Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 90
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A digital control system for a electric generator set, said digital control system comprising: a computer for receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; a display for displaying measurements of said analog characteristics associated with the generator set; a software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set, to monitor said measurements, and to graphically display at least one of said measurements, wherein said software program is capable of adapting its execution to different generator set configurations in real-time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A digital control system for a electric generator set, said digital control system comprising: a computer for receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; a display for displaying measurements of said analog characteristics associated with the generator set; a software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set, to monitor said measurements, and to graphically display at least one of said measurements, wherein said software program is capable of adapting its execution to different generator set configurations in real-time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , further comprising: wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs further include at least one second signal representing the status of a digital characteristic associated with the generator set; and said software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one second signal as status of digital characteristics associated with the generator set.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , further comprising: an input device for allowing an operator to interact with said computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The digital control system of claim 2 , further comprising: said digital characteristic associated with the generator set includes mechanical switches on the generator, whereby said computer running said software program may determine the position of said mechanical switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , further comprising: said software program containing at least one Set Point for at least one of said measurements, wherein said at least one Set Point indicates a reference level for said at least one of said measurements; and said software program capable of determining that a fault condition exists when one or more of said measurements achieves a Set Point associated with said one or more of said measurements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The digital control system of claim 5 , further comprising: said software program containing multiple Set Points for at least one of said measurements; and said software program providing multiple fault levels differing in severity for said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The digital control system of claim 5 , further comprising: said software program capable of monitoring said multiple discrete parameter inputs; and said software program capable of determining that a fault condition exists based upon at least two of said multiple discrete parameter inputs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The digital control system of claim 5 , further comprising: said software program capable of displaying a textual message when said software program determines that a fault condition exists, wherein said textual message includes text suggesting an action to take in response to the detected fault condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The digital control system of claim 8 , wherein said textual message further includes at least one statement selected from the group consisting of: a description of the detected fault condition, and a reference to a source of information about the detected fault condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , further comprising: a data file, wherein said software program is capable of writing an entry to said data file, said entry containing information regarding the generator set's characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The digital control system of claim 10 , wherein said entry contains at least one data element selected from the group consisting of: date of entry being written to said data file, time of entry being written to said data file, amount of time that the generator set has been energized, measurement of a characteristic of said generator set, and special comments about the operation of said generator set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The digital control system of claim 10 , further comprising: said software program writing said entry to a data file periodically.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The digital control system of claim 10 , further comprising: said software program writing said entry to a data file upon occurrence of a fault condition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , further comprising: said software program capable of monitoring configuration switches on the generator set and adapting said software program's operation according to the generator set's configuration in real-time, wherein adapting said software program's operation includes adapting Set Points contained within the software program for determining whether a fault condition exists to the generator set's configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , further comprising: said software program providing at least one configurable graphical display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The digital control system of claim 15 , wherein a first graphical display includes displaying only measurements received by said computer that are critical for normal operation of the generator set.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The digital control system of claim 15 , wherein a second graphical display includes displaying all measurements of the generator set received by said computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The digital control system of claim 17 , wherein said displaying all measurements includes displaying voltage for all 3 phases of a generator set simultaneously.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , further comprising: said software program capable of determining the difference in the output voltage of a generator set and the voltage existing on the bus, which represents the difference in voltage across the output breaker of the generator set; and said software program capable of displaying the difference in voltage across the output breaker of the generator set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The digital control system of claim 19 , further comprising: said software program capable of monitoring the difference in voltage across the output breaker of the generator set; and said software program capable of allowing the contactor of a generator set to close only if said difference in voltage across the output breaker is below a preset level.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The digital control system of claim 1 , wherein said computer, said display and said software program are operating at a site remote to the generator set.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of monitoring and controlling a generator set, said method comprising: receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; interpreting the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set; and graphically displaying as a configurable graphical display at least one of said measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of monitoring and controlling a generator set, said method comprising: receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; interpreting the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set; and graphically displaying as a configurable graphical display at least one of said measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs further include at least one second signal representing the status of a digital characteristic associated with the generator set; and interpreting the received at least one second signal as status of digital characteristics associated with the generator set.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: monitoring said multiple discrete parameter inputs; and determining whether a fault condition exists.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said step of monitoring includes: setting at least one Set Point for one or more of the received at least one first signal, wherein said Set Point indicates a reference level for said one or more of the received at least one first signal; and comparing said one or more of the received at least one first signal with said at least one Set Point to determine whether said one or more of the received at least one first signal has achieved said at least one Set Point.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of determining includes determining that a fault condition exists when said one or more of the received at least one first signal achieves said at least one Set Point.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising: setting at least two Set Points for one or more of the received at least one first signal, wherein a first Set Point indicates a fault level having a first severity and a second Set Point indicates a fault level having a second severity; determining that a fault condition having a first severity exists when said one or more of the received at least one first signal achieves said first Set Point; and determining that a fault condition having a second severity exists when said one or more of the received at least one first signal achieves said second Set Point.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said step of determining includes determining whether a fault condition exists based upon at least two of said multiple discrete parameter inputs.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising: displaying a textual message if it is determined that a fault condition exists, wherein said textual message includes text suggesting an action to take in response to the determined fault condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein said textual message further includes at least one statement selected from the group consisting of: a description of the detected fault condition, and a reference to a source of information about the detected fault condition.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: writing an entry to a data file, said entry containing information regarding the generator set's characteristics.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein said entry contains at least one data element selected from the group consisting of: date of said entry being written to said data file, time of said entry being written to said data file, amount of time that the generator set has been energized, measurement of a characteristic of said generator set, and special comments about the operation of said generator set.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 , further comprising: writing said entry to a data file periodically.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 31 , further comprising: writing said entry to a data file upon occurrence of a fault condition.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: adapting said method of monitoring and controlling a generator set to different generator set con-figurations in real-time, wherein said step of adapting includes adjusting Set Points indicating a reference level for at least one of said measurements, said Set Points aid in determining whether a fault condition exists.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein said step of adapting includes: monitoring configuration switches on the generator set; and adjusting said Set Points in accordance with the generator set's configuration switches.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said configurable graphical display is a user-configurable graphical display in which a user can select at least one of multiple display configurations for displaying said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein a first selectable graphical display includes only measurements critical for normal operation of the generator set.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein a second selectable graphical display includes all of said received measurements of the generator set.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein said displaying all of said received measurements includes displaying voltage for all 3 phases of the generator set simultaneously.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: computing the difference in the output voltage of the generator set and the voltage existing on the bus, said difference represents the difference in voltage across the output breaker of the generator set; and displaying said difference in voltage across the output breaker of the generator set.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 41 , further comprising: monitoring said difference in voltage across the output breaker of the generator set; and allowing a generator set's contactor to close only if said difference in voltage across the output breaker is below a preset level.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said computer, said steps of receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, interpreting the received first signals, and graphically displaying are performed at a site remote to the generator set.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said software program configures said configurable graphical display in which said software program selects at least one of multiple display configurations for displaying said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein said software program selects said at least one of multiple display configurations based at least in part on said monitored measurements.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
149 words
A generator set comprising: a digital control system; said digital control system includes a computer for receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs includes at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; said digital control system further includes a display for displaying measurements of said analog characteristics associated with the generator set; said digital control system further includes a software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set, to monitor said measurements, and graphically display at least one of said measurements; and said software program includes code for displaying a textual message when said software program determines that a fault condition exists, wherein said textual message includes text suggesting an action to take in response to the detected fault condition.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
149 words
A generator set comprising: a digital control system; said digital control system includes a computer for receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs includes at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; said digital control system further includes a display for displaying measurements of said analog characteristics associated with the generator set; said digital control system further includes a software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set, to monitor said measurements, and graphically display at least one of said measurements; and said software program includes code for displaying a textual message when said software program determines that a fault condition exists, wherein said textual message includes text suggesting an action to take in response to the detected fault condition.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
60 words
The generator set of claim 46 , further comprising: wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs includes at least one second signal representing the status of a digital characteristic associated with the generator set; and said software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one second signal as status of digital characteristics associated with the generator set.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The generator set of claim 46 , further comprising: said digital control system further includes an input device for allowing an operator to interact with said computer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
76 words
The generator set of claim 46 , further comprising: said software program containing at least one Set Point for at least one of said measurements, wherein said at least one Set Point indicates a reference level for said at least one of said measurements; and said software program capable of determining that a fault condition exists when one or more of said measurements achieves a Set Point associated with said one or more of said measurements.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
42 words
The generator set of claim 49 , further comprising: said software program containing multiple Set Points for at least one of said measurements; and said software program providing multiple fault levels differing in severity for said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
45 words
The generator set of claim 49 , further comprising: said software program including code for monitoring said multiple discrete parameter inputs; and said software program including code for determining that a fault condition exists based upon at least two of said multiple discrete parameter inputs.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
The generator set of claim 46 wherein said textual message further includes at least one statement selected from the group consisting of: a description of the detected fault condition, and a reference to a source of information about the detected fault condition.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The generator set of claim 46 , further comprising: a data file, wherein said software program includes code for writing an entry to said data file, said entry containing information regarding the generator set's characteristics.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
68 words
The generator set of claim 53 , wherein said entry contains at least one data element selected from the group consisting of: date of entry being written to said data file, time of entry being written to said data file, amount of time that the generator set has been energized, measurement of a characteristic of said generator set, and special comments about the operation of said generator set.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The generator set of claim 53 , further comprising: said software program writing said entry to a data file periodically.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The generator set of claim 53 , further comprising: said software program writing said entry to a data file upon occurrence of a fault condition.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
105 words
A digital control system for a electric generator set, said digital control system comprising: a computer for receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; a display for displaying measurements of said analog characteristics associated with the generator set; a software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set, to monitor said measurements, and to graphically display, as a configurable graphical display, at least one of said measurements.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
105 words
A digital control system for a electric generator set, said digital control system comprising: a computer for receiving multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; a display for displaying measurements of said analog characteristics associated with the generator set; a software program running on said computer to interpret the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set, to monitor said measurements, and to graphically display, as a configurable graphical display, at least one of said measurements.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
39 words
The digital control system of claim 57 wherein said configurable graphical display is a user-configurable graphical display in which a user can select at least one of multiple display configurations for displaying said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital control system of claim 58 wherein a first selectable graphical display includes only measurements critical for normal operation of the generator set.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital control system of claim 58 wherein a second selectable graphical display includes all of said received measurements of the generator set.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
27 words
The digital control system of claim 60 wherein said displaying all of said received measurements includes displaying voltage for all 3 phases of the generator set simultaneously.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
38 words
The digital control system of claim 57 wherein said software program configures said configurable graphical display in which said software program selects at least one of multiple display configurations for displaying said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
28 words
The digital control system of claim 62 wherein said software program selects said at least one of multiple display configurations based at least in part on said measurements.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
77 words
The digital control system of claim 57 , further comprising: said software program containing at least one Set Point for at least one of said measurements, wherein said at least one Set Point indicates a reference level for said at least one of said measurements; and said software program capable of determining that a fault condition exists when one or more of said measurements achieves a Set Point associated with said one or more of said measurements.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
43 words
The digital control system of claim 64 , further comprising: said software program containing multiple Set Points for at least one of said measurements; and said software program providing multiple fault levels differing in severity for said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
44 words
The digital control system of claim 64 , further comprising: said software program capable of monitoring said multiple discrete parameter inputs; and said software program capable of determining that a fault condition exists based upon at least two of said multiple discrete parameter inputs.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
47 words
