Patent US6285178B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6285178B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power supply
Assignee: BATTLLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE A CORP OF OH
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Filing: 2000-02-11
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Granted: 2001-09-04
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Expires: 2020-02-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a power supply ( 10 ) that starts a load ( 20 ) with a heavy start-up power draw from a power grid ( 12 ) and then switches the load to a generator ( 22 ) for lower power draw operation thereby avoiding the need for a large capacity generator capable of initial start-up of the load ( 20 ). The power supply comprises a conductor ( 15 ) for connecting to a power grid, an electrical power generation device ( 30 ), an electrical power using device or load ( 20 ) and a switching mechanism ( 40 ) for 1) isolating the power grid ( 12 ) from the power generation device ( 30 ), 2) connecting the power grid conductor ( 15 ) to the electrical power using device ( 20 ) for the initial start-up of the power using device ( 20 ), and 3) connecting the power generation device ( 30 ) to the power using device ( 20 ) after initial start-up. In addition the power supply ( 10 ) can also serve as a backup source of power for multiple circuits whose total startup load exceeds the total output of the generator ( 30 ) during periods of grid power failure by selectively turning off interruptible circuit load ( 20 ) during the startup of other circuits ( 16 ) or allowing intermittent circuit loads ( 20 ) to complete their cycle and return to an off state prior to the start-up of other circuits ( 16 ).
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Ball
- 👤 William T. Hanna
- 👤 Joseph A. Stets
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:45
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P1/00; H02P1/16; H02P1/26; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A power supply comprising: a. a conductor for connecting to an electrical power grid; b. an electrical power generation device that is of insufficient size for initial start-up of an electrical power using device; and c. a switching device that: 1) isolates said electrical power grid from said electrical power generation device; 2) connects said power grid conductor to said electrical power using device for initial start-up of said power using device; and then 3) connects said power generation device to said power using device after initial start-up.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A power supply comprising: a. a conductor for connecting to an electrical power grid; b. an electrical power generation device that is of insufficient size for initial start-up of an electrical power using device; and c. a switching device that: 1) isolates said electrical power grid from said electrical power generation device; 2) connects said power grid conductor to said electrical power using device for initial start-up of said power using device; and then 3) connects said power generation device to said power using device after initial start-up.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power supply according to claim 1 wherein said electrical power using device uses at least about one and a half times more electrical power during start-up as during operation after start-up.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power supply according to claim 1 wherein said power using device is an air conditioning unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power supply according to claim 1 with said electrical power generation device comprising an electrical generator driven by a prime mover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power supply according to claim 4 wherein a carbon-based fuel is used as a source of energy for said prime mover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The power supply according to claim 5 further comprising means for increasing an amount of said carbon-based fuel delivered to said prime mover prior to switching said electrical power using device from said power grid conductor to said power generation device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The power supply according to claim 5 wherein said carbon-based fuel is natural gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power supply according to claim 4 further comprising means for increasing output speed of said prime mover prior to switching said electrical power using device from said power grid conductor to said power generation device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power supply according to claim 1 wherein said electrical power generation device is sized to match only the running power demand of said power using device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power supply according to claim 1 further comprising at least one circuit connected only to said conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The power supply according to claim 1 further comprising at least one circuit that is connected to said power grid by said switching mechanism when said power grid is on and to said power generation device when said power grid is off.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power supply according to claim 1 wherein an output capacity of said power generation device is sized to match a running power demand of of said power using device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The power supply according to claim 1 further comprising a first circuit that is connected to said power grid by said switching device when said power grid is on and to said power generation device when said power grid is off and wherein said power switching device disconnects said power using device from said power generation device when the power grid is off.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
115 words
The power supply according to claim 13 further comprising: a) a second circuit connected to said power grid by said switching device when said power grid is on and to said power generation device when said power grid is off; b) said first circuit being an interruptible load circuit with a startup load condition and a running load condition; c) said second circuit being an intermittent load circuit with a startup load condition and a running load condition; and d) when said first and said second circuits are connected to said power generation device, said switching device turns said interruptible load circuit off prior to placing said intermittent load circuit in said startup load condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The power supply according to claim 14 wherein said power generation device is capable of maintaining simultaneously said running load conditions of said interruptible load circuit and said intermittent load circuit and is incapable of maintaining simultaneously the startup load conditions of said interruptible load circuit and said intermittent load circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
The power supply according to claim 14 further comprising at least one non-interruptible circuit connected to said power grid by said switching device when said power grid is on and to said power generation device when said power grid is off and when said non-interruptible circuit is connected to said power generation device, said switching device maintaining said non-interruptible circuit in an on state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
