Briggs & Stratton Corporation

Michael A Miller

Sie Teong Lim

Nicholas Demos

Dean Weigand

Gary J Gracyalny

Richard J Gilpatrick

David A Kratz

Brian Northway

Brandon Michael Batzler

Todd Plichta

Robert G Townsend

Rick Jungmann

A smart switching panel for selectively connecting either a primary power supply or a secondary power supply to a plurality of electric loads. The switching panel includes a plurality of switching elements each connected to both the primary and secondary power supplies. A controller of the switching panel operates to cause the switching element to transition between a first position in which the primary power supply is connected to the electric load, a second position in which the secondary power supply is connected to the electric load and an open condition. A current sensor is positioned to monitor the amount of current drawn by the electric load and is connected to the controller such that the controller can monitor the amount of current drawn by each of the electric loads. The controller can transition each of the switching elements to the open condition when the current draw exceeds a current threshold.

Smart switching panel for secondary power supply

A power management system includes a generator, a meter mounted transfer switch, and a power management module. The generator includes a controller positioned in the housing of the generator. The generator connects to the power management module to provide power to one or more electrical loads. The controller is configured to selectively disconnect at least one of the electrical loads by communicating, via a wireless gateway, to a transfer switch of the power management module to move between first and second positions for connecting the generator to the one or more electrical loads.

Meter socket adapter with integral automatic transfer switch

A method and system for exercising a standby generator is disclosed. The standby generator can be exercised in at least two different exercise cycles, including an express exercise cycle and an extended exercise cycle. The system and method operates the generator for an express exercise cycle having a first duration when the ambient temperature at or near the standby generator exceeds a minimum threshold temperature. If the ambient temperature does not exceed the minimum threshold temperature, the express exercise cycle does not begin. In addition to the express exercise cycle, the engine of the standby generator is started and run for an extended exercise cycle having a duration that exceeds the duration of the express exercise cycle. The extended exercise cycles are separated by a first interval while the express exercise cycles are separated by a second interval, where the first interval is longer than the second interval.

Standby generator including multiple exercise cycles with ambient temperature control

A method and system for supplying electric power to a plurality of priority loads from either a utility power source or a secondary power source, such as a generator. A control unit monitors the power draw by each of a plurality of priority loads and base loads during the supply of electric power from the utility power source. When the supply of power from the utility power source is interrupted, the control unit determines the number of the priority loads that can be powered by the secondary power source based on the monitored power draw of the priority and base loads prior to power interruption. The secondary power source is activated and the determined number of priority loads is immediately connected to the secondary power source without delay. When the utility power source returns, the system and method transfers utility power back to all of the priority and base loads.

Power management transfer system and method

A transfer switch and load controller that can be plugged into an existing utility meter socket and electrically positioned between the meter socket and a distribution panel to allow switching between utility power and standby power. The plug-in transfer switch functions to transfer the power supplied to a home between the utility power source and the generator power source upon loss of power from the utility power source. The transfer switch components are contained in an enclosed housing of a meter socket adapter that is mounted directly to the meter socket of a meter housing. The meter socket adapter is prewired to a standby generator such that the standby generator can be connected to a home power system by plugging the meter socket adapter into the meter socket.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Mills, WI, United States of America

Michael A Miller