Patent ID: 9583942
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: H02J,Y02B,Y02E,Y04S

Claim:
1. A switch for selectively connecting a grid independent alternative energy source and an energy storage device, operatively connected to the alternative energy source, as a primary power source and a utility supply as a secondary power source to a load, the switch comprising: a first input configured to receive a signal corresponding to a voltage level in the energy storage device; a second input configured to receive a signal corresponding to a magnitude of current drawn by the load; a third input configured to receive a signal corresponding to the operating conditions of the secondary power source; at least one actuator selectively connecting one of the primary power source and the secondary power source to the load, wherein the at least one actuator prevents connection of the primary power source to the secondary power source; and an electrical circuit generating a control signal for the actuator to connect the primary power source to the load when the voltage level in the energy storage device is greater than a threshold value and when the magnitude of current drawn by the load is below a maximum current level and to connect the secondary power source to the load when either the voltage level in the energy storage device is less than the threshold value or the magnitude of current drawn by the load is greater than the maximum current level, wherein the threshold value is a voltage level at which an inverter connected between the energy storage device and the load can continue to provide power to the load when the energy storage device provides, at least in part, the power input to the inverter and wherein the electrical circuit further generates the control signal for the actuator as a function of the operating conditions of the secondary power source.