Abstract:
An apparatus that enables indication of power utilization from an electrical outlet to be visually provided to a user, comprising receptacles, an illumination means, and a toggle switch. When an electrical power cord is plugged into the apparatus and is drawing any amount of current above zero (0) amps, the illumination means will activate, thereby alerting the user that the device is drawing power, even if the device is turned off, and allowing the user to take corrective action if necessary. The integral toggle switch deactivates the power to the device while leaving it plugged in.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/264,372 filed Nov. 25, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical power outlets, and in particular, to a load sensor and indicator circuit for electrical power outlets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electricity consumption continues to grow in our country. Not only are our homes becoming bigger which places larger demands on lighting and HVAC loads, but also the information and entertainment devices we put in them are becoming larger and more plentiful. 
     Since electricity is invisible, many people have no idea how much power is being consumed by an individual load. As such, it is very difficult to determine what devices to turn off or not use in an effort to conserve electricity. Even if one can read the power consumption label on the device, it is very difficult for the average consumer to determine what it costs per minute or per hour to run such equipment due to relatively complicated formulas, and the variable power rates in effect in various communities. 
     Specifically, electrical loads commonly known as “parasitic loads” or “phantom electricity” consume power or draw current even when in an off or a de-energized state. Specific examples of such “parasitic loads” include electronic loads such as televisions, stereos, or the like in which remote control circuitry is always active to “look” for activation or “power on” signals. Other examples include wall mounted power supplies such as charges, computer power supplies, low voltage transformers, or the like, in which transformer losses are always present even if the transformer secondary is open circuited. In fact, such “parasitic loads” are common in both home and work environments and contribute to an overall staggering amount of power consumed around the world today. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide electrical outlets with integral status indicators. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,913, issued in the name of Sleveland, describes a light-emitting diode assembly for an electrical switch wall plate indicating both the location of the switch in the dark as well as the functional status of the circuit. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,356, issued in the name of Nguyen, describes a receptacle power indicator including indicator light which is activated by contact arms of the device to indicate whether the receptacle is energized. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,932, issued in the name of Matlo, describes a power supply apparatus with a circuit load sensor including a power consumption indicator circuit. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices indicate whether a receptacle is energized but not whether it is drawing load. Furthermore, many such devices only include one indicator light for a plurality of connectors. Also, many such devices do not provide a means to mitigate extraneous power consumption. Accordingly, there exists a need for an electrical outlet without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for an electrical outlet which allows a user to determine whether the outlet is drawing power at any given point in time and to mitigate power consumption should such a draw be deemed extraneous. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide measurement and indication of electrical consumption from an electrical load connected to a duplex outlet, particularly “parasitic loads” or “phantom electricity”. The apparatus comprises a pair of current sensors and a pair of indicating means integral to a duplex outlet configuration. 
     Another object of the present invention is to comprise the duplex outlet configuration of a similar construction to a conventional NEMA 5-15R receptacle. The duplex outlet configuration further comprises a pair of mounting ears which facilitate mounting to an existing electrical box. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to illuminate the indicating means when an active electrical load is connected to a corresponding connection. In this manner a user can determine whether a device is drawing electrical power even when the device is an “OFF” state. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to electrically disconnect a load from the power supply without physical removing the electrical plug in order to remove a “parasitic load” and conserve energy. A front surface of the receptacle enclosure includes a disconnecting switch of a double-pole double-throw variety to allow for the removal of both loads presented by each receptacle. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining an instance of the apparatus, connecting the existing electrical wire to a corresponding conductor, fastening the receptacle enclosure to the electrical box utilizing a plurality of fasteners in conjunction with the mounting ears, fastening the faceplate to the receptacle enclosure, plugging in various electrical loads, closing the disconnecting switch to enable the electrical load to function in a normal manner, viewing the indicating means to determine the status of the load on a corresponding receptacle, removing the electrical load by opening the disconnecting switch, and providing simple visualization of electric power consumption. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a duplex outlet with current indicator  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a receptacle enclosure  16 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an opposing front perspective view of the receptacle enclosure  16  and a faceplate  65 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components as used in the duplex outlet with current indicator  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  duplex outlet with current indicator 
