Power generation systems

• US 8,492,913 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2012
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Powersys LLC
• Original Assignee: Powersys LLC
• Inventors: Koeneman, Douglas Alan, Woods, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US13/550,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20120280518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/1.B, 290/40.C, 322/37, 322/44
• US Class Current: 290/1.A
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/00 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/00 Liquid cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/20 Cooling circuits not specific to a single part of engine or machine F01P3/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/25 Devices for sensing temperature, or actuated thereby
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1815 structurally associated with reciprocating piston engines general aspects of generating sets, e.g. housing, F02B63/04
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/19 for machines with closed casing and closed-circuit cooling using a liquid cooling medium, e.g. oil
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/14 Combined heat and power generation [CHP]

Abstract

A power generation system is provided that includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational mechanical energy. A generator is configured to receive the rotational mechanical energy and generate electrical power in response to the rotational mechanical energy. A fluid medium is provided to the internal combustion engine and to the generator for removing thermal energy from the internal combustion engine and from the generator.

Claims

1. A power generation system comprising:

a generator;

a plurality of power applications, each power application connected to a different power demand;

a logic control configured to model designed capabilities of each of the power applications, the logic control further configured to model designed capabilities of each of the different power demands; and

a mode control configured to combine the respective design capabilities of the power applications and the different power demands to model a design capability of the power generating system which is different from the design capabilities of the respective power applications.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the logic control models at least one of the following:

maximum sustainable available power to any one of the different power demands;

maximum intermittent and instantaneous available power to any one of the different power demands;

an anticipated available design capability of any one of the respective the power applications; and

an anticipated power demand different from any one of the different power demands.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the logic control is configured to:

assess a durability of the respective power applications and the different power demands; and

indicate an assessment.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the durability of the respective power applications includes the respective design capabilities and anticipated available design capability of any one of the respective the power applications.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the logic control is configured to change proportions of a contribution of one of the respective power applications to the associated power demand to a different maximum sustainable available power.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the mode control is configured:

to receive an indication from at least one of the respective power applications or different power demands; and

in response to the indication, modify activation and proportion contributions of the at least one power application.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the mode control is configured:

to receive an indication from at least one of the respective power applications or different power demands; and

in response to the indication, optimize activation and prioritize proportion contributions to different sustainable design capabilities different from the respective design capabilities.

8. A power generation system comprising:

a generator;

a plurality of power applications, each power application connected to a different power demand;

a logic control configured to model designed requirements, capabilities, and anticipated design capabilities of the respective power applications and the different power demands; and

a mode control configured to combine the design capabilities and anticipated design capabilities to create a design capability of the power generating system which is different from the design capabilities of the respective power applications.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the mode control models design priorities for the power generating system and is configured for a design priority which modifies the design capabilities of the power generating system.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the mode control indicates a change in activation and proportions of contribution of the respective power applications to prioritize a specific power application to a power demand comprising a different maximum power sustainable power.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the logic control is configured to change proportions of contributions of the respective remaining power applications to change power available to the respective power demands to another maximum sustainable available power.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the logic control:

models the requirements and design capability of each power application and the availability of required inputs; and

forecasts the expected availability of required inputs to create a new indication.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the mode control is configured:

for a design priority;

to receive an indication from at least one of the power applications; and

in response to the indication, modify activation and proportion contributions to the respective power applications.

14. A power generation system comprising:

a generator;

a plurality of power applications, each power application connected to a different power demand;

a logic control configured to model design capabilities and anticipated future design capabilities of at least one of the respective power applications; and

a mode control configured to combine the design capabilities and the anticipated future design capabilities to model a design capability of the power generating system which is different from the design capabilities of the at least one respective power application.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the logic control models a maximum sustainable available power to the different power demand associated with the at least one respective power application.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the logic control models a maximum intermittent and instantaneous available power to the different power demand associated with the at least one respective power application.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one power application becomes a power demand configured to perform at least one of the following functions:

reduce an available power below a maximum design capability of the power generating system;

optimize fuel efficiency of the power generating system; and

maximize durability of the power generating system.