Power system that operates in an exercise mode based on measured parameters

• US 9,397,598 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: White, Timothy W., Danforth, Robert J. III, Neis, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US14/804,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20150326159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/40.R
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/046 by monitoring revolutions for detecting misfire G01M15/11
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/008 wherein the generator is controlled by the requirements of the prime mover
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator

Abstract

A power system may include a power generation component and a sensor configured to measure a parameter. The power system may also include a controller in communication with the power generation component and the sensor. The controller may be configured to run the power generation component in an exercise mode for a duration. The duration may be based on the measured parameter.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying a parameter;

determining when the parameter satisfies a condition;

monitoring a duration of operation of a generator in an exercise mode, the generator not providing power to a load when operating in the exercise mode;

comparing, using a control system, the duration to a time threshold; and

stopping the operation of the generator in the exercise mode based on the determination of when the parameter satisfies the condition and the comparison of the duration to the time threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the time threshold comprises a minimum time threshold;

and

wherein the stopping the operation of the generator in the exercise mode comprises stopping the generator only after the duration exceeds the minimum time threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the time threshold comprises a maximum time threshold;

and

wherein stopping the operation of the generator in the exercise mode comprises stopping the generator no later than when the duration equals the maximum time threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the parameter comprises measuring the parameter with a sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is an oil temperature.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is a moisture content of oil.

7. A method comprising:

identifying a parameter;

determining a duration to operate a power generation component in an exercise mode based on the identified parameter; and

operating the power generation component in the exercise mode for the duration, the power generation component not supplying power to a load when operating in the exercise mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the duration occurs before operating the power generation component in the exercise mode.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the power generation component comprises an engine and an alternator;

and

wherein operating the power generation component in the exercise mode comprises running the engine for a first portion of the duration at a first speed, and running the engine for a second portion of the duration at a second speed different than the first speed.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein identifying the parameter comprises identifying initial parameter information;

and

the method further comprising identifying additional parameter information after starting the operation of the power generation component.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the additional parameter information is identified at preset time intervals.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising adjusting the determined duration based on the additional parameter information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the determined duration is adjusted only when the additional parameter information exceeds a threshold parameter change level.

14. A power system, comprising:

a power generation component; and

a control system in communication with the power generation component;

wherein the control system is configured to determine a duration to run the power generation component in an exercise mode where the power generation component is not supplying power, the duration based on an identified generator parameter; and

wherein the control system instructs the power generation component to run in the exercise mode for the duration.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control system determines the duration based on a time threshold.

16. The duration of claim 15, wherein the time threshold defines a minimum amount of time that the power generation component is run in the exercise mode.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the control system communicates changes in the operation of the power generation component to a user.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the control system is comprised of two or more processors controlling separate components.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the two or more processors are in wireless communication with one another.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the duration may be modified after the control system instructs the power generation component to run in the exercise mode for the duration.