Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a chassis having a living space, an electrical system for providing electrical power to the living space, an air conditioner for cooling the living space, a heater for heating the living space, and a plurality of appliances within the living space attached to the electrical system. The recreational vehicle also includes an engine for moving the recreational vehicle, a motor generator for supplying power to the recreational vehicle, a connector for connecting the electrical system of the recreational vehicle to an external power source, and a local area network system electrically connected to the air conditioner, the heater, the plurality of appliances, and the motor generator. The local area network manages the power provided to the to the electrical appliances. A display positioned within the living space shows data related to the air conditioner, the heater, the plurality of appliances, the motor generator and the engine.

Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a switch stack. The switch stack alternately connects the output contacts to the primary input contacts and the secondary input contacts via at least one conductive path. The transfer switch further includes at least one flux barrier that is at least partially positioned near the conductive path to minimize magnetic interaction with the conductive path as current travels through the switch stack.

Abstract: An engine-generator set includes a load power fault protector circuit that detects when the power delivered to the load reaches a predetermined maximum power value, and substantially prevents the load power from exceeding the predetermined maximum value by decreasing the load voltage.

Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch includes an actuator that rotates the first crossbar to alternately engage a first set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the primary input contacts, and rotates the second crossbar to alternately engage a second set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the secondary input contacts. A method of actuating a transfer switch to alternate the supply of power to an electric load. The method includes rotating a first crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a first set of switching contacts with a primary power source and rotating a second crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a second set of switching contacts with a secondary power source.

Abstract: A local power generation system generates a substantially DC voltage at an inverter input, which is modulated to generate a resulting output AC power signal to a load. The inverter input voltage may be obtained from an engine generator, providing an AC power signal that is rectified, or from a fuel cell generator providing a DC voltage that is converted to the desired voltage value at the inverter input. An energy storage device helps maintain the DC voltage when load power draw increases, until the engine (or fuel cell reaction) accelerates enough to accommodate the increased power demand. The system may also be used in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) application, in which the load draws power from a utility-provided AC power source until a fault condition appears. When the fault condition appears, the load switches its power draw from the utility-provided AC power source to the inverter output.

Abstract: An arc chute including a first side wall having a plurality of holes, a second side wall having a plurality of holes and spaced apart from the first side wall, and a plurality of arc chute plates mounted between the first and second side walls. Each of the plurality of arc chute plates include a laterally extending tab on two sides of the arc chute plate, each of the laterally extending tabs being shaped to be interference fitted within one of the plurality of holes. The laterally extending tabs are dimensioned to not substantially extend beyond an outer surface of each of the side walls.

Abstract: An arc chute including a first side wall having a plurality of holes, a second side wall having a plurality of holes and spaced apart from the first side wall, and a plurality of arc chute plates mounted between the first and second side walls. Each of the plurality of arc chute plates include a laterally extending tab on two sides of the arc chute plate, each of the laterally extending tabs being shaped to be interference fitted within one of the plurality of holes. The laterally extending tabs are dimensioned to not substantially extend beyond an outer surface of each of the side walls.

Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch includes an actuator that rotates the first crossbar to alternately engage a first set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the primary input contacts, and rotates the second crossbar to alternately engage a second set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the secondary input contacts. A method of actuating a transfer switch to alternate the supply of power to an electric load. The method includes rotating a first crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a first set of switching contacts with a primary power source and rotating a second crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a second set of switching contacts with a secondary power source.

Abstract: A system for connecting one of a plurality of parallel connected generator sets to a common bus. The system includes a separate module associated with each of the plurality of generator sets. When a control module receives a ready-to-load signal from the generator set, each of the control modules performs a similar connection method which determines which of the modules will send a first-start command to its associated generator.

Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a switch stack. The switch stack alternately connects the output contacts to the primary input contacts and the secondary input contacts via at least one conductive path. The transfer switch further includes at least one flux barrier that is at least partially positioned near the conductive path to minimize magnetic interaction with the conductive path as current travels through the switch stack.

Abstract: A transfer switch that absorbs the kinetic energy of a toggle mechanism within the transfer switch just before moving contacts on the toggle mechanism engage a set of stationary contacts. The transfer switch includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch further includes a dampener that reduces the kinetic energy of the moving contacts before the moving contacts engage the input contacts.

Abstract: A generator set control system for minimizing vehicle noise and vibration. The system has sensors at different locations in a vehicle, a generator set with a generator set speed controller, and a system controller operatively connected to the sensors and to the generator set speed controller. Noise and vibrations are measured by the sensors during startup of the generator set, and the system controller determines which generator set speeds are to be avoided. Optionally, a steady state measurement may be used to determine undesirable generator set speeds. The generator set speed controller is commanded to make the generator set avoid the speeds mentioned. The system may be mounted permanently to the vehicle for subsequent measurements as needed.

