System for calculating and displaying remaining runtime for a portable generator
First Claim
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1. A method for calculating and displaying an estimated remaining runtime for a portable generator with a fuel tank assembly storing fuel for consumption by an internal combustion engine of the portable generator while generating electrical power, the method comprising the steps of:
- performing an initial runtime estimation, including,detecting an initial fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly;
detecting an initial generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator;
calculating an initial estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to a time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected initial fuel level and generator load characteristics;
displaying the initial estimated remaining runtime value as an indicated remaining runtime for viewing by a user; and
performing a revised runtime estimation, including,detecting a current fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly after the initial detection of the fuel level characteristic;
detecting a current generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator after the initial detection of the generator load characteristic;
calculating a revised estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to a time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected current fuel level and generator load characteristics; and
displaying the revised estimated remaining runtime value as the indicated remaining runtime; and
performing a step updated revised runtime estimation, including,identifying a step change in a value of at least one of the fuel level and generator load characteristics, wherein the step change of the value corresponds to a change exceeding a respective threshold value indicating a change influencing an amount of time at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel;
detecting current fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly after identifying the step change in value of at least one of the fuel level and generator load characteristics;
detecting the current generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator after identifying the step change in value of at least one of the fuel level and generator load characteristics;
calculating a step updated revised estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to the time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected current fuel level and generator load characteristics; and
displaying the step updated revised estimated remaining runtime value as the indicated remaining runtime.
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Abstract
A system is provided for calculating and displaying an estimated remaining runtime for a portable generator. The system may include fuel sender with capacitive sensors communicating with a control system to display the fuel level and/or remaining runtime that can be recalculated when step changes in system performance are detected.
26 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for calculating and displaying an estimated remaining runtime for a portable generator with a fuel tank assembly storing fuel for consumption by an internal combustion engine of the portable generator while generating electrical power, the method comprising the steps of:
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performing an initial runtime estimation, including, detecting an initial fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly; detecting an initial generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator; calculating an initial estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to a time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected initial fuel level and generator load characteristics; displaying the initial estimated remaining runtime value as an indicated remaining runtime for viewing by a user; and performing a revised runtime estimation, including, detecting a current fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly after the initial detection of the fuel level characteristic; detecting a current generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator after the initial detection of the generator load characteristic; calculating a revised estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to a time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected current fuel level and generator load characteristics; and displaying the revised estimated remaining runtime value as the indicated remaining runtime; and performing a step updated revised runtime estimation, including, identifying a step change in a value of at least one of the fuel level and generator load characteristics, wherein the step change of the value corresponds to a change exceeding a respective threshold value indicating a change influencing an amount of time at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel; detecting current fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly after identifying the step change in value of at least one of the fuel level and generator load characteristics; detecting the current generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator after identifying the step change in value of at least one of the fuel level and generator load characteristics; calculating a step updated revised estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to the time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected current fuel level and generator load characteristics; and displaying the step updated revised estimated remaining runtime value as the indicated remaining runtime. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for calculating and displaying an estimated remaining runtime for a portable generator with a fuel tank assembly storing fuel for consumption by an internal combustion engine of the portable generator while generating electrical power, the method comprising the steps of:
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operatively connecting at least one auxiliary fuel tank to a main fuel tank of the fuel tank assembly; and performing an initial runtime estimation, including, detecting an initial fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly; detecting an initial generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator; calculating an initial estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to a time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected initial fuel level and generator load characteristics; displaying the initial estimated remaining runtime value as an indicated remaining runtime for viewing by a user; and performing a revised runtime estimation, including, detecting a current fuel level characteristic of fuel in the fuel tank assembly after the initial detection of the fuel level characteristic; detecting a current generator load characteristic of load being applied to the generator after the initial detection of the generator load characteristic; calculating a revised estimated remaining runtime value corresponding to a time duration at which the generator can continue to operate until running out of fuel based on the detected current fuel level and generator load characteristics; and displaying the revised estimated remaining runtime value as the indicated remaining runtime. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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Specification