US6657416B2 — Control system for stand-by electrical generator

Claim 1

Independent Claim 201 words

A control system for controlling operation of an engine-driven, electrical generator which generates AC power and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency for a load, the load being operatively connected to a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency thereto, and the engine having an adjustable engine speed, comprising: a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby; a synchronizer operatively connected to a generator control, the synchronizer monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network; wherein the generator control adjusts the magnitude of the AC voltage generated by the generator and adjusts the engine speed of the engine to vary the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator such that the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generation matches the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 201 words

A control system for controlling operation of an engine-driven, electrical generator which generates AC power and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency for a load, the load being operatively connected to a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency thereto, and the engine having an adjustable engine speed, comprising: a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby; a synchronizer operatively connected to a generator control, the synchronizer monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network; wherein the generator control adjusts the magnitude of the AC voltage generated by the generator and adjusts the engine speed of the engine to vary the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator such that the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generation matches the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

The control system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface operatively connected to the network, the user interface allowing a user to communicate with generator control so as to set predetermined operating parameters of the engine and the generator.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 69 words

The control system of claim 1 further comprising a transfer switch having a first input connectable to the utility source for providing AC power, a second input operatively connected to the generator, and an output connectable to an alternate load, the transfer switch is selectively movable between a first position connecting the utility source to the alternate load and a second position connecting the generator to the alternate load.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

The control system of claim 3 wherein the transfer switch is operatively connected to the generator control such that the generator control controls movement of the transfer switch between the first and second positions.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 78 words

The control system of claim 1 further comprising a switch operatively connected to the generator control and being movable between a first closed position for interconnecting the generator and the load and a second open position, the generator control moving the switch to the closed position in response to the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator being generally equal to the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The control system of claim 1 wherein the generator control includes a digital governor connectable to the engine for controlling the engine speed of the engine.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

The control system of claim 6 wherein the digital governor includes a throttle valve, the throttle valve movable between a first open position wherein the engine generates maximum AC power and a second closed position wherein the engine generates minimum AC power.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

The control system of claim 1 wherein the generator control includes a voltage regulator for controlling the magnitude of the AC voltage generated by the generator.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 42 words

The control system of claim 1 further comprising an alarm system connectable to the engine for monitoring various engine parameters, the alarm system communicating with the generator control and generating an alarm signal in response to a predetermined condition on the engine.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 213 words

A generator structure for generating AC power for a load, the load including a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and frequency, comprising: a generator connectable to the load, the generator generating AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency; an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the generator, the engine having an adjustable engine speed; a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby, the generator control including a synchronizer for monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator wherein the generator control adjusts the magnitude of the AC voltage generated by the generator and adjusts the engine speed of the engine to vary the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator such that the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 213 words

A generator structure for generating AC power for a load, the load including a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and frequency, comprising: a generator connectable to the load, the generator generating AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency; an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the generator, the engine having an adjustable engine speed; a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby, the generator control including a synchronizer for monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator wherein the generator control adjusts the magnitude of the AC voltage generated by the generator and adjusts the engine speed of the engine to vary the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator such that the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 70 words

The generator structure of claim 10 further comprising a transfer switch having a first input connectable to a utility source for providing AC power, a second input operatively connected to the generator, and an output connectable to an alternate load, the transfer switch selectively movable between a first position for connecting the utility source to the alternate load and a second position for connecting the generator to the alternate load.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 45 words

The generator structure of claim 11 wherein the transfer switch is operatively connected to the generator control such that the generator control controls movement of the transfer switch between the first and second positions in response to the AC power supplied by the utility source.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 80 words

The generator structure of claim 10 further comprising a switch operatively connected to the generator control and being movable between a first closed position wherein the generator is connected to the utility source and a second open position, the generator control moving the switch to the closed position in response to the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator being generally equal to the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

The generator structure of claim 10 wherein the generator control includes a digital governor connectable to the engine for controlling the engine speed of the engine.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

The generator structure of claim 14 wherein the digital governor includes a throttle valve, the throttle valve movable between a first open position wherein the engine generates maximum AC power and second closed position wherein the engine generates minimum AC power.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

The generator structure of claim 10 wherein the generator control includes a voltage regulator for regulating the magnitude of the AC voltage generated by the generator.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 195 words

A control system for controlling operation of an engine-driven, electrical generator which generates AC power and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency for a load, the load being operatively connected to a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency thereto, and the engine having an adjustable engine speed, comprising: a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby, the generator control including a volt-ampere-reactive (VAR) control for varying the power factor of the AC power generated by the generator to a predetermined value; a synchronizer operatively connected to a generator control, the synchronizer monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network; wherein the generator control varies the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator to match the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 195 words

A control system for controlling operation of an engine-driven, electrical generator which generates AC power and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency for a load, the load being operatively connected to a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency thereto, and the engine having an adjustable engine speed, comprising: a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby, the generator control including a volt-ampere-reactive (VAR) control for varying the power factor of the AC power generated by the generator to a predetermined value; a synchronizer operatively connected to a generator control, the synchronizer monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network; wherein the generator control varies the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator to match the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 202 words

A generator structure for generating AC power for a load, the load including a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and frequency, comprising: a generator connectable to the load, the generator generating AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency; an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the generator, the engine having an adjustable engine speed; a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby, the generator control including a volt-ampere-reactive (VAR) control for varying the power factor of the AC power generated by the generator; the generator control including a synchronizer for monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator such that the generator control the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 202 words

A generator structure for generating AC power for a load, the load including a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and frequency, comprising: a generator connectable to the load, the generator generating AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency; an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the generator, the engine having an adjustable engine speed; a generator control operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to the generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby, the generator control including a volt-ampere-reactive (VAR) control for varying the power factor of the AC power generated by the generator; the generator control including a synchronizer for monitoring the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source and the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator such that the generator control the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage of the utility source; and a communications link for operatively connecting the generator control to a network.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 203 words

A method of providing AC power to a load, the load including a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and an AC voltage having a magnitudes and a frequency, comprising the steps of: setting various operating parameters for a generator structure and transmitting the same to the generator structure over a network; and generating AC power and AC voltage with a generator structure in response to the various operating parameters set, the AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and the AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency; monitoring the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source and the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator structure; varying the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator structure to match the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source, and interconnecting the generator structure to the utility source in response to the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator structure being generally equal to the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 203 words

A method of providing AC power to a load, the load including a utility source which provides AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and an AC voltage having a magnitudes and a frequency, comprising the steps of: setting various operating parameters for a generator structure and transmitting the same to the generator structure over a network; and generating AC power and AC voltage with a generator structure in response to the various operating parameters set, the AC power having a magnitude and a power factor and the AC voltage having a magnitude and a frequency; monitoring the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source and the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator structure; varying the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator structure to match the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source, and interconnecting the generator structure to the utility source in response to the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage generated by the generator structure being generally equal to the magnitude and the frequency of the AC voltage provided by the utility source.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 19 comprising the additional step of varying the power factor of the AC power generated by the generator structure to a predetermined value.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 19 comprising the additional step of adjusting the magnitude of the AC voltage generated by the generator structure to a user selected magnitude.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-12-01	2007-06-02	2007-12-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-12-01	2011-06-02	2011-12-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-12-01	2015-06-02	2015-12-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Control system for stand-by electrical generator

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