Control system and circuits for distributed electrical power generating stations

Claim 1

An electrical-power generating station supplying a load connected with a user or community providing a varying demand on the load, the generating station comprising: first, second, and third engine-driven electrical-power generators, each thereof connectable to and disconnectable from the load, such that said generators may be connected alone or in any combination thereof to the load; first, second, and third programmable controllers, connected with respectively said first, second, and third generators, each of said controllers in electronic communication with the others; each of said controllers programmed to operate the generator with which it is connected, to monitor the load demand, to monitor selected operating parameters of the generator with which it is connected, and to be able to assume a supervisory function in cooperatively operating any one or both of the other generators, via said controllers connected therewith; each of said controllers programmed such that only one thereof may have said supervisory function at any instant, and programmed such that if a said controller having said supervisory function relinquishes said supervisory function, another of said controllers will automatically assume that supervisory function; operational functions of each of said controllers including starting and stopping the generator with which it is associated, connecting that generator to and disconnecting that generator from the load, and controlling the output frequency and voltage of that generator; monitoring functions of each of said controllers including the load demand; and said supervisory function including determining which one or combination of said generators is connected to the load to most efficiently satisfy the load demand.