Wireless annunciator for an electrical generator

• US 8,841,797 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2011
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Generac Power Systems Incorporated (Generac Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Generac Power Systems Incorporated (Generac Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wischstadt, Greg, Wilcox, Steven, Vicari, David, Thomas, Jake
• Primary Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/008,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20110254370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 307/39, 307/64
• US Class Current: 307/64
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/08 requiring starting of a prime-mover
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/248 UPS systems or standby or emergency generators

Abstract

A wireless annunciator for an electrical generator displays data regarding operation of the electrical generator to provide feedback to a remote observer regarding performance of the electrical generator in meeting the demands placed thereon. The wireless annunciator wirelessly receives transmissions from one or more wireless modules and displays information based on the data contained in the transmissions. The wireless modules may be associated with sensors, for example, that measure various performance parameters of the electrical generator, such as current draw, fuel level, fuel pressure, and the like. A load management controller can communicate with one or more load-side modules, either wirelessly or across wired links, to control operation of one or more loads to avoid overloading of the electrical generator.

Claims

1. A power system comprising:

an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical current for powering loads of an electrical system during utility power interruption;

a wireless communication system that includes a wireless annunciator and facilitates the wireless transmission of data between the electrical generator and the wireless annunciator;

a first sensor sensing an operational characteristic of the electrical generator and a first wireless module operatively connected to the first sensor, wherein the first wireless module is configured to transmit data relating to the electrical generator to the wireless annunciator;

a second sensor sensing an operational characteristic of the electrical system and a second wireless module operatively connected to the second sensor, wherein the second wireless module is configured to transmit data relating to the electrical system to the wireless annunciator; and

wherein the wireless annunciator receives data transmitted from the first and second wireless modules and is configured to convey information relating to the operational characteristics of the electrical generator and the electrical system to a user by displaying the information relating to the operational characteristics of the electrical generator and the electrical system at the wireless annunciator.

2. The power system of claim 1 wherein a graphical user interface of the wireless annunciator is configured to display information regarding the operational characteristics of at least one of the electrical generator and the electrical system.

3. The power system of claim 1 wherein the first sensor is defined by a fuel level sensor that measures fuel level of a fuel source that provides fuel to the electrical generator.

4. The power system of claim 1 wherein the first sensor is defined by fuel pressure sensor that measures pressure in a fuel line along which fuel is supplied from a fuel source to the electrical generator.

5. The power system of claim 1 further comprising a load control module capable of wirelessly receiving information from at least one of the first and second wireless modules, the load control module configured to electrically isolate at least one of the loads of the electrical system from the electrical generator when instructed to do so.

6. The power system of claim 5 further comprising a load management controller connected to at least one of the first and second wireless modules, and configured to control operation of the electrical generator or the load control module.

7. A power management system for a plurality of loads that are supplied power by an electrical generator during interruption of a primary power supply that normally supplies power to the plurality of loads, the system comprising:

a controller that monitors data relating to the plurality of loads and the electrical generator and is configured to determine if the electrical generator can meet the demands of the loads being supplied power by the electrical generator; and

a wireless annunciator operatively connected to the controller and configured to convey information relating to the electrical generator and the plurality of loads to a user by displaying the information relating to the electrical generator and the plurality of loads at the wireless annunciator,

a first module wirelessly coupled to the controller and to the wireless annunciator for transmitting data relating to an operational characteristic of the electrical generator;

a second module wirelessly coupled to the controller and to the wireless annunciator for transmitting data relating to an operational characteristic of the plurality of loads; and

wherein the controller is configured to receive and evaluate data transmitted from at least one of the first and second modules and electrically isolate at least one of the plurality of loads from the electrical generator based on the data transmitted from at least one of the first and second modules and evaluated by the controller to reduce loading of the electrical generator.

8. The power management system of claim 7 further comprising one or more sensors that measure performance of the electrical generator and one or more sensor modules communicatively linked with the one or more sensors to wirelessly transmit data regarding performance of the electrical generator to the controller.

9. The power management system of claim 8 wherein a graphical interface of the wireless annunciator remote from the electrical generator displays information regarding operation of at least the electrical generator.

10. The power management system of claim 9 wherein the graphical interface is configured to display information corresponding to performance measured by the one or more sensor modules.

11. The power management system of claim 7 further comprising a contactor communicatively linked with the module and operative to interrupt current flow to the load when instructed by the controller.

12. The power management system of claim 7 wherein the load includes an AC unit operatively associated with a thermostat, and wherein the module is coupled to the thermostat and operative to change a setting of the thermostat when instructed by the controller.

13. A backup power supply system that supplies electrical power to an electrical system during interruption of utility power to the electrical system, the power management system comprising:

a load management controller;

an electrical generator remote from the load management controller for powering a load of an electrical system during interruption of utility power to the electrical system;

a wireless annunciator connected to the load management controller and configured to convey information relating to the electrical generator and the electrical system to a user by displaying the information relating to the electrical generator and the electrical system at the wireless annunciator;

a transfer switch that selectively connects the electrical system to the electrical generator during interruption of utility power;

a first wireless module associated with the electrical generator to transmit data relating to the electrical generator to the wireless annunciator;

a second wireless module associated with the load of the electrical system to transmit data relating to the electrical system to the wireless annunciator and operative to wirelessly receive instructions from the controller and, when instructed by the controller, change a current draw of the load on the electrical generator.

14. The backup power supply system of claim 13 further comprising a switching device connected between the load and the electrical generator, and wherein the wireless module is further operative to control the switching device to electrically isolate the load from the electrical generator when instructed by the controller to do so.

15. The backup power supply system of claim 13 wherein the load includes an AC unit, and further comprising a thermostat that controls operation of the AC unit, and wherein the wireless module is configured to change a setting of the thermostat when instructed by the controller.

16. The backup power supply system of claim 13 wherein a graphical user interface of the wireless annunciator is communicatively linked with the controller and operative to display information regarding performance of the electrical generator in supplying electrical power to the electrical system.

17. The backup power supply system of claim 16 further comprising one or more sensors that measure performance of the backup power supply system and one or more wireless modules that wirelessly transmit data regarding the performance of the backup power supply to the controller.