Power generation systems and methods of generating power

• US 7,969,030 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Powersys LLC
• Original Assignee: Powersys LLC
• Inventors: Woods, Edward, Koeneman, Douglas Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US12/719,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20100164235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/1.B, 290/4.R, 290/40.R, 290/40.C, 290/40.E, 290/7, 322/37, 322/28
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/00 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/00 Liquid cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/20 Cooling circuits not specific to a single part of engine or machine F01P3/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/25 Devices for sensing temperature, or actuated thereby
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1815 structurally associated with reciprocating piston engines general aspects of generating sets, e.g. housing, F02B63/04
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/19 for machines with closed casing and closed-circuit cooling using a liquid cooling medium, e.g. oil
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/14 Combined heat and power generation [CHP]

Abstract

A power generation system is provided that includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational mechanical energy. A generator is configured to receive the rotational mechanical energy and generate electrical power in response to the rotational mechanical energy. A fluid medium is provided to the internal combustion engine and to the generator for removing thermal energy from the internal combustion engine and from the generator.

Claims

1. A power generation system, comprising:

a generator;

a power electronics device coupled to the generator and comprising first and second power application connectors, the first power application connector configured to be coupled to a first power demand, and the second power application connector configured to be coupled to a second power application wherein the second power application is connected to a second power demand, the second power demand being different from the first power demand; and

wherein a power transformation of the first power application to meet the first power demand via the power electronics device is independent of the generator.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the power electronics device further comprises the capability to regulate and transform power to meet connected power demands.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the generator can become an other power demand to the first power application as a torque and rotational speed producing component.

4. A power generating system comprising:

a generator comprising a power connector coupled to a first power application, the first power application comprising a first power demand; and

logic control configured to;

activate the generator to provide the first power application to meet the first power demand;

monitor the first power demand and the first power application;

receive an indication that the first power demand has changed to a second power demand different from the first power demand;

couple the first power application to a second power application independent of the generator, the second power application comprising a third power demand, the third power demand being different from the first and second power demands;

receive an indication that a state of the generating system has changed; and

notify the generating system of the indication to modify the activation of the generator.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the first power application can provide or receive power from the second power application.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the first power demand is met by the first power application connected to the second power application.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the first and second power demands comprise different power density outputs.

8. The system of claim 4 further comprises an input source coupled to the generator, wherein the logic control is configured to activate the input source to drive the generator at a rotational speed, and wherein the logic control is configured to modify the rotational speed of the generator.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the logic control is configured to activate the generator to optimize the generating system to a preferred generating system power application.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the logic control is configured to combine the power applications in proportion.

11. The system of claim 4 wherein the logic control comprises the capability to diagnose changes within the system, and the capability to organize, indicate and notify components of the system in collective cooperation to optimize the generating system within the designed capability.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the collective cooperation optimizes reduction in the total available power available from the system to a level sustainable under conditions indicated by the logic control.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the collective cooperation selectively modifies demand connections under indicated conditions when the demand exceeds a sustainable designed capability of the generating system.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the collective cooperation creates an alternative load acceptance behavior which occurs when a load requirement is added to a demand connection which requires a system response greater than the system design capability.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the collective cooperation levels power between the combination of power applications to ensure proper sharing of power within and amongst the generating system.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the collective cooperation restores an ideal designed capability of the system after an indicated state is resolved and the logic control unit has notified the system components.

17. A method for generating power, comprising:

providing a generator system comprising a generator having a power output connector;

coupling the power output connector to a first power application, the first power application comprising a first power demand;

activating the generator to provide a first power component to meet the first power demand;

monitoring the first power demand of the first power application;

receiving an indication that the first power demand has changed to a second power demand different from the first power demand;

notifying the generator system of the indication;

after the notifying, performing one of the following tasks;

maintaining the first power component to meet the second power demand, or modifying the first power component to a second power component to meet the second power demand, the second power component being different from the first power component; and

wherein the first and second power components comprises different power density outputs.