The power supply according to claim 13 further comprising: a) a second circuit connected to said power grid by said switching device when said power grid is on and to said power generation device when said power grid is off; b) said first circuit being an interruptible load circuit with a startup load condition and a running load condition; c) said second circuit being an intermittent load circuit with a startup load condition, a running load condition, and an intermittent period of operation; and d) when said first and said second circuits are connected to said power generation device, said switching device maintaining said intermittent load in a running load condition until completion of said intermittent period of operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
The power supply according to claim 17 further comprising at least one non-interruptible circuit connected to said power grid by said switching device when said power grid is on and to said power generation device when said power grid is off and when said non-interruptible circuit is connected to said power generation device, said switching device maintaining said non-interruptible circuit in an on state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power supply according to claim 1 wherein said switching device keeps said power using device connected to said power generation device for a pre-determined time after the power grid is off.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power supply according to claim 1 where in said switching device is a solid state device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power supply according to claim 1 where in said switching device is a micro computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
The power supply according to claim 1 further comprising a voltage sensor for said power grid, a second voltage sensor for said power generation device, and a synchronization sensor for determining when a temporary coincidence of the pulses occurs at which time said switching device switches said electrical power using device from said power grid to said electrical power generation device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply according to claim 22 wherein said switching device switches the electrical power using device from said power grid to said electrical power generation device when the line voltage is zero.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of operating an electrical load with a start up load condition and a running load condition with an under-sized power generator incapable of providing start-up power to meet said start up load condition of said load but capable of delivering running load power to meet said running load condition of said load, said method comprising: a. starting said load from a power grid capable of meeting said start-up power load condition; and b. after starting and reaching said running load condition of said load with said power grid, switching said load to said under-sized generator.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of operating an electrical load with a start up load condition and a running load condition with an under-sized power generator incapable of providing start-up power to meet said start up load condition of said load but capable of delivering running load power to meet said running load condition of said load, said method comprising: a. starting said load from a power grid capable of meeting said start-up power load condition; and b. after starting and reaching said running load condition of said load with said power grid, switching said load to said under-sized generator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 24 wherein said power grid is electrically isolated from said under-sized generator at all times.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to claim 24 further comprising the steps of: a) sensing a voltage pulse of said power grid; b) sensing the voltage pulse of said under-sized generator; c) determining a temporary coincidence of said voltage pulse of said power grid and said voltage pulse under-sized generator; d) switching said load from said power grid to said under-sized generator during said temporary coincidence of said voltage pulse of said power grid and said voltage pulse under-sized generator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of timing said switching of said load from said power grid to said under-sized generator to occur at about zero voltage.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 24 wherein said under-sized generator is driven by a fossil-fuel engine and further comprising the step of providing additional fuel to said fossil-fuel engine prior to switching said load from said power grid to said generator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of increasing rotational speed of said generator prior to switching said load from said power grid to said generator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
79 words
An assembly for starting and operating a predetermined load with a start-up load condition and a lesser running load condition comprising: a. an undersized generator capable of running but not starting said load; and b. a switching device comprising means for: 1) connecting said load to a power source capable of starting and running said load; and 2) switching said load after starting and running from said power source to said undersized generator capable of only running said load.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
79 words
An assembly for starting and operating a predetermined load with a start-up load condition and a lesser running load condition comprising: a. an undersized generator capable of running but not starting said load; and b. a switching device comprising means for: 1) connecting said load to a power source capable of starting and running said load; and 2) switching said load after starting and running from said power source to said undersized generator capable of only running said load.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
68 words
The assembly according to claim 30 with said switching device comprising means for connecting said generator to multiple load circuits with a total start-up load greater than the total output of said generator and a total running load matched to said generator; said switching device switching off selected load circuits during start up of other load circuits so as not to exceed the total output of said generator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
79 words
The assembly according to claim 31 with said switching device comprising means for connecting said generator to multiple load circuits with a total start-up load greater than the total output of said generator and a total running load matched to said generator; said switching device allowing load circuits to complete a running cycle and return to an off state prior to during start up of other load circuits so as not to exceed the total output of said 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) | 2004-09-03 | 2005-03-05 | 2005-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-03 | 2009-03-05 | 2009-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-03 | 2013-03-05 | 2013-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |