Method and system for controlling a portable power system

• US 9,450,433 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2014
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eco (Xiamen) Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eco (Xiamen) Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Di Cristofaro, Vincenzo E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sharief, Mohammed J
• Application Number:
  US14/284,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20140361549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 320/128, 320/138, 307/43, 307/47, 307/48, 307/68, 290/4.A, 290/40.R
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A method for controlling a portable power system, comprising: using a processor, selecting an engine efficiency range for a engine of a generator set of the portable power system, the engine efficiency range corresponding to a power output range of the generator set and to a power demand of a load coupled to the portable power system; when the power demand of the load is less than the power output of the generator set, storing excess power from the generator set in a first battery bank of the portable power system; when the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing additional power to the load from a second battery bank of the portable power system; and, when at least one of a predetermined depth of discharge threshold is reached by the second battery bank and a predetermined state of charge threshold is reached by the first battery bank, switching between the second battery bank and the first battery bank.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a portable power system, comprising:

using a processor, selecting an engine efficiency range for an engine of a generator set of the portable power system, the engine efficiency range corresponding to a power output range of the generator set and to a power demand of a load coupled to the portable power system;

when the power demand of the load is less than the power output of the generator set, storing excess power from the generator set in a first battery bank of the portable power system;

when the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing additional power to the load from a second battery bank of the portable power system; and

,

when at least one of a predetermined depth of discharge threshold is reached by the second battery bank and a predetermined state of charge threshold is reached by the first battery bank, switching between the second battery bank and the first battery bank.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined depth of discharge threshold is 50% or approximately 50%.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined state of charge threshold is 100% or approximately 100%.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first battery bank and the second battery bank each contain one or more lithium-ion batteries.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine is one of a liquid natural gas engine and a diesel engine.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the power demand of the load is less than the power output of the generator set, providing power to the load from the generator set in addition to storing the excess power from the generator set in the first battery bank of the portable power system.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing power to the load from the generator set in addition to providing the additional power to the load from the second battery bank of the portable power system.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the portable power system includes another generator set having another engine.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a set of predetermined operating states for the portable power system using the engine efficiency range.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, controlling the generator set, the first battery bank, and the second battery bank in accordance with the set of predetermined operating states.

11. The control system of claim 1 wherein the portable power system includes another generator set having another engine.

12. A control system for controlling a portable power system, comprising:

a processor coupled to memory, a generator set, a first battery bank, and a second battery bank; and

,

at least one of hardware and software modules within the memory and controlled or executed by the processor, the modules including;

a module for selecting an engine efficiency range for an engine of the generator set of the portable power system, the engine efficiency range corresponding to a power output range of the generator set and to a power demand of a load coupled to the portable power system;

a module for, when the power demand of the load is less than the power output of the generator set, storing excess power from the generator set in the first battery bank of the portable power system;

a module for, when the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing additional power to the load from the second battery bank of the portable power system; and

,

a module for, when at least one of a predetermined depth of discharge threshold is reached by the second battery bank and a predetermined state of charge threshold is reached by the first battery bank, switching between the second battery bank and the first battery bank.

13. The control system of claim 12 wherein the predetermined depth of discharge threshold is 50% or approximately 50%.

14. The control system of claim 12 wherein the predetermined state of charge threshold is 100% or approximately 100%.

15. The control system of claim 12 wherein the first battery bank and the second battery bank each contain one or more lithium-ion batteries.

16. The control system of claim 12 wherein the engine is one of a liquid natural gas engine and a diesel engine.

17. The control system of claim 12, further comprising, a module for, when the power demand of the load is less than the power output of the generator set, providing power to the load from the generator set in addition to storing the excess power from the generator set in the first battery bank of the portable power system.

18. The control system of claim 12, further comprising, a module for, when the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing power to the load from the generator set in addition to providing the additional power to the load from the second battery bank of the portable power system.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising a module for selecting a set of predetermined operating states for the portable power system using the engine efficiency range.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a module for controlling the generator set, the first battery bank, and the second battery bank in accordance with the set of predetermined operating states.