US 20060087122A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0087122 A1
Sheffield (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 27, 2006
(54) ELECTRIC SURPLUS POWER GENERATOR (52) U.S. Cl. ............................................................. 29Of1 R
(76) Inventor: Kent Saunders Sheffield, Richmond,
VA (US) (57) ABSTRACT
Correspondence Address:
Kent Saunders Sheffield The Enviromentally Clean Rechargable Power Supply is a
706 Glenhaven Ct. small portable totally electric rechargable source of both 12
Richmond, VA 23236 (US) volt DC 15 amp electricity and up to 700 watts and 6.5 amps
of 110 volt AC electricity. Invention can be recharged with
(21) Appl. No.: 10/972,889 a conventional battery charger. Invention is enviromentally
(22) Filed: Oct. 25, 2004 clean and can be operated indoors or outdoors. Uses include
but but are not limited to emergency power to light homes
Publication Classification and apartments, back up power to operate computers in
homes and offices, power for lighting boats and RVs, power
(51) Int. Cl. to operate trolling motors, charge automotive and marine
HO2K 7/18 (2006.01) batteries and provide a source of electricity for camp light
F03G 7/08 (2006.01) ing, radios etc. Larger models can provide power to operate
FO2B 63/04 (2006.01) Small scooters, go karts etc. with electric drive motors.
Patent Application Publication Apr. 27, 2006 Sheet 1 of 2 US 2006/0087122 A1

DRAWING 1.

II, FIT a
Patent Application Publication Apr. 27, 2006 Sheet 2 of 2 US 2006/0087122 A1