               12  electrical box 
               15  duplex outlet configuration 
               16  receptacle enclosure 
               17  mounting ear 
               18  mounting aperture 
               19  faceplate aperture 
               20  electrical load 
               25  power cable 
               30  electrical plug contact 
               35  receptacle 
               40  ungrounded or “hot” connection 
               45  grounded or neutral connection 
               50  safety/equipment ground connection 
               55  indicating means 
               60  disconnecting switch 
               65  faceplate 
               66  receptacle opening 
               67  indicating means opening 
               68  switch opening 
               69  mounting opening 
               70  fastener 
               90  ungrounded or “hot” conductor 
               95  grounded or neutral conductor 
               100  safety/equipment ground conductor 
               105  current sensor 
               110  analog input converting module 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a duplex outlet with current indicator (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provide a means to measure and indicate electrical consumption from an electrical load  20  via a pair of indicating means  55  and a pair of current sensor  105 , respectively. Specifically, electrical loads  20  commonly known as “parasitic loads” or “phantom electricity” would be those targeted for use with the apparatus  10 . The common characteristic of such loads  20  is that they consume power or draw current even when in an off or a de-energized state. Specific examples of such “parasitic loads” include electronic loads such as televisions, stereos, or the like in which remote control circuitry is always active to “look” for activation or “power on” signals. Other examples include wall mounted power supplies such as charges, computer power supplies, low voltage transformers, or the like, in which transformer losses are always present even if the transformer secondary is open circuited. In fact, such “parasitic loads” are common in both home and work environments and contribute to an overall staggering amount of power consumed around the world today. Such power is indicated by the apparatus  10  in an effort to make intelligent decisions about connected electrical loads as will be described below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus  10  comprises a duplex outlet configuration  15  as would normally be expected in a typical residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial establishment. The duplex outlet configuration  15  would be of a conventional NEMA 5-15R receptacle, in a duplex configuration or a LUTRON® configuration. However, other configurations including receptacle arrangements, voltage levels, current capacity, or the like are also possible, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. The duplex outlet configuration  15  is depicted with the electrical load  20  in an electrically connected state via a power cable  25  and an electrical plug  30  as would be typically expected. For purposes of illustration, the electrical load  20  is depicted as a common table lamp, although any type of electrical load  20  would suffice for illustrating the purposes of the present invention. Additionally, any load  20  that would be acceptable for plugging into a conventional electrical outlet of similar type, voltage and ampacity, would work with the apparatus  10  as well. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of the receptacle enclosure  16 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. This figure depicts the receptacle enclosure  16  which more clearly depicts the front of the duplex outlet configuration  15 . The receptacle enclosure  16  comprises a generally rectangular shape further comprising a pair of mounting ears  17 , a pair of stacked receptacles  35 , a pair of indicating means  55 , and a disconnecting switch  60 . The receptacle enclosure  16  is preferably fabricated from a durable non-conductive material such as plastic, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . Integrally molded to an upper and a lower front surface of the receptacle enclosure  16  are the mounting ears  17  which provides a means to attach the apparatus  10  to a common electrical box  12  (see  FIG. 3 ) via inserting a mechanical fastener  70  through a mounting aperture  18 . The mounting ears  17  also act as spacers to provide room for electrical wiring to be routed from an electrical box  12  to the receptacle configuration  16 . 
     Each receptacle  35  provides three (3) connections that provide an ungrounded or “hot” connection  40 , a grounded or neutral connection  45  and a safety/equipment ground connection  50  as shown, as would typically and conventionally be expected. Each receptacle  35  would be provided with an indicating means  55  such as a light-emitting diode (LED lamp) or similar illuminating device. The indicating means  55  would illuminate when an electrical load  20  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is connected to the respective receptacle  35  and is drawing current. In the case of the conventional table lamp (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), with an incandescent bulb in the OFF position, no current would be drawn, and thus the indicating means  55  would be off. However, in the case of a “parasitic load” as abovementioned, even if the electrical load  20  is in an OFF position, a relatively small amount of power would be drawn, and thus the indicating means  55  would illuminate for the respective load. 
