Automotive/home power interconnection system

• US 4,507,720 A
• Filed: 07/26/1982
• Issued: 03/26/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saf-T-Plug Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Safe-T-Pull, Inc.
• Inventors: Colbrese, Nick P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/400,291
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9, 307/10 R, 307/67, 307/68, 363/13, 363/102, 363/105, 363/135, 363/146
• US Class Current: 363/13
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/537 using semiconductor devices only, e.g. single switched pulse inverters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/126 the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]

Abstract

A system for conveniently and safely accessing and utilizing the electrical system of a vehicle to provide suitable electrical power output for emergency use with conventional appliances and lighting fixtures, by electrifying the existing parallel distribution wiring system of a home or otherwise. Said system may further access and utilize the electrical system of a vehicle to provide suitable electric power for remote or mobile use, and is amenable to automotive, marine, aircraft, industrial or stationary use.

Claims

1. A system for connecting the electrical system of an electrical source having a first electrical output, for converting said first electrical output of such source to a second electrical output of differing electrical characteristics from those of said first electrical output, and for providing said second electrical output to external electrical devices, said system comprising:

battery access connection means for connecting the input of said system to said electrical source, said battery access connection means comprising first male plug connection means operably connected to said electrical source, said first male plug connection means including a multiplicity of male electrically conducting first prong means, said first prong means being geometrically polarized for permitting connection to cooperating female plug connection means in one orientation only;

second male plug connection means having male electrically conducting second prong means which are geometrically polarized for removable operable electrical connection with said female plug connection means and, in turn, said electrical source;

said female plug connection means further including a multiplicity of female electrically conducting socket means, said female socket means being designed to cooperate with and slidably engage said male electrically conducting first and second prong means of said respective first and second male plug connection means as well as insulating body means of suitable insulating material, said body means substantially encasing said female electrically conducting socket means, said body means further including respective apertures aligned therewithin said body means with said female electrically conducting socket means, whereby said first and second male electrically conducting prong means may pass through said apertures and slidably engage said female socket means, said female plug connection means and said insulating body means being integrated to form a single assembly in which said corresponding female electrically conducting socket means are internally electrically connected,

converter means operably and electrically integrated with said second male plug connection means and, in turn, said electrical source for converting said first electrical output of said source to said second electrical output of differing electrical characteristics;

first insulated electric cable means with a multiplicity of electrical conductors, said insulated electric cable means being attached to said second male plug connection means at said cable'"'"'s first end, said multiplicity of conductors being attached to said multiplicity of male electrically conducting second prong means, and said first insulated electric cable being attached to said converter means at its second end;

output connection means for connecting said second electrical output of said converter means to external loads; and

output insulated electric cable means with a multiplicity of electrical conductors, said output insulated electric cable means being attached at its first end to the output of said converter means, and attached at its second end to said output connection means.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first electrical output comprises approximately 12 volt direct current electrical power, and wherein said second electrical output comprises approximately 110 volt peak to peak alternating current at approximately 60 Hertz.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said converter means comprises:

electrical motor means;

electrical generating means; and

coupling means coupling the rotating output shaft of said electrical motor means to the rotatable input shaft of said electrical generating means.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein:

said electrical motor means comprises direct current shunt motor means; and

said electrical generating means comprises electrical alternator means.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said converter means comprises relaxation oscillator means, said relaxation oscillator including a unijunction transistor means cooperating with silicon controlled rectifier means to produce a controllable frequency alternating current electrical signal from said first electrical source, said alternating current electrical signal being further applied to transformer means to obtain said second electrical output.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said output connection means comprises female output socket means, said female output socket means for cooperating with standard male electrical appliance plug means.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said output connection means comprises:

first insulated connection plug means, said first insulated connection plug means including a multiplicity of first electrical contacts connected to said multiplicity of conductors of said insulated output electric cable;

insulated house plug means, said house plug means including a multiplicity of second electrical contacts designed to cooperate with and electrically engage said first electrical contacts of said first insulated connection plug means, said second electrical contacts being substantially protected and insulated by the housing of said house plug means, and said house plug means being designed to cooperate with said insulated connection plug means to allow the electrical engagement of said first and second multiplicity of electrical contacts;

said multiplicity of second electrical contacts of said insulated house plug means being connected to the parallel power distribution wiring system of a structure to provide access to and to permit the energization of said wiring system.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises current limiting means, said current limiting means connected to said converter means and designed to prevent said second electrical output from exceeding a predefined maximum amperage current.