US 6,184,461 B2Granted

Generator power inlet box with integral generator cord

AssigneeReliance Controls Corporation

InventorDavid D. Flegel

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Abstract

A remote power inlet arrangement for use with a portable generator having a power outlet, for providing auxiliary power to the main electrical panel or load center of a building. The power inlet arrangement includes a power inlet which is secured inside a power inlet enclosure. An electrical cord is attached at one end to the power inlet. The electrical cord has a plug at a second end which can be engaged with the power outlet of the portable generator. The electrical cord remains connected to and is stored with the power inlet inside the power inlet enclosure when not in use. A door having a peripheral resilient seal is attached to the power inlet enclosure to provide a weathertight seal when the door is in a closed position. A securing mechanism is provided to maintain the door in its closed position.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A power inlet arrangement for use with a portable generator having a power supply outlet, comprising:

an enclosure including walls defining an internal cavity, wherein the enclosure includes a door which is selectively movable between an open position providing access to the internal cavity and a closed position for maintaining an electrical cord within an interior of the enclosure when the electrical cord is in a storage position;
a power inlet housing located within the internal cavity of the enclosure, wherein the power inlet housing includes one or more walls located within the internal cavity and defining an interior within which a junction block is located, wherein the junction block is adapted for interconnection with a power transfer panel for controlling the supply of power from the generator to an electrical system of a building;
and wherein the electrical cord has a first end fixedly attached to the power inlet housing and a second end having an electrical plug, wherein the electrical cord includes a series of wires engaged with the junction block within the interior defined by the one or more walls of the power inlet housing, and wherein the electrical cord is adapted to be stored within the internal cavity of the enclosure when not in use and maintained therein by movement of the door to the closed position, and wherein the electrical cord is adapted to be withdrawn from the internal cavity for use by movement of the door to the open position and withdrawal of the cord outwardly of the internal cavity, wherein the first end of the cord is maintained in fixed engagement with the power inlet housing upon movement of the cord outwardly of the internal cavity and wherein the plug at the second end of the cord is engageable with the power supply outlet of the generator to supply power to the cord and to the junction block, and through the junction block to the power transfer panel and building electrical system.

A method of connecting a portable generator to an electrical system of a building, comprising the steps of mounting an enclosure to a wall of the building, wherein the enclosure includes walls defining an internal cavity and wherein the enclosure includes a door which is selectively movable between an open position providing access to the internal cavity and a closed position preventing access to the internal cavity, wherein the enclosure further includes an electrical cord having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the electrical cord includes an electrical plug adapted to engage with a power supply outlet of the generator, and wherein the first end of the electrical cord is fixedly attached to a power inlet arrangement interconnected with the enclosure, wherein the power inlet arrangement includes a power inlet housing located within the internal cavity of the enclosure, wherein the power inlet arrangement establishes an electrical connection of the electrical cord with a power transfer panel interconnected with the electrical system of the building, and wherein the electrical cord is adapted to be stored within the internal cavity when not in use;

selectively moving the door to the open position to provide access to the internal cavity and to the electrical cord;
withdrawing the electrical cord from the internal cavity;
and engaging the plug at the second end of the electrical cord with the power supply outlet of the portable generator.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.