Power inverter with re-orientable display panel and AC port modules

• US 5,949,640 A
• Filed: 08/19/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Solar Inverters Usa, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Statpower Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Cameron, Robert Fraser, Wong, Samson Chun-Tat
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, GREGORY D
• Application Number:
  US08/914,716
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 307/150, 361/600, 361/622, 361/625, 361/679, 361/695, 361/728-733, 361/735, 361/744, 361/807, 361/809, 361/823
• US Class Current: 361/600
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring

Abstract

A DC to AC power inverter having a housing with an AC power port for receiving an AC power module and a control port for receiving a control panel module.

Claims

1. A DC to AC power inverter having a housing with an AC power port for receiving an AC power module and a control port for receiving a control panel module, and further including a control panel module mountable in different mounting orientations in the control port.

2. The power inverter according to claim 1 wherein the inverter has a plug extending from within said control port and wherein said control panel module has a receptacle for receiving said plug.

3. The power inverter according to claim 1 wherein a receptacle is provided in the control port for connection to a cable joined to the control panel module to permit said control panel module to be positioned remotely from the inverter.

4. The power inverter according to claim 1 wherein the control panel module includes a display indicating power conversion parameters for the inverter.

5. The power inverter according to claim 1 further including an AC power module mounted in said power port, said AC power module having a terminal block for receiving connecting wires and a transfer relay for connecting said connecting wires in electrical contact with said inverter.

6. The power inverter according to claim 5 wherein the AC power module includes an access panel for covering said terminal block.

7. The power inverter according to claim 1 further including an AC power module receivable in the AC power port having a standard, single phase AC receptacle which accepts standard AC appliance plugs.

8. The power inverter according to claim 7 wherein said receptacle includes a North American single phase AC receptacle.

9. The power inverter according to claim 7 wherein said receptacle includes a European receptacle.

10. The power inverter according to claim 7 wherein the AC power module has a European receptacle for 230V.

11. A DC to AC power inverter having a housing with an AC power port for receiving an AC power module and a control port for receiving a control panel module, and further including an AC power module mounted in said power port, said AC power module having a terminal block for receiving connecting wires and a transfer relay for connecting said connecting wires in electrical contact with said inverter.

12. The power inverter according to claim 11 wherein the AC power module includes an access panel for covering said terminal block.