Genset power system having multiple modes of operation

• US 20100156117A1
• Filed: 02/09/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Allen, Timothy P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,237,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/40.C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/08 requiring starting of a prime-mover

Abstract

A power system is disclosed. The power system may have an engine, a generator, a monitoring device configured to monitor the generator and to generate a signal, and a performance module configured to provide an alarm and a shutdown command to the engine based on the signal. The power system may further have a switching device with a first condition and a second condition. When the first condition of the switching device is active, the performance module may be overridden, the engine may be operated at a reduced speed and load output, and the generator may be inhibited from producing electrical power. When the second condition of the switching device is active, the performance module may affect operation of the power system, the engine may be operated at an elevated speed and load output, and the generator may be allowed to produce electrical power directed to the external load.

Claims

1. A power system, comprising:

an engine;

a generator mechanically driven by the engine to produce electrical power directed to an external load;

a monitoring device configured to monitor a performance of the generator and to generate a signal indicative of the performance;

a performance module configured to selectively provide at least one of an alarm and a shutdown command to the engine based on the signal from the monitoring device; and

a switching device having at least a first condition and a second condition,

wherein;

when the first condition of the switching device is active, output from the performance module is overridden;

the engine is operated at a reduced speed and load output, and the generator is inhibited from producing electrical power; and

when the second condition of the switching device is active, the performance module is allowed to affect operation of the power system, the engine is operated at an elevated speed and load output, and the generator is allowed to produce electrical power directed to the external load.

2. The power system of claim 1, further including:

a performance regulator configured to adjust operation of at least one of the engine and the generator based on the signal from the monitoring device; and

a controller in communication with the engine, the generator, the performance module, the switching device, and the performance regulator, the controller being configured to override the performance module and deactivate the performance regulator to inhibit the generator from producing power.

3. The power system of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to automatically change a status of the switching device between the first condition and the second condition.

4. The power system of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to change the status of the switching device based on a time duration following startup of the engine.

5. The power system of claim 3, further including a temperature sensor associated with one of the engine and the generator, wherein the controller is configured to change the status of the switching device based on a signal from the temperature sensor.

6. The power system of claim 1, wherein the switching device is manually moved between the first and second conditions.

7. The power system of claim 1, wherein the performance of the generator is one of a voltage output and a frequency output of the generator.

8. The power system of claim 1, further including:

a second monitoring device configured to monitor a condition of the engine and generate a second signal indicative of the condition; and

a second performance module configured to selectively provide at least one of an alarm and a shutdown of the engine based on the second signal during the first and the second conditions of the switching device.

9. The power system of claim 8, wherein the condition is one of an oil level, a coolant level, a fuel level, an air cleaner status, and a battery status.

10. A method of providing power, comprising:

combusting a mixture of fuel and air to create a mechanical output;

converting the mechanical output to electrical power;

monitoring a characteristic of the electrical power;

generating at least one of an alarm and a shutdown command based on the monitored characteristic;

overriding the at least one of the alarm and the shutdown command, reducing the mechanical output, and inhibiting the conversion of the mechanical output to electrical power during a first mode of operation; and

affecting at least one of the combusting and the converting based on the at least one of the alarm and the shutdown command, increasing the mechanical output, and allowing the conversion of the mechanical output to electrical power during a second mode of operation.

11. The method of claim 10, further including automatically changing operation between the first mode and the second mode based on a time duration following engine startup.

12. The method of claim 10, further including automatically changing operation between the first mode and the second mode based on an engine temperature.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein operation is manually changed between the first mode and the second mode.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the monitored characteristic of the electrical power include at least one of a voltage and a frequency.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein overriding the at least one of the alarm and the shutdown command includes overriding the at least one of the alarm and the shutdown command only when the characteristic indicates an under-frequency or an under-voltage event.

16. The method of claim 10, further including:

monitoring an engine condition;

generating at least one of a second alarm and a second shutdown command based on the monitored engine condition; and

affecting at least one of the combusting and the converting based on the at least one of the second alarm and the second shutdown command during any of the first and second modes of operation.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the monitored engine condition is one of an oil level, a coolant level, a fuel level, an air cleaner status, and a battery status.

18. A power system, comprising:

an engine;

a generator mechanically driven by the engine to produce electrical power directed to an external load;

a monitoring device configured to monitor at least one of a voltage and a frequency of the generator and to generate a corresponding signal;

a voltage regulator configured to affect performance of at least one of the engine and the generator based on the signal;

a manual switch having a first position and a second position; and

a controller in communication with the engine, the generator, the monitoring device, the voltage regulator, and the manual switch, the controller being configured to;

selectively provide at least one of an alarm and a shutdown command to the engine based on the signal;

override the signal and deactivate the voltage regulator when the manual switch is in the first position; and

allow the voltage regulator to affect operation of the power system when the manual switch is in the second position.

19. The power system of claim 18, further including a second monitoring device configured to monitor a condition of the engine and generate a second signal indicative of the condition, wherein the controller is further configured to provide at least one of an alarm and a shutdown of the engine based on the second signal, and to affect operation of the power system based on the second signal when the manual switch is in any of the first position and the second position.

20. The power system of claim 19, wherein the condition is one of an oil level, a coolant level, a fuel level, an air cleaner status, and a battery status.