Power pack for cordless tools and electronics

• US 6,479,964 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aerodyne Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aerodyne Corporation
• Inventors: Woodroffe, Jaime, Stickler, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/775,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20020113573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 320/115, 310/12, 310/13, 310/14, 310/36
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/041 Linear electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 71/04 Adaptations of such engines for special use; Combinations of such engines with apparatus driven thereby
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/34 Ultra-small engines, e.g. for driving models
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1415 with a generator driven by a prime mover other than the motor of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/04 with moving coil systems and stationary magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1884 structurally associated with free piston engines

Abstract

A portable self-contained power pack is described including a miniature internal combustion motor/alternator combination with an attached fuel supply. The electrical output from the motor/alternator is rectified and controlled to provide a DC output. The DC output is used to charge batteries and/or capacitors. The power pack is designed to be of a weight and size so that it may be carried while in use on the person of the user. The DC output and the batteries and/or capacitors are connected and power personal items. These personal items include, but are not limited to, cell phones, portable radios, laptops, stand alone computers, music and video players and recorders, personal electronic organizers, games and cordless power tools.

Claims

1. A portable power pack for powering personal items comprising:

an internal combustion motor with an integral generator, wherein the internal combustion motor and integral generator are constructed as an inseparable single module that only functions together as a unit,

a fuel supply constructed and arranged to supply fuel to the motor/generator,

an electrical power output from the generator,

an electronic circuit comprising a rectifier and controller that accepts the electrical power output and provides a DC output,

means for storing electrical energy, and means for connecting the DC output to the means for storing electrical energy, and means for connecting the DC output and the means for storing electrical energy to a load.

4. The power pack as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a first electrical cable connecting a first module comprising the motor/alternator to a second module comprising the electronic circuit and the means for storage, and a second cable connecting the second module to an item to be powered.

5. The power pack as defined in claim 1 wherein the motor/alternator and the electrical circuit and means for storage is packaged as a module wherein the module weighs less than two kilograms.

6. The power pack as defined in the claim 1 wherein the power pack is of a size and weight suitable for being carried by a user.

7. The power pack as defined in claim 1 wherein the fuel supply is constructed as a module separated from the motor/generator, and further comprising a fuel delivery system.

8. The power pack as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for storing electrical energy comprises at least one battery.

9. The power pack as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for storing electrical energy comprises capacitors.

10. The power pack as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for storing electrical energy comprises batteries and capacitors.

2. A portable power pack for powering personal items comprising:

a combustion motor with an integral alternator, herein referenced as a motor/alternator,

a fuel supply constructed and arranged to supply fuel to the motor/alternator,

an electrical power output from the motor/alternator,

an electronic circuit that accepts the electrical power output and provides a DC output, and

means for connecting the DC output to a load.

3. A portable power pack for powering personal items comprising:

a combustion motor with an integral alternator, herein referenced as a motor/alternator,

a fuel supply constructed and arranged to supply fuel to the motor/alternator,

an electrical power output from the motor/alternator,

an electronic circuit that accepts the electrical power output and provides a DC output,

means for storing electrical energy, and

means for connecting the DC output to the means for storing electrical energy.

11. A portable power pack for powering personal electronic items and cordless hand tools comprising:

an internal combustion motor with an integral generator, herein referenced as a motor/generator, wherein the motor/generator is constructed as an inseparable single module that only functions together as a unit,

a fuel supply constructed and arranged to supply fuel to the motor/generator,

an electrical power output from the generator,

an electronic circuit comprising a rectifier and controller that accepts the electrical power output and provides a DC output,

rechargeable batteries and capacitors connected to the DC output, wherein the rechargeable batteries and the capacitors accept and store electrical energy from the DC output,

an electrical load, and a electrical conductive cable connecting the DC output and the rechargeable batteries and the capacitors to the electrical load.

12. The power pack as defined in claim 11 wherein the integrated motor/alternator is constructed as a module, and where the fuel supply is constructed as a module, and where the electrical circuit and the batteries or capacitors or both are constructed as a module, and further comprising conduit means for transporting the fuel to the integrated motor/alternator, and electrically conductive cables connecting the integrated motor/alternator to the electrical circuit and the batteries or capacitors or both, wherein the electrical circuit provides a DC output, and a second electrically conductive cable connecting the DC output to a load, and wherein each of the above modules is arranged and constructed for being carried by a user.

13. The power pack as defined in claim 12 wherein all the mentioned modules combined weigh less than two kilograms.