Abstract:
An electrical device for automatically combining two input power source supply circuits with either aligned or unaligned phases, into a single operational circuit, with an output load capacity totaling approximately the sum of the two lower capacity power supply circuits. The device and adapters, through a series of coupled relays and contactors, incorporates internal circuitry and components which sense the phase relationship and alignment of the supply circuits, and depending upon conditions chooses the correct path, and automatically connects the supply circuits to the load circuit without the need of manual switches, or additional adapters.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This continuation patent application claims priority of and from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/644,872 filed Jan. 18, 2005, and Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/132,122 filed on May 17, 2005. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable. 
   PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to electrical power adapters, and more particularly to an automatic polymer adapter for supplying electrical power to a marine vessel or vehicle load from a pair of combined lower amperage capacity sources. The power sources can be selectively and automatically electrically connected and applied to the load to increase the current capacity depending on the sensed configuration and phase alignment of the input power sources. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The prior art addresses the application of land or dock electrical power sources to marine vessels. When marine craft are moored alongside a dock or seawall electrical power is usually, supplied from shore side power sources that may have circuits with lower amperage capacities than the craft requires. It is common practice to use adapters of various types to collect two lower amperage circuits into one higher amperage circuit. The most basic type of adapters have no safety provisions, such as protecting the exposed blades of an unattached plug which can cause dangerous shocks and burns, or protection against incorrect phase matching of the shore side power connections, which can result in shorts, blown fuses and/or tripped circuit breakers. Some phase-sensing units do have the capabilities to avoid the potential safe hazards and shorts, but if the phases are not aligned properly at the shore-side power supplies the units will not be enabled and will not allow power to pass through or be supplied to the craft without the requirement of additional adapters, or alternatively rewiring the shore-side power supplies. Some existing phase-sensing units may have capabilities to switch the phases manually, but not automatically through circuitry set forth in the instant inventions. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,243 issued to Ross is entitled “Polarity Indicating and Reversing Unit”, and discloses an adapter device which senses and indicates a reverse polarity condition for internal wiring at a power supply or load, such as an appliance, tool, mobile home, trailer or extension cord. The device is also used to connect two two-wire plus ground power supply lines each having a neutral and a hot, inlet conductor to a single three-wire plus ground load line having a common neutral and two hot outlet conductors. However, once an undesired polarity condition is detected, an operator must utilize one of two manual switches to reverse the polarity of either of the inlet lines to a common outlet line. The unit also has an automatic disconnect feature to electrically disconnect either of the inlet plugs from the unit when a power supply line is not connected to that inlet plug, but will allow operation when one plug is connected. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,852 issued to Charles et al. is entitled “Power Adapter”, and teaches a circuit design used to connect a marine vessel or other mobile electrical load to stationary power sources including those provided on power supply pedestals in marinas. This adapter is used to connect a pair of 120 volt sources to a higher voltage load, such as a 240 volt load used on many boats. This design includes an isolation circuit to avoid electrical shock, and a pair of diode bridge networks. A sensing means within this adapter determines if the power sources are in proper relationship, such as out-of-phase 120 volt supplies for summing voltage or in phase supplies for summing current. If the predetermined proper relationship is established, an output means is driven and enabled for electrical connection to the load. However, if a proper relationship in not determined, the adapter is disabled, and no output is generated to the load. Indicator lights are used to indicate a fault condition to the user, as well as the nature of the problem. The adapter does not correct or compensate for improper phase relationships, and simply prevents operation of the unit. The user is left to correct the problems through rewiring of sources, use of additional adapters or the like. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,245 219 issued to Romatzick, Jr. et al is entitled “Marine Power Y-Adapter”, and discloses a Y adapter for interfacing with a dockside power center having two conventional receptacles and having two three-pole plugs and a third four-pole plug for connecting to the load/marine vessel, the latter being phase conductors L 1  and L 2  along with neutral and ground conductors. This device is disabled if one dockside male plug is not inserted into a receptacle or is removed. The Y adapter also supplies voltage equal to the sum of the input voltages to the vessel when the sensor and control means is responsive to a pre-determined difference in voltage between phase conductors. If the phases or polarities sensed are not proper, or if there is an improper wiring condition at the dockside receptacles, the adapter indicates a fault condition and does not pass voltage to the output connector or marine vessel. Although the user is alerted to the incompatible conditions and lack of power to the vessel, the Y adapter does not correct or compensate for the problems or improper wiring. Re-wiring or the use of separate equipment is required. 
   Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,857 is to Charles et al., is entitled “Portable Power Adapter”, and depicts circuit designs for connecting a 240 volt load/marine vessel to a pair of 120 volt sources such as those provided in marinas. The circuitry includes isolation means for isolating the input connectors from one another during connection operation, sensing means for determining that the sources are in proper phase relationship, and summing means for providing the multiple power inputs to a driven load. The adapter disclosed protects the operator and advises as to the operability and status of the adapter and connections when predetermined conditions are satisfied If conditions are not met, indicating improper phase relationships, voltages, polarity, tripped breakers or the like the adapter indicates it&#39;s inoperative and fault detection status. In this mode, power is not supplied to the output of the adapters or to the marine vessel. Although the nature of the problem is indicated in part as with other prior art devices, this adapter and circuitry does not contain any internal components capable of automatically correcting, the problems, compensating for phase relationships or mis-wiring, aid summing the amperage in a desired fashion to remain operable and power the craft. 
   The automatic power adapter of the instant invention has protective features to safely avoid shocks and burns, to sense the alignment of all phases, and to automatically and internally align the phases if necessary, and connect the circuits correctly without any additional switches or adapters. 
   It is therefore an object and feature of the instant inventions to provide a power adapter which can pass through independent voltage and current input sources, automatically detecting and compensating for any necessary, phase alignments, and summing the amperage available for output to a load or marine vessel. 
   It is further an object and feature of the instant inventions to provide an automatic power adapter which is responsive to a variety of different wiring phase, voltage, polarity or circuit breaker conditions of two input power sources, automatically, compensate and take corrective actions to maintain proper voltage and sum current capacity, and provide a single desired output without any actions required on the part of an operator or user. 
   It is further an object and feature of the instant inventions to provide a heavy duty automatic power adapter for large load maine vessels which incorporates inherent safety features, provides status indicators eliminates the need for auxiliary equipment or adapters, and is cost effective to manufacture and is operationally efficient. 
   Finally, it is desirable to provide and automatic power adapter having all of the objects and features mentioned above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The instant inventions automatically and safely adapt two lower amperage capacity circuits into a single higher amperage capacity circuit, equaling the approximate sum of the two amperage circuits. For example, a particular application is to use the automatic adapter to electrically connect power from a shoreline power source having two separate 240 volt, 50 amp circuits to supply power to a marine vessel having a 240 volt, 100 amp circuit or load capacity. The instant adapter provides such a single output and connector. This device is able to automatically adapt the two lower amperage capacity circuits into a high amperage circuit without any additional adapters, whether or not the phases of the power source lower amperage circuits are aligned or in proper phase relationship. The use of the instant automatic adapter is seamless and requires no extraneous actions by the operator, and similarly does not require any re-wiring or auxiliary equipment. The internal circuitry literally “adapts” to the multiple and different sensed input configurations, voltages, AC electrical connections aid receptacles of the input power supplies, enables discrete internal circuit within the adapter and supplies a single, passed through 240 volt, 100 amp output to the load. 
   The automatic adapter constitutes a substantial advance over the prior art and conventional devices which will sense the phase relationships of power sources and voltage lines but will only connect the circuits if the phases are properly aligned based on predetermined conditions. However if the phases are not aligned the devices are inoperable, indicate a failure or disabled circuitry connection status, and will not be able to be utilized without additional adapters or re-wiring of the power sources. 

   
     The instant inventions may be best understood, and objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed descriptions when taken in conjunction with, and by reference to, the drawings in which: 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of a preferred embodiment of the automatic power adapter and its internal electrical components; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of a preferred embodiment of the automatic power adapter and its internal electrical components, therein only Plug No. 1  (P 1 ) is inserted into a power source; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of a preferred embodiment of the automatic power adapter and its internal electrical components, wherein only Plug No. 2  (P 2 ) is inserted into a power source; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of a preferred embodiment of the automatic power adapter and its internal electrical components, wherein both Plug No. 1  (P 1 ) and Plug No.  2  (P 2 ) are inserted into a power source having polarities that are aligned; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of a preferred embodiment of the automatic power adapter and its internal electrical components wherein both Plug No. 1  (P 1 ) and Plug No.  2  (P 2 ) are inserted into a power source having polarities that are not aligned; and 
       FIG. 6  is an external top plan view the instant automatic power adapter, Plugs and Receptacle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With reference to  FIG. 1  the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an automatic power adapter is illustrated, along with a configuration for the electrical circuitry and internal components. The adapter is used to connect and interface conventional shore-side power sources provided by marinas to marine vessels. As described above, pedestal dock power sources typically can include two 240 volt, 50 amp female receptacles. Larger boats or yachts are configured to accept or require a 240 volt input, however having a load circuit capacity, or requirement of 100 amps. The automatic adapter fulfills this need through the circuitry, plugs P 1  and P 2 , and single output receptacle  33  as depicted. 
