Patent US6181028B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6181028B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer mechanism for transferring power between a utility source and a stand-by generator
Assignee: Generac Power Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-08-19
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2019-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A transfer mechanism is provided for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source. The transfer mechanism includes a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source. The monitoring system starts the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stops the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source. A power relay has a utility input connectable to the utility source, a generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Kern
- 👤 Gerald C. Ruehlow
- 👤 Francis X. Wedel
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Jonas
- 👤 John G. Bagley
- 👤 Steven J. Wilcox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:59
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J9/00; H02J9/04; H02J9/06; H02J9/08; H02J9/068; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In a transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power to a load between a generator which generates power when started and a utility source, the transfer mechanism monitoring the power supplied by the utility source and starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source, the improvement comprising: a relay having a utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a generator input and a coil operatively connected to the generator, and an output operatively connected to the load, wherein the inputs are selectively connected to the output in response to the application of power to the coil by the generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power to a load between a generator which generates power when started and a utility source, the transfer mechanism monitoring the power supplied by the utility source and starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source, the improvement comprising: a relay having a utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a generator input and a coil operatively connected to the generator, and an output operatively connected to the load, wherein the inputs are selectively connected to the output in response to the application of power to the coil by the generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the relay includes a movable contact, the movable contact being movable between a first position interconnecting the utility input and the output and a second position interconnecting the generator input and the output in response to the application of power to the coil by the generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein the movable contact is in the second position when power is applied to the coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein the relay includes a time-delay switch interconnecting the generator input and the output of the relay, the time-delay switch delaying movement of the movable contact to the second position in response to the application of power to the coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; and an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; and an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 5 wherein the movable contact being movable between a first position interconnecting the utility input and the output and a second position interconnecting the generator input and the output.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 6 further comprising a selection structure for moving the movable contact between the first and second positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 7 wherein the selection structure includes a coil operatively connected to the generator, the coil urging the movable contact to the second position in response to the generation of power by the generator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 8 further comprising a time-delay switch interconnecting the generator input and the output of the electromagnetic switch, the time-delay switch delaying the supply of power from the generator to the load at the starting of the generator by the monitoring system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 8 wherein the selection structure urges the movable contact to the first position when the generator is stopped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
181 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator which generates power when started and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; a plurality of relays, each relay having: a utility input; a generator input; an output connectable to a corresponding load; a movable contact movable between a first position interconnecting the utility input and the output and a second position interconnecting the generator input and the output; and a coil connectable to the generator, the coil urging the movable contact into the second position in response to the generation of power by the generator; a plurality of generator circuit breakers, each generator circuit breaker interconnecting the generator to the generator input of a corresponding relay; and a plurality of utility circuit breakers, each utility circuit breaker interconnecting the utility source to the utility input of a corresponding relay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator which generates power when started and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; a plurality of relays, each relay having: a utility input; a generator input; an output connectable to a corresponding load; a movable contact movable between a first position interconnecting the utility input and the output and a second position interconnecting the generator input and the output; and a coil connectable to the generator, the coil urging the movable contact into the second position in response to the generation of power by the generator; a plurality of generator circuit breakers, each generator circuit breaker interconnecting the generator to the generator input of a corresponding relay; and a plurality of utility circuit breakers, each utility circuit breaker interconnecting the utility source to the utility input of a corresponding relay.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of time-delay switches, each time-delay switch interconnecting the generator input and the output of a corresponding relay so as to delay the supply of power from the generator to the corresponding load interconnected to the output when the generator is started.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 12 wherein each time-delay switch delays the supply of power to each corresponding load for a predetermined time period such that power is supplied to each load in a predetermined sequential order.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 11 wherein each relay includes a biasing structure for biasing the movable contact to the first position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
The transfer mechanism of claim 11 wherein at least one of the relays includes: a second utility input; a second generator input; an second output connectable to a corresponding load; a second movable contact movable between a first position interconnecting the second utility input and the second output and a second position interconnecting the second generator input and the second output; and a second coil connectable to a generator, the second coil urging the second movable contact into the second position in response to the generation of power by the generator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power to a load between a generator which generates power when started and a utility source, the transfer mechanism monitoring the power supplied by the utility source and starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source, the improvement comprising: a relay having a utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a generator input and a coil operatively connected to the generator, and an output operatively connected to the load, wherein the inputs are selectively connected to the output in response to the application of power to the coil by the generator; and a circuit breaker interconnecting the generator input of the relay, the circuit breaker having a first setting isolating the generator input from the generator and a second setting protecting the relay against an overload by the generator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power to a load between a generator which generates power when started and a utility source, the transfer mechanism monitoring the power supplied by the utility source and starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source, the improvement comprising: a relay having a utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a generator input and a coil operatively connected to the generator, and an output operatively connected to the load, wherein the inputs are selectively connected to the output in response to the application of power to the coil by the generator; and a circuit breaker interconnecting the generator input of the relay, the circuit breaker having a first setting isolating the generator input from the generator and a second setting protecting the relay against an overload by the generator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power to a load between a generator which generates power when started and a utility source, the transfer mechanism monitoring the power supplied by the utility source and starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source, the improvement comprising: a relay having a utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a generator input and a coil operatively connected to the generator, and an output operatively connected to the load, wherein the inputs are selectively connected to the output in response to the application of power to the coil by the generator, the relay further having a second utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a second generator input operatively connected to the generator, a second output operatively connected to a second load, and a second coil, one of the second inputs being selectively connected to the second output in response to the application of power to the second coil by the generator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power to a load between a generator which generates power when started and a utility source, the transfer mechanism monitoring the power supplied by the utility source and starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source, the improvement comprising: a relay having a utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a generator input and a coil operatively connected to the generator, and an output operatively connected to the load, wherein the inputs are selectively connected to the output in response to the application of power to the coil by the generator, the relay further having a second utility input operatively connected to the utility source, a second generator input operatively connected to the generator, a second output operatively connected to a second load, and a second coil, one of the second inputs being selectively connected to the second output in response to the application of power to the second coil by the generator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
152 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; and an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator; and a generator breaker interconnecting the generator to the generator input of the electromagnetic switch, the generator circuit breaker having a first setting isolating the generator input from the generator and a second setting protecting the electromagnetic switch against an overload by the generator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
152 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; and an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator; and a generator breaker interconnecting the generator to the generator input of the electromagnetic switch, the generator circuit breaker having a first setting isolating the generator input from the generator and a second setting protecting the electromagnetic switch against an overload by the generator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
154 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator; and a utility circuit breaker interconnecting the utility source to the utility of the electromagnetic switch, the utility circuit breaker having a first setting isolating the utility input from the utility source and a second setting protecting the electromagnetic switch against an overload from the utility source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
154 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator; and a utility circuit breaker interconnecting the utility source to the utility of the electromagnetic switch, the utility circuit breaker having a first setting isolating the utility input from the utility source and a second setting protecting the electromagnetic switch against an overload from the utility source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
163 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator; and a second electromagnetic switch, the second electromagnetic switch including a second utility input connectable to the utility source, a generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable a second load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
163 words
A transfer mechanism for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source, comprising: a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source, the monitoring system starting the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stopping the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source; an electromagnetic switch having a utility input connectable to the utility source, generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator; and a second electromagnetic switch, the second electromagnetic switch including a second utility input connectable to the utility source, a generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable a second load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |