Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A cogeneration system for producing thermal and electrical energy at a site having a thermal load and an electrical load coupled through electrical distribution to a utility central generating station comprising: cogeneration means including heat engine means, electrical generating means mechanically coupled to said engine means, electrical coupling means for coupling the electrical output of said generating means to said distribution lines, and heat transfer means for transferring heat from said engine means to said thermal load; and supervisory means for monitoring cogeneration system operating conditions and controlling cogeneration system operation, said supervisory means including electrical monitoring means for monitoring the electrical energy or power of said electrical load, said generating means, and said utility; real time clock means for providing real time data; and cogeneration control means for controlling the operation of said cogeneration system in response to said monitoring means and said clock means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A cogeneration system for producing thermal and electrical energy at a site having a thermal load and an electrical load coupled through electrical distribution to a utility central generating station comprising: cogeneration means including heat engine means, electrical generating means mechanically coupled to said engine means, electrical coupling means for coupling the electrical output of said generating means to said distribution lines, and heat transfer means for transferring heat from said engine means to said thermal load; and supervisory means for monitoring cogeneration system operating conditions and controlling cogeneration system operation, said supervisory means including electrical monitoring means for monitoring the electrical energy or power of said electrical load, said generating means, and said utility; real time clock means for providing real time data; and cogeneration control means for controlling the operation of said cogeneration system in response to said monitoring means and said clock means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
System according to claim 1, wherein said supervisory means comprises data storage means for retaining stored data, and said supervisory means stores data representing monitored operating conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
System according to claim 2, wherein said supervisory means comprises remote input/output means for transferring data between said supervisory means and a communication channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 3, wherein said remote input/output means comprises a modem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
System according to claim 3, wherein said remote input/output means comprises radio transmitter/receiver means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
System according to claim 1, wherein said supervisory means comprises thermal monitoring means for monitoring the heat transferred between said engine means and said thermal load.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
System according to claim 6, wherein said heat transfer means comprises means for circulating a fluid through a fluid circuit thermally coupled to said engine means and to said thermal load, and said thermal monitoring means comprises means for measuring the difference in temperature of said fluid circulated to and from said thermal load and means for measuring the flow of fluid through said fluid circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
System according to claim 2, wherein said stored data includes data representing the rate structure of said utility.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
System according to claim 8, wherein said supervisory means controls operation of said cogeneration means in response to said utility rate structure data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
System according to claim 9, wherein said utility rate structure data includes data representing utility peak demand measuring periods, and said supervisory means controls operation of said cogeneration system in response to said rate structure data and said real time data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
System according to claim 10, wherein said utility rate structure data includes data representing the times at which different utility energy rates are in effect, and said supervisory means controls operation of said cogeneration system in response to said rate structure data and said real time data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
System according to claim 2, wherein said supervisory means controls the output of said generator means in response to monitored utility power data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
System according to claim 12, wherein said supervisory means controls the output of said cogeneration means so that the monitored utility power is substantially zero.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
System according to claim 2, wherein said stored data includes data representing alarm limits for said monitored operating conditions, and said supervisory means compares said monitored operating condition data with corresponding alarm limit data and generates alarm outputs when said operation conditions exceeds corresponding alarm limits.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
System according to claim 14, wherein said supervisory means generates remote alarm outputs via remote input/output means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
System according to claim 2, wherein said supervisory means comprises input/output means for entry and display of stored data.