Stacked cabinet backup generator

• US 6,441,505 B1
• Filed: 12/11/1998
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brauch, Dennis, Coxen, Dave V., Poletti, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US09/209,872
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 322/1, 290/1.R, 290/1.A, 290/1.B, 290/2, 123/41.43, 123/331, 123/339.1, 123/350
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/044 the engine-generator unit being placed on a frame or in an housing
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/066 characterised by the use of dynamo-electric machines H02J9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1815 structurally associated with reciprocating piston engines general aspects of generating sets, e.g. housing, F02B63/04

Abstract

A backup generator located at a remote site provides the advantages of being compact in size but providing backup power over a long period of time. A multi-level cabinet which includes room for a backup generator and a fuel tank is located in close proximity to the electronic devices for which the power will be provided. The fuel tank may be used to hold propane or a similar fuel, and the tank will be included in a stacked structure with the backup generator. The cabinet for the generator includes sufficient structure to protect the electronics of the backup generator from the elements. Connected between the backup generator and a primary power source to the electronic devices, such as a personal communications system (PCS) site, is a sensor which detects when a power failure has occurred. In the event that such a failure has occurred, the backup generator is activated and provides power to the site electronics. Other monitoring equipment may be included with the backup generator so that its operation may be monitored from a remote location.

Claims

1. A backup generator apparatus for providing electrical energy to a remote location comprising:

a cabinet apparatus configured with environmental shutters so to enclose an interior space;

a generator positioned in the interior space of the cabinet, where said generator is configured to be electrically connectable to at least one electronic apparatus;

a self contained fuel source positioned in the interior space of the cabinet and connected to the generator through at least one fuel line; and

monitoring apparatus in electrical connection with the generator, which is configured to monitor a power supply from a primary power source to the at least one electronic apparatus and to automatically activate the generator upon detecting of an outage of the power supply form the primary power sourced and deactivate the generator upon resumption of the primary power supply from the primary power source.

2. The compact generator of claim 1 wherein the generator provides power for personal communications system (PCS) ground station.

3. The compact generator of claim 2 wherein the self contained fuel source is located directly underneath the electrical generator.

4. The compact generator of claim 1 wherein the self contained fuel source is a propane tank and the electrical generator is an internal combustion engine.

5. The compact generator of claim 1 wherein the monitoring apparatus further includes sensors to monitor the amount of fuel in the self contained fuel source.

6. The compact generator of claim 1 wherein the monitoring apparatus further includes sensors to monitor the operational status of the electrical generator.

7. The compact generator of claim 1 wherein the monitoring apparatus monitors energy provided to a remote device, wherein the generator is automatically activated upon detection of a cut in power and deactivated when the power is resumed.

8. The compact generator of claim 1 further including an automatic timer which activates the generator at predetermined intervals for a predetermined amount of time.

9. The compact generator wherein claim 5 the fuel sensor is a simple electrical circuit that is activated to an “

on”

status when the fuel is below a predetermined level.

11. The compact generator of claim 9 wherein the self contained generator is mounted within a weatherproof cabinet.

12. The compact generator of claim 11 wherein a tank which provides fuel to the generator for an extended period of time is mounted in the cabinet.

13. The compact generator of claim 12 wherein the generator is positioned directly above the fuel tank in the cabinet.

15. The compact generator of claim 12 wherein the tank holds propane and the generator is an internal combustion engine.

10. A back up power supply apparatus for a cell/pcs site comprising:

a self contained generator including fuel supply positioned on the cell/pcs site configured to supply electrical energy to operate the the cell/pcs site upon activation; and

an automated electronics apparatus electrically connected to the generator and a remote monitoring station which is configured to monitor a primary power source from a primary power supply and upon detection of an outage of the primary power from the primary power source automatically activate the generator, automatically deactivate the generator upon detection of resumption of the primary power supply form the primary power source and provide to the remote monitoring station status information regarding the generator and the fuel supply.

14. The compact generator of claim 10 wherein the generator provides power for personal communications system (PCS) ground station.

16. The compact generator of claim 10 wherein the monitoring apparatus monitors the amount of fuel in the self contained fuel source.

17. The compact generator of claim 10 wherein the monitoring apparatus monitors the operational status of the electrical generator.

18. The compact generator of claim 10 wherein the monitoring apparatus monitors energy provided to a remote device, wherein the generator is automatically activated upon detection of a cut in power and deactivated when the power is resumed.

19. The compact generator of claim 10 further including an automatic timer which activates the generator at predetermined intervals for a predetermined amount of time.

20. The compact generator of claim 10 wherein the fuel sensor is a simple electrical circuit that is activated to an “

on”

status when the fuel is below a predetermined level.