Vented power system retrofit
AssigneeAltergy Systems
InventorMark A. Wilkie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power generator replacement for an electrical system in an enclosure, where the power generator (e.g. a fuel cell, or the like), can be placed into an existing enclosure to replace a battery or bank of batteries which have been removed, while not disrupting the cooling airflow for the electrical system when the power generator is operated once the retrofit of the system has been completed.
Claims20
A retrofit assembly for modifying a power source of a vented power system, the vented power system comprising an enclosure comprising a cabinet for containing the power source and heat-generating electrical equipment, and an enclosure door attached to the enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an existing venting structure to generate a venting airflow to cool said electrical equipment, the retrofit assembly comprising:
- a power generator configured to replace at least a portion of the power source and be positioned in the enclosure in place of said removed power source;
- said power generator comprising an air intake and exhaust;
- an intake vent positioned within the enclosure at a location adjacent the air intake of the positioned power generator to provide an intake airflow from the intake air vent to the air intake of the power generator;
- an exhaust vent positioned within the enclosure at a location adjacent the exhaust of the positioned power generator to provide an exhaust air flow from the exhaust of the power generator to the exhaust vent;
- and
- wherein both the exhaust airflow and intake airflow are independent of, and isolated from, the venting airflow of the enclosure such that the exhaust airflow and air intake airflow do not substantially disturb or modify the venting airflow or airflow path.
A retrofit assembly for modifying a power source of a vented power system, the vented power system comprising an enclosure comprising a cabinet for containing the power source and heat-generating electrical equipment, and an enclosure door attached to the enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an existing venting structure to generate a venting airflow to cool said electrical equipment, the retrofit assembly comprising:
- a power generator configured to replace at least a portion of the power source and be positioned in the enclosure in place of said power source;
- said power generator comprising an air intake and exhaust;
- a retrofit enclosure door configured to be installed in place of the enclosure door;
- an intake vent positioned on the retrofit enclosure door such that the intake vent is adjacent the air intake of the power generator when the retrofit enclosure door is in a closed position with respect to the enclosure cabinet to provide an intake airflow from the intake vent to the air intake of the power generator;
- and
- an exhaust vent positioned on the retrofit enclosure door such that the exhaust vent is adjacent the exhaust of the power generator when the retrofit enclosure door is in a closed position with respect to the enclosure cabinet to provide an exhaust air flow from the exhaust of the power generator to the exhaust vent;
- wherein both the exhaust airflow and intake airflow are independent of, and isolated from, the venting airflow of the enclosure such that the exhaust airflow and air intake airflow do not to substantially disturb or modify the venting airflow or airflow path.
A method for modifying a power source of a vented power system, the vented power system comprising an enclosure comprising a cabinet for containing the power source and heat-generating electrical equipment, and an enclosure door attached to the enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an existing venting structure to generate a venting airflow to cool said electrical equipment, the method comprising:
- removing at least a portion of the power source from the enclosure;
- positioning a power generator configured to provide an alternative source of power to the power system in a location previously occupied by the removed power source;
- said power generator comprising an air intake and exhaust;
- positioning an intake vent within the enclosure at a location adjacent the air intake of the positioned power generator to provide an intake airflow from the intake air vent to the air intake of the power generator;
- and
- positioning an exhaust vent within the enclosure at a location adjacent the exhaust of the positioned power generator to provide an exhaust air flow from the exhaust of the power generator to the exhaust vent;
- wherein both the exhaust airflow and intake airflow are independent of, and isolated from, the venting airflow of the enclosure such that the exhaust airflow and air intake airflow do not substantially disturb or modify the venting airflow or airflow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.