fC
US 2006/00871 22 A1 Apr. 27, 2006

ELECTRIC SURPLUS POWER GENERATOR inch bore alloy pulley. The bore of pulley is reduced using
a bronze bushing to five sixteenths inches dia. to fit drive
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION motor shaft. The alternator pulley is a standard Delco two
0001 Prior to my invention small portable electric gen and five eights inch dia. pulley. Both pulleys are A width V
erators relied on a fuel source Such as gasoline to power an belt pulleys. A standard Delco cooling fan cog is used to cool
internal combustion engine that drives the generator. These alternator and drive motor. A Prym Dritz brand round black
engines are generally noisy and exhaust gases pollute the air. rubber replacement sewing machine belt is used to turn
alternator. This belt is elastic and can be stretched over
These generators can not be safely operated indoors without pulleys. The approximate operating rpms of alternator is
venting exhaust gases to the outside. The possibility of 2,800 rpms producing approximately 20 amps DC electricity
carbon monoxide poison ing is always present. Those gen at 12 volts. A 3 L V belt can be substituted for sewing
erators without battery and starter require physical exertion machine belt with a slight drop in alternator rpms. 3 L V belt
to start engine. should be installed with just enough tension so belt doesn’t
0002 Power supplies relying solely upon batteries gen slip on pulleys. All casting lines and burrs should be
nerally need more than one battery to extend intervals removed from inside of pulleys.
between recharging. Because of this need for multiple 0006 The drive motor and alternator are grounded to the
batteries these power Supplies can become heavy and not as angle iron frame that Supports the alternator. The alternator
portable. All of the above mentioned problems or drawbacks is mounted to the bottom surfaces of two parallel one inch
are solved or inproved upon with the invention of my by one inch by one eighth inch thick angle iron rails with one
Enviromentally Clean Rechargable Power Supply. three eighth inch dia. by three inch long hex bolt on one rail
0003) The Enviromentally Clean Rechargable Power and one quarter inch dia. by one and one half inch long hex
Supply utilizes one battery to start a fractional horsepower bolt on opposite rail length. The angle iron rails are part of
drive motor that turns an alternator. Multiple batteries are a rectangular welded frame that Supports alternator. The
not necessary. Alternator runs drive motor and charges original bolt mounting holes of alternator are used. A
battery. The Enviromentally Clean Rechargable Power Sup wooden base Supports the angle iron frame. The drive motor
ply is enviromentally friendly. Being totally electric there is is secured to the inside wall of one end of the wooden frame
no air pollution and minimal noise pollution. My invention with wood screws. The wooden base is composed of a nine
can be safely operated indoors or outdoors. Recharging of and one eighth long piece of 2 by 8 inch pine board with
battery from an outside source is necessary from time to time finnished size of one and one half inch thick by seven and
but easily accomplished using conventional automotive bat one quarter inches wide. Two three quarter inch thick by
tery charger. seven and one quarter inch wide and seven inches tall pine
boards are secured to the ends of the base with three wood
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION screws each and a small Simpson brand metal framing right
0004) The Enviromentally Clean Rechargable Power angle Support at each inside right angle of wooden frame. A
Supply is a small, portable, totally electric supplier of 12 volt one eighth inch thick by seven and one quarter inch long by
DC and 110 volt AC electricity. Stored electricity from an three quarter inch wide aluminum channel caps each end
automotive battery starts a small fractional horsepower 12 support of the wooden frame. They are secured with two
flush mounted wood screws each. The wooden frame serves
volt DC electric drive motor that turns an automotive as a ji for welding the angle iron frame. Two ten and three
alternator. The alternator produces 12 volt DC electricity to quarter inch long pieces of angle iron are placed with bottom
power the drive motor and charge the battery. Battery must flat Surface resting on ends of aluminum channels. Then
be recharged from an outside source when battery Voltage seven and one halfinch widths of angle iron are placed over
drops below that necessary to maintain drive motor at the lengths at each end and welded in place. The angle iron
operating rpms. A power inverter provides the 110 volt AC rack is secured to the aluminum channels with four sheet
electricity. Recharging is accomplished through use of a metal screws, one screw at each corner. See Drawing 1, FIG.
convention all battery charger (automotive). Invention B.
requires no flamible fuel to operate, does not pollute the air,
cost to operate is minimal, with little physical effort to start 0007. The electric drive motor is wired directly to the
other than flipping three Small Switches and is rechargable. battery, positive wire to positive battery terminal and nega
Battery can be recycled. tive wire to negative battery terminal. An inline 15 amp fuse
placed between battery and drive motor of positive wire
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE protects drive motor. The alternator is wired as follows. A
INVENTION two wire, one white and one red Delco or after market
ignition Voltage regulator plug is Snap ped into place on
0005. The Enviromentally Clean Rechargable Power lower side of alternator housing. The white positive wire is
Supply or ECRPS is a small portable totally electric rechar connected to an ON OFF toggle switch with wire from
gable from outside source 12 volt DC and 110 volt AC Switch going to positive battery terminal. This wire sends
power supply. A 12 volt DC automotive wet cell battery or current to excite alternator so that electricity can be pro
a 12 volt DC lawn tractor battery starts a small 3,000 rpm 5 duced in the alternator. The red wire is also positive and is
amp fractional hp 12 volt DC permanent magnet drive connected to the positive output terminal of alternator. A
motor. Horsepower is approximately one tenth hp. This second red positive wire is connected to the output terminal
motor belt drives an early model 78 amp Delco automotive of the alternator and carries current back to the battery. This
alternator with internal Voltage regulator. Alternator runs wire is also connected to the positive terminal of battery.
drive motor and charges battery. A 700 watt 6.5amp 110 volt Diodes already inside the alternator keep the current flowing
AC Vector model VEC 062 power inverter is wired to in the right direction. See Drawing 1, FIG. C.
battery and uses reserve stored power from battery to
operate. All components are negative ground. The drive 0008. The internal voltage regulator must be capable of
motor is fitted with a two and one half inch dia. by one half maintaining the battery at 11.5 volts to operate the Vector
US 2006/00871 22 A1 Apr. 27, 2006