     A disconnecting switch  60  is also provided on the face of the receptacle enclosure  16  to allow for the electrical disconnection of any electrical plug  30  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) that may be plugged into either receptacle  35 , without the actual physical disconnection of the electrical plug  30  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Said features of the disconnecting switch  60  allow for the removal of any “parasitic load” without the necessity, additional physical work, or safety risks associated with removing and inserting an electrical plug  30  into the receptacles  35 . The disconnecting switch  60  would be of a double-pole, double-throw variety to allow for removal of both loads presented by each receptacle  35 . 
     An intermediate surface of the receptacle enclosure  16  further comprises a faceplate aperture  19  which provides a means for a faceplate  65  (see  FIG. 3 ) to attach. The faceplate aperture  19  is preferably threaded to accept a corresponding fastener  70 . 
     The receptacle enclosure  16  is interconnected to corresponding and existing electrical wires by respective conductors  90 ,  95 ,  100  (also see  FIG. 4 ). Each conductor  90 ,  95 ,  100  is preferably a common screw-type connection, yet other means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . Electrical wire is looped around each conductor  90 ,  95 ,  100  and tightened which secures said wires to the receptacle enclosure  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front perspective view of the receptacle enclosure  16  and the faceplate  65 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. With the receptacle enclosure  16  installed within the electrical box  12  a faceplate  65  may be attached. The faceplate  65  comprises a rectangular shape with dimensions slightly larger than the receptacle enclosure  16  and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the apparatus  10 . The faceplate  65  includes a pair of receptacle openings  66 , a pair of indicating means openings  67 , a switch opening  68 , and a mounting opening  69 . The faceplate  65  is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, or the like and manufactured in various colors and patterns to correspond to variety of decors. The receptacle openings  66  frame each receptacle  35  and enable usage of said receptacles  35 . The indicating means openings  67  frame each indicating means  55  to enable the user to observe said indicating means  55  and the switch opening  68  frames the disconnecting switch  60  to enable the user to activate or deactivate said disconnecting switch  60 . The mounting opening  69  is positioned between the receptacles  35  and aligns with the faceplate aperture  19  which further enables the fastener  70  is be inserted through the mounting opening  69  and fastened to the faceplate aperture  19 , thereby fastening the faceplate  65  to the receptacle enclosure  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components of the present invention is depicted. Incoming power arrives on an ungrounded or “hot” conductor  90 , a grounded or neutral conductor  95 , and a safety/equipment ground conductor  100  with the ungrounded or “hot” conductor  90  being wired through the disconnecting switch  60  as shown. Connections are made to the ungrounded or “hot” connection  40 , the grounded or neutral connection  45  and the safety/equipment ground connection  50  in a respective manner. A current sensor  105  is applied to the ungrounded or “hot” conductor  90  immediately before it enters each ungrounded or “hot” connection  40  as shown. Such positioning allows for the easy determination of any AC current being utilized by each receptacle  35 . The output of each current sensor  105  is routed to an analog input converting module  110  which takes the analog output of the current sensor  105  and coverts it to the necessary voltage as required by the indicating means  55 . Power wiring from the ungrounded or “hot” conductor  90 , the grounded or neutral conductor  95 , and the safety/equipment ground conductor  100  are routed to each analog input converting module  110  to allow for necessary operation. Internal operation of the current sensor  105  and the analog input converting module  110  are well known in the art and are not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; connecting the existing electrical wire to the appropriate ungrounded or “hot” conductor  90 , the grounded or neutral conductor  95  and the safety/equipment ground conductor  100 ; fastening the receptacle enclosure  16  to the electrical box  12  by inserting fasteners  70  into each mounting aperture  18  upon each mounting ear  17 ; fastening the faceplate  65  to the receptacle enclosure  16  by aligning the mounting opening  69  with the faceplate aperture  19  and inserting and fastening a fastener  70 ; plugging in various electrical loads  20  into the duplex outlet configuration  15  in a common and well-known manner, by connecting the power cable  25  and the electrical plug  30  to the receptacles  35 ; closing the disconnecting switch  60  to enable the electrical load  20  to function in a normal manner; enabling the indicating means  55  will give the user the necessary information to allow for continued current draw by the electrical load  20  or to electrically remove the electrical load  20  by either unplugging it, or turning it completely OFF by using the disconnecting switch  60 ; and, providing for easy visualization of electric power consumption in a manner which is quick, easy and effective, thus allowing the user to make intelligent decisions about cost savings and conservation. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.