Abstract: A contact enforcement apparatus for an electric switch includes two electro-magnetic bars. The first electro-magnetic bar is disposed between a crossbar of the switch and a moveable contact arm. The crossbar carries the moveable contact arm and the first electro-magnetic bar such that the electrical contacts of a stationary contact arm and the moveable contact arm are opened and closed by the crossbar. The second electro-magnetic bar is in U-shape and has a front wall and a back wall, between which the moveable contact arm is at least partially inserted when the electrical contacts are closed together. When a "fault" current passes by the electrical contacts, an attractive force between the electro-magnetic bars is largely increased. This attractive force overcomes a repulsive force caused by the "fault" current which tends to open up the electrical contacts, so that the contact between the moveable and stationary contacts remain closed.

Abstract: A switched AC to AC converter circuit comprises a rectifying circuit, which generates a rectified output signal from an alternating input voltage signal, and a switching circuit for controllably switching the polarity of the output from the rectifying circuit to generate a quasi-sine wave or a stepped wave output voltage signal. The switching circuit is included in the rectifying circuit to form a switched rectifier. The switched AC to AC converter controls the integral number of half input wave cycles comprising a half cycle of the quasi-sine wave output in order to maintain the frequency and root mean square (rms) voltage of the output signal between predetermined limits. The switched AC to AC converter further controls the shape of the output voltage wave output to provide instantaneous control over the maintenance of the rms output voltage.

Abstract: A thermal reactor for reducing exhaust emissions generated by an engine. The thermal reactor preferably includes an outer housing and an inner core mounted within the outer housing. The inner core defines an expansion chamber which receives exhaust gas from the engine. When the exhaust gas enters the expansion chamber, it expands and becomes thoroughly mixed. While in the expansion chamber, at least some of the exhaust gas is oxidized. A single-layered recirculation chamber is located between the outer housing and the inner core. The recirculation chamber receives the exhaust gas from the expansion chamber and recirculates the exhaust gas around the outer surface of the inner core such that the inner core is insulated. By insulating the inner core with heated exhaust gas from the expansion chamber, the expansion chamber maintains a high temperature which facilitates oxidation of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: The present invention is an insulating end cap which provides mechanical support to the end turns of the coils. The mechanical support provides insulation by axially, radially and diametrically separating end turns of coils within phases, and end turns of coils of different phases. Additionally, mechanical insulative support is given to coil-to-coil crossovers and also to coil-to-terminal connections. The end cap may be formed integrally by an injection molding method. Further, the end cap removes the need for a cuffed, grain-oriented insulative lamination stack slot liner by providing support for the liner. The liner becomes independent of stack length. The end cap is designed to be symmetrical and one end cap design is suitable for use at both ends of an armature.

Abstract: An electrical generator damage protection apparatus is provided. The protection apparatus includes a circuit breaker which opens and closes an electrical circuit in response to a breaker control signal. A controller is operatively coupled to the circuit breaker to generate the breaker control signal based upon periodically sensed current magnitudes output by a generator. This breaker control signal controls total current output by the generator over a predetermined time span to less than a generator damage curve. The generator damage curve corresponds to a maximum amount of total current which can be generated by the generator over the predetermined time span without damaging the generator. In addition, a electrical generator system having the protection apparatus is provided. Also, a method for protecting an electrical generator from damage with a breaker control signal which controls total current output by the generator over a predetermined time span to less than a generator damage curve is provided.

Abstract: An electric transfer switch includes a linear actuator operable to switch a plurality of movable contacts from a normal power supply to a standby emergency power supply, when the normal power supply has a power outage, so as to continuously serve electricity to electric loads. A plurality of leaf springs and an offset linkage angle help prevent any incidental disconnection between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts. The transfer switch also includes a magnetic strip. The magnetic strip is magnetized when there is a "fault" current passing by the contact tips of the moveable and stationary contacts. The attractive force between the magnetic strip and the moveable contacts due to the magnetization overcomes the repulsive force caused by the "fault" current so as to make the contact between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts unopenable.

Abstract: An electric transfer switch includes a three-position toggle mechanism and a crossbar which is mounted on the toggle mechanism. The crossbar carries a plurality of moveable contacts and is rotated by the toggle mechanism. The moveable contacts normally contact one set of the stationary contacts in one closed position which are connected to a normal main power supply. The moveable contacts are rotated to a neutral non-power line in an open position, and are further rotated to another closed position, which are connected to a standby emergency power supply to supply electricity to the transferred electrical loads. The toggle mechanism includes a multi-bar linkage which is rotated by a handle of the toggle mechanism among the open position and two closed positions. A plurality of springs and catches are used to maintain the contact between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts, even when a "fault" current passes through the contact tips of the moveable and stationary contacts.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system includes an engine balance system, an integrated alternator/starter, a thermal management system, noise-vibration-harshness control system, an emissions/fuel economy system, an APU master control unit, and a vehicle control system. The thermal management system includes an alternator/starter cooling assembly for cooling an alternator/starter in the auxiliary power system, an engine lubricating/cooling assembly for cooling an engine in the auxiliary power system, an assembly for collecting a cooling material after passing through the alternator/starter and the engine, an assembly for scavenging the cooling material from the collecting assembly to a first heat exchanger, an assembly for circulating the cooling material back to the alternator/starter and the engine, and a second heat exchanger which is disposed on the circulating assembly between the first heat exchanger and an alternator/starter inlet.