Granted Patent B2

US 7,390,224 · App. 11/498,674 · Granted Jun 24, 2008

Abstract

Claims (35)

1. A system for providing electrical power comprising:

an alternator;

a non-neutral-bonded connector electrically connected to the alternator;

a neutral-bonded connector;

a first power cord including a first connector, the first power cord being electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector and the neutral-bonded connector during a first configuration of the system, the first connector being adapted to promote a first current path from the non-neutral-bonded connector to the neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration;

a second power cord including a second connector and a conductor, the second power cord being electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during a second configuration of the system, the second connector being adapted to promote a second current path from the non-neutral-bonded connector to the conductor during the second configuration;

wherein the first connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the second configuration and the second connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration; and

wherein the first configuration results in neutral-bonded electrical power at the neutral-bonded connector during operation of the alternator, and the second configuration results in non-neutral-bonded electrical power in the conductor during operation of the alternator.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a transfer system electrically connectable to the second power cord during the second configuration and being connectable to utility power, the transfer system including a switch adapted to controllably provide power received from one of the utility power and the alternator.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the second power cord further includes a third connector, wherein the system further comprises a fourth connector electrically connected to the transfer switch, and wherein the third connector provides an electrical connection with the fourth connector during the second configuration.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the connectors is selected from one of a plug and a receptacle.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a second neutral-bonded connector and wherein the first connector is further adapted to promote a third current path from the non-neutral-bonded connector to the second neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration.

6. A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the system further comprises a multiple receptacle having the first and second neutral-bonded connectors.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the multiple receptacle includes a ground fault circuit interrupt.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a receptacle housing including the neutral-bonded connector and being directly connected to the first power cord.

9. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a receptacle housing including the neutral-bonded connector and a third connector, wherein the first power cord includes a fourth connector, and wherein, during the first configuration, the non-neutral-bonded connector is directly coupled to the first connector and the third connector is directly coupled to the fourth connector.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the non-neutral-bonded connector is directly coupled to the second connector during the second configuration.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the non-neutral-bonded connector, the first connector, and the second connector are nonstandard connectors.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the system further comprises an engine for driving the alternator.

13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the alternator includes a rotor interconnected with the engine, and a stator adapted to magnetically interact with the rotor, wherein at least one of the stator and rotor includes a winding, and wherein the non-neutral-bonded connector is electrically connected to the winding.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a portable generator having the alternator, the non-neutral-bonded connector, and the neutral bonded connector.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second power cord includes a circuit breaker connected in circuit with the conductor.

16. A system for providing electrical power comprising:

an engine;

an alternator driven by the engine;

a non-neutral-bonded connector electrically connected to the alternator;

a multiple receptacle box having a first connector and a neutral-bonded connector;

a first power cord including a second connector and a third connector, the first connector being directly connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector and the second connector being directly connected to the first connector during a first configuration of the system;

a second power cord including a fourth connector and a fifth connector, the fourth connector being directly connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during a second configuration of the system;

wherein the first connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the second configuration and the fourth connector is not electrically connected to the non-neutral-bonded connector during the first configuration; and

wherein the first configuration results in neutral-bonded electrical power at the neutral-bonded connector during operation of the alternator, and the second configuration results in non-neutral-bonded electrical power at the fifth connector during operation of the alternator.

17. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein each of the connectors is selected from one of a plug and a receptacle.

18. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the multiple receptacle includes a ground fault circuit interrupt.

19. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises a portable generator having the engine, the alternator, the non-neutral-bonded connector, and the neutral bonded connector.

20. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the second power cord includes a circuit breaker connected in circuit with the conductor.

Assignments (9)