System and method for electric current and power monitoring and control of a generator
First Claim
1. A vehicle electrical system comprising:
- (a) means to generate a first signal indicative of a rotational speed of an engine coupled with a generator included in the vehicle;
(b) means to generate a second signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator; and
(c) a control device responsive to the first and second signal and operative to at least one of (i) limit and cease a total electrical output current generated by the generator, via a generator output power controller, and (ii) generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, when a ratio of the rotational speed of the generator and engine substantially differs from a predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A vehicle electrical system comprising:
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(a) means to generate a first signal indicative of a rotational speed of an engine coupled with a generator included in the vehicle; (b) means to generate a second signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator; and (c) a control device responsive to the first and second signal and operative to at least one of (i) limit and cease a total electrical output current generated by the generator, via a generator output power controller, and (ii) generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, when a ratio of the rotational speed of the generator and engine substantially differs from a predetermined value.
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2. A method for controlling a vehicle electrical system, said system comprising a generator, said method comprising:
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(a) generating a first signal indicative of a rotational speed of an engine included in the vehicle and coupled with the generator; (b) generating a second signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator; and (c) at least one of (i) limiting and ceasing a total electrical output current generated by the generator, via a generator output power controller, and (ii) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition, when a ratio of the rotational speed of the generator and engine substantially differs from a predetermined value.
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3. A control device for a generator coupled with an engine, said engine comprising means to generate a first signal indicative of a rotational speed of the engine, said generator comprising means to generate a second signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator, said control device comprising:
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a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor, coupled with the engine, generator, and a generator output power controller; wherein said processor is configured to measure the first and second signal, via a first and second line, to at least one of (i) apply a control signal to the generator output power controller to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a control line, and (ii) generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, via a communication line, when a ratio of the rotational speed of the generator and engine substantially differs from a predetermined value.
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4. A method for controlling a generator coupled with an engine, said engine comprising means to generate a first signal indicative of a rotational speed of the engine, said generator comprising means to generate a second signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator, said method comprising:
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(a) measuring the first signal, via a first line; (b) measuring the second signal, via a second line; and (c) at least one of (i) applying a control signal to a generator output power controller to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a control line, and (ii) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition, when a ratio of the rotational speed of the generator and engine substantially differs from a predetermined value.
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Specification