Automatic generator starting protection
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- an actuator circuit, to automatically start a fuel-powered AC generator when a load circuit needs AC electrical power from the AC generator;
a sensor circuit, to detect a fault condition indicative of a risk of an exhaust hazard; and
a logic circuit, coupled to the sensor and actuator circuits, to disable the actuator circuit when the fault condition indicates that the risk of the exhaust hazard is present;
wherein the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of a vehicle.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods of disabling an automatic generator starting (AGS) actuator, such as used with a fuel-powered AC power generator providing AC electrical power to a recreational vehicle (RV) or other vehicle. The AGS actuator is disabled in response to a fault condition, such as may be indicative of a risk of hazardous gas, such as carbon monoxide (CO) accumulating near the vehicle, potentially in an enclosed area. After such disabling is performed, the vehicle driver would then have to consciously re-engage the AGS actuator. Factors useful for determining whether the fault condition exist include, among other things, transmission position, wheel rotation, vehicle engine operation status, ignition status, and/or an exhaust gas sensor.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an actuator circuit, to automatically start a fuel-powered AC generator when a load circuit needs AC electrical power from the AC generator; a sensor circuit, to detect a fault condition indicative of a risk of an exhaust hazard; and
a logic circuit, coupled to the sensor and actuator circuits, to disable the actuator circuit when the fault condition indicates that the risk of the exhaust hazard is present;wherein the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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detecting a fault condition indicative of a risk of an exhaust hazard; and disabling an automatic AC generator starting actuator of a fuel-powered electrical AC generator, which starts when a load circuit is in need of AC electrical from the AC generator and where the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of a vehicle, when the fault condition indicates that the risk of the exhaust hazard is present. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A system comprising:
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a recreational vehicle, including a fuel-powered AC generator; an actuator circuit, to automatically start the fuel-powered AC generator when a load circuit of the recreational vehicle needs AC electrical power from the AC generator; a sensor circuit, to detect a fault condition indicative of a risk of an exhaust hazard; and a logic circuit, coupled to the sensor and actuator circuits, to disable the actuator circuit when the fault condition indicates that the risk of the exhaust hazard is present; wherein the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of the recreational vehicle.
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Specification