Generator controller

• US 7,692,409 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• 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): Assouad; Patrick J
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIGGUSH, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US11/624,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20090096426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 320/137, 320/133, 320/132, 320/156, 320/157, 324/427
• US Class Current: 320/157
• 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 for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine driven generator configured to generate and deliver electrical current to charge a battery, the generator controller comprising:

a processor;

an input capable of receiving an indication of a battery voltage;

an output capable of sending signals to the generator configured to charge the battery;

a real-time clock in signal communication with the processor, the real-time clock being configured to track time of day local to the generator; and

a memory accessible by the processor, the memory containing stored programming instructions operable by the processor to (1) determine a state of charge of the battery and (2) to cause the generator to automatically charge the battery or prevent the generator from charging the battery as a function of the battery state of charge and the local time of day.

2. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the time of day comprises an adjustable quiet time during which the generator may not be run.

3. The generator controller of claim 2, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to determine the state of charge of the battery at an adjustable time in advance of the quiet time and to operate the generator to charge the battery if the state of charge is determined to be too low.

4. The generator controller of claim 3, wherein the determination of whether the state of charge is too low is based upon historical battery usage information stored in the memory.

5. The generator controller of claim 3, wherein the determination of whether the state of charge is too low is based upon an adjustable value stored in the memory.

6. The generator controller of claim 1, wherein the time of day comprises an adjustable period prior to an expected battery usage period.

7. The generator controller of claim 6, wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to determine the state of charge of the battery at the time of day and to operate the generator to charge the battery if the state of charge is determined to be too low.

8. The generator controller of claim 7, wherein the determination of whether the state of charge is too low is based upon historical battery usage information stored in the memory.

9. The generator controller of claim 7, wherein the determination of whether the state of charge is too low is based upon an adjustable value stored in the memory.

10. The generator controller of claim 7, wherein the usage period comprises a morning.

11. The generator controller of claim 7, wherein the usage period comprises an evening.