said processing unit configured to selectively open and close said first and second switches based on parameters sensed by said first and second sensors.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is configured to close one of said first and second switches to complete one of said first and second circuits, respectively, based on whether one of said first and second deicers attempts to draw current through one of said first and second outlets.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said processing unit is configured to close one of said first and second switches to complete one of said first and second circuits, respectively, based on a sensed change of resistance at one of said first and second outlets.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said processing unit is configured to close said first switch to complete a first circuit when said processing unit determines that said first deicer is attempting to draw current through said first outlet.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said processing unit is further configured to open said second switch to simultaneously break said second circuit.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said processing unit is further configured to open said first switch to break said first circuit when said processing unit determines that said first deicer is no longer attempting to draw current through said first outlet.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a thermometer in electrical communication with said processing unit, wherein said processing unit opens both said first and second switches to break said first and second circuits when said thermometer detects a temperature above a predetermined threshold.

15. A method of selectively supplying power to first and second deicers connected to a power source through a switching apparatus, wherein the switching apparatus connects to the power source through a plug, and wherein the first and second deicers are positioned within first and second water receptacles, respectively, the method comprising: sensing a parametric change;selectively completing and breaking a first electrical circuit between the plug and the first deicer based on said sensing; andselectively completing and breaking a second electrical circuit between the plug and the second deicer based on said sensing.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second electrical circuit is broken when the first electrical circuit is completed, and wherein the first electrical circuit is broken when the second electrical circuit is completed.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said sensing a parametric change comprises sensing a change of current in at least one of the first and second electrical circuits.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said sensing a parametric change comprises sensing a change of resistance in at least one of the first and second electrical circuits.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said sensing a parametric change comprises sensing that the first deicer is attempting to draw current, and wherein the first circuit is completed when the first deicer attempts to draw current.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising simultaneously breaking the second circuit.