Method and apparatus for changing the rating of a electronically controlled engine generator set

• US 6,710,467 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Dvorsky, Michael A., Braun, Andrew N., Krahn, Darren L., Kocovsky, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US10/195,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20040007876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 290/40.R, 290/40.A, 290/40.B, 290/40.C, 290/1.A, 322/14, 322/15, 322/25, 322/28
• US Class Current: 290/40.00B
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator

Abstract

Method and apparatus for changing the rating of engine generator set by selecting a generator set rating using a rating selector included in the generator set control system. The generator set rating includes at least an engine rating and voltage.

Claims

1. A control system for use on a generator set, said generator set having an internal combustion engine connected with a generator, said control system comprising:

an electronic controller connected with said internal combustion engine and said generator;

memory connected with said electronic controller, said memory having stored therein a plurality of generator set ratings; and

a rating selector connected with said electronic controller, said rating selector having operator inputs, wherein said electronic controller selects a generator set rating as a function of said operator inputs, wherein each generator set rating include at least one associated engine rating and voltage, and wherein said electronic controller produces engine command signals and generator control signals as a function of a selected generator set rating.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said genset ratings further include a frequency.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control system further includes an ECM.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control system further includes an voltage regulator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control system further includes at least one protective relay.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rating selector includes a keypad.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rating selector is located remotely.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rating selector includes a switch.

9. A method for changing a genset rating wherein a plurality of genset ratings are stored in a control system for controlling a genset, comprising:

selecting one of a the plurality of genset ratings, wherein each of the genset ratings include at least one associated engine rating and voltage;

producing engine command signals as a function of the selected genset rating; and

producing generator control signals as a function of the selected genset rating.

10. The method of claim 9 producing generator control signals includes setting the voltage regulator reference voltage.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein producing generator control signals includes setting a protective relay reference voltage.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein each of the genset ratings include a frequency rating.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein producing generator control signals includes setting the voltage regulator reference frequency.

14. The method of claim 12 producing generator control signals includes setting a protective relay reference frequency.

15. A method for changing a genset rating wherein a plurality of genset ratings are stored in a control system for controlling a genset, comprising:

selecting one of a plurality of genset ratings wherein each of the genset ratings include at least one associated engine rating and voltage;

determining if the genset is running or attached to a load;

producing engine command signals as a function of the selected genset rating if the genset is not running or is not attached to a load; and

producing generator control signals as a function of the selected genset rating if the genset is not running or is not attached to a load.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein producing generator control signals includes setting the voltage regulator reference voltage.

17. The method of claim 15 producing generator control signals includes setting a protective relay reference voltage.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein each of the genset ratings include a frequency rating.

19. The method of claim 18 producing generator control signals includes setting the voltage regulator reference frequency.

20. The method of claim 18 producing generator control signals includes setting a protective relay reference frequency.