POWER GENERATION SYSTEM THAT OPTIMIZES THE POWER PROVIDED TO CHARGE BATTERIES

• US 20140070760A1
• Filed: 09/07/2012
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Albsmeier, Eric D., Mauk, Richard A., Chiu, Harrison C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,331,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/005 Detection of state of health [SOH]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a power generation system. The power generation system includes a first generator and a first battery charger. The first battery charger is adapted to charge a first battery and a second battery. The first battery and the second battery are each adapted to provide power to start the first generator. The power generation system further includes a controller that determines a state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery. Based on the state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery, the controller determines which of the first battery and the second battery receives charging current from the first battery charger.

Claims

1. A power generation system that includes a battery charging system comprising:

a first generator;

a first battery charger that is adapted to charge a first battery and a second battery, wherein the first battery and the second battery are each adapted to provide power to start the first generator; and

a controller that determines a state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery, wherein the controller determines which of the first battery and second battery receives charging current from the first battery charger.

2. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the first battery charger is selectively connected to a primary power source or the first generator.

3. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the primary power source is utility power.

4. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a generator controller that operates the first generator.

5. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is part of the first battery charger.

6. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the controller displays information relating to operating parameters of the battery charger.

7. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure such that the first generator, the controller, and first battery charger are within the enclosure.

8. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a second battery charger that charges the second battery, wherein the controller determines which of the first battery and second battery receives charging current from at least one of the first battery charger and the second battery charger.

9. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the first battery charger is connected to the second battery charger such that the first battery charger and the second battery charger are able to exchange power.

10. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the first battery charger is connected to the second battery such that the second battery receives charging current from the first battery charger, and wherein the second battery charger is connected to the first battery such that the first battery receives charging current from the second battery charger.

11. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of batteries, wherein the controller determines which of the plurality of batteries receives charging current from at least one of the first battery charger and the second battery charger.

12. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a second generator such that the second battery provides power to start the second generator.

13. The power generation system of claim 12, further comprising an additional controller that is a generator controller that operates the second generator, wherein the additional controller determines which of the first battery and second battery receives charging current from at least one of the first battery charger and the second battery charger.

14. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of batteries, wherein the controller determines which of the plurality of batteries receives charging current from the first battery charger.

15. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a server that provides commands to the controller as to which of the first battery and second battery receives charging current from the first battery charger.