Power management system that includes a membrane

• US 8,670,224 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2011
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Little, Michael T., Willmas, Brian T., Hackbarth, Anthony J., Dempster, William S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Gregory
• Application Number:
  US13/289,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20130114186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 361/622
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/018 Application transfer; between utility and emergency power supply circuits in H02J9/04
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a power management system includes a primary power source and a secondary power source. The power management system further includes an enclosure and an electrical component located within the enclosure. The electrical component is connected to the primary power source and the secondary power source. The power management system further includes a membrane that is mounted to an outside of the enclosure. The membrane extends through the enclosure such that the membrane provides information relating to operation of the power management system.

Claims

1. A power management system for use with a power system that includes a primary power source and a secondary power source, the system comprising:

an enclosure;

an electrical component located within the enclosure, the electrical component being connected to the secondary power source; and

a section of a membrane mounted to an outside surface of the enclosure and extending through a portion of the enclosure not covered by the section of the membrane such that the membrane provides information relating to operation of the system.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical component includes an automatic transfer switch that is connected to the primary power source and the secondary power source.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the section of the membrane provides information relating to which of the primary power source and secondary power source are available to power a plurality of loads.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the section of the membrane provides information relating to whether the plurality of loads are being powered by the primary power source or the secondary power source.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical component includes a load management system that is connected to the primary power source and the secondary power source.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the section of the membrane provides information relating to which of a plurality of loads are being supplied with power by the power management system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical component includes a programmable interface module that is connected to the primary power source and the secondary power source.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the section of the membrane provides information relating to which loads are being supplied with power by the power management system.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical component includes a generator controller that is connected the secondary power source.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the section of the membrane provides information relating to which of the primary power source and secondary power source are available to power the loads.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the section of the membrane provides information relating to whether the loads are being powered by the primary power source or the secondary power source.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the section of the membrane provides information relating to which loads are being supplied with power.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure includes a channel such that the section of the membrane is positioned within the channel.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the enclosure includes a roof such that the section of the membrane is positioned below and adjacent to the roof.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure a water-proof enclosure.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the section of the membrane includes a flexible cable that extends through the portion of the enclosure not covered by the section of the membrane.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the section of the membrane includes a connector at an end of the flexible cable, the connecter mating with the electrical component.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the section of the membrane includes an LED to provide information relating to operation of the system.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the section of the membrane includes an interface to permit interaction with the system.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the interface is a button.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the section of the membrane is adhered to the enclosure.