Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Plural supply circuits or sources – Substitute or emergency source
Utility Patent
1999-04-16
2001-01-02
Fleming, Fritz (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Plural supply circuits or sources
Substitute or emergency source
C307S085000, C307S070000
Utility Patent
active
06169340
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electrical connectors, particularly to an electrical junction box for connecting an auxiliary power source to an electrical appliance, and more particularly to a cover plate having a quick and easy connection for an electrical junction box for connecting auxiliary power, and which includes a switch whereby only a single appliance can be connected to the auxiliary power source.
Auxiliary power sources, such as a generator, battery bank, etc., have long been used as backup for a main power supply. Generators, for example, are usually connected to the main power circuit of the building via an extension cord normally having a female type end connector. Thus, various electrical connector devices have been developed to interconnect the extension cord of the generator to the main power circuit of the building, such connections usually being made via an electrical outlet in the building whereby current flows back to the main breaker panel and on to the various electrical outlets, switches, etc. Such prior known electrical connector devices for connecting an auxiliary power source to the main power circuit is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,301 issued Jun. 2, 1992.
A problem which has existed relative to the use of generators, for example, for home use is that the generator is not large enough to supply sufficient power to the entire household, and thus certain appliances, when used, draw all the current produced, whereby the generator is ineffective. Also, with a normal power outage, gas appliances, for example a furnace such as those operating on natural gas or propane cannot operate even though there is a supply of gas, and even with an auxiliary power supply connected to the main power circuit there is insufficient power produced with small generators to operate the furnace because of the power being directed to other areas of the household. Thus, under cold temperature conditions, for example, the gas furnace cannot operate even though a small generator is being utilized to power the household. Also, it has been previously necessary to disconnect one of the hard wire connections to isolate an appliance.
The present invention provides a solution to the problems associated with the above-referenced use of small household auxiliary power sources, such as generators. The invention involves a junction box cover or plug connector mounted, for example, adjacent a gas furnace having a male connector for connection to a female extension cord, and which includes a switch where, when activated, power from the generator is directed only to the electrical circuit of the furnace and is not fed back to the main breaker panel. During non-auxiliary power use, the switch is activated to connect power from the main breaker panel to the furnace and bypass the connection to the male connector of the junction box. The junction box may include a protective circuit breaker in the circuit. The invention provides a quick and easy connection which can isolate and connect a single appliance to an auxiliary generator without having to disconnect one of the hard wire connections at the appliance or the main breaker box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector between an electrical appliance and an auxiliary power source.
A further object of the invention is to provide a cover connector for an electrical junction box for an auxiliary power supply.
Another object of the invention is to provide a junction box cover that allows a quick and easy connection for an auxiliary power source to a single hard wired appliance.
Another object of the invention is to enable connection of an auxiliary power source to a selected electrical appliance while preventing current flow back to the main breaker panel.
Another object of the invention is to provide a junction box cover plate for interconnecting an auxiliary power source to an appliance, such as a gas furnace, and which includes a switch for controlling electrical current to the appliance from either the auxiliary power or from the main breaker panel, and or preventing current flow to the main breaker panel or to electrical contacts of the junction box.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. The present invention is basically an electrical connector device for transmitting power between a female connector device, such as the power output of an auxiliary generator, to an electrical appliance. The invention involves an electrical junction box cover plate or plug connector for auxiliary power and enables a quick and easy connection of an auxiliary power source (generator, battery bank, etc.) to a single hard wired appliance. The invention is primarily for use by homeowners and small businesses, and the single appliance may, for example, be a natural gas or propane furnace, pellet stove, sump pump, fireplace insert, etc. to be powered by a small generator. The junction box cover plate includes a switch assembly and may include a protective circuit breaker. The switch assembly is constructed such that it connects either the main power circuit or the auxiliary power source to the single appliance. Thus, by the switch assembly, when the main power circuit is applied, the junction box connector is disconnected from the connector to the auxiliary source, and when the auxiliary power source is applied, the main power circuit is disconnected and no current from the auxiliary power source or junction box is fed back to the main breaker panel.
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Product information from Gen/Tran Corporation, www.gen-tran.com, copyright 1999,2000.
Product information from Connecticut Electric Products, www.connecticut-electric.com, copyright 1999.
Product information from Relaince Time Controls, www.reliancecontrols.com, copyright 1999.
Carnahan L. E.
Fleming Fritz
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