Deployable power generation and distribution system

• US 6,877,581 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HDT Expeditionary Systems, Inc. (HDT Global, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Radian, Inc. (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Moore, Wayne, Chison, Mel, Edwards, Norman, Badr, Mazen, Cope, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rosenberg, Laura B.
• Application Number:
  US10/259,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20030122360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 180/311, 180/312, 280/786, 280/789, 280/79.6, 318/17, 296/24.3, 296/182.1, 296/184.1, 290/1.A, 307/80, 307/85, 307/86, 310/113, 700/22
• US Class Current: 180/311
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/00 Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects ambulances or other vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00; hearses A61G21/00; fire-fighting land vehicles A62C27/00; refuse-collecting vehicles B65F3/00, B65F7/00; snow-removing vehicles E01H; armoured or armed vehicles F41H7/00; self-propelled mine-clearing vehicles F41H11/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04

Abstract

A networkable engine-generator control system for use with mobile generators mounted on a frame with ground engaging wheels enabling air transport. Each control system consists of a microprocessor based controller and associated field inputs and outputs. Each processor also includes asynchronous communications allowing it to poll external devices from one port and communicate over a network out of another port. Each onboard generator is operated based on runtime hours and system load. The controller monitors engine and generator parameters and makes this information available to an operator using an external monitoring software package. Local operation of each generator is also available on the trailer itself. When operated in conjunction with other systems any one of the controllers may be made the master. The other controllers then automatically are polled by the master. The master coordinates generator operations on all networked systems. The frame utilizing a spine truss and outer frame.

Claims

1. A power generating unit for a deployable power generating and distributing system comprising:

a front axle having ground engaging wheels, a vertical laterally centered post and a tongue extending generally horizontally and forwardly from said post

a rear axle having ground engaging wheels;

a spine truss pivotably connected to the center post of said front axle and rigidly connected to said rear axle at the lateral center thereof, said spine having upper and lower vertically spaced apart longitudinal members and a plurality of vertical and angled truss members extending between said longitudinal members;

a plurality of transverse load support members each cantileverly extending laterally from said spine truss at a point vertically intermediate said longitudinal members on opposite sides thereof;

a motor-generator supported by said load support members on each side of said spine truss, two side frames each having upper and lower longitudinal frame members and a plurality of vertically extending frame members, said side frames being supported by said load support members at the lateral extremities thereof on both lateral sides of said spine truss;

a plurality of top frame members rigidly connecting the upper longitudinal frame members of said side frames at the front and rear extremities thereof to thereby form forwardly and rearwardly facing frame ends; and

a thin walled skin for each of said side frames and said frame ends.

2. The power generating unit of claim 1 wherein said skin maintains substantially uniform sheer forces.

3. The power generating unit of claim 1 wherein the vertical web of said spine truss is sufficient to support the weight of said motor-generators, frame and skin.

4. The power generating unit of claim 1 wherein said motor-generator and any associated equipment is positioned relative to said spine truss to effect a longitudinal weight distribution which substantially equalizes the weight on said front and rear axles.

5. The power generating unit of claim 4 wherein said associated equipment includes a power distribution unit and an electromagnetic wave energy screen.

6. The power generating unit of claim 4 wherein said associated equipment includes a fuel tank for the emergency operation of said motor generator.

7. The power generating unit of claim 1 wherein said motor-generator and any associated equipment is positioned relative to said spine truss to effect a lateral weight distribution which substantially equalizes the weight on the ground engaging wheels of both of said axles.

8. The power generating unit of claim 1 including a generally horizontal pan carried by said support members to contain any environmentally harmful fluids leaking from said motor-generator and associated equipment.

9. The power generating unit of claim 1 wherein unit has the capacity of approximately 1 KW/ 25 pounds of weight.

10. The power generating unit of claim 1, wherein the front axle is a towing apparatus interconnected with the unit via a fifth wheel connection.

