Communications processor remote host and multiple unit control devices and methods for micropower generation systems
First Claim
1. A system for remotely controlling a line power unit that delivers electrical power to a grid from a electrical power source, comprising:
- said line power unit including a full wave rectifier connected to the electrical power source, said full wave rectifier converting a three phase AC voltage from the electrical power source to a DC voltage;
a DC bus connected to the output of said full wave rectifier;
an inverter connected to said DC bus, said inverter functioning as a current source and transforming the DC voltage to a controlled three phase alternating voltage;
an inductor unit connected to the output of said inverter;
a first contactor unit selectively connecting and disconnecting said inductor unit to and from the grid;
a line power unit controller connected to said inverter and a power level command input;
an external interface connected to an external communication device communicating data and command signals to and from a remote terminal; and
an I/O controller connected to said external interface and said line power unit controller, said I/O controller receiving data signals from said line power unit and controlling and routing the data signals to the remote terminal via said external interface;
said I/O controller receiving command signals from the remote terminal via said external communication device and routing the control signals to said line power unit controller, said line power unit controller receiving a power level command from said I/O controller and controlling said inverter to transform the DC voltage to a controlled three phase alternating voltage having the commanded power level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications processor is disclosed for a power generation system that permits data and control signals to be communicated to and from the power generation system and a host computer. The control signals include a power level command and power factor that are sent from a remote host to the power generation system which responds by delivering the requested power level having the desired power factor to a grid. The remote host receives performance data that permits an operator to accurately gauge the performance of the power generation system including the performance and any fault conditions of a line power unit, generator, and engine driving the generator. The communications processor unburdens the line power unit controller that is responsible for controlling power generation from the task of processing input data and driving local displays. The host may also be provided at a location remote from the power generation system. The host, local or remote, preferably includes a graphical user interface that permits an operator to monitor and control the power generation system in an efficient and highly effective manner. A dedicated serial bus connects the communications processors of multiple power generation systems. By utilizing a round-robbin polling of each power generation system across the dedicated serial bus, real-time control can be achieved.
144 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system for remotely controlling a line power unit that delivers electrical power to a grid from a electrical power source, comprising:
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said line power unit including a full wave rectifier connected to the electrical power source, said full wave rectifier converting a three phase AC voltage from the electrical power source to a DC voltage; a DC bus connected to the output of said full wave rectifier; an inverter connected to said DC bus, said inverter functioning as a current source and transforming the DC voltage to a controlled three phase alternating voltage; an inductor unit connected to the output of said inverter; a first contactor unit selectively connecting and disconnecting said inductor unit to and from the grid; a line power unit controller connected to said inverter and a power level command input; an external interface connected to an external communication device communicating data and command signals to and from a remote terminal; and an I/O controller connected to said external interface and said line power unit controller, said I/O controller receiving data signals from said line power unit and controlling and routing the data signals to the remote terminal via said external interface; said I/O controller receiving command signals from the remote terminal via said external communication device and routing the control signals to said line power unit controller, said line power unit controller receiving a power level command from said I/O controller and controlling said inverter to transform the DC voltage to a controlled three phase alternating voltage having the commanded power level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer implemented method for remotely controlling and monitoring electric power transformation in a device having a full wave rectifier connected to an electrical power source, a DC bus connected to the output of the full wave rectifier, an inverter connected to the DC bus, an inductor unit connected to the output of the inverter, a first contactor unit selectively connecting and disconnecting the inductor unit to and from a grid, a pre-charge circuit connected to the DC bus, a line power unit controller connected to the inverter and a power level command input, the computer implemented method comprising the steps of:
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receiving device status data from the device including output power, DC bus voltage, and DC bus current; displaying a graphical user interface on a display device; said display step displaying the received device status data; inputting a power level command via the graphical user interface; and sending the power level command to the device, wherein the line power unit controller receives the power level command from the power level command input and controls the inverter to transform the DC voltage to a controlled three phase alternating voltage having the commanded power level. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for remotely controlling a plurality of line power units that deliver electrical power to a grid, comprising:
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each of said line power units including a full wave rectifier connected to a three phase electrical power source, said full wave rectifier converting a three phase AC voltage from the three phase electrical power source to a DC voltage; a DC bus connected to the output of said full wave rectifier; an inverter connected to said DC bus, said inverter functioning as a current source and transforming the DC voltage to a controlled three phase alternating voltage; an inductor unit connected to the output of said inverter; a first contactor unit selectively connecting and disconnecting said inductor unit to and from the grid; a line power unit controller connected to said inverter and a power level command input, said line power units connected in parallel to the grid; a master controller for controlling said plurality of line power units; a local bus interconnecting said line power units and said master controller, said local bus communicating data and control signals; wherein each said line power unit controllers receives a power level command from said master controller and controls a corresponding one of said inverters to transform the DC voltage to a controlled three phase alternating voltage having the commanded power level. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification