# US 11,444,464 B1 · Portable hybrid generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,444,464 B1 - Document ID: US11444464B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/469,330 - Filed: 2017-03-24 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-25 - Assignees: Goal Zero LLC - Applicants: Goal Zero LLC - Inventors: Walker Ford; Sterling Robison; Hank Howell; Preston Evan Price; Norm Krantz; Keyvan Vasefi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11444464B1 ## CPC - G05B 19/0426: {Programming the control sequence} - H02J 4/25: for transfer of electric power between AC and DC networks, e.g. for supplying the DC section within a load from an AC mains system - G05B 15/02: electric - G05B 23/0272: {Presentation of monitored results, e.g. selection of status reports to be displayed; Filtering information to the user} - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02J 9/06: with automatic change-over {, e.g. UPS systems} - H02J 9/08: requiring starting of a prime-mover - H02S 10/10: including a supplementary source of electric power, e.g. hybrid diesel-PV energy systems (combinations with gas-turbine plants F02C6/00) - H02S 10/40: Mobile PV generator systems - H02S 40/38: Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) ## Abstract A portable hybrid generator may comprise a sturdy portable housing configured for easy movement and transport, an inverter for managing renewable and non-renewable energy sources, one or more batteries with or without a battery management system, one or more solar panels and solar panel combiner box, a communications systems, and a generator. In some instances the portable hybrid generator may comprise a communications system equipped to simplify the usage, maintenance, and control of the portable hybrid generator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable hybrid generator comprising: a housing; a lid coupled to a top portion of the housing, the lid providing selective access to an interior of the housing; a frame extending around the housing, the frame having a plurality of handles extending above the lid, the portable hybrid generator weighing less than 100 pounds such that the plurality of handles are configured to facilitate manually transporting the portable hybrid generator; a primary energy source disposed within the interior of the housing, the primary energy source including an engine, a fuel tank, and a generator; an energy storage device disposed within the interior of the housing and electrically coupled to the primary energy source, the energy storage device including at least one battery; an interface positioned along an exterior of the housing, the interface including an input port coupled to the energy storage device and an output port electrically coupled to at least one of the primary energy source or the energy storage device, the input port configured to facilitate connecting the energy storage device to a solar panel; and a controller configured to: receive information from the primary energy source and the energy storage device; use the information received from the primary energy source and the energy storage device to estimate a power output for the portable hybrid generator according to a usage mode selected from a plurality of usage modes; and control the power output of the portable hybrid generator based on the usage mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The portable hybrid generator of claim 1, wherein the primary energy source comprises a maximum power-point transfer charger. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The portable hybrid generator of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is detachable from the portable hybrid generator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The portable hybrid generator of claim 1, wherein the usage mode is set by a local user interface or an application run on a mobile device in wired or wireless communication with the controller of the portable hybrid generator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The portable hybrid generator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to provide users with a plurality of options for the plurality of usage modes comprising one or more of the following: an automatic starting and stopping mode, a mode for maintaining maximum power of the primary energy source, or a mode for maintaining maximum efficiency of the primary energy source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The portable hybrid generator of claim 1, wherein the controller or a display is configured to provide users with automated maintenance procedures and notifications. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The portable hybrid generator of claim 6, wherein the automated maintenance procedures comprise disabling a fuel line of the portable hybrid generator and running fuel out of a carburetor of the portable hybrid generator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The portable hybrid generator of claim 6, wherein the automated notifications comprise providing a status of oil, fuel, or other consumable component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The portable hybrid generator of claim 1, wherein the primary energy source comprises a choke valve that is controllable to allow a choke to open fully, open partially, or be completely closed. ### Claim 10 A portable hybrid generator system comprising: a first unit including: a first housing; a first input port configured to facilitate connecting a solar panel to the first unit; a first output port; and a primary energy source disposed within the first housing and electrically coupled to the first output port, the primary energy source including an engine, a fuel tank, and a generator driven by the engine; a second unit separate from the first unit, the second unit including: a second housing; a second input port; a second output port; and an energy storage device disposed within the second housing and electrically coupled to the second input port, the energy storage device including at least one battery, wherein the second input port and the first output port facilitate selectively electrically coupling the first unit to the second unit to charge the energy storage device using energy generated by at least one of the generator or the solar panel, and wherein the second unit can be selectively decoupled from the first unit and transported to a location remote from the first unit to transfer power to an external device via the second output port using stored energy in the energy storage device; and a controller configured to: calibrate the primary energy source to the energy storage device; and control a power output of the primary energy source based at least in part on the calibration of the primary energy source to the energy storage device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The portable hybrid generator system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a selection of a usage mode of the portable hybrid generator system; and control the power output of the portable hybrid generator system based on the selection and the calibration.