POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR A GENERATOR

• US 20120261927A1
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Gilpatrick, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US13/089,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20120261927A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/40.B
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

A system for transferring power includes an internal combustion engine and a generator driven by the engine. The system further includes a primary conductor coupled to the generator and a secondary conductor. The secondary conductor is physically independent from the primary conductor and configured to receive energy from the primary conductor through induction.

Claims

1. A system for transferring power, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a generator driven by the engine;

a primary conductor coupled to the generator; and

a secondary conductor physically independent from the primary conductor and configured to receive energy from the primary conductor through induction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary conductor comprises a first coil and the secondary conductor comprises a second coil, and wherein the first and second coils are resonant at about the same frequency.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first fastener configured to hold the primary conductor against a first side of a window; and

a second fastener configured to hold the secondary conductor against a second side of the window opposite to the first side such that the primary and secondary conductors are configured to transfer energy from the generator through glass of the window.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second fasteners comprise suction cups.

5. The system of claim 3, further comprising a housing configured to at least partially surround the primary conductor while the primary conductor is coupled to the window.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a lock assembly configured to lock the housing in a closed configuration to control access to the primary conductor.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the primary conductor is coupled to the generator by a power cord.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the secondary conductor is coupled to an outlet.

9. A system for transferring power into or out of a dwelling, comprising:

first and second assemblies, each comprising;

a coil; and

a power cord coupled to the coil and configured to convey electricity;

wherein the first and second assemblies are configured to be fastened to opposing sides of a structure, the structure being at least one of a window, a wall, a floor, a roof, and a door, and to communicate energy through the structure without a conductor that is physically connected between the first and second assemblies.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the structure is the window, and the system further comprises suction cups configured to fasten the first and second assemblies to opposite sides of the window.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first assembly further comprises a housing configured to at least partially encase the coil of the first assembly while the coil of the first assembly is coupled to the structure.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a lock assembly configured to lock the housing in a closed configuration to control access to the coil of the first assembly.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the structure is at least one of the wall, the floor, the roof, and the door, and wherein the first and second assemblies are fastened to opposite sides of the structure.

14. A system for transferring power, comprising:

a generator designed for outdoor use and comprising an engine;

a first coil coupled to the generator;

a controller configured to distribute electricity to indoor loads; and

a second coil coupled to the controller,

wherein the first and second coils are configured to communicate, between one another via induction, information carried on at least one of a current and a field.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second coils are configured to communicate information through an exterior structure of a dwelling, without use of an aperture in the structure.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the generator is configured to communicate information associated with a status thereof to the controller via induction between the first and second coils.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the generator is configured to receive information associated with a demand for electricity communicated via induction between the first and second coils.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising an interface configured for indoor use by a human operator, and wherein the interface is coupled to the controller and configured to provide information communicated from the generator.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the interface is configured to receive commands related to operation of the generator and to communicate the commands to the generator via the first and second coils.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the interface is configured to provide an audible alert when the information from the generator indicates that the generator is nearly out of fuel.

21. A power transfer system, comprising:

a first assembly comprising a first coil, a first housing at least partially surrounding the first coil, a first power cord coupled to the first coil and extending from the first housing, a lock configured to control access to an interior of the first housing, and a first fastener configured to couple the first assembly to a window;

a second assembly comprising a second coil, a second housing at least partially surrounding the second coil, a second power cord coupled to the second coil and extending from the second housing, and a second fastener configured to couple the second assembly to the window; and

a socket electrically coupled to the first or second power cord;

wherein the first and second assemblies are configured to be fastened to opposing sides of the window, and to communicate energy through the window via induction.

22. The power transfer system of claim 21, wherein the first and second fasteners are suction cups.

23. The power transfer system of claim 22, wherein the suction cups are integrated with the respective first or second assembly so as to be positioned between the respective first or second housing and the window when the respective first or second assembly is coupled to the window.

24. The power transfer system of claim 23, wherein the housing limits access to the suction cups when the lock is engaged.

25. The power transfer system of claim 21, wherein the lock comprises a key hole configured to receive a key to engage and disengage the lock.

26. The power transfer system of claim 21, wherein the second assembly further comprises a second lock configured to control access to an interior of the second housing.

27. The power transfer system of claim 21, wherein the first and second housings are about the same size and shape.

28. The power transfer system of claim 27, wherein the first and second housings are rectilinear.