Hybrid electric device

Abstract

A device includes a housing configured with a working element. The device further includes a motor configured for urging motion of the working element. The device further includes a power control module. The power control module is configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration. The first power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output. The second power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an AC power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration. The motor receives power via the power control module from the first power source configuration and/or the second power source configuration.

1 . A device, comprising: 
 a housing configured with a working element;    a motor configured for urging motion of the working element;    a power control module, the power control module configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration, the first power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a Direct Current (DC) power output, the second power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an Alternating Current (AC) power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration,    wherein the motor receives power via the power control module from at least one of the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device is an electric lawnmower.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power control module is manually operable via a power selection switch for selecting between the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the power control module includes an automatic power selection configuration for automatically selecting the second power source configuration when the second power source configuration receives DC power from the power inverter.  
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the automatic power selection configuration is overridable by manual selection via the manually operable power selection switch.  
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power control module further includes a both configuration, wherein when the both configuration is selected, the motor receives power from both the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power inverter is a rectifier and filter combination.  
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power inverter includes a step down controller.  
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the step down controller includes a voltage rectifier and a pulse width modulator.  
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the battery assembly has a normal output voltage of 60 volts.  
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power inverter receives an AC input of 120 volts, and outputs a DC output of 60 volts.  
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the battery assembly includes a stack of DC batteries connected in series.  
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the battery assembly is removable from the device, and is chargeable at a location separate from the device.  
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the battery assembly is chargeable while on board the device and during the operation of the device.  
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the power selection switch is positioned on the housing.  
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the power selection switch is positioned on a handle of the device.  
     
     
         17 . A device, comprising: 
 a housing configured with a working element;    a motor configured for urging motion of the working element;    a power control module, the power control module configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration, the first power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output, the second power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an AC power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration, wherein the motor receives power via the power control module from at least one of the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration,    wherein the power control module further includes a boost conserve switch including a conserve mode for supplying a first voltage to the motor when the boost conserve switch is established in the conserve mode and a boost mode for supplying a second voltage to the motor when the boost conserve switch is established in the boost mode, the first voltage being less than the second voltage.    
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the power control module is configured for controlling motor speed by supplying at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage when the boost conserve switch is established in at least one of the conserve mode and the boost mode.  
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein motor speed when the first voltage is supplied is below 14,000 feet per minute blade speed, and motor speed when the second voltage is supplied is above 15,000 feet per minute blade speed.  
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the boost conserve switch is configured for at least one of establishing an electrical connection with an auxiliary battery and terminating an electrical connection with an auxiliary battery.  
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the boost conserve switch is configured for at least one of increasing DC power output of the power inverter and decreasing DC power output of the power inverter.  
     
     
         22 . The device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the boost conserve switch is configurable for at least one of establishing an electrical connection with the battery assembly and terminating an electrical connection with the battery assembly.  
     
     
         23 . A device, comprising: 
 a housing configured with a first working element and a second working element;    a first motor configured for urging motion of the first working element;    a second motor configured for urging motion of the second working element;    a power control module configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the first motor, the second motor, a first power source configuration and second power source configuration, the first power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output, the second power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an AC power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration,    wherein the first motor and the second motor are configured for receiving power via the power control module from at least one of the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.    
     
     
         24 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first and the second motors are electrically connected in a parallel configuration.  
     
     
         25 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first and the second motors are electrically connected in a series configuration.  
     
     
         26 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the power control module further includes a circuit setting switch having a first circuit setting and a second circuit setting, the circuit setting switch allowing the first motor and the second motor to be electrically connected in a parallel configuration when the circuit setting switch is established at the first circuit setting, the circuit setting switch further allowing the first motor and the second motor to be electrically connected in a series configuration when the circuit setting switch is established at the second circuit setting.  
     
     
         27 . The device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the circuit setting switch is a three pole double throw switch configured for electrically connecting with at least one of the first power source configuration, the second power source configuration, the first motor and the second motor, the circuit setting switch being further configured for automatically selecting the first circuit setting when the circuit setting switch is connected to the first power source configuration, the circuit setting switch being further configured for automatically selecting the second circuit setting when the circuit setting switch is connected to the second power source configuration.  
     
     
         28 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the power control module further includes a boost conserve switch including a conserve mode for supplying a first voltage to the first motor and the second motor when the boost conserve switch is established in the conserve mode and a boost mode for supplying a second voltage to the first motor and the second motor when the boost conserve switch is established in the boost mode, the first voltage being less than the second voltage.  
     
     
         29 . A device, comprising: 
 a housing configured with a working element;    a motor configured for urging motion of the working element;    a power control module, the power control module configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration, the first power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a Direct Current (DC) power output, the second power source configuration configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an Alternating Current (AC) power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration; and    a switch for selecting between a first mode for charging the battery assembly when the power control module is receiving AC power and a second mode for not charging the battery,    wherein the motor receives power via the power control module from at least one of the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.    
     
     
         30 . A device, comprising: 
 a housing configured with a working element;    a motor configured for urging motion of the working element;    the motor mounted on a deck having a first rigidity; and    a reinforcing framework having a second rigidity mounted to the deck.    
     
     
         31 . The device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the deck comprises at least one of plastic and fiberglass.  
     
     
         32 . The device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the deck comprises reinforcing ribs.  
     
     
         33 . The device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the reinforcing framework comprises steel.  
     
     
         34 . The device as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the reinforcing framework comprises a substantially tubular shape.  
     
     
         35 . The device as claimed in  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 a handle; and    at least one axle tower positioned on the deck,    wherein the handle is in supportive contact with the axle towers.    
     
     
         36 . The device as claimed in  claim 35 , further comprising: 
 a controller mounted on the deck in electric connection with the motor,    wherein the motor, the controller, the axle towers and the deck form a box structure.