Portable power source

• US 7,161,253 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Brandenburg, Billy, Sodemann, Wesley C., Hoenisch, Herbert, Stair, Kenny J
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US10/635,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20050031944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/2, 290/1.R, 290/50, 320/104, 320/105, 307/150, 307/66
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• 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;

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

wherein the switch is configured to allow a momentary current from the electrochemical power supply to the connector only for the duration the switch is manually held in the START position; and

wherein the switch is configured to allow a fixed current from the electrochemical power supply to the connector when the switch is manually switched to the ON position.

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 at least one keyed terminal 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 1, further comprising a charging input connector operable to receive a current to charge the electrochemical power supply.

9. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the connector is a first connector, and further comprising a cable having a second connector connected to the first connector and having a third connector configured to be electrically connected to the starter motor.

10. The portable power source of claim 9, wherein the cable includes keyed recesses adapted to mate with one or more keyed terminals of the connector.

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

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

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

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

15. The portable power source of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical power supply includes a battery.

16. The portable power source of claim 7, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and to the connector, and is configured to allow the fixed current through the first positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the second positive terminal, when the switch is in the ON position.

17. The portable power source of claim 7, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and the connector, and is configured to allow the momentary current through the second positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the first positive terminal, when the switch is in the START position.

18. The portable power source of claim 7, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and to the connector, and is configured to

allow the fixed current through the first positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the second positive terminal, when the switch is in the ON position, and

allow the momentary current through the second positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the first positive terminal, when the switch is in the START position.

19. The portable power source of claim 1 wherein a single connector includes a first positive terminal, a second positive terminal, and a ground terminal.

20. The portable power source of claim 19, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and to the connector, and is configured to allow the fixed current through the first positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the second positive terminal, when the switch is in the ON position.

21. The portable power source of claim 19, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and the connector, and is configured to allow the momentary current through the second positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the first positive terminal, when the switch is in the START position.

22. The portable power source of claim 19, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and to the connector, and is configured to

allow the fixed current through the first positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the second positive terminal, when the switch is in the ON position, and

allow the momentary current through the second positive terminal and the ground terminal, but not the first positive terminal, when the switch is in the START position.

23. The portable power source of claim 1, further comprising

a charging input connector operable to receive a current to charge the electrochemical power supply;

a power supply condition indicator;

an air compressor;

an inverter and an output connector to supply alternating current; and

an integrated light.