Power generation and control system
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising a power generation and control system for preventing power from flowing to a power grid from a circuit, located in an end user establishment, including a branch circuit having an individual circuit breaker, during a power outage that can be installed in an end user establishment, the system having:
- a main power flow controller for controlling a flow of power between the power grid and the circuit, said controller including;
an input connected to the power grid;
an output connected to the circuit;
a power sensor for sensing the flow of power; and
a power control switch located between the power grid and the circuit interrupting the flow of power between the power grid and the circuit when there is no power in the grid, said switch being configured to allow a power generation device to be attached to the branch circuit downstream of the individual circuit breaker and not require communication between the control system and the power generation device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power generation and control system is easily installed in a consumer household, a business, or an end-user establishment for generating power and preventing power from flowing to a power grid from a consumer circuit during a power outage. A communications transceiver is adapted to transmit a permission signal for allowing power generation only after the control system has been installed. The control system can be adapted to replace an existing circuit breaker in a household circuit breaker box and prevents power from traveling from consumer power generators to the grid during a power outage. In the same manner that end-users can add appliances to existing circuits, end-users can easily add additional power generation devices without hiring a professional electrician and without worrying about causing harm to utility workman during power outages.
17 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising a power generation and control system for preventing power from flowing to a power grid from a circuit, located in an end user establishment, including a branch circuit having an individual circuit breaker, during a power outage that can be installed in an end user establishment, the system having:
a main power flow controller for controlling a flow of power between the power grid and the circuit, said controller including; an input connected to the power grid; an output connected to the circuit; a power sensor for sensing the flow of power; and a power control switch located between the power grid and the circuit interrupting the flow of power between the power grid and the circuit when there is no power in the grid, said switch being configured to allow a power generation device to be attached to the branch circuit downstream of the individual circuit breaker and not require communication between the control system and the power generation device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16)
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7. A power generation and control system adapted to be installed in an end user establishment circuit, including a branch circuit having an individual circuit breaker, for preventing power from flowing to a power grid from the circuit during a power outage, the system comprising:
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a power generating device for producing power when connected to the branch circuit downstream of the individual circuit breaker; and a main power flow controller for controlling a flow of power between the power grid and the circuit, said controller including; an input adapted to be connected to the power grid; an output adapted to be connected to the circuit; a power control switch adapted to be located between the power grid and the circuit for interrupting the flow of power between the power grid and the circuit when there is no power in the power grid; and a communications transceiver for giving permission for the power generation device to put power onto the circuit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for installing in an end user establishment a control system for controlling distribution of power between a power grid and a circuit including a branch circuit having an individual circuit breaker and for allowing anyone to attach a power generation device to the branch circuit, said method comprising:
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installing the control system in the end user establishment between the power grid and the circuit; generating a permission signal with the control system to indicate a presence of the control system; enabling the power generation device to provide power only when the permission signal is provided by the control system; and allowing installation of the power generation device in the end user establishment and connection of the device to the branch circuit downstream of the individual circuit breaker by anyone when the control system is present. - View Dependent Claims (15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification