Automatic pretrip for engine powered generator

Claim 1

In a generator set comprising a prime mover which drives a generator, the prime mover having a running mode where the prime mover component parts are moving relative to each other, and a non-running mode where the prime mover component parts are stationary, the prime mover including means for starting and stopping the prime mover and means for sensing a non-running mode value of at least one prime mover operating parameter; and a controller, having a controller memory, the controller being in signal receiving and transmitting relation with the sensing means and in signal transmitting relation with the prime mover starting and stopping means to control the operation of the prime mover and the generator; a method of performing a pretrip generator set diagnosis while the prime mover is in the non-running mode to determine if the prime mover may be started, the method comprising the steps of: a) the sensing means sensing the non-running value of at least one prime mover operating parameter; b) transmitting the sensed non-running value of the at least one prime mover operating parameter to the controller; c) at the controller, comparing the sensed non-running value of the prime mover operating parameter with a predetermined non-running value for the at least one prime mover operating parameter; d) initiating prime mover running mode startup if the sensed non-running value of the prime mover operating parameter is within an acceptable range; e) aborting the generator set pretrip routine if the sensed non-running value of the at least one prime mover operating parameter is not within an acceptable range; f) if the generator pretrip routine is aborted in step e), recording the non-running value of the at least one engine operating parameter in controller memory; g) after the prime mover running mode has been initiated in step d), sensing the running values of at least one prime mover operating parameter; h) transmitting the sensed running value of the at least one prime mover operating parameter to the controller; i) at the controller, comparing the running value of the at least one prime mover operating parameter with a predetermined acceptable running value for the prime mover operating parameter; and j) if the running value for the prime mover operating parameter is not within an acceptable range, transmitting a stop signal from the controller to the prime mover stop means stopping the prime mover and recording the running status in the controller memory.