   In one embodiment, the main components consist of, but are not limited to, adapter plugs P 1  and P 2  which are inserted into complementary power source receptacles. Both P 1  and P 2  have separate male prongs or blades wired to and enabling hot voltages lines (L 1 A and L 1 B of P 1 , L 2 A and L 2 B of P 2 ), a neutral line (N 1  and N 2 ), and a ground line (G 1  and G 2 ) of the independent plugs, respectively. Plugs P 1  and P 2  are electrically connected through circuit lines and nodes to a network of relays. The relays can be electro-mechanical devices having voltage and current sensors and internal coils which enable single or double throw, multiple pole switches. 
   The relay network is shown in this embodiment to include five relays R 23 , R 24 , R 25 , R 26 , and R 27 . The plurality of relays in turn is coupled to and controls a network of contactors which ultimately provide power, voltage and current to output receptacle  33 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, the circuitry includes three two or three pole contactors C 28 , C 29 , and C 30 , the operation of which is further described hereinafter. A timer T 31  can also be utilized to delay a power connection in a desired fashion. Indicator light means L 41 , L 42  and L 22  can be incorporated into the circuitry to provide visual status of circuit enablement or operation. 
   As an additional safety measure, contactors C 29  and C 30  can be equipped with a mechanical lockout or normally closed auxiliary contactor switches to eliminate the possibility of both contactors activating, at the same time. 
     FIG. 2  of the drawings illustrates the configuration wherein only plug P 1  is inserted into a shore-side power source. When P 1  is inserted into a matching receptacle or connector with two opposite pole 110-120 volt AC live lines, a neutral line, and a ground line, power will flow from line  1 B to the coil of relay R 23  to the neutral line N 1  of plug P 1 , completing the 110-120 volt circuit, activating the relay, closing the R 23  normally open contacts  1 ,  2  and  3 . Power will flow from line L 1 A and from line L 1 B, to indicator means L 41  to illuminate the 240 volt lamp L 41 . No further actions or enablement of other circuit components will take place unless plug P 2  is inserted into a matching power source receptacle or connector. Until that time, the plug P 2  will not have any voltage or current applied to any blades, thereby preventing, and avoiding, the possibility of a user incurring electrical shocks or burns. 
     FIG. 3  of the drawings illustrates the configuration wherein only plug P 2  is inserted into a shore-side power source. When P 2  is inserted into a matching receptacle or connector with two opposite pole 110-121 volt AC live lines, a neutral line, and a ground line, power will flow from line L 2 A, and from line L 2  to indicator means L 42  to illuminate the 240 volt lamp L 42 . There will be no further actions or enablement of other circuit components until such time that plug P 1  is inserted into a power source as further described hereinafter. Also note that in this configuration a lead of the timer T 31  is wired to open contact  2  of relay R 23  which therefore will not be activated until plug P 1  is inserted into a live source receptacle or connector. As no power is applied, P 1  has no voltage or current applied to any blades, likewise avoiding the possibility of a user being inadvertently shocked or burned. 
     FIG. 4  of the drawings illustrates the configuration wherein both plugs are inserted into a shore-based power source in preparation of supplying AC power to a marine vessel or other similar mobile load, appliance or the like. In this configuration the phases are aligned, and plug P 1  is inserted first, followed by the insertion of plug P 2 . 
