Portable power source

• US 20050031944A1
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Stair, Kenny J., Brandenburg, Billy, Hoenisch, Herbert, Sodemann, Wesley C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,161,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/150
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/12 Starting of engines by means of mobile, e.g. portable, starting sets
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/14 Starting of engines by means of electric starters with external current supply F02N11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/001 Hot plugging or unplugging of load or power modules to or from power distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/122 Provisions for temporary connection of DC sources of essentially the same voltage, e.g. jumpstart cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

A portable power source for starting a variety of outdoor power equipment. The portable power source generally includes a housing, an electrochemical power supply, a switch having an ON position with a fixed contact and a START position with a momentary contact, and a connector connected to the switch. The switch may be electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and, using a cable, the connector is operable to be electrically connected to a starter motor associated with the outdoor power equipment. Actuation of the switch to the START position electrically connects the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor. The portable power source is adapted to be used as a primary power source and an auxiliary power source. The portable power source also includes an integrated light, an air compressor, a power supply indicator, and one or more inputs and outputs to receive and provide direct current (“DC”) and alternating current (“AC”).

Claims

1. A portable power source for starting engine-driven equipment having a starter motor, the portable power source comprising:

an electrochemical power supply;

a housing substantially enclosing the electrochemical power supply;

a switch electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and having an ON position with a fixed contact, and a START position with a momentary contact; and

a connector electrically connected to the switch and operable to be electrically connected to the starter motor.

2. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the switch is connected to the housing, and includes a dial to manually rotate the switch between the ON position and the START position.

3. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the switch is connected to the housing, and includes a toggle portion to manually actuate the switch to the START position.

4. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the fixed contact is adapted to connect the electrochemical power supply as a source of power for a direct current-powered device.

5. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the momentary contact is adapted to connect the electrochemical power supply as a source of power to start the engine.

6. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises one or more keyed terminals electrically connected to the switch.

7. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a first positive terminal, a second positive terminal, and a ground terminal.

8. The portable power source of claim 7, wherein the first positive terminal and the ground terminal are coupled to the engine-driven equipment when the switch is in the ON position.

9. The portable power source of claim 7, wherein the second positive terminal and the ground terminal are coupled to the engine-driven equipment when the switch is in the START position.

10. The portable power source of claim 1, further comprising a charging input connector operable to receive at least one of alternating current and direct current to charge the electrochemical power supply.

11. The portable power source of claim 1, further comprising a cable having one end adapted to be connected to the connector and another end adapted to be electrically connected to the starter motor.

12. The portable power source of claim 11, wherein the cable includes keyed recesses adapted to mate with one or more keyed terminals of the connector.

13. The portable power source of claim 1, further comprising a power supply condition indicator.

14. The portable power source of claim 1, further comprising an air compressor.

15. The portable power source of claim 1, further comprising an inverter and an output connector to supply alternating current.

16. The portable power source of claim 1, further comprising an integrated light.

17. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical power supply includes at least one of a battery and a fuel cell.

18. A system for starting engine-driven equipment having a starter motor, the system comprising:

a portable power source, including

an electrochemical power supply;

a switch having a START position with a momentary contact;

a cable adapted to be electrically connected to the portable power source;

a connector coupled to the engine-driven equipment, electrically connected to the starter motor, and operable to be connected to the cable; and

wherein actuation of the switch to the START position electrically connects the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a housing;

wherein the switch is connected to the housing; and

wherein the switch includes an ON position with a fixed contact, and includes a toggle portion to manually actuate the switch to the START position.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a housing;

wherein the switch is connected to the housing; and

wherein the switch includes an ON position with a fixed contact, and includes a dial to manually rotate the switch between the ON position and the START position.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the fixed contact is adapted to connect the electrochemical power supply as a source of power to an existing starting system.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the cable includes keyed recesses adapted to mate with one or more keyed terminals on the portable power source.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the connector further comprises a first positive terminal, a second positive terminal, and a ground terminal.

24. The portable power source of claim 23, wherein the first positive terminal and the ground terminal are coupled to an existing starting system when the switch is in the ON position.

25. The portable power source of claim 23, wherein the second positive terminal and the ground terminal are coupled to the engine-driven equipment when the switch is in the START position.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein different cables are connected to the portable power source such that one of either the START position or an ON position of the switch is enabled and the other of the START position and the ON position is disabled.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the momentary contact is adapted to connect the electrochemical power supply as a source of power to start the engine.

28. The system of claim 18, further comprising a charging input connector operable to receive at least one of alternating current and direct current to charge the electrochemical power supply.

29. The system of claim 18, further comprising a power supply condition indicator.

30. The system of claim 18, further comprising an air compressor.

31. The system of claim 18, further comprising an inverter and an output connector to supply alternating current.

32. The system of claim 18, further comprising an integrated light.

33. The system of claim 18, wherein the electrochemical power supply includes at least one of a battery and a fuel cell.

34. A method of starting engine-driven equipment having a starter motor comprising:

providing a portable power source having an electrochemical power supply and a momentary contact switch, and adapted to be used as a primary source of power;

electrically connecting a cable to the portable power source;

electrically connecting the cable to the starter motor; and

actuating the momentary contact of the switch to electrically connect the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the engine-driven equipment is provided with a quick-disconnect terminal adapted to be connected to the cable.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

disconnecting the cable from the equipment after the engine has started.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein electrically connecting the cable to the portable power source includes connecting the cable in one orientation corresponding to a keyed terminal configuration.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein actuating the momentary contact of the switch enables a cable having terminals electrically coupled to a ground terminal and a positive terminal associated with the momentary contact.