Method for exercising a stand-by electrical generator

• US 7,230,345 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curtis Anderson, Garry L. Carls, Generac Power Systems Incorporated (Generac Holdings Incorporated), Glynn Bergeron, James Roberts, Joe Mckenzie, John E. Matthews, Jules B. Paderewski, Julian N. Stern, Memorial Health Systems Incorporated, Simpson K. Russell, Timothy P. O'Hayer
• Original Assignee: Generac Power Systems Incorporated (Generac Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wedel, Francis X., Kern, Robert D., Winnie, Peter D., Dietrich, Alan P., Clement, Douglas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/033,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20060152198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/41, 290/40.A, 290/40.B, 290/40.C, 290/40.D, 322/7, 322/8, 322/14, 123/179.3, 123/339.17
• US Class Current: 290/40.00D
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/001 Electric control of rotation speed
• 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

Abstract

A method is provided for exercising an engine-driven, electrical generator. The generator has a first operation mode wherein the generator generates a predetermined output voltage at a predetermined frequency with the engine running a predetermined operating speed and a second exercise mode. The method includes the step of running the engine at a predetermined exercise speed with the generator in the exercise mode. The predetermined exercise speed is in the range of 40% to 70% of the predetermined operating speed of the engine. In addition, in the exercise mode, the generator generates an exercise voltage that is less than the predetermined output voltage.

Claims

1. A method of exercising an engine-driven, electrical generator, the generator generating a predetermined output voltage at a predetermined frequency with the engine running a predetermined operating speed, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a generator exercise mode for the generator;

starting the engine; and

running the engine at a predetermined exercise speed, the exercise speed being less than the predetermined operating speed.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of generating an exercise voltage with the generator that is less than the predetermined output voltage with the generator in the generator exercise mode.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the exercise speed of the engine is in the range of 40% to 70% of the predetermined operating speed of the engine.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 3600 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1800 revolutions per minute.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 1600 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1200 revolutions per minute.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 3000 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1500 revolutions per minute.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine includes the additional steps of providing a fuel mixture to the engine when the engine is running at the predetermined operating speed and reducing the fuel mixture providing to the engine with the generator in the generator in the generator exercise mode.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of changing the output voltage of the generator with the generator in the generator exercise mode.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a generator exercise mode for the generator includes additional step of manually starting the engine.

10. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of providing a transfer switch having a first input connectable to a utility source, a second input operatively connected to the generator, and an output connectable to a load, the transfer switch is selectively movable between a first position connecting the utility source to the load and a second position connecting the generator to the load.

11. A method of exercising an engine-driven, electrical generator, the generator generating a predetermined output voltage at a predetermined frequency with the engine running a predetermined operating speed, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a generator exercise mode for the generator; and

running the engine at a predetermined exercise speed, the predetermined exercise speed in the range of 40% to 70% of the predetermined operating speed of the engine.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising the additional step of generating an exercise voltage with the generator in the generator exercise mode, the exercise voltage being less than the predetermined output voltage.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 3600 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1800 revolutions per minute.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 1800 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1200 revolutions per minute.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 3000 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1500 revolutions per minute.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the engine includes the additional steps of providing a fuel mixture to the engine when the engine is running at the predetermined operating speed and reducing the fuel mixture providing to the engine with the generator in the generator in the generator exercise mode.

17. The method of claim 11 comprising the additional steps of changing the output voltage of the generator with the generator in the generator exercise mode.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the additional step of manually starting the engine.

19. The method of claim 11 comprising the additional step of providing a transfer switch having a first input connectable to a utility source, a second input operatively connected to the generator, and an output connectable to a load, the transfer switch is selectively movable between a first position connecting the utility source to the load and a second position connecting the generator to the load.

20. A method of exercising an engine-driven, electrical generator, the generator having a first operation mode wherein the generator generates a predetermined output voltage at a predetermined frequency with the engine running a predetermined operating speed and a second exercise mode, the method comprising the steps of:

running the engine at a predetermined exercise speed with the generator in the exericise mode, the predetermined exercise speed in the range of 40% to 70% of the predetermined operating speed of the engine; and

generating an exercise voltage with the generator in the generator exercise mode, the exercise voltage being less than the predetermined output voltage.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 3600 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1800 revolutions per minute.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 1600 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1200 revolutions per minute.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the predetermined operating speed is approximately 3000 revolutions per minute and wherein the predetermined exercise speed is approximately 1500 revolutions per minute.

24. The method of claim 20 comprising additional steps of providing a first volume of fuel to the engine when the generator in the operating mode and providing a second volume of fuel to the engine with the generator in the exercise mode, the second volume of fuel being less than the first volume of fuel.