power invertor. Some power inverters will work as low as MOTOR (DM) switch to the ON position. Wait about five
10.5 volts. The Delco or after market internal voltage seconds for drive motor to reach operating speed. Drive
regulator used should not drop below 11.5 volts before motor switch is just to right of exciter switch. Now press to
charging the battery. The higher the cut in the better to the ON position the small rocker switch of power inverter
Sustain drive motor rpms and alternator output. Vector power found to the right of power inverter outlets. Wait for the
inverter is wired directly to the battery, red positive wire to small red LED light to go off and the small green LED light
positive battery terminal and black negative wire to negative to come on. Both lights are found above ON.OFF rocker
battery terminal. Power inverter is mounted above the bat power inverter switch. Make sure to match capabilities of
tery, alternator and drive motor on a 22 gauge galvanized power inverter with device being used. With electrical
sheet metal shelf. See Drawing 2, FIG. A. device turned off plug 110 volt AC device into one of three
0009. The cabinet of the Enviromentally Clean Rechar outlets. Make Sure device plug and power cord are in good
gable Power Supply is constructed of 22 gauge galvanized condition. Plug should be a grounded three prong type. If
sheet metal. Cabinet size is fifteen and one quarter inches you are uncertain of power requirements of electrical device
long by eleven and seven eighth inches wide and tall. Four you intend to use read electrical input data usually found on
hard rubber viberation dampening feet are bolted to bottom most devices. If this can not be obtained, consult with
of cabinet. A hinged 22 gauge control panel cover made of manufacturer for specifications before attempting to use in
galvanized sheet metal with rolled bottom edge is mounted power inverter. It is important to match power requirements
using piano hinges Control panel cover is lockable. Inside of electrical device to power inverter. Should small red light
control panel from left to right is the power inverter, come on while operating a device, turn OFF power inverter
alternator exciter switch that operates independently of the rocker Switch and unplug electricial device from power
drive motor switch, the drive motor switch and finally in far inverter outlet. You are at or above the power capabilities of
right hand position the 15 amp fused 12 volt DC power power inverter. Should an alarm sound while operating an
outlet. Three 110 volt AC outlets are found on the far left electrical device the power inverter is probably receiving
side of the control panel, being a part of power inverter. The low volt age from the battery. Again, turn power inverter
power inverter ON OFF rocker switch and LED green power power switch to the OFF position and unplug electrical
light and LED red low or high voltage light are found to the device. Follow power inverter makers instructions. Nor
right of the 110 volt AC outlets. A sturdy non conductive mally a low voltage battery problem can be corrected by
carrying handle is mounted on the top center of metal letting the alternator charge the battery with no power being
cabinet. Extra metal reinforcing is placed underneath top of used. It may be necessary to charge battery with an auto
cabinet for added strength to support handle. A wiring motive battery charger from an outside source if the alter
conforms to automotive industry standards. Vector 110 volt nator drive motor is unable to reach normal operating rpm
AC outlets conform to North American UL standards. range. Most conventional or deep cycle automotive or
marine battery chargers in the 10 amp 12 volt DC output
0010. To operate the Enviromentally Clean Rechargable range will work. Consult battery charger maker for specific
Power Supply, place unit on a level spot and inspect for charging instructions.
moisture inside the cabinet by unlocking control panel cover 0012 To shut down Enviromentally Clean Rechargable
and look for condensation inside the cabinet. If wet inside
cabinet do not operate. Dry before using. Now decide if you Power Supply power inverter turn off any devices plugged
want to use the 12 volt DC outlet or the 110 volt AC outlets. into power inverter outlets. Turn OFF power inverter power
If you decide to use the 12 volt DC outlet located to the far switch. Unplug all devices from power inverter. Turn OFF
right side of control panel first determine if the device you EXCITER switch and then DRIVE MOTOR (DM) switch.
intend to use does not exceed 15 amps and the standard plug If there is an electrical device plugged into 12 volt DC outlet
and cord is in good condition. If it is in good condition and remove device plug at this time. Close and lock control
does not exceed 15 amps, using thumb placed at bottom tab panel cover for safety and store power Supply in a secure dry
of outlet cover lift cover up and at the same time insert location. This means away from small children or todlers. It
device plug into outlet until it fits Snugly at end of outlet. is very important that the control console panel cover be
Always keep device turned OFF when you plug into outlet locked. Electrical equipment of this type should never be
or remove plug from outlet. Next move the EXCITER used where children could come in contact with open (hot)
switch found to the right of power inverter to the ON outlets. For this reason all production units will have a
position. Now move the DRIVE MOTOR (DM) switch to separate ON.OFF 12 volt DC outlet switch in addition to
the ON position. You are now ready to use 12 volt DC protective outlet cover.
device. To avoid frequent recharging practice conservation
of stored battery electricity by using either one 12 volt DC What I claim as my invention is the enviromentally clean
device at a time without using power inverter. This conser rechargable power Supply.
Vation measure also applies to use of power inverter. To 1. Invention is a portable, totally electric, rechargable
unplug 12 volt DC device make sure device is turned OFF. from an outside source, supplier of both 12 volt DC and 110
Next turn EXCITER switch to the OFF position. Then turn volt AC electricity whereby stored electricity from a storage
DRIVE MOTOR (DM) switch to the OFF position. Now battery provides electricity to a fractional horsepower drive
remove 12 volt DC plug and snap protective cover over motor that turns an alternator capable of running fractional
outlet. CAUTION, battery power to outlet is still flowing to horsepower drive motor and charging storage battery and the
outlet. Do not stick fingers or objects into outlet other than storage battery supplies stored electricity to a 12 volt DC
servicable 12 volt DC plug. outlet and stored electricity to a power inverter producing
0.011) To operate power inverter follow all safety precau 110 volt AC electricity.
tions listed for using 12 volt outlet electricity. Now turn
EXCITER switch to the ON position. Next turn DRIVE k k k k k