Microprocessor based integrated generator set controller apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling the voltage and current output signals of a generator, comprising:
- (a) first sensing means, operatively connected to the generator, for sensing the voltage and current output signals of the generator and for providing a sensed voltage signal and a sensed current signal; and
(b) first control means, operatively connected to the generator and to said first sensing means to receive said sensed voltage and current signals, for selectively controlling the voltage or current output signals of the generator in response to the magnitude of the current output signal, said first control means controlling the voltage or current signals according to a control process equation having coefficients, wherein the coefficients of said control process equation are changed according to whether the voltage or current signals are being controlled.
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Abstract
An electrical generator system integrated controller device utilizing PID control and capable of regulating voltage or current, and frequency simultaneously. The device utilizes a micro-controller (30.1) to monitor the engine generator set (20), then determines the appropriate signal to deliver to the electrical generator set (20) to regulate the engine throttle (21) and the generator (22) field windings. The micro-controller (30.1) also provides for real and reactive load sharing with additional generator sets (40) while also providing for an integrated circuit interrupter module (500) to open the line from the generator (22) to the load bus (42). Additionally, serial communications (34) are provided as well as displays (35), meters (37), and operator input (36). Finally, the permissive paralleling module (700) provides that the engine electrical generator set (20) will not be allowed to be connected to the load bus (42) until standards of voltage and phase have been achieved for a set period of time.
121 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling the voltage and current output signals of a generator, comprising:
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(a) first sensing means, operatively connected to the generator, for sensing the voltage and current output signals of the generator and for providing a sensed voltage signal and a sensed current signal; and (b) first control means, operatively connected to the generator and to said first sensing means to receive said sensed voltage and current signals, for selectively controlling the voltage or current output signals of the generator in response to the magnitude of the current output signal, said first control means controlling the voltage or current signals according to a control process equation having coefficients, wherein the coefficients of said control process equation are changed according to whether the voltage or current signals are being controlled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17)
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9. A control system for controlling the voltage and current output signals of a generator, comprising:
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(a) first sensing means, operatively connected to the generator, for sensing the voltage and curent output signals of the generator and for providing a sensed voltage signal and a sensed current signal; and (b) first control means, operatively connected to the generator and to said first sensing means to receive said sensed voltage and current signals, for selectively controlling the voltage or current output signals of the generator in response to the magnitude of the current output signal, wherein said first control means controls the voltage output signal and selectively controls the current output signal when the magnitude of the current output signal exceeds a first current threshold level and wherein said first control means selectively returns to control the voltage output signal when the magnitude of the current output signal is less than a second current threshold level, whereby hysteresis is added to said first control means, said first control means comprises a microprocessor including; (i) control equation memory means for storing a control process equation; (ii) co-efficient memory means for storing a plurality of co-efficient sets corresponding to selectively controlling the voltage output signal, defining a first set of co-efficients, and for controlling the current output signal, defining a second set of co-efficients; (iii) data processing means including; (A) means for computing said control process equation where said sensed voltage output signal is the input; (B) means for changing the coefficients of said control process equation to said second set when the magnitude of the current output signal exceeds said first current threshold level; (C) means for computing said control process equation where said sensed current output signal is the input; and (D) means for changing the coefficients of said control process equation to said first set when the magnitude of the current output signal is less than said second current threshold level.
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10. A generator set, of the type having a generator powered by a prime mover for connection to a load conductor, comprising:
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(a) a generator; (b) prime mover means cooperatively connected to said generator for transmitting rotational energy to said generator; (c) first sensing means, operatively connected to said generator, for sensing the voltage and current output signals of said generator and for providing a sensed voltage signal and a sensed current signal; (d) first control means, operatively connected to said generator and to said first sensing means to receive said sensed voltage and current signals, for selectively controlling the voltage or current output signals of said generator in response to the magnitude of the current output signal, said first control means operatively controlling the voltage or current output signals in accordance with a control process equation, wherein a first set of coefficients are utilized when controlling voltage and a second set are utilized when controlling current; (e) second sensing means, cooperatively connected to said prime mover means, for providing a sensed rotational speed signal of said prime mover means corresponding to the output waveform frequency of said generator; and (f) second control means, cooperatively connected to said prime mover means and to said second sensing means to receive said sensed rotational speed signal, for controlling the rotational speed of said prime mover means, whereby the generator output waveform frequency and either the current output signal or voltage output signal are simultaneously controlled. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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18. A method of automatically controlling the voltage and current output system of a generator, comprising the steps of:
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(a) sensing the voltage and current output signals of the generator; (b) providing a sensed voltage signal and a sensed current signal; (c) receiving said sensed voltage and current signal; (d) controlling selectively the voltage or current output signals of the generator in response to the magnitude of the current output signal utilizing a control process equation having coefficients; and (e) changing the coefficients of the control process equation based upon whether voltage or current is being controlled.
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Specification