Electric power system and method of operating the same

• US 7,390,224 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton LLC (Briggs & Stratton Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Stair, Kenny J., Sodemann, Wesley C., Gull, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen; Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US11/498,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20060270280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 439/638, 439/502, 439/623, 439/535, 439/151, 439/683, 439/215, 439/490, 439/652, 439/214, 439/150, 307/147, 307/150, 290/1.A, 290/2, 290/4.A, 290/5, 290/38.R, 290/30.A, 310/68.A, 310/71
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/066 characterised by the use of dynamo-electric machines H02J9/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for providing electric power and a method of controlling the same. The system includes a local power source, a non-neutral-bonded connector electrically connected to the local power source, a neutral-bonded connector, and a conductor. The system also includes a first connector that provides an electrical connection between the non-neutral-bonded connector and the neutral-bonded connector in a first configuration of the system, and a second connector that provides an electrical connection between the non-neutral-bonded connector and the conductor in a second configuration of the system.

Claims

1. A system for providing electrical power comprising:

an alternator;

a non-neutral-bonded connector electrically connected to the alternator;

a neutral-bonded connector;

a first power cord including a first connector, the first power cord being electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector and the neutral-bonded connector during a first configuration of the system, the first connector being adapted to promote a first current path from the non-neutral-bonded connector to the neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration;

a second power cord including a second connector and a conductor, the second power cord being electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during a second configuration of the system, the second connector being adapted to promote a second current path from the non-neutral-bonded connector to the conductor during the second configuration;

wherein the first connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the second configuration and the second connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration; and

wherein the first configuration results in neutral-bonded electrical power at the neutral-bonded connector during operation of the alternator, and the second configuration results in non-neutral-bonded electrical power in the conductor during operation of the alternator.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a transfer system electrically connectable to the second power cord during the second configuration and being connectable to utility power, the transfer system including a switch adapted to controllably provide power received from one of the utility power and the alternator.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the second power cord further includes a third connector, wherein the system further comprises a fourth connector electrically connected to the transfer switch, and wherein the third connector provides an electrical connection with the fourth connector during the second configuration.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the connectors is selected from one of a plug and a receptacle.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a second neutral-bonded connector and wherein the first connector is further adapted to promote a third current path from the non-neutral-bonded connector to the second neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration.

6. A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the system further comprises a multiple receptacle having the first and second neutral-bonded connectors.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the multiple receptacle includes a ground fault circuit interrupt.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a receptacle housing including the neutral-bonded connector and being directly connected to the first power cord.

9. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a receptacle housing including the neutral-bonded connector and a third connector, wherein the first power cord includes a fourth connector, and wherein, during the first configuration, the non-neutral-bonded connector is directly coupled to the first connector and the third connector is directly coupled to the fourth connector.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the non-neutral-bonded connector is directly coupled to the second connector during the second configuration.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the non-neutral-bonded connector, the first connector, and the second connector are nonstandard connectors.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the system further comprises an engine for driving the alternator.

13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the alternator includes a rotor interconnected with the engine, and a stator adapted to magnetically interact with the rotor, wherein at least one of the stator and rotor includes a winding, and wherein the non-neutral-bonded connector is electrically connected to the winding.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a portable generator having the alternator, the non-neutral-bonded connector, and the neutral bonded connector.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second power cord includes a circuit breaker connected in circuit with the conductor.

16. A system for providing electrical power comprising:

an engine;

an alternator driven by the engine;

a non-neutral-bonded connector electrically connected to the alternator;

a multiple receptacle box having a first connector and a neutral-bonded connector;

a first power cord including a second connector and a third connector, the first connector being directly connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector and the second connector being directly connected to the first connector during a first configuration of the system;

a second power cord including a fourth connector and a fifth connector, the fourth connector being directly connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during a second configuration of the system;

wherein the first connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the second configuration and the fourth connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration; and

wherein the first configuration results in neutral-bonded electrical power at the neutral-bonded connector during operation of the alternator, and the second configuration results in non-neutral-bonded electrical power at the fifth connector during operation of the alternator.

17. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein each of the connectors is selected from one of a plug and a receptacle.

18. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the multiple receptacle includes a ground fault circuit interrupt.

19. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises a portable generator having the engine, the alternator, the non-neutral-bonded connector, and the neutral bonded connector.

20. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the second power cord includes a circuit breaker connected in circuit with the conductor.