Power inverter
First Claim
1. A power inverter for converting a direct current (DC) power to an alternating current (AC) power, the inverter comprising:
- an input terminal for connecting to an external DC power source, the DC power source having a DC power;
an inverter coupling circuit operable to electrically couple to a first transformer module and a second transformer module, wherein each transformer module is operable to convert at least a portion of the DC power to at least a portion of the AC power;
an output terminal for outputting the AC power to an AC power network;
an AC power network sensor for detecting a property associated with the AC power network;
a DC power sensor for detecting a property associated with the DC power source;
a first switch for electrically connecting the inverter coupling circuit to the output terminal, wherein the state of the first switch is determined by the AC power network sensor; and
a second switch for electrically connecting the DC power source to the inverter coupling circuit, wherein the state of the second switch is determined by the DC power sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power inverter is provided for converting DC power into AC power. The inverter may be operable to couple to two or more transformer modules each operable to convert at least a portion of the DC power to at least a portion of the AC power. In one embodiment, two or more transformer modules are removably coupled to the inverter. In an alternative embodiment, the inverter is capable of electrically coupling to an externally-housed transformer module. In an alternative embodiment, the inverter may include two or more transformer modules hard-wired into the device. The inverter may include an AC safety plug for releasably connecting to an AC power network and outputting AC power. The inverter may include one or more sensors configured to detect one or more properties of the AC power network for the purposes of determining whether a connection to the power network should be established.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A power inverter for converting a direct current (DC) power to an alternating current (AC) power, the inverter comprising:
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an input terminal for connecting to an external DC power source, the DC power source having a DC power; an inverter coupling circuit operable to electrically couple to a first transformer module and a second transformer module, wherein each transformer module is operable to convert at least a portion of the DC power to at least a portion of the AC power; an output terminal for outputting the AC power to an AC power network; an AC power network sensor for detecting a property associated with the AC power network; a DC power sensor for detecting a property associated with the DC power source; a first switch for electrically connecting the inverter coupling circuit to the output terminal, wherein the state of the first switch is determined by the AC power network sensor; and a second switch for electrically connecting the DC power source to the inverter coupling circuit, wherein the state of the second switch is determined by the DC power sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A power inverter for converting a direct current (DC) power to an alternating current (AC) power, the inverter comprising:
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an input terminal for connecting to an external DC power source, the DC power source having a DC power; an inverter coupling circuit comprising a transformer operable to convert at least a portion of the DC power to at least a portion of the AC power; an output safety plug for outputting the AC power, the output safety plug comprising; an output terminal for connecting to a socket configured to receive the output safety plug, wherein the socket is connected to an AC power network; a contact sensor for detecting a sufficient contact between the output terminal of the output safety plug and the socket, wherein the contact sensor is connected to the safety plug; and a first switch for electrically connecting the inverter coupling circuit to the output terminal of the safety plug, wherein the state of the first switch is determined by the contact sensor; an AC power network sensor for detecting a property associated with the AC power network; a DC power sensor for detecting a property associated with the DC power source; a second switch for electrically connecting the inverter coupling circuit to the output terminal of the output safety plug, wherein the state of the second switch is determined by the AC power network sensor; and a third switch for electrically connecting the DC power source to the inverter coupling circuit, wherein the state of the third switch is determined by the DC power sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification