Portable Power Supply

Abstract

A portable power supply includes a housing, and power circuitry providing an output AC waveform having a first positive voltage step level, a second higher positive voltage step level, a third lower positive voltage step level, a fourth negative voltage step level, a fifth higher negative voltage step level, and a sixth lower negative voltage step level.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable power supply comprising:
 a plurality of battery packs coupled to each other, the plurality of battery packs configured to provide a voltage signal of about 120 VDC-240 VDC to a high voltage inverter, wherein the inverter provides an output voltage level of about 120 VAC-240 VAC to at least one AC outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The portable power supply, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of battery packs includes a power tool interface configured to mechanically couple the battery pack to a power tool. 
     
     
         3 . The portable power supply, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of battery packs are coupled to each other in series. 
     
     
         4 . The portable power supply, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of battery packs are coupled to each other in parallel. 
     
     
         5 . A power supply comprising:
 a housing; and   a plurality of rechargeable battery packs removably affixed to the housing;   wherein the plurality of battery packs are coupled to provide an output voltage of at least 100 VDC to at least 215 VDC.   
     
     
         6 . The power supply, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the housing includes a battery pack interface configured to mechanically couple each of the plurality of rechargeable battery packs to the housing, and wherein each of the plurality of battery packs includes an interface configured to mechanically couple the battery pack alternatively to the housing battery pack interface and a similarly configured power tool. 
     
     
         7 . The power supply, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of battery packs are coupled to each other in series. 
     
     
         8 . The power supply, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of battery packs are coupled to each other in parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The power supply, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the power supply weighs about 30 pounds to about 50 pounds and provides an average power output of about 3 kilowatts and a peak power output of about 5 kilowatts to about 6 kilowatts for a power-to-weight ratio of about 60 watts/pound to about 300 watts/pound. 
     
     
         10 . A power supply comprising:
 a housing; and   a plurality of rechargeable battery packs removably affixed to the housing;   the plurality of battery packs configured to generate a direct current voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a mains line AC voltage.   
     
     
         11 . The portable power supply of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a battery control module coupled to the plurality of battery packs to manage a discharge of the plurality of battery packs.   
     
     
         12 . The portable power supply of  claim 10 , further comprising a power supply circuit and a charging current source;
 wherein the power supply circuit provides a charging voltage to the charging current source and wherein the charging current source provides a charging current to the plurality of battery packs.   
     
     
         13 . The portable power supply of  claim 10 , wherein the housing includes a battery pack interface configured to mechanically couple each of the plurality of rechargeable battery packs to the housing, and wherein each of the plurality of battery packs includes an interface configured to mechanically couple the battery pack alternatively to the housing battery pack interface and a similarly configured power tool. 
     
     
         14 . A portable battery charger and power supply having:
 a housing,   an interface for receiving a removable, rechargeable battery pack,   an input for receiving a charge current,   a power supply coupled to the input and the interface for providing a charging current for a removable, rechargeable battery pack received in the interface, and   an output coupled to the interface for providing an output voltage to a power tool.   
     
     
         15 . The portable power supply of  claim 14 , wherein the housing includes a battery pack interface configured to mechanically couple each of the plurality of rechargeable battery packs to the housing, and wherein each of the plurality of battery packs includes an interface configured to mechanically couple the battery pack alternatively to the housing battery pack interface and a similarly configured power tool.