Apparatus and method for providing a mobile AC power supply

• US 6,577,098 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Griffey, Tammy M., Ingram, Jerry W., Rogge, Everett Roland, Brantley, Randall F., Gidwani, Manu B.
• Primary Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US09/849,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20010043052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/105, 320/103, 320/114, 320/107, 320/113
• US Class Current: 320/104
• 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 twelve volt battery;

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

an AC outlet being positioned on said inverter;

a power input being configured to receive a charging current for said battery, said charging current increasing said batteries state of charge, wherein said AC outlet is disabled when said power input receives a charge;

a control panel being positioned on the outer surface of said inverter, said control panel housing said AC outlet and said power input and wherein said power inverter is fixedly secured to a pair of terminals of said battery and encases said pair of terminals of said battery.

2. The mobile AC power system as in claim 1, wherein said power inverter is configured to have a first dimension large enough to span from the bottom of said battery and to encase said pair of terminals.

3. The mobile AC power system as in claim 2, wherein said power inverter is configured to have a second dimension no greater than the largest dimension between a pair of side walls of said battery.

4. The mobile AC power system as in claim 2, further comprising:

a carrying handle secured to said battery.

5. A mobile AC power system, comprising:

a twelve volt DC battery;

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. The mobile AC power system as in claim 5, wherein said pair of protective members are removably secured to said terminals.

7. The mobile AC power system as in claim 6, 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.

8. A mobile AC power system, comprising:

a twelve volt DC battery;

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

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

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

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

a protective member being configured, dimensioned and positioned to provide a protective covering of said AC outlet, wherein said protective member is constructed out of a nonconductive material.

9. A mobile AC power system, comprising:

a twelve volt DC battery;

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. A mobile AC power system comprising:

a DC battery;

a power inverter electrically coupled to a pair of battery terminals of said battery, said power inverter also being mechanically coupled to said battery, said power inverter being configured to provide a recessed area;

an AC outlet being positioned in said recessed area;

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

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

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

11. The mobile AC power system as in claim 10, wherein said recessed area is positioned along a side of said power inverter.

12. The mobile AC power system as in claim 11, wherein said recessed area is recessed from both a front surface and a side surface of said power inverter.

13. The mobile AC power system as in claim 10, wherein said recessed area provides an awning portion for said AC outlet.

14. The mobile AC power system as in claim 10, wherein said protective member is constructed Out of a flexible nonconductive material.

15. The mobile AC power system as in claim 10, further comprising a pair of removable cover portions for allowing access to said pair of battery terminals.

16. The mobile AC power system as in claim 15, wherein said power inverter is electrically coupled to a pair of secondary terminals of said battery.

17. The mobile AC power system as in claim 15, wherein said power inverter is threadingly engaged to said pair of secondary terminals of said battery.

18. The mobile AC power system as in claim 15, further comprising:

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

19. The mobile AC power system as in claim 15, wherein said removable cover portions are configured to snap-fit onto said power inverter.

20. The mobile AC power system as in claim 15, further comprising:

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

21. The mobile AC power system as in claim 15, wherein said power inverter is configured to continue the exterior faç

ade or features of the exterior of said battery.

22. The mobile AC power system as in claim 15, wherein said AC outlet includes a circuit interruption mechanism.

23. The mobile AC power system as in claim 22, wherein said recessed area is positioned along a side of said power inverter.

24. The mobile AC power system as in claim 23, wherein said recessed area is recessed from both a front surface and a side surface of said power inverter.

25. The mobile AC power system as in claim 24, wherein said recessed area provides an awning portion for said AC outlet.