11. The power generator unit of claim 1, wherein container interlocks are located on the top corners of the side frames.

12. The power generating unit of claim 1, wherein a processor is detachably connected to the rearward facing frame ends.

13. A power generating unit for a deployable power generating and distributing system comprising:

a spine truss connected to front and rear axles each having ground engaging wheels;

a plurality of transverse load support members each cantileverly extending laterally from said spine truss at a point vertically intermediate the height of said spine truss; and

a motor-generator and associated equipment supported by said load support members on each side of said spine truss.

14. A power generating unit for a deployable power generating and

distributing system comprising:

a central longitudinal spine connected to front and rear axles each having ground engaging wheels;

a plurality of support members cantileverly extending laterally from said spine; and

,

two motor-generators and associated equipment supported by said load support members, said motor-generators and associated equipment being positioned with respect to said spine to effect bilateral and bi-longitudinal weight distribution on said wheels.

15. A power generating unit for a deployable power generating and distributing system comprising:

a central longitudinal spine connected to front and rear axles each having ground engaging wheels;

a plurality of transverse load support members each cantileverly extending laterally from said spine;

a motor-generator and associated equipment supported by said load support members on each side of said spine, said spine having a vertical web dimension sufficient to support the weight of said motor-generators and associated equipment and said support members being attached to said spine at a point vertically intermediate the web thereof.

16. A power generating unit for a deployable power generating and distributing system comprising:

front and rear axles each having ground engaging wheels;

a spine truss pivotably connected to said front axle and rigidly connected to said rear axle;

two motor-generators and associated equipment cantileverly suspended from said spine truss to apply bilateral and bi-longitudinal weight distribution on said wheels.

17. A power unit for a deployable power generator distribution center comprising:

at least one generator set, each generator set comprising an engine and a mechanical power to electrical power converter;

a main bus operably connecting each generator set and a power output;

a processor operably connected to each generator set and said main bus;

a communication link, said link operably connected to said processor;

wherein said processor controls the operation of said main bus and each generator set;

a switch, said switch operably connected to the processor for switching the processor between master and slave modes;

wherein in said slave mode the processor is controlled via said communication link and in said master mode, the processor sends control signals over the communication link, and

front and rear axles each having ground engaging wheels wherein;

each said generator and associated equipment is supported by said axles with bilateral and bilongitudinal weight distribution on said wheels.

18. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, comprising a plurality of contactors that are programmable via the communication link.

19. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the processor comprises engine-generator monitoring functions.

20. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the number of generator sets is two.

21. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the mechanical power to electrical power converter is a DC generator.

22. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the mechanical power to electrical power converter is an AC alternator.

23. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the processor is remote controlled.

24. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the processor is a slave.

25. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the processor is a master.

26. The mobile engine-generator of claim 17, wherein the generators sets are isochronous.

27. The power unit according to claim 17, further comprising:

a support frame comprising;

the front axle having ground engaging wheels, a vertical laterally centered post and a tongue extending generally horizontally and forwardly from said post

the rear axle having ground engaging wheels;

a spine truss pivotably connected to the center post of said front axle and rigidly connected to said rear axle at the lateral center thereof, said spine having upper and lower vertically spaced apart longitudinal members and a plurality of vertical and angled truss members extending between said longitudinal members;

a plurality of transverse load support members each cantileverly extending laterally from said spine truss at a point vertically intermediate said longitudinal members on opposite sides thereof;

a plurality of top frame members rigidly connecting the upper longitudinal frame members of said side frames at the front and rear extremities thereof to thereby form forwardly and rearwardly facing frame ends; and

a thin walled skin for each of said side frames and said frame ends,

wherein each of the at least one generator set and associated equipment are supported by said load support members on each side of said spine truss, two side frames each having upper and lower longitudinal frame members and a plurality of vertically extending frame members, said side frames being supported by said load support members at the lateral extremities thereof on both lateral sides of said spine truss, providing bilateral and bi-longitudinal weight distribution on said wheels

said associated equipment comprising;

a microprocessor-based controller carried by said frame for monitoring engine and generator parameters and for selectively controlling the operation thereof in response to locally generated operating instructions, programmable software resident within said controller, and remotely generated instructions, said controller having means for visually displaying the monitored parameters and for locally generating operating instructions,

means operatively connected to said controller for asynchronous communication with the controllers of the other ones of said mobile engine-generators and a source of remote operating instructions to provide and receive engine and generator parameters and operating instructions,

whereby said at least one generator set is adapted to be (a) selectively operated independently of the other engine-generators, (b) operated under the remote control of said source of operating instructions, (c) operated under the control of a controller of another engine-generators or (d) control the operation of the other engine-generators.

