Utility-interactive inverter system architecture and method of operation thereof
First Claim
1. An electrical power system for transmitting electrical power to and from a distribution panel using a branch circuit, the system comprising:
- at least one premises power source;
a commercial electric power source on a grid,an electrically-powered equipment having a least a portion located outdoors, wherein the electrically-powered equipment comprises climate control equipment, the electrically-powered equipment comprising;
an apparatus that consumes electrical power,a mains input electrically-coupled to the commercial electric power source via the distribution panel, the mains input configured to receive electrical power from or supply electrical power to the grid via the branch circuit and distribution panel,a grid-tied power source input electrically-coupled to the premises power source and the mains input, the grid-tied power source input configured to receive electrical power from the premises power source, andwherein the electrically-powered equipment is configured to output electrical power from the mains input when electrical power received by the grid-tied power source input exceeds a power requirement of the apparatus.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electrically powered equipment and a method of powering the equipment. In one embodiment, the equipment includes: (1) an electric power consuming apparatus, (2) a mains input coupled to the apparatus and configured to be coupled to a branch circuit extending from a distribution panel and allow electric power from the branch circuit to flow to the apparatus and (3) a grid-tied power source input at least intermittently couplable to the mains input and configured to receive electric power from at least one premises power source and allow the electric power to flow to the apparatus or the distribution panel. In a more specific embodiment, the equipment is an outdoor unit.
33 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrical power system for transmitting electrical power to and from a distribution panel using a branch circuit, the system comprising:
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at least one premises power source; a commercial electric power source on a grid, an electrically-powered equipment having a least a portion located outdoors, wherein the electrically-powered equipment comprises climate control equipment, the electrically-powered equipment comprising; an apparatus that consumes electrical power, a mains input electrically-coupled to the commercial electric power source via the distribution panel, the mains input configured to receive electrical power from or supply electrical power to the grid via the branch circuit and distribution panel, a grid-tied power source input electrically-coupled to the premises power source and the mains input, the grid-tied power source input configured to receive electrical power from the premises power source, and wherein the electrically-powered equipment is configured to output electrical power from the mains input when electrical power received by the grid-tied power source input exceeds a power requirement of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for transmitting electrical power to and from a distribution panel using a branch circuit, the method comprising:
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using a mains input of an electrically-powered equipment to receive electrical power; receiving electrical power from at least one premises power source at a grid-tied power source input of the electrically-powered equipment; providing electrical power to an apparatus of the electrically-powered equipment; supplying electrical power to the branch circuit when electrical power received by the grid-tied power source input exceeds an amount required by the apparatus; and wherein the at least one premises power source converts renewable energy into electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An outdoor system for transmitting electrical power to and from a distribution panel using a branch circuit, the outdoor system comprising:
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an electrically-powered equipment having a least a portion located outdoors, the electrically-powered equipment comprising; a motor configured to perform work on fluid in a climate-control system, a mains input electrically-coupled to the motor, the mains input configured to receive electrical power from and supply electrical power to the branch circuit, a grid-tied power source input electrically-coupled to the mains input and the motor, the grid-tied power source configured to receive electrical power from at least one premises power source, and wherein the electrically-powered equipment is configured to output electrical power from the mains input when electrical power received by the grid-tied power source input exceeds a power requirement of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification