Method for controlling a generator

Claim 1

A computer-based method for controlling a generator associated with an internal combustion engine wherein the generator is operated to provide electric power only during specific operating conditions of the internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of: a) storing an engine consumption characteristic map in a ROM, said engine consumption characteristic map having a first family of curves representing identical specific fuel consumption and a second family of curves representing identical power output; b) inputting to a control module a plurality of signals which represent a plurality of engine operating parameters; c) selecting an engine operating point from said engine consumption characteristic map corresponding to said signals input to said control module; d) determining from said selected engine operating point a power consumption value corresponding to the amount of fuel required to activate said generator; and e) selectively activating and deactivating said generator in dependence of said determined power consumption value.