Multiple source power adapter for output power control

• Main Author: BECKMAN, JERRY L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 03.07.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTINGELECTRIC POWER; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; CURRENT COLLECTORS; ELECTRICITY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERATION; LINE CONNECTORS; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

A power adapter (10) provides electrical power from multiple power sources. The power adapter includes first (18) and second (20) plugs adapted to be electrically coupled to first and second power sources, respectively. The power adapter is configured to provide a first power output from the first power source (e.g., airline power socket), and a second power output from the second power source (e.g., cigarette lighter socket), to the electronic device (12), depending on which power source to which the power adapter is coupled. The power adapter may also limit the first power output from the first power source to a predetermined maximum.