Standby power system that predicts a need to supply power to a load to minimize start time of a generator

• US 9,197,098 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2012
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Frampton, Isaac S., Dorn, Douglas W., Mauk, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VIET P
• Application Number:
  US13/540,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20140002032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 322 10- 13, 322 17- 18, 322/44
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/001 Methods to deal with contingencies, e.g. abnormalities, faults or failures
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/00 Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/068 Electronic means for switching from one power supply to another power supply, e.g. to avoid parallel connection
• 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: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a standby power system. The standby power system includes a sensor that is adapted to monitor a primary power source which provides power to a load. In some embodiments, the sensor may monitor characteristics of the power supplied by the primary power source 12 that may be used to sense abnormalities. The standby power system further includes a generator that is also adapted to supply power to the load. As an example, the generator may include an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator. The standby power system further includes a generator controller that operates the generator and exchanges data with the sensor. The generator controller predicts a need to supply power to the load based on data received from the sensor. The generator controller then acts to minimize a time to availability of the generator based on the prediction.

Claims

1. A standby power system comprising:

a sensor adapted to monitor a primary utility power source that provides power to a load;

a generator that is adapted to supply power to the load, wherein the generator includes an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator; and

a generator controller that operates the generator and receives data from the sensor, wherein the generator controller analyzes the data from the sensor such that the generator controller is configured to determine that there may be a potential loss of power from the primary utility power source, and wherein the generator controller acts to perform (i) operating an oil pump to lubricate mechanical components in the internal combustion engine, (ii) activating heating elements that enhance combustion in the internal combustion engine, (iii) operating air inlet louvers on an enclosure for the generator to permit the flow of combustion and cooling air to the internal combustion engine, (iv) injecting a fluid for combustion into the internal combustion engine to permit quicker starting of the internal combustion engine;

or (v) activating fuel preparation equipment to improve starting of a combustion engine before there is a loss of power from the primary utility power source without starting the internal combustion engine in order to minimize a time to availability for the generator to supply power to the load when there is a loss of power from the primary utility power source.

2. The standby power system of claim 1, wherein the sensor monitors the root mean squared voltage of the primary utility power source.

3. The standby power system of claim 1, wherein the sensor monitors zero sequence voltage of the primary utility power source.

4. The standby power system of claim 1, further comprising a server that exchanges information with the generator controller via a network, wherein at least one of the server and the generator controller are configured to determine that there may be a potential loss of power from the primary utility power source based on data received from the sensor.

5. A standby power system comprising:

a generator that is adapted to supply standby power to a load, wherein generator includes an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator;

a notification system that monitors a characteristic of a primary utility power source such that the notification system is configured to determine that there may be a potential loss of power from the primary utility power source, the determination based on the monitored characteristic; and

a generator controller that operates the generator and exchanges data with the notification system via a network, wherein the generator controller is configured to perform (i) operating an oil pump to lubricate mechanical components in the internal combustion engine, (ii) activating heating elements that enhance combustion in the internal combustion engine, (iii) operating air inlet louvers on an enclosure for the generator to permit the flow of combustion and cooling air to the internal combustion engine, (iv) injecting a fluid for combustion into the internal combustion engine to permit quicker starting of the internal combustion engine, or (v) activating fuel preparation equipment to improve starting of a combustion engine without starting the internal combustion engine in order to minimize a time to availability for the generator to supply power to the load when there is a loss of power from the primary utility power source.

6. The standby power system of claim 5, wherein the notification system monitors power provided by a primary utility power source.

7. The standby power system of claim 6, wherein the primary utility power source is an electrical utility.

8. The standby power system of claim 6, wherein the notification system receives information regarding potential interruptions of power that is provided by the primary utility power source.

9. The standby power system of claim 5, wherein the generator controller exchanges data with the notification system via the Internet.

10. The standby power system of claim 5, further comprising a server that exchanges information with the generator controller via the network, wherein at least one of the server and the generator controller determine that there may be a potential loss of power from the primary utility power source based on data received from the notification system.

11. A standby power system comprising:

a sensor adapted to monitor characteristics of power supplied to a load by a utility power source;

a generator configured to supply power to the load, wherein the generator includes an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator; and

a generator controller configured to operate the generator and receive data from the sensor;

wherein the generator controller is configured to predict, based on the received data, a loss of power from the utility power source before the loss of power from the utility power source occurs; and

wherein the generator controller is configured to perform, before the loss of power from the utility power source occurs, and before the engine is started in order to minimize a time to availability for the generator to supply power to the load when there is a loss of power from the primary utility power source, at least one of;

(i) operating an oil pump to lubricate mechanical components in the internal combustion engine, (ii) activating heating elements that enhance combustion in the internal combustion engine, (iii) operating air inlet louvers on an enclosure for the generator to permit the flow of combustion and cooling air to the internal combustion engine, (iv) injecting a fluid for combustion into the internal combustion engine to permit quicker starting of the internal combustion engine, or (v) activating fuel preparation equipment to improve starting of a combustion engine without starting the internal combustion engine.