Power generation system with anticipatory operation

• US 9,698,625 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Discovery Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Raats, Joseph Petrus Eduardus, Hackbarth, Anthony J., Frampton, Isaac S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thienvu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stables, David M
• Application Number:
  US14/186,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20140210256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 307 91, 340 101, 345156, 703 18, 705 44, 713300
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/003 Load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods include operating a power system in a first state, and detecting an anticipated load increase. The systems and methods further include changing operation of the power system from the first state to a second state upon detection of the anticipated load increase.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting an anticipated load increase;

changing a power source from inactive to operation in an offline mode upon detection of the anticipated load increase;

monitoring a load to identify a load increase associated with the anticipated load increase; and

changing operation of a power system from the offline mode to a power supply mode upon identification of the load increase associated with the anticipated load increase.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the anticipated load increase comprises receiving a signal from a global positioning system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the anticipated load increase comprises receiving an anticipated load increase indication from a joystick, toggle switch, or button.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the anticipated load increase is detected based on a location of the power system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises an engine and an alternator connected with the engine and configured to generate power;

wherein the engine is not running when the power source is inactive;

wherein the engine is running and no power is supplied from the alternator to the load when the power source is operating in the offline mode; and

wherein the engine is running and power is supplied from the alternator to the load when the power source is operating in the power supply mode.

6. A system comprising:

an input configured to receive an anticipated load increase indication;

a controller in communication with the input and a power system comprising a first power source and a second power source, the controller comprising;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing logic for controlling a power system, the logic comprising;

instructions for identifying an anticipated load increase;

instructions for operating the power system in a first state prior to identification of the anticipated load increase, the first power source operating in a power supply mode and the second power source being inactive when the power system is operated in the first state;

instructions for operating the power system in a second state upon identification of an anticipated load increase, the first power source operating in the power supply mode and the second power source operating in an offline mode when the power system is operated in the second state; and

a processor configured to execute the logic.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the system comprises a plurality of power sources.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the instructions for operating the power system in the first state comprise instructions for controlling each of the plurality of power sources to either be inactive or to operate in a power supply mode.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the instructions for operating the power system in the second state comprise instructions for controlling each of the plurality of power sources to either operate in a power supply mode or an offline mode.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising instructions for identifying a load increase when the power system operates in the second state.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the logic further comprises instructions to control the power sources operating in the offline mode in the second state to operate in the power supply mode upon identification of the load increase.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the power sources operating in the power supply mode are operating and are supplying power to a load connected with the power system;

wherein the power sources operating in the offline mode are operating and are not supplying power to the load; and

wherein the inactive power sources are not operating.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein the logic further comprises instructions for monitoring a load powered by the power system.

14. The system of claim 6, wherein the power system comprises a plurality of power sources;

wherein the instructions for operating the power system in a first state prior to identification of the anticipated load increase comprise instructions for operating a first set of the power sources in a power supply mode and controlling a second set of power sources to be inactive; and

wherein the instructions for operating the power system in a second state upon identification of an anticipated load increase comprise instructions for operating the first set of the power sources in the power supply mode and operating the second set of power sources in an offline mode.

15. The system of claim 6, wherein operating the first power source in the power supply mode comprises running the first power source and supplying power generated by the first power source to a load;

and wherein operating the second power source in the offline mode comprises running the second power source and not supplying power from the second power source to the load.

16. A system comprising:

a power source connected with a vehicle;

a load anticipation unit that detects a parameter associated with the vehicle;

a controller that controls an operation of the power source;

wherein the power source is inactive before an anticipated load increase is identified;

wherein the controller receives the parameter and identifies an anticipated load increase based on the parameter;

wherein the controller controls the power source to operate in an offline mode when the anticipated load increase is identified;

wherein the controller monitors a load to identify a load increase associated with the anticipated load increase; and

wherein the controller controls the power source to change from operating in an offline mode to operating in a power supply mode when the load increase associated with the anticipated load increase is identified.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the parameter comprises a location of the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller compares the location of the vehicle to a threshold associated with a point of interest;

and

wherein the controller identifies an anticipated load increase when the location of the vehicle is within the threshold.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicle is a boat, and wherein the point of interest is a port or dock.