Portable power system

• US 9,716,405 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2013
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peppermint Energy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Peppermint Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Gramm, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evans, James
• Application Number:
  US13/870,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20130285452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 307 48, 307 66
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/02 using a single network for simultaneous distribution of power at different frequencies; using a single network for simultaneous distribution of ac power and of dc power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

An electronic circuit that accepts a variable DC voltage power source and converts it to a constant DC power source, the energy of which is either stored in a battery bank or sent out to DC loads or AC loads via a DC/AC conversion subsystem. The device capable of using solar, wind, geothermal, or hydroelectric energy sources.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device, comprising:

an input DC power source;

a DC/DC voltage converter for converting the input power;

a battery for storing the converted DC voltage;

a DC/AC voltage converter; and

an AC voltage outlet; and

a plurality of solar panels for collecting solar radiation and converting it to become the source of the DC voltage; and

a base for housing for foregoing components where the base has a first half and a second half hinged to fold the first and second halves into a closed and open position such that in the open position the solar panels are exposed and in the closed position the solar panels are not exposed in the manner of a suitcase,

wherein the device converts solar radiation into AC power directly, without the aid of the battery, regardless of whether the battery is fully charged for storing electricity.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the DC/DC voltage converter is a boost converter.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the DC/DC voltage converter is a SEPIC converter.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the DC/DC voltage converter is a flying capacitor converter.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the DC/AC converter is an H-bridge converter.

6. The device of claim 1 comprising a power voltage bus for carrying power between the device components.

7. The device of claim 1 comprising a DC voltage outlet for delivering power from the battery.

8. The device of claim 1 comprising control circuitry that controls a semiconductor switching scheme to provide a desired output voltage.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein input DC power source comes from a device that generates power from wind.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein input DC power source comes from a device that generates power from a geothermal source.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein input DC power source comes from a device that generates power from a hydroelectric source.