Apparatus and method for providing a mobile AC power supply

• US 20010043052A1
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Griffey, Tammy M., Rogge, Everett Roland, Ingram, Jerry W., Gidwani, Manu B., Brantley, Randall F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,577,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

A mobile AC power system wherein the DC current of battery is converted by a power inverter electrically coupled to the battery terminals and the inverter is also mechanically coupled the battery. An AC outlet is positioned to provide a source of power and the unit has a power input being configured to receive a charging current for the battery. The AC outlet is disabled when the power input is receiving a charge.

Claims

1. A mobile AC power system, comprising:

a) a twelve volt battery;

b) a power inverter electrically coupled to a pair of battery terminals of said battery, said power inverter also being mechanically coupled to said battery; and

c) an AC outlet being positioned on said inverter.

2. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 1

, further comprising:

d) a power input being configured to receive a charging current for said battery, said charging current increasing said batteries state of charge.

3. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 2

, wherein said AC outlet is disabled when said power input receives a charge.

4. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 3

, further comprising:

e) a control panel being positioned on the outer surface of said inverter, said control panel housing said AC outlet and said power input.

5. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 4

, further comprising:

f) a pair of cover plates each being pivotally mounted to said control panel, one of said cover plates being configured, dimension and positioned to provide a protective covering of said AC outlet while the other provides a protective covering of said power input.

6. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 5

, further comprising:

g) a LED indicator light for providing an operational status of said system.

7. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 4

, wherein said power inverter is fixedly secured to a pair of terminals of said battery.

8. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 7

, wherein said power inverter encases said pair of terminals of said battery.

9. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 8

, wherein said power inverter is configured to have a first dimension no greater than the overall dimension between the bottom portion of said battery and the top portion of said pair of terminals.

10. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 9

, wherein said power inverter is configured to have a second dimension no greater than the dimension between the side walls of said battery.

11. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 5

, further comprising:

g) a carrying handle secured to said battery.

12. A mobile AC power system, comprising:

a) a twelve volt DC battery;

b) a power inverter electrically coupled to a pair of battery terminals of said battery, said power inverter also being mechanically coupled to said battery;

c) an AC outlet being positioned on a surface of said power inverter;

d) a DC power input being configured to receive a charging current for charging said battery;

e) a control panel being positioned on the outer surface of said inverter, said control panel housing said AC outlet and said power input; and

f) a protective member being configured, dimensioned and positioned to provide a protective covering of said AC outlet.

13. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 12

, further comprising:

g) a pair of protective members being configured, dimensioned and positioned to cover said terminals of said battery.

14. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 13

, wherein said pair of protective members are removably secured to said terminals.

15. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 14

, further comprising:

h) a pair of flexible connectors being secured to said power inverter at one end and one of said pair of protective members at the other.

16. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 12

, wherein said protective member is constructed out of a nonconductive material.

17. The mobile AC power system as in

claim 12

, further comprising:

g) an on/off switch for connecting said power inverter to the terminals of said battery.