   When plug P 1  is inserted into a receptacle or connector with two opposite pole 110-120 volt AC live lines, a neutral line, and a ground line, power will flow from line L 1 A, from line L 1 B to illuminate the 240 volt lamp L 41  as described above. Power will also flow and be applied from line L 1 B of P 1  to the 110-120 volt coil of relay R 23  to the neutral line N 1  of P 1 , completing the 110-120 volt circuit activating the relay R 23  thereby closing the normally open contacts  1 ,  2 , and  3 . When plug P 2  is then inserted into a matching power source receptacle or connector with two opposite pole 110-120 volt AC lives lines, a neutral line, and a ground line in which the phases are aligned with the first power source receptacle and plug P 1 , power will flow from line L 2 A to the closed contact  2  of relay R 23  and thereafter on to a contact of timer T 31 , a delay on make timer, after a prescribed delay, for this component, power is in turn passed on to the 110-120 volt coil of relay R 26 , and to the neutral line N 2  of plug P 2 . This completes the 110-200 volt circuit actuating the relay, R 26  and closing the normally open contacts  10 ,  11 , and  12 . Power will now flow from line L 2 A to closed contact  1  of relay R 23 , and passing through the relay switch contact to closed contact  10  of relay R 26 , and on to the 240 volt coil of relay R 25  and to line L 2 B of plug P 2 . Power applied to this relay activates R 25  closing the normally open contacts  7 ,  8 , and  9 . Power applied to and through plug P 1  line L 1 A will now flow through closed contact  12  in relay R 26  to the 240 volt coil of relay R 24 , and in turn through closed contact  3  of relay R 23  and to line L 1 B of plug P 1 . This activates relay R 24  closing the normally open contacts  4 ,  5 , and  6 . Power from plug P 1  line L 1 A will now flow through now closed contact  7  of relay R 25  and will be further applied to the 240 volt coil of contactor C 28  to now closed contact  6  of relay R 24  and on to plug P 1  line L 1 B, actuating the contactor, closing contacts C 16  and C 17 . 
   In this circuit configuration, and with the voltage and currents applied and components enabled in this state, current can now pass from plug P 1  line L 1 A through contact C 16  in contactor C 28  to the L 1  terminal on receptacle  33 , the high amperage output connector. At the same time, current can pass from plug, P 1  line L 1 B through contact C 17  of contactor C 28  on to terminal L 2  on receptacle  33 . Simultaneously, source power will flow from plug P 1  line L 1 B to now closed contact  4  of relay R 24  to the 240 volt coil of contactor C 29 , to normally closed contact  15  of relay R 27 , to now closed contact  8  of relay R 25  through to plug P 2  line L 2 A, which actuates the contactor and closes contacts C 18  and C 19 . Power will now pass from plug; P 2  line L 2 A through contact C 18  of contactor C 29 , and on to the line L 1  terminal on receptacle  33 , and from plug P 2  line L 2 B to contact C 19  of contactor C 29 , and on to line L 2  terminal on the receptacle  33  connector, thereby supplying the amperage capabilities of the sum of plug P 1  and plug P 2  simultaneously to receptacle  33 . The 240 volt indicator lamp L 22 , electrically attached to lines L 1  and L 2  will illuminate indicating that power is available at receptacle  33 . The combined sum of the individual input power sources (and relatively high amperage) is now supplied and electrically connected to the marine craft, which can now be powered through the automatic power adapter. 
     FIG. 5  of the drawings illustrates the configuration wherein both plugs P 1  and P 2  are inserted into a shore-based power source in preparation of supplying AC power to a marine vessel or other load; however, in this configuration the phases are not properly aligned. Note that in contradistinction to  FIG. 4 , hot line inputs L 2 B and L 2 A of plug P 2  have been reversed in position and electrical connection to the plug. The respective conductive blades have been switched which has created opposite pole live lines with respect to plug, P 1  inputs. 
   When plug P 1  is inserted into a receptacle or connector with two opposite pole 110-120 volt AC live lines, a neutral line, and a ground line, power will flow from line L 1 B to the 110-120 volt coil of relay R 23  to the neutral line N 1  plug P 1  completing the 110-120 volt circuit activating the relay and closing the normally open contacts  1 ,  2 , and  3 . When plug P 2  is inserted into a matching receptacle or connector with two opposite pole 110-120 volt AC live lines, a neutral line, and a ground line in which the phases are not aligned with the first receptacle plug P 1 , power will flow from line  2 B to the now closed contact  2  in R 23  and further on to timer T 1 , and after a prescribed delay, power is applied to the 110-120 volt coil of relay R 26  and to the neutral line N 2  of plug P 2 . This completes the 110-120 volt circuit activating relay R 26 , closing the normally open contacts  10 ,  11 , and  12 . Power will now flow from line L 2 B to closed contact  1  in R 23  to closed contact  10  in relay R 26 , and through to the 240 volt coil of relay R 25  to line L 2 A of P 2 , thus activating relay  12  and closing contacts  7 ,  8 , and  9 . Power from plug P 1  line L 1 A will now flow through closed contact  12  of relay R 26  to the 240 volt coil of relay R 24 , and through to closed contact  3  of relay R 23  and on to line L 1 B of plug P 1 . This in turn activates relay R 24  closing the normally open contacts  4 ,  5 , and  6 . Power from plug, P 1  line L 1 A will now flow through closed contact  7  of relay R 25 , through to the 240 volt coil of contactor C 28  and through the closed contact  6  of relay R 24 , and further on to plug P 1  line L 1 B. This circuit condition actuates contactor C 28 , closing contacts C 16  and C 17 . Power can now pass from plug P 1  line L 1 A through contacts C 16  in contactor C 28  to the L 1  terminal on receptacle  33  the high amperage connector; and from P 1  line L 1 B through contact C 17  in C 28  on to terminal L 2  on receptacle  33 . 
   In this relative reversed wiring or mis-aligned phase status, power is also applied to the coil of relay  27 , closing normally opened contacts  13  and  14 . Note that contactor C 29  in not energized and contacts C 18  and C 19  are opened. Power is applied to the coil of contactor C 30 , closing normally open contacts C 20  and C 21 . Power can now pass from plug P 2  line L 2 B through contactor C 30  contact C 21  to circuit a node line L 2  of receptacle  33 . Power also passes from plug P 2  line L 2 A through contactor C 30  contact C 20  to circuit node line L 1  of receptacle  33 . 
   The 240 volt indicator lamp L 22 , attached to L 1  and L 2  lines will illuminate, indicating that power is available at receptacle  33  the voltage of 240 volts is applied and the summed current capacity of both plugs P 1  and P 2  is available at relatively high amperage, and that the craft can now be powered through the device. 
   Therefore, in comparison of the distinct phase alignment inputs and differing wiring configuration of the input power sources of  FIGS. 4 and 5  the automatic adapter inherently compensates with the end result that irrespective of such configuration summed amperage is applied to the load. The adapter sensing the configuration, enables discrete circuit components through the network of relays and contactors, and selectively passes power through to the output receptacle through separate and independent sub-circuits. The operation is totally automatic, seamless to the user, and the operator is unaware of the inherent circuit compensation or corrections that have taken place. 
     FIG. 6  of the drawings depicts a top plan of the hardware and mechanical components of the automatic adapter. Male plugs P 1  and P 2  are illustrated, with power cords C 34  and C 35 , respectively. Weatherproof strain relief; SR  38  SR  39  and SR  40  provide protection for the cable and wires feed to housing for the circuitry, electrical and mechanical components which include relays, contactors connectors hardware screws, nuts, bolts and conventional parts. The housing JB  43  is a preferably sealed and weatherproof enclosure large enough to house the internal components, which are meant for heavy duty applications, as will be appreciated by one ordinary skill in the industry. 
   The housing also includes indicator lamps L 22 , L 41  and L 42 , as well as output power cord C 36  and output receptacle connector  33 . 
   In operation the instant invention provides a device with automatic phase sensing capabilities for multiple power inputs, and automatic phase aligning capabilities able to sense if the phases are aligned, and if unaligned to automatically align the phases internally through discrete, circuit components and sub-circuits. The device safely connects the two lower amperage capacity input circuits of the same or similar voltages, into a single higher amperage capacity output without significant voltage change, to equal approximately the sum of the two lower amperage capacity circuits, such as two 240 volt AC, 50 amp circuits into one 240 volt AC, 100 amp output circuit, automatically. 
   Alternatively, if the phases are aligned, the instant adapter safely connects the two aligned lower amperage capacity circuits of same or similar voltages into a single higher amperage capacity circuit, by sequentially connecting and activating multiple plug inputs to avoid shocks or burns and prevent power output until such time as both input plugs are secured and enabled. 
   This instant automatic adapter can use three or more contactors or one or more reversing, contactors, to automatically switch or align the phases to adapt two lower amperage capacity input circuits into a single higher amperage capacity output circuit equaling the approximate sum of the two lower amperage circuits. 
   The stated voltages and amperages discussed herein are used as examples only, and in no way limits the scope of the inventions to specific values. A mechanical or electrical lockout can be used an option with contactors C 29  and C 30  for extra protection against both C 29  and C 30  engaging at the same time. 
   The timer illustrated in the drawings requires only two wires. The device can be wired with several different types of timers for similar results, and many options are available. 
   The instant description, drawings and schematics illustrate to one of ordinary skill in the art, how to manufacture, assemble, utilize and practice the instant automatic power adapter designs for electrically connecting power sources and loads. This description is made by way of represented examples only, and it is recognized, however, that variations will occur to those skilled in the art, all of which are deemed to be within the scope of these inventions.