Methods and systems for operating engine generator sets

• US 7,262,516 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kleen, Randall John
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez; Julio C.
• Application Number:
  US11/182,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20070013191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/40.C, 290/40.B, 290/40.A, 322/20, 322/19, 322/59, 318/700
• US Class Current: 290/40.00C
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/06 Control effected upon clutch or other mechanical power transmission means and dependent upon electric output value of the generator

Abstract

Methods and systems for an engine generator set that includes an electrical generator configured to provide electrical energy to a first load rated at a first voltage and a first frequency, and to provide electrical energy to a second load rated at a second voltage and a second, a prime mover coupled to the generator through a shaft, and configured to rotate the shaft at a first rotational speed at the first frequency and to rotate the shaft at a second rotational at the second frequency, and an engine generator set control system that includes a generator control system configured to control an output of the electrical generator, an engine control system configured to control a rotational speed of the shaft, and an output selector configured to modify the output of the engine generator set from the first voltage and the first frequency to at least one of the second voltage and the second frequency.

Claims

1. An engine generator set comprising:

an electrical generator configured to provide electrical energy to a first load rated at a first voltage and a first frequency, and to provide electrical energy to a second load rated at a second voltage and a second frequency wherein at least one of the second voltage is different than the first voltage and the second frequency is different than the first frequency;

a prime mover rotatably coupled to said generator through a shaft, said prime mover configured to rotate said shaft at a first rotational speed when said electrical generator is generating electrical energy at the first frequency and to rotate at a second rotational speed when said electrical generator is generating electrical energy at the second frequency;

an engine generator set control system comprising;

a generator control system communicatively coupled to said electrical generator configured to control an output of the electrical generator;

an engine control system communicatively coupled to said prime mover configured to control a rotational speed of said shaft; and

an output selector communicatively coupled to said generator control system and said engine control system, said output selector configured to modify the output of the engine generator set from the first voltage and the first frequency to at least one of the second voltage and the second frequency; and

an electric motor supplied with electrical power from the output of said electrical generator through a motor protection circuit that includes at least one of an overload and a trip unit communicatively coupled to said output selector such that a trip setting of the at least one of an overload and a trip unit is modified by operation of the output selector.

2. An engine generator set in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a generator output potential transformer tapped to provide a first sensing voltage when said engine generator set is operating at the first voltage and to provide a second sensing voltage when said engine generator set is operating at the second voltage.

3. An engine generator set in accordance with claim 2 wherein said generator output potential transformer is communicatively coupled to said output selector.

4. An engine generator set in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an indicator indicative of a frequency selected by the output selector.

5. An engine generator set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electric motor is sized to meet the load requirements of the motor when the engine generator set is operating at the first voltage and first frequency, and operating at the second voltage and second frequency.

6. An engine generator set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said generator control system further comprises at least one of an integrated generator protection system, a demand-side management system, an auto-synchronizer, and an automatic voltage regulator, said output selector configured to modify the at least one of an integrated generator protection system, a demand-side management system, an auto-synchronizer, and an automatic voltage regulator from operation at the first voltage and first frequency to operation at the second voltage and second frequency.

7. An engine generator set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said engine control system further comprises a fuel control and sequencer system, said output selector configured to modify the fuel control and sequencer system from operation at the first voltage and first frequency to operation at the second voltage and second frequency.

8. An engine generator set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said output selector is configured to alter an operating state of a relay to select an operating voltage and an operating frequency.

9. A method of operating an engine generator set comprising:

selecting an operating voltage and frequency from a plurality of predetermined operating voltages of the engine generator set from a first voltage and a first frequency to a second voltage and a second frequency;

selecting the selected operating voltage and frequency for an electrical distribution panel electrically coupled to an output of the engine generator set such that electrical loads and electrical protection equipment coupled to the electrical distribution panel are configured to operate using the selected voltage and frequency;

selecting the selected operating voltage and frequency for a generator switchgear electrically coupled to an output of the engine generator set such that generator protection equipment coupled to the generator output are configured to operate using the selected voltage and frequency; and

selecting a protective setting corresponding to the selected operating voltage and frequency for an electric motor supplied with electrical power from the output of said electrical generator through a motor protection circuit that includes at least one of an overload and a trip unit.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein selecting an operating voltage and frequency comprises selecting a tap for a generator output potential transformer tapped to provide a sensing voltage when said engine generator set is operating at the first voltage and to provide substantially the same sensing voltage when said engine generator set is operating at the second voltage.

11. A method in accordance with claim 9 further comprising indicating to a user the selected operating voltage and frequency.

12. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said generator control system further comprises at least one of an integrated generator protection system, a demand-side management system, an auto-synchronizer, and an automatic voltage regulator, said method further comprising modifying the at least one of an integrated generator protection system, a demand-side management system, an auto-synchronizer, and an automatic voltage regulator from a first configuration for operation at the first voltage and first frequency to a second configuration for operation at the second voltage and second frequency.

13. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said engine control system further comprises a fuel control and sequencer system, said method further comprising modifying the fuel control and sequencer system from a first configuration for operation at the first voltage and first frequency to a second configuration for operation at the second voltage and second frequency.

14. A method in accordance with claim 9 further comprising altering an operating state of a relay to select the operating voltage and an operating frequency.