GENERATOR CONTROLLER

• US 20070219669A1
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ZEN and Invention, LLC
• Original Assignee: Acutrak Incorporated
• Inventors: Schaper, Scott, Aupperle, Donald, Proctor, Richard
• Application Number:
  US11/624,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20070219669A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/287
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/42 for ships or vessels
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1415 with a generator driven by a prime mover other than the motor of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/007 Plural converter units in cascade push-pull DC/DC converters with pre-regulator H02M3/3374; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC stage including a high frequency transformer H02M7/4807; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC conversion stage generating periodically varying voltages H02M7/4826
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/009 having two or more independently controlled outputs for DC-DC converter with intermediate AC H02M3/33561

Abstract

A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.

Claims

1. A generator controller, comprising:

a processor;

an input capable of receiving signals from the generator;

an output capable of sending signals to the generator;

a display; and

a memory accessible by the processor, the memory containing (1) information corresponding to, the signals received from the generator, and (2) stored programming instructions operable by the processor to control the operation of a generator and to present on the display the information corresponding to the signals received from the generator.

2. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the received signals comprise fault messages.

3. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the received signals comprise binary encoded messages.

4. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the information comprises a text message.

5. The generator controller of claim 4, wherein the text message comprises one or more words representative of the signals received from the generator.

6. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is mountable in a boat or recreational vehicle at a location remote from the generator.

7. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the information comprises an icon.

8. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the information comprises an audible alarm and wherein the controller further comprises a speaker configured to play the audible alarm.

9. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the memory further contains stored programming instructions operable by the processor to send to the generator, as a function of the signal received from the generator, a request for an additional signal.

10. The generator controller of claim 9, wherein the additional signal comprises a detailed fault message.

11. A generator controller, comprising:

a processor;

a display;

an output capable of sending instructions to a generator; and

a memory accessible by the processor, the memory containing stored programming instructions operable by the processor to control the operation of a generator, monitor a parameter related to the duration of operation of the generator, and to present an indicator related to the parameter on the display.

12. The generator controller of claim 11, wherein the parameter comprises lifetime operation duration of the generator.

13. The generator controller of claim 11, wherein the parameter comprises duration since the last time the generator was serviced.

14. The generator controller of claim 11, wherein the indicator comprises a time period remaining until the generator is recommended to be serviced.

15. The generator controller of claim 14, wherein the time period remaining until the generator is recommended to be serviced is determined by subtracting a recommended operation duration from a current operation duration.

16. The generator controller of claim 15, wherein the recommended operation duration is adjustable by a user.

17. The generator controller of claim 16, wherein the memory contains stored programming instructions to cause the processor to present on the display a plurality of alternative generator types, and wherein the adjustment by the user is performed by selecting one generator type from the plurality of generator types.

18-70. -70. (canceled)