The digital control system of claim 64 , further comprising: said software program capable of displaying a textual message when said software program determines that a fault condition exists, wherein said textual message includes text suggesting an action to take in response to the detected fault condition.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
44 words
The digital control system of claim 67 , wherein said textual message further includes at least one statement selected from the group consisting of: a description of the detected fault condition, and a reference to a source of information about the detected fault condition.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
36 words
The digital control system of claim 57 , further comprising: a data file, wherein said software program is capable of writing an entry to said data file, said entry containing information regarding the generator set's characteristics.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
68 words
The digital control system of claim 69 wherein said entry contains at least one data element selected from the group consisting of: date of entry being written to said data file, time of entry being written to said data file, amount of time that the generator set has been energized, measurement of a characteristic of said generator set, and special comments about the operation of said generator set.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
63 words
The digital control system of claim 57 , further comprising: said software program capable of monitoring configuration switches on the generator set and adapting said software program's operation according to the generator set's configuration in real-time, wherein adapting said software program's operation includes adapting Set Points contained within the software program for determining whether a fault condition exists to the generator set's configuration.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of monitoring and controlling a generator set, said method comprising: receiving into a digital control system multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; said digital control system interpreting the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set; said digital control system graphically displaying at least one of said measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set; and said digital control system determining whether a fault condition exists based at least in part on whether one or more of said measurements achieves a determined reference level for said one or more of said measurements; and said digital control system adapting in real-time to a change in the generator set's configuration, wherein said adapting allows said digital control system to correctly perform said determining whether a fault condition exists given said change in the generator set's configuration.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of monitoring and controlling a generator set, said method comprising: receiving into a digital control system multiple discrete parameter inputs, wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs include at least one first signal representing the value of an analog characteristic associated with the generator set; said digital control system interpreting the received at least one first signal as measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set; said digital control system graphically displaying at least one of said measurements of analog characteristics associated with the generator set; and said digital control system determining whether a fault condition exists based at least in part on whether one or more of said measurements achieves a determined reference level for said one or more of said measurements; and said digital control system adapting in real-time to a change in the generator set's configuration, wherein said adapting allows said digital control system to correctly perform said determining whether a fault condition exists given said change in the generator set's configuration.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 72 wherein said multiple discrete parameter inputs further include at least one second signal representing the status of a digital characteristic associated with the generator set.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 72 further comprising: said digital control system interpreting the received at least one second signal as status of digital characteristics associated with the generator set.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 74 wherein said digital characteristic associated with the generator set includes one or more mechanical switches.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 75 wherein said digital control system interprets the received at least one second signal as the position of said one or more mechanical switches.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 72 wherein said determining whether a fault condition exists further comprises: said digital control system determining whether one or more of said measurements achieves a determined reference level associated with said one or more of said measurements, wherein said digital control system determines that a fault condition exists when one or more of said measurements achieves said determined reference level.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 77 wherein said determining whether a fault condition exists further comprises: said digital control system determining whether one of multiple fault levels differing in severity exist for said at least one of said measurements.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 77 wherein said determining whether a fault condition exists further comprises: said digital control system monitoring said multiple discrete parameter inputs; and said digital control system determining whether a fault condition exists based upon at least two of said multiple discrete parameter inputs.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 72 , further comprising: said digital control system displaying a textual message when said digital control system determines that a fault condition exists, wherein said textual message includes text suggesting an action to take in response to the detected fault condition.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 80 wherein said textual message further includes at least one statement selected from the group consisting of: a description of the detected fault condition, and a reference to a source of information about the detected fault condition.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 72 , further comprising: said digital control system writing an entry to a data file, said entry containing information regarding the generator set's characteristics.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 82 , wherein said entry contains at least one data element selected from the group consisting of: date of entry being written to said data file, time of entry being written to said data file, amount of time that the generator set has been energized, measurement of a characteristic of said generator set, and special comments about the operation of said generator set.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 82 wherein said digital control system writes said entry to a data file upon determining the existence of a fault condition.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 72 wherein said digital control system adapting in real-time to a change in the generator set's configuration further comprises: said digital control system monitoring one or more configuration switches on the generator set and adapting reference levels used for determining whether a fault condition exists according to the setting of said one or more configuration switches.