Automatic generator starting protection

• US 7,482,704 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Priem, Dan G.
• Primary Examiner(s): GONZALEZ, JULIO C
• Application Number:
  US10/657,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20050052027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,968 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 290/2, 290/1.A, 322/17, 322/99, 123/479
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/08 requiring starting of a prime-mover

Abstract

This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods of disabling an automatic generator starting (AGS) actuator, such as used with a fuel-powered AC power generator providing AC electrical power to a recreational vehicle (RV) or other vehicle. The AGS actuator is disabled in response to a fault condition, such as may be indicative of a risk of hazardous gas, such as carbon monoxide (CO) accumulating near the vehicle, potentially in an enclosed area. After such disabling is performed, the vehicle driver would then have to consciously re-engage the AGS actuator. Factors useful for determining whether the fault condition exist include, among other things, transmission position, wheel rotation, vehicle engine operation status, ignition status, and/or an exhaust gas sensor.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an actuator circuit, to automatically start a fuel-powered AC generator when a load circuit needs AC electrical power from the AC generator;

a sensor circuit, to detect a fault condition indicative of a risk of an exhaust hazard; and

a logic circuit, coupled to the sensor and actuator circuits, to disable the actuator circuit when the fault condition indicates that the risk of the exhaust hazard is present;

wherein the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of a vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, in which the actuator circuit includes an automatic generator starting circuit, in which the automatic generator starting circuit includes a load power sensor to indicate when the load circuit needs AC electrical power from the AC generator.

3. The system of claim 1, in which the AC generator includes a spark-ignited generator.

4. The system of claim 1, in which the AC generator includes a diesel generator.

5. The system of claim 1, in which the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of a recreational vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a vehicle transmission position detector circuit to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

7. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a data link to provide data used to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

8. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a wheel rotation detector circuit to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

9. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a reluctance sensor to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

10. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a vehicle engine operation sensor to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

11. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a vehicle engine rpm sensor to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

12. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a vehicle engine ignition key position sensor to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

13. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes an exhaust sensor to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

14. The system of claim 1, in which the sensor circuit includes a carbon monoxide sensor to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator.

15. The system of claim 1, further including the AC generator.

16. The system of claim 15, further including a vehicle coupled to the AC generator.

17. The system of claim 15, further including a recreational vehicle coupled to the AC generator.

18. The system of claim 15, further including an electrical appliance coupled to the AC generator.

19. A method comprising:

detecting a fault condition indicative of a risk of an exhaust hazard; and

disabling an automatic AC generator starting actuator of a fuel-powered electrical AC generator, which starts when a load circuit is in need of AC electrical from the AC generator and where the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of a vehicle, when the fault condition indicates that the risk of the exhaust hazard is present.

20. The method of claim 19, in which the detecting the fault condition includes detecting a vehicle transmission position to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

21. The method of claim 20, in which the detecting the vehicle transmission position includes receiving data over a data link.

22. The method of claim 19, in which the detecting the fault condition includes detecting a wheel rotation to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

23. The method of claim 22, in which the detecting the wheel rotation includes sensing a reluctance to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

24. The method of claim 22, in which the detecting the wheel rotation includes receiving data over a data link to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

25. The method of claim 19, in which the detecting the fault condition includes detecting a change in vehicular motion from moving to stopped to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

26. The method of claim 19, in which the detecting the fault condition includes detecting a change in vehicular engine operation from engine running to engine off to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

27. The method of claim 19, in which the detecting the fault condition includes detecting a change in vehicular ignition state to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

28. The method of claim 27, in which the detecting the change in the vehicular ignition state includes detecting a change from ignition on to ignition off.

29. The method of claim 27, in which the detecting the change in the vehicular ignition state includes monitoring a voltage to at least one vehicular engine component.

30. The method of claim 27, in which the detecting the change in the vehicular ignition state includes receiving data over a data link.

31. The method of claim 19, in which the detecting the fault condition includes detecting at least one component of exhaust to inhibit the automatically starting the fuel-powered AC generator when the fault condition indicates that the risk of an exhaust hazard is present.

32. The method of claim 31, in which the detecting the at least one component of exhaust includes detecting carbon monoxide.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising comparing the detected carbon monoxide to a predetermined threshold value.

34. A system comprising:

a recreational vehicle, including a fuel-powered AC generator;

an actuator circuit, to automatically start the fuel-powered AC generator when a load circuit of the recreational vehicle needs AC electrical power from the AC generator;

a sensor circuit, to detect a fault condition indicative of a risk of an exhaust hazard; and

a logic circuit, coupled to the sensor and actuator circuits, to disable the actuator circuit when the fault condition indicates that the risk of the exhaust hazard is present;

wherein the load circuit includes an at least partially AC-powered electrical appliance of the recreational vehicle.