Generator controller

• US 7,502,668 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Acutrak Incorporated
• Inventors: Proctor, Richard L., Aupperle, Donald P., Schaper, Scott R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman; Sean P
• Application Number:
  US11/624,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20070168087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 700/29, 700/51, 700/287, 700/291, 700/295, 700/296, 700/12, 702/180, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 701/22, 903/941, 903/942
• 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 output capable of sending signals to a generator configured to charge a battery, the generator further being an internal combustion engine driven generator configured to generate and deliver alternating electrical current to a powered vehicle;

a real-time clock in signal communication with the processor; and

a memory accessible by the processor, the memory containing stored programming instructions operable by the processor to (1) store a first parameter related to a historical operation of the generator and (2) to control starting and stopping of the engine and the generator based on the first stored parameter;

wherein the first stored parameter comprises a number of requests to start and stop the generator in a particular time period.

2. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the memory further contains stored programming instructions operable by the processor to (1) store a second parameter related to a historical operation of the generator and (2) to control starting and stopping of the engine and the generator based on the second stored parameter;

wherein the second stored parameter comprises an operating on/off duty cycle of the generator.

3. The generator controller of claim 2, wherein the stored programming causes the generator to run if the operating duty cycle is greater than a stored value.

4. The generator controller of claim 3, wherein the stored value is 70 percent.

5. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the stored programming causes the generator to run if the number of start and stop requests is greater than a stored value.

6. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the memory further contains stored programming instructions operable by the processor to (1) store a second parameter related to a historical operation of the generator and (2) to control starting and stopping of the engine and the generator based on the second stored parameter;

wherein the second stored parameter comprises whether the generator has operated for a continuous minimum time within a particular time period.

7. The generator controller of claim 6, wherein the stored programming causes the generator to run if the generator has not operated for a continuous minimum time within the particular time period.