System and method for reducing power consumption in a power supply circuit

Abstract

A system for reducing power consumption in a power supply circuit including: a transformer including: a core; a first winding including a first end and a second end of a first wire wound on the core; a second winding including a first end and a second end of a second wire, wherein the second wire has a larger cross-section than the first wire and the second end of the first wire is connected to the first end of the second wire; an input electrically connecting the first and second windings to the power supply circuit; and an output for connecting to a load; and a controller connected to the transformer for controlling an output voltage at the output, wherein the output voltage is less than a supply voltage at the input, to reduce the power consumption of the load.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for reducing power consumption in a power supply circuit including:
 a transformer including:
 a core; 
 a first winding including a first end and a second end of a first wire wound on the core; 
 a second winding including a first end and a second end of a second wire, wherein the second wire has a larger cross-section than the first wire and the second end of the first wire is connected to the first end of the second wire; 
 an input at the second end of the second winding for connecting to the power supply circuit; and 
 a movable contact having an output for connecting to a load, the contact positioned between the first end of the first winding and a junction positioned at the second end of the first winding and the first end of the second winding; and 
   a controller for variably controlling an output voltage at the output, wherein the output voltage is less than a supply voltage at the input, to reduce the power consumption of the load.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system further includes a variac connected to the controller to variably control the output voltage. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein a first end of a winding of the variac is connected to a neutral line of the power supply circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein a second end of a winding of the variac is connected to the output of the transformer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein an output of the variac is connected to a first end of the first winding. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a second end of the second winding is connected to an active line of the power supply circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the core is an iron core. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the core is linear in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the core is toroidal in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the core is an E and I core. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first winding is wound on a separate core to the second winding. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second winding is on a same core as the first winding. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller includes a voltage sensor circuit for detecting a voltage at the output of the transformer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the voltage sensor circuit includes one or more comparators for comparing a voltage at the output of the transformer to the upper voltage limit and the lower voltage limit. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the voltage control system further includes a remote sensor circuit connected to the controller, for monitoring a voltage at a remote device connected to the load. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller adjusts the output voltage of the transformer such that the voltage at the remote device is between a lower voltage limit and an upper voltage limit. 
     
     
         17 . A method of reducing power consumption in a power supply circuit including the steps of:
 connecting an input of a transformer to the power supply circuit and connecting an output of the transformer to a load, the transformer including:
 a core; 
 a first winding including a first end and a second end of a first wire wound on the core; 
 a second winding including a first end and a second end of a second wire, wherein the second wire has a larger cross-section than the first wire and the second end of the first wire is connected to the first end of the second wire; 
 an input at the second end of the second winding for connecting to the power supply circuit; and 
 a movable contact having an output for connecting to a load, the contact positioned between the first end of the first winding and a junction positioned at the second end of the first winding and the first end of the second winding; 
 wherein an output voltage at the output is variable between a lower voltage limit and an upper voltage limit; and 
   controlling the output voltage, such that the output voltage is less than a supply voltage, to reduce the power consumption of the power supply circuit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein a variac is connected to the transformer to variably control the output voltage.