초록

A load monitoring apparatus for monitoring the load applied to a portable generator. The apparatus includes a sensor, and a humanly perceptible indicator that indicates at least one discontinuous load power frequency.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A stand-alone detachable load monitoring module for use with a generator, wherein the generator is adapted to supply power to a load, the module comprising: a module housing; an electrical plug extending from the housing and adapted to be inserted into a power receptacl

The invention claimed is: 1. A stand-alone detachable load monitoring module for use with a generator, wherein the generator is adapted to supply power to a load, the module comprising: a module housing; an electrical plug extending from the housing and adapted to be inserted into a power receptacle; a sensor in the housing, connected in circuit with the electrical plug, and adapted to sense a signal supplied to the load; and a humanly perceptible indicator interconnected with the housing and adapted to output at least one discontinuous humanly perceptible indication of the sensed signal supplied to the load. 2. The module of claim 1, further comprising an electrical outlet interconnected with the housing and adapted to supply power to the load. 3. The module of claim 1, wherein the humanly perceptible indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), a series of light emitting diodes ("LED"), and an audible indicator. 4. The module of claim 1, wherein the humanly perceptible indication indicates whether the signal supplied by the generator is sufficient to power the load. 5. The module of claim 1, wherein the sensor senses a frequency of the signal supplied to the load. 6. The module of claim 5, wherein the humanly perceptible indicator further indicates the signal supplied to the load is sufficient when the sensed frequency is higher than about 58.5 Hz, and the signal supplied to the load is insufficient when the sensed frequency is lower than about 56.5 Hz. 7. The module of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of LED's corresponding to a plurality of load magnitudes. 8. The module of claim 1, further comprising a cover adapted to cover a portion of the housing. 9. A method of monitoring power supplied from a generator to a load with a stand-alone detachable module having a housing, a sensor disposed in the housing, an electrical plug extending from the housing, and having a humanly perceptible indicator interconnected with the housing, the method comprising: inserting the electrical plug into a power receptacle; sensing at the sensor the power supplied from the generator to the load; and outputting at the humanly perceptible indicator at least one discontinuous humanly perceptible indication of the sensed power supplied to the load. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising integrating an electrical outlet with the housing that is adapted to deliver the power to the load. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the humanly perceptible indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), a series of light emitting diodes ("LED"), and an audible indicator. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising indicating with the humanly perceptible indication whether power supplied by the generator is sufficient to power the load. 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising indicating with the humanly perceptible indicator that the power supplied to the load is sufficient to power the load when the frequency is higher than about 5 8. 5 Hz, and the power supplied to the load is insufficient when the frequency is lower than about 56.5 Hz. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising indicating a plurality of load magnitudes with a plurality of LED's. 15. The module of claim 1, wherein the power receptacle is positioned at the generator. 16. The module of claim 1, wherein the electrical plug comprises a three-prong plug. 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrical plug comprises a three-prong plug.