Transfer switch with customer replaceable surge protector units

Abstract

A transfer switch unit (100) operated by a user includes a transfer switch (130), a first surge protector (110) and a surge protector exchange device (104). The first surge protector (110) is electrically coupled to the transfer switch (130) so that current flowing through the transfer switch (130) also flows through the surge protector (110a). The surge protector exchange device (104) allows the user to exchange a second surge protector (110b) for the first surge protector (110a) without having to power down the transfer switch (130). The surge protector exchange device (104) is adapted to be used by non-electricians.

Description

Attorney Docket No. G015.P006P1TRANSFER SWITCH WITH CUSTOMER REPLACEABLE SURGE PROTECTOR UNITSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to transfer switches and, more specifically, to a transfer switch that includes a customer replaceable surge protector.BACKGROUND

[0003] Transfer switches are commonly used by homeowners and the like to couple the electrical distribution system of a building selectively to either a grid power source or an alternate power source (e.g., a generator, a solar panel inverter, etc.). Because of the electrical transients that can occur during switching from one source to the other, transfer switches often include embedded surge protectors. Such surge protectors often employ metal oxide varistor (MOV) - type surge protectors to resist voltage spikes.

[0004] Such surge protectors can degrade over time and as a result of the number of voltage spike events to which they are subjected. To ensure the effectiveness of the surge protectors and to comply with warranty requirements, the MO Vs must be replaced periodically. Because the MO Vs are typically embedded in the transfer switch, they can be replaced only by removing the transfer switch from the building’s electric meter, which typically must be done by an electrician. As a result, many individuals fail to replace the MOVs according to the manufacture’s specification, which can result in damage to electronics within the building.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a transfer switch that includes surge protectors that can be serviced by the user without requiring the services of an electrician.Attorney Docket No. G015.P006P1SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which, in one aspect, is a transfer switch unit operated by a user that includes a transfer switch, a first surge protector and a surge protector exchange device. The first surge protector is electrically coupled to the transfer switch so that current flowing through the transfer switch also flows through the surge protector. The surge protector exchange device allows the user to exchange a second surge protector for the first surge protector without having to power down the transfer switch. The surge protector exchange device is adapted to be used by non-electricians.

[0007] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a transfer switch unit with a surge protector.

[0009] FIG. IB is a schematic diagram of the transfer switch unit shown in FIG. 1 A, in which the surge protector has been removed.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a conceptual sketch of a transfer switch unit with a customer replaceable surge protector.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Unless otherwise specifically indicated in the disclosure that follows, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below. As usedAttorney Docket No. G015.P006P1 in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” As used herein, the word “user” could mean one of the following: a utility worker, an onsite maintenance person or a homeowner.

[0012] US Patent No. 12,392,808 discloses a switch employing surge protectors and is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of disclosing such switches.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 A, IB and 2, one embodiment of a transfer switch unit 100 includes a transfer switch 130 that is configured to electrically couple a load 20 to a selected one of a grid power source 10 or an alternate power source 12 (e.g., a generator, a solar power unit, etc.). The transfer switch 130 includes a positioning device 132 that is also configured to place the switch into an “open circuit” state, as shown in FIG. IB, in which both the grid power source 10 or an alternate power source 12 are electrically isolated. The transfer switch 130 is disposed within a housing 102 that may include portals 106 for allowing wires to pass into the housing 102.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1 A, a surge protector 110a, such as, for example, a metal oxide varistor (MOV), couples the output of the transfer switch 130 to the load 20 during normal operating conditions. A surge protector exchange device 105 includes a gripping tab 112 affixed to the surge protector 110a, opening bay 104 and a micro-switch 120 used to put the transfer switch into an open state when the surge protector 110a is removed. The housing 102 defines the opening bay 104 into which fits the surge protector 110a. A gripping tab 112 can be attached the surge protector 110a to facilitate removal of the surge protector 110a from the housing.

