Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Plural supply circuits or sources – Substitute or emergency source
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-27
2003-05-27
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Plural supply circuits or sources
Substitute or emergency source
C307S064000, C307S070000, C307S125000, C307S139000, C307S140000, C361S020000, C361S062000, C335S014000, C335S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06570269
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for supplying power to a load circuit from main and alternate electric power sources.
2. Description of Related Art
Increasing numbers of critical appliances or devices such as computers, alarm systems or heating/cooling systems are being employed in commercial buildings and residences. Many of these appliances and/or devices require a continuous supply of electrical power. Most residential and commercial buildings are wired for AC electric power supplied only from a single utility electric power source. In some areas this utility electric power source can be unreliable or expensive. Consequently, it is desirable to be able to use alternate sources of electric power as backup electric power sources to ensure a continuous supply of electric power or as less expensive electric power sources.
Commonly, alternate electric power sources such as generators and inverters, for example, are wired to separate circuits and separate outlets or are used as alternate electric power sources to a conventional AC electric power distribution panel normally supplied with electrical power from an electric power utility. Connecting individual appliances to separate circuits or separate outlets is impractical, as a user would have to connect each appliance to an appropriate outlet to receive electric power from either the main electric power source or the alternate electric power source, as required. Many generators, for example, have built in AC receptacles by which they supply electric power but they can only accommodate a few appliances or devices at best.
Alternatively, individual devices or appliances can be wired directly to a separate electric power distribution system which may be connected to a transfer mechanism operable to receive electric power from first and second AC electric power sources. This is often done where critical load circuits are to be backed up by an alternate AC electric power source. These load circuits are usually removed from the main electrical panel and wired into a secondary sub-panel. This sub-panel is then powered through a manual transfer switch or automatic transfer switch for controlling electric power supplied to the entire secondary panel. When AC electric power failure occurs from the first source only those devices wired to the separate electric power distribution system are operable to draw electric power from the second AC electric power source. The main disadvantage of this system is that every device or appliance needing backup electric power must be wired to this special, separate electric power distribution system, which may require substantial re-wiring of circuits throughout a building. This has the additional disadvantage of limiting the locations the devices or appliances can be placed, and necessitates circuit rewiring when devices or appliances are moved. In addition, alternately sourcing an AC electric power distribution panel with an alternate source requires the ability to switch large currents which mandates the use of expensive high current switching equipment. Since commercial buildings are often renovated for new tenants, re-wiring for back-up of critical loads and providing an alternate electric power source could quickly become cost prohibitive. This can be a cost prohibitive barrier to market entry for back-up electric power alternative energy products.
In addition, there is currently no device which manages loads by controlling access to separate electric power feeds. Such a device could be useful in controlling energy costs where a user may select an electric power source based on the most economical rates.
What would be desirable therefore is a simple way of supplying certain load circuits normally supplied by an AC electric power distribution panel, with separate sources, in the event that AC electric power failure of the main source occurs or in the event that it is desired to supply a particular local circuit with an alternate source of electric power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems are addressed by providing a method for supplying power to a load circuit from main and alternate electric power sources. The method involves actuating a signal-controlled selector inside a housing, at least a portion of which is received in a breaker receptacle of an electric power distribution panel such that a first conductor on the housing is operable to receive electric power from the electric power distribution panel and a second conductor on the housing is operable to receive electric power from an alternate electric power source, to selectively connect the load circuit to the first conductor or to the second conductor, in response to a control signal.
The method may include causing relative movement between at least one of a transfer contact, a supply contact connected to the first conductor, and an alternate contact connected to the second conductor. This may include moving a plunger in communication with at least one of the transfer contact, the supply contact, and the alternate contact, which may further include imposing a magnetic force on the plunger. The method may also include producing a control signal and producing a magnetic force in response to the control signal. This may involve energizing a solenoid coil operable to produce the magnetic force on the plunger.
The method may also include protecting the load circuit from overload current, and may further include preventing current from being supplied to the load circuit when overload current is supplied to the load from either the panel or the alternate source. This may involve actuating a mechanism when the overload current is supplied to the load circuit, and separating contacts through which current is supplied to the load circuit in response to actuation of the mechanism.
The method may also include arming the mechanism in response to actuation of an exterior portion of an actuator of the mechanism extending outside of the housing, and engaging the contacts through which current is supplied to the load circuit in response to arming of the mechanism.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying power to a load circuit from main and alternate electric power sources. The apparatus includes a housing having a first conductor thereon, at least a portion of the housing being receivable in a breaker receptacle to facilitate receipt of power from the main electric power source at the first conductor, a second conductor on the housing operable to receive electric power from an alternate electric power source, and means for selectively connecting the load circuit to the first conductor or to the second conductor, in response to a control signal.
The apparatus may include a transfer contact, a supply contact connected to the first conductor and an alternate contact connected to the second conductor and means for causing relative movement between at least one of the transfer contact, the supply contact and the alternate contact.
The apparatus may also include a plunger and means for moving the plunger into communication with at least one of the transfer contact, the supply contact and the alternate contact. The means for moving the plunger may include means for imposing a magnetic force on the plunger which may include a solenoid coil operable to be powered by the main electric power source.
The apparatus may further include protection means for protecting the load circuit from overload current, which may also include means for preventing current from being supplied to the load circuit when an overload current is supplied to the load circuit from either the main electric power source or the alternate electric power source.
The apparatus may further include an armable mechanism and means for actuating the mechanism when an overload current is supplied to the load circuit. The mechanism may be operable to positively separate contacts through which current is supplied to the load circuit in response to actuation of the mechanism
McMillan Glenn
Sutcliffe Neil
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
DeBeradinis Robert L.
Sircus Brian
Xantrex International
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