Worksite power distribution box

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11749975-B2
Application number	US-202016938584-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 24, 2020
Priority date	Feb 22, 2013
Publication date	Sep 5, 2023
Grant date	Sep 5, 2023

Abstract

A power distribution box apparatus and method for implementing a priority disconnect scheme and a network communication bridge at a worksite, where the power distribution box distributes temporary power. The power distribution box includes a housing portion and a base portion elevating the housing portion off of the ground or another surface. The power distribution box includes a communication module having a network connecting module operable to connect to an external communication network (e.g., the Internet), and a wireless network module operable to wirelessly communicate with an external device (e.g., a smart phone) to, thereby, connect the external device to the external communication network. The power distribution box may also include a priority disconnect module to selectively disconnect AC output receptacles in response to over-current situations based on a priority level associated with each receptacle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A power distribution box system with network communication capabilities, the power distribution box system comprising:
a first power distribution box including:
a first housing,
a first power input operable to receive power from an external power source,
a first alternating current (AC) output receptacle electrically coupled to the first power input, and
a first USB (Universal Serial Bus) output receptacle configured to provide power to an external device,

a power line adapter electrically connected to the first power input, the power line adapter operable to connect to an external communication network, wherein the power line adapter is external to the first housing;
a second power distribution box including:
a second housing,
a second power input operable to receive power from the external power source,
a second AC output receptacle electrically coupled to the second power input,
a second USB output receptacle configured to provide power to the external device, and

a communications module at least partially located within the first housing and configured to wirelessly communicatively connect to each of the external device and the second power distribution box.

2. The power distribution box system of claim 1 , wherein the communications module is operable to connect to the external device and the second power distribution box using only a network port.

3. The power distribution box system of claim 2 , wherein the network port is an Ethernet port.

4. The power distribution box system of claim 1 , wherein the communications module is operable to connect to the external device and the second power distribution box using only an antenna.

5. The power distribution box system of claim 4 , wherein a wireless connection between the communications module and the external device and the second power distribution box is a WiFi data connection.

6. The power distribution box system of claim 4 , wherein the first power distribution box and the second power distribution box form a wireless mesh network for accessing the external communication network.

7. A power distribution box with network communication capabilities, the power distribution box comprising:
a housing;
a power input operable to receive power from an external power source;
an alternating current (AC) output receptacle electrically coupled to the power input;
a USB (Universal Serial Bus) output receptacle configured to provide power to an external device; and
a communications module at least partially located within the housing, the communications module operable to connect to an external communication network, the communications module including:
a router operable to communicatively connect to each of the external device and a second power distribution box, and
an antenna connected to the router and operable for wirelessly connecting the power distribution box to each of the external device and the second power distribution box.

8. The power distribution box of claim 7 , further comprising:
a daisy-chain output of the power distribution box, the daisy-chain output electrically coupled to the power input and electrically coupled via a daisy-chain cable to the second power distribution box.

9. The power distribution box of claim 7 , wherein the communications module further includes a network port.

10. The power distribution box of claim 9 , wherein the network port is an Ethernet port.

11. The power distribution box of claim 7 , wherein the external communication network is a cellular communication network.

12. The power distribution box of claim 7 , wherein a wireless connection between the power distribution box and the external device is a WiFi data connection.

13. The power distribution box of claim 7 , wherein the power distribution box and the second power distribution box form a wireless mesh network for accessing the external communication network.

14. A worksite power-receiving box with network communication capabilities, the worksite power-receiving box comprising:
a water-tight housing;
a power input operable to receive power from an external power source;
a direct current (DC) output receptacle configured to receive a cable, the DC output receptacle recessed within the water-tight housing; and
a communications module at least partially located within the water-tight housing, the communications module including a network port, the communications module operable to connect to an external communication network through the network port, the communications module configured to wirelessly communicatively connect to at least one external device,
wherein the worksite power-receiving box is configured to wirelessly communicatively connect to a second worksite power-receiving box to form a wireless mesh network.

15. The worksite power-receiving box of claim 14 , wherein the external communication network is an Internet.

16. The worksite power-receiving box of claim 15 , wherein the network port is an Ethernet port.

17. The worksite power-receiving box of claim 16 , wherein a wireless communicative connection between the worksite power-receiving box and the external device is a WiFi data connection.

18. The worksite power-receiving box of claim 14 , wherein the at least one external device is a smart phone.

19. The worksite power-receiving box of claim 14 , wherein the DC output receptacle includes a twist-to-lock/unlock mechanism for at least partially securing the cable to the worksite power-receiving box.

20. The worksite power-receiving box of claim 19 , wherein the twist-to-lock/unlock mechanism prevents water from entering the DC output receptacle.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Burch Wade F

Classifications

• H02B7/06 Primary

  Distribution substations, e.g. for urban network (H02B7/01 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02B1/52 Primary

  Mobile units, e.g. for work sites · CPC title

• H02B11/26

  Arrangements of fuses, resistors, voltage arresters or the like · CPC title