Micro grid power distribution unit

• US 9,552,029 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2013
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HDT Expeditionary Systems, Inc. (HDT Global, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Engineered Electric Company (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Vaum, Christopher J., Frohman, Gene, Petsche, John, Deguzis, Jason, Santella, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US13/772,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20130238151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/287, 700/290, 700/291, 307/20, 307/21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/00 Systems controlled by a computer G05B13/00, G05B19/00 take precedence; automatic controllers with particular characteristics G05B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/58 The condition being electrical
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/06 Controlling transfer of power between connected networks; Controlling sharing of load between connected networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/144 Demand-response operation of the power transmission or distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

The techniques described herein include for forming a power grid array with multiple power generators coupled to a power distribution unit. The power distribution unit is adapted to monitor operational data from each of the power generators to perform load balancing among the generators and to optimize the performance of the power grid array. A microgrid network is also provided within the power grid array to enable communication among the power distribution unit and the multiple generators in the array. This communication facilitates monitoring of the power grid as well as receiving and storing the operational data from each of the generators in the grid. The microgrid network can then be used to communicate the operational data over one or more connected networks allowing users to remotely access the power grid and to monitor and control the operational characteristics of the generators.

Claims

1. A power grid array comprising:

a plurality of generators, wherein each of the plurality of generators includes an interlock output and a load output;

a plurality of power output cables, each being associated with a corresponding generator of the plurality of generators, wherein;

each of the plurality of power output cables includes a safety wire and a load line;

the safety wire of each of the plurality of power output cables is connected to the interlock output of the corresponding generator; and

the load line of each of the plurality of power output cables is connected to the load output of the corresponding generator;

a power distribution unit including a plurality of inputs, wherein;

each of the plurality of inputs is connected to a corresponding power output cable of the plurality of power output cables; and

the power distribution unit includes an automatic disconnect contactor operable to electrically disconnect the load line of the corresponding power output cable from the corresponding generator when the corresponding generator is shut down.

2. The power grid array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of generators share an overall electrical load of the power grid array.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the overall electric load is balanced among the plurality of generators in the power grid array, and wherein one or more of the generators in the power grid array are automatically shut down based on the overall electrical load.

4. The power grid array of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of generators further includes a controller and a battery, wherein the battery provides DC power to the controller from a DC power connector using a DC power receptacle, and wherein each DC power connector is coupled to one or more other DC power connectors of other generators of the plurality of generators.

5. The power grid array of claim 4, wherein the DC power connectors are coupled together in a daisy-chain fashion.

6. The power grid array of claim 4, wherein the DC power connectors provides power to the power distribution unit and charges batteries of idle generators.

7. The power grid array of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of generators further includes a controller and a digital receptacle, wherein the digital receptacle receives one or more digital signals to communicate data and one or more control signals among and between the plurality of generators.

8. The power grid array of claim 7, wherein the digital receptacles are coupled together in a daisy-chain fashion.

9. The power grid array of claim 8, wherein one of the digital receptacles is coupled to a control input of the power distribution unit using a digital paralleling cable.

10. The power grid array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of generators are automatically synchronized in the power grid array.

11. The power grid array of claim 1, wherein one or more of the generators remain operational while the generator is shut down.

12. The power grid array of claim 1, wherein the load line of the corresponding power output cable is still coupled to the corresponding generator when electrically disconnected by the automatic disconnect contactor, and wherein the automatic disconnect contactor is controlled using the safety wire.

13. A method of operating a power grid array including a plurality of generators and a power distribution unit, the method comprising:

providing the plurality of generators, each generator including a load output and an interlock output;

providing the power distribution unit, wherein the power distribution unit includes a plurality of inputs, each input coupled to an automatic disconnect contactor;

providing a plurality of power output cables, each power output cable associated with a corresponding generator of the plurality of generators and a corresponding input of the plurality of inputs, wherein each of the plurality of output cables includes a safety wire and a load line;

for each of the plurality of power output cables;

connecting a first end of the load line to the load output of the corresponding generator;

connecting a second end of the load line to the corresponding input of the power distribution unit;

connecting a first end of the safety wire to the interlock output of the corresponding generator; and

connecting a second end of the safety wire to the automatic disconnect contactor coupled to the corresponding input, wherein the automatic disconnect contactor is operable to electrically disconnect the second end of the load line when the corresponding generator is shut down.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more current generators share an overall electrical load of the power grid array.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the overall electric load is balanced among the one or more current generators in the power grid array, and wherein one or more of the current generators in the power grid array are automatically shut down based on the overall electrical load.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

coupling a line from a current generator of the one or more current generators to the new generator, wherein the line is coupled to the current generator using a first DC power connector, wherein the new generator further includes a controller, a battery, and a second DC power connector, and wherein the battery provides DC power to the controller from the second DC power connector using the line.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second DC power connector provides power to the power distribution unit and charges batteries of one or more idle generators of the one or more current generators.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

coupling a digital receptacle to a control input of the power distribution unit using a digital paralleling cable, wherein the new generator further includes a controller and the digital receptacle, wherein the digital receptacle receives one or more digital signals to communicate data and one or more control signals among and between the one or more current generators.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more of current generators are automatically synchronized in the power grid array.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein one or more of the current generators remain operational when the new generator is shut down.