Patent ID: 8489248

Claim:
A portable power system for providing secondary power to an electrical device upon disconnection of a primary power source from delivering primary power to the electrical device, the system comprising: a portable power storage device for providing a DC voltage; an electrical motor selectively driveable by said portable power storage device; an alternator responsive to said motor for converting mechanical motion of said motor into an electrical signal for use to recharge said portable power storage device; an inverter for receiving a DC voltage and generating an AC output for use to provide the secondary power to the electrical device; a timer for generating a timed indication of lapse of a predetermined time period; a first monitor for generating a first indication and a second indication related to a characteristic of said portable power storage device; and a controller configured to 1) monitor the primary power source delivering primary power to the electrical device, 2) couple said portable power storage device to said inverter for generating said AC output, 3) connect said alternator to said inverter in order to generate said AC output in response to said timed indication, 4) selectively drive said motor in response to said first indication indicating that said characteristic is below a first threshold in order to connect said electrical signal to recharge said portable power storage device, and 5) disconnect said electrical signal from recharging said portable power storage device in response to said second indication indicating that said characteristic is above a second threshold while providing said secondary power to said electrical device.