ELECTRIC GENERATOR PROTECTION SYSTEM

• US 20080218363A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fahed A.L. Howayshell
• Original Assignee: Fahed A.L. Howayshell
• Inventors: Howayshell, Fahed Al
• Granted Patent: US 7,617,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/612
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/60 using electrically actuated indicating means

Abstract

A protection system for an electric generator includes a fluid sensor to measure a fluid level in a fuel tank, an indicator lamp to display the fluid level, a timer to measure a time interval beginning in response to a low fuel signal from the fluid sensor and a low fuel switch to shut off the electric generator at the end of the time interval.

Claims

1. A protection system for an electric generator, comprising:

a fluid sensor to measure a fluid level in a fuel tank;

an indicator lamp to display the fluid level;

a timer to measure a time interval beginning in response to a low fuel signal from the fluid sensor; and

a low fuel switch to shut off the electric generator at the end of the time interval.

2. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the fluid sensor comprises:

a float;

a conductor block;

a rod to attach the float to the conductor block; and

spring contacts to contact the conductor block thereby causing an electric current to illuminate the indicator lamp.

3. The protection system of claim 2, further comprising:

an isolation wall having a port that receives the rod and that separates the spring contacts from the volume of the fuel tank.

4. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the indicator lamp comprises:

a green lamp to indicate a nearly full fluid level;

a yellow lamp to indicate an approximately half full fluid level; and

a red lamp to indicate an almost empty fluid level.

5. The protection system of claim 4, wherein:

the green lamp comprises a green light emitting diode;

the yellow lamp comprises a yellow light emitting diode; and

the red lamp comprises a red light emitting diode.

6. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the timer comprises:

a clock that measures a time interval;

an output circuit that issues a shut-off signal at the end of the timer interval.

7. The protection system of claim 1, further comprising:

an audible alarm to indicate a low liquid level in the fuel tanks.

8. The protection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery to provide backup electric power to the protection system.

9. The protection system of claim 8, further comprising:

a solar cell; and

a battery charger to recharge the battery with the solar cell.

10. The protection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a thermal sensor; and

a high temperature switch to shut of the electric generator in response to a high temperature signal from the thermal sensor.

11. The protection system of claim 1, further comprising:

the fuel tank.

12. The protection system of claim 11, further comprising:

a reserve fuel tank; and

a pump to deliver fuel to the fuel tank in response to the low fuel signal from the fluid sensor.

13. A protection system for an electric generator, comprising:

a fluid sensor that includes a float to measure a fluid level in a fuel tank, a conductor block, an arm to attach the float to the conductor block and spring contacts to contact the conductor block, a set of indicator lamps receiving signals from the fluid sensor, the indicator lamps including a green LED lamp to indicate a high fluid level, a yellow LED lamp to indicate a half full fluid level and a red LED lamp to indicate a nearly empty fluid level;

a timer to measure a time interval beginning in response to a low fuel signal from the fluid sensor;

a low fuel switch to shut off the electric generator at the end of the time interval; and

an audible alarm to indicate a nearly empty fluid level.

14. A method of protecting an electric generator from a low fuel condition, the method comprising:

sensing a fluid level in a fuel tank of the electric generator;

measuring a time interval beginning in response to a sensed low fluid level; and

shutting off the electric generator at the end of the measured time interval.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

displaying the fluid level.