28. In a deployable distributed engine-generator system comprising a plurality of power units interconnected by a communication line and interconnected in parallel by a common power bus, wherein one of said plurality of power units is configured as a master and the others of said plurality of power units configured as slaves, each of said plurality of power units comprising at least one generator set, a method of controlling generation capacity by the master comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a system load in relation to an upper and lower threshold;

(b) sequencing said plurality of power units,

(c) incrementally bringing online said plurality of power units while the system load exceeds the upper threshold;

(d) decrementally taking offline said plurality of power units while the system load is below the lower threshold,

wherein the step of incrementally bringing online comprises the steps of;

(i) starting incrementally in of each of said plurality of power units, one of the generator sets not started having the least runtime;

(ii) repeating step (i) while the system load exceeds the upper threshold.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of decrementally taking offline comprises the steps of:

(i) shutting off decrementally in of each of said plurality of power units, one of the generator sets started having the greatest runtime;

(ii) repeating step (i) while the system load is below the lower threshold.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the upper and lower thresholds are maximum load per started generator set and minimum load per started generator set respectively.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the number of power units is four and the number of generator sets is two and the step of incrementally bringing online said plurality of power units comprises the steps of:

starting one of the generator sets having the least runtime in the second power unit;

starting one of the generator sets having the least runtime in the third power unit;

starting one of the generator sets having the least runtime in the fourth power unit;

starting the other generator set in the first power unit;

starting the other generator set in the second power unit;

starting the other generator set in the third power unit; and

,

starting the other generator set in the fourth power unit.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the number of power units is four and the number of generator sets is two and the step of decrementally taking offline said plurality of power units comprises the steps of:

shutting off one of the generator sets having the greatest runtime in the fourth power unit;

shutting off one of the generator sets having the greatest runtime in the third power unit;

shutting off one of the generator sets having the greatest runtime in the second power unit;

shutting off one of the generator sets having the greatest runtime in the first power unit;

shutting off the other generator set in the fourth power unit,

shutting off the other generator set in the third power unit; and

,

shutting off the other generator set in the second power unit.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the distributed engine-generator system is operably connected to a power grid and the load is fixed.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the load is dynamic.

38. The distributed engine-generator system control system of claim 34 wherein the controller of each of said mobile engine-generators monitors differential engine filter pressures for maintenance, the associated generator for any alarm or fault conditions.

35. A distributed engine-generator system comprising:

a plurality of mobile engine-generators, each mobile engine-generator comprising;

a frame with front and rear axles having ground engaging wheels,

at least two engine driven generators carried by said frame, so that the wheels are exposed to a uniform bilateral and bilongitudinal weight distribution

a microprocessor-based controller carried by said frame for monitoring engine and generator parameters and for selectively controlling the operation thereof in response to locally generated operating instructions, programmable software resident within said controller, and remotely generated instructions, said controller having means for visually displaying the monitored parameters and for locally generating operating instructions, and

means operatively connected to said controller for asynchronous communication with the controllers of the other ones of said mobile engine-generators and a source of remote operating instructions to provide and receive engine and generator parameters and operating instructions,

whereby each of said plurality of mobile engine-generators may be (a) selectively operated independently of the others of said plurality of mobile engine-generators, (b) operated under the remote control of said source of operating instructions, (c) operated under the control of the controller of another one of said plurality of mobile engine-generators or (d) control the operation of others of said plurality of mobile engine-generators.

36. The distributed engine-generator system control system of claim 35 wherein the controller of each of said mobile engine-generators monitors the speed, coolant temperature, oil pressure, runtime, and battery voltage of the associated engine.

37. The distributed engine-generator system control system of claim 35 wherein the controller of each of said mobile engine-generators monitors the individual phase voltage and current, generator kilowatts (KW), kilovolt amps reactive (KVAR), apparent power (KVA), power factor, and frequency of the associated generator.