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

• US 9,837,942 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2016
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Discovery Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: White, Timothy W., Danforth, III, Robert J., Neis, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US15/204,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20160322923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 power system comprising:

a generator comprising an engine and an alternator, the generator configured to operate in one of at least two operation modes, the at least two operation modes including an exercise mode and a normal mode;

a controller that instructs the generator to operate in one of the at least two operation modes;

wherein the controller is configured to instruct the generator begin operation in the exercise mode, identify a parameter, and instruct the generator to shut down after a duration, the duration based on the parameter.

2. The power system of claim 1, wherein the alternator excited when the generator is operating in the normal mode;

and

wherein the alternator is not excited when the generator is running in the exercise mode.

3. The power system of claim 1, wherein the generator is configured to deliver power to a load connected to the generator when the generator is operating in the normal mode;

and

wherein the generator is not configured to deliver power to the load when the generator is operating in the exercise mode.

4. The power system of claim 1, wherein controller determines the duration prior to instructing the generator to begin operation in the exercise mode.

5. The power system of claim 4, wherein the parameter comprises a temperature.

6. The power system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines the duration while the generator operates in the exercise mode.

7. The power system of claim 5, wherein the parameter comprises an oil temperature, and where the controller instructs the generator to shut down when the oil temperature exceeds an oil temperature threshold value.

8. The power system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines the duration based on multiple parameters.

9. A power system comprising:

a generator comprising an engine and an alternator, the generator configured to operate in an exercise mode at a time when the generator does not need to supply power to a load, wherein during the exercise mode, the engine runs at a first speed for a first duration and runs at a second speed for a second duration; and

a controller that controls operation of the generator when the generator operates in the exercise mode and determines the second duration based on a parameter.

10. The power system of claim 9, wherein the second speed is full speed, and wherein the first speed is less than the full speed.

11. The power system of claim 9, wherein the parameter comprises a temperature, and wherein the controller determines the second duration based on when the temperature exceeds a temperature threshold value.

12. The power system of claim 11, wherein the first duration is set and does not vary.

13. The power system of claim 9, wherein during the exercise mode, the engine runs at a third speed for a third duration.

14. The power system of claim 13, wherein the second speed is full speed, the first speed is less than the full speed, and the third speed is less than the full speed;

and

wherein the first duration occurs before the second duration, and the third duration occurs before the first duration.

15. The power system of claim 14, wherein the engine speed increases from the third speed to the second speed in a fourth duration, runs at the second speed for the fifth duration, and then decreases speed from the second speed to zero revolutions in a sixth duration.

16. The power system of claim 15, wherein the fourth duration is the same length as the fifth duration, and wherein the fifth duration is the same length as the sixth duration.

17. The power system of claim 15, wherein the controller controls the operation of the generator in the exercise mode such that entire duration of the exercise mode does not exceed a threshold set by a user.

18. A controller comprising:

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

instructions for identifying a parameter;

instructions for determining a duration to operate a generator in an exercise mode based on the identified parameter; and

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

19. The controller of claim 18, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium further comprises:

instructions for operating the generator for a first portion of the duration at a first speed; and

instructions for operating the generator for a second portion of the duration at a second speed.

20. The controller of claim 18, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium further comprises:

instructions for comparing the parameter to a threshold value; and

instructions for stopping operation of the generator when the parameter exceeds the threshold value.