[0015] A micro-switch 120 can be placed on a side of the opening bay 104 to detect when the surge protector 110 is being removed by the user. The micro-switch 120 can include a moving arm 122 that is in a first position when the surge protector 110a is in place (as shown in FIG. 1 A) and a second position the surge protector 110a is being removed. A switch control circuit 124 is responsive to the micro-switch 120 and sends a signal to the positioning device 132 when the surge protector 110a is being removed by the user, causing the transfer switch 130 to move to the open circuit state. Once the microAttorney Docket No. G015.P006P1 switch 120 indicates that a second surge protector 110b has been installed (as shown in FIG. IB), the switch control circuit 124 sends a signal to the positioning device 132 allowing normal operation of the transfer switch 130 to resume.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the surge protector 110a is accessible through the opening bay 104 defined by the housing 210 that covers the transfer switch. To remove the old surge protector, the user grips the gripping tab 112 and pulls the surge protector from the transfer switch. The user then places the new transfer switch into the opening bay 104 and presses it inwardly to engage the contacts 212 of the transfer switch.

[0017] While the invention as applied to a transfer switch is disclosed above, the invention could also be used with other types of electrical devices, such as electric meters, etc.

[0018] Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description. It is understood that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described herein, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. The operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set. It is intended that the claims and claim elements recited below do not invoke 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim. The above-described embodiments, while including the preferred embodiment and the best mode of the invention known to the inventor at the time of filing, are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. G015.P006P1CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A transfer switch unit operated by a user, comprising:(a) a transfer switch configured selectively to couple a load to one of a grid power source or an alternate power source; and(b) a user-replaceable first surge protector that is electrically coupled to the transfer switch so that current flowing through the transfer switch also flows through the first surge protector; and(c) a surge protector exchange device that allows the user to exchange a second surge protector for the first surge protector without having to power down the transfer switch, the surge protector exchange device adapted to be used by non-electricians.

2. The transfer switch unit of Claim 1, wherein the first surge protector and the second surge protector each comprise a metal oxide varistor.

3. The transfer switch unit of Claim 1, further comprising a housing in which the transfer switch, the first surge protector and the surge protector exchange device are disposed, the housing defining an opening into which the first surge protector may be removably placed, the transfer switch unit further comprising a detector that detects when the surge protector is being removed from the housing and a cutoff device that cuts off input power to the transfer switch when the surge protector is being removed from the housing.

4. The transfer switch unit of Claim 3, wherein the surge protector exchange device comprises a gripping tab affixed to the surge protector that is configured to be gripped by the user allowing the user to pull the surge protector from opening in the housing.

5. A transfer switch unit operated by a user, comprising:(a) a transfer switch; andAttorney Docket No. G015.P006P1(b) a user-replaceable metal oxide varistor first surge protector that is electrically coupled to the transfer switch so that current flowing through the transfer switch also flows through the first metal oxide varistor surge protector; and(c) a surge protector exchange device that allows the user to exchange a second metal oxide varistor surge protector for the first metal oxide varistor surge protector without having to power down the transfer switch, the surge protector exchange device adapted to be used by non-electricians.

6. The transfer switch unit of Claim 5, further comprising a housing in which the transfer switch, the first surge protector and the surge protector exchange device are disposed, the housing defining an opening into which the first surge protector may be removably placed, the transfer switch unit further comprising a detector that detects when the surge protector is being removed from the housing and a cutoff device that cuts off input power to the transfer switch when the surge protector is being removed from the housing.

7. The transfer switch unit of Claim 5, wherein the surge protector exchange device comprises a gripping tab affixed to the surge protector that is configured to be gripped by the user allowing the user to pull the surge protector from opening in the housing.

8. A transfer switch unit operated by a user, comprising:(a) a transfer switch configured selectively to couple a load to one of a grid power source or an alternate power source; and(b) a user-replaceable first surge protector that is electrically coupled to the transfer switch so that current flowing through the transfer switch also flows through the first surge protector; and(c) a surge protector exchange device that allows the user to exchange a second surge protector for the first surge protector without having to power down the transfer switch, the surge protector exchange device adapted to be used by non-electricians; and(d) a housing in which the transfer switch, the first surge protector and the surge protector exchange device are disposed, the housing defining an openingAttorney Docket No. G015.P006P1 into which the first surge protector may be removably placed, the transfer switch unit further comprising a detector that detects when the surge protector is being removed from the housing and a cutoff device that cuts off input power to the transfer switch when the surge protector is being removed from the housing.

9. The transfer switch unit of Claim 8, wherein the first surge protector and the second surge protector each comprise a metal oxide varistor.

10. The transfer switch unit of Claim 8, wherein the surge protector exchange device comprises a gripping tab affixed to the surge protector that is configured to be gripped by the user allowing the user to pull the surge protector from opening in the housing.

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