Kohler Company

Other

Discovery Energy, LLC

Harrison Chiu

Eric D Albsmeier

Richard Allen Mauk

Isaac S Frampton

Douglas W Dorn

Kenneth R Bornemann

Zane Eaton

Peter Thompson

Zachary Meulemans

Seth Gudmundson

Jeffrey John Neis

Anthony James Hackbarth

Zane C Eaton

Edward Douglas Brey

Jayson Pierringer

Andrew John Sember

Doug Dorn

Eric Greenwald

Benjamin Marotz

A control circuit for a dual fuel generator includes a primary fuel valve to control the supply of a primary fuel, a secondary fuel valve to control the supply of a secondary fuel, a primary fuel pressure switch to detect the primary fuel, a secondary fuel pressure switch to detect the secondary fuel, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a primary signal for availability of the primary fuel from the primary fuel pressure switch and a secondary signal for availability of the secondary fuel from the secondary and operate the primary fuel valve and the secondary fuel valve in response to the primary signal and the secondary signal. When the secondary fuel valve is open so that the secondary fuel is provided to the dual fuel generator, the control circuit is configured to ground the primary signal by connecting the primary fuel pressure switch to ground.

Dual fuel generator

Some embodiments relate to a method of adding and shedding loads that are connected to a generator. The method includes determining whether a plurality of loads is being supplied with power by the generator and then determining the total load that the generator is supplying to the plurality of loads. The method further includes determining whether to change a number of the loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load L that is being supplied by the generator. The method further includes determining an amount of time T in which to change the number of loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load that is being supplied by the generator.

Adding and shedding loads using load levels to determine timing

A diagnostic test is conducted by operating an engine-generator set at a plurality of reduced speeds. At each of those speeds, operating parameters of the engine are sensed and analyzed to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition. For example, such operating parameters may include speed of the engine-generator set, engine oil pressure and level, engine temperature, coolant level, and battery voltage. When a transition in engine speed occurs, a throttle test also may be conducted to measure how quickly and smoothly the engine reaches the new speed. After the engine reaches the normal operating speed, the generator is activated to produce electricity. One or more characteristic of that electricity, such as voltage, current and frequency, are sensed and evaluated to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition.

Diagnostic method for an engine-generator set

A generator system includes a generator controller for monitoring the operation of generator cable. The generator controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a generator output and a first connection of a generator cable and a second signal indicative of a second connection of the generator cable. The generator controller is configured to calculate a characteristic value for the generator cable based on the first signal and the second signal and compare the characteristic value for the generator cable to a threshold value. A generator status message or a generator command is generated in response to the comparison. The characteristic value may be resistance of the generator cable.

Output cable measurement

Some embodiments relate to a power management system. The power management system includes a generator that provides a voltage output to a bus. The bus is adapted to be connected to a load. The power management system further includes a battery charger that is adapted to charge a battery. A generator controller operates the generator and also adjusts operating conditions of the battery charger. In some embodiments, the generator includes an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator. Embodiments are contemplated where the battery charger is adapted to receive power from a primary power source. As an example, the primary power source may be utility power or some other form of generator power.

Power management system that changes the operating conditions of a battery charger

Some embodiments relate to an example system for adjusting an exercise schedule of a generator. The system includes the generator and a controller that exercises the generator according to the exercise schedule. The controller modifies the exercise schedule based on generator use. In some of the example embodiments described herein, the controller is a generator controller. Other embodiments relate to a method for adjusting an exercise schedule of a generator. The method includes exercising the generator according to the exercise schedule, and modifying the exercise schedule based on generator use.

System and method for adjusting the exercise schedule of a generator

Some embodiments relate to a power management system. The power management system includes a variable speed generator that provides a voltage output to a bus that is adapted to be connected to a load and an energy storage device. The power management system further includes a generator controller that controls the speed of the variable speed generator and monitors a charge level of the energy storage device. The generator controller also remotely displays information relating to the charge level of the energy storage device by supplying information relating to operation of the power management system over a network. The generator controller may remotely display information relating to the charge level of the energy storage device by supplying information relating to operation of the power management system over the Internet. The generator controller may also start/stop the variable speed generator based on the charge level of the energy storage device.

Charging an energy storage device with a variable speed generator

Some embodiments relate to a power generation system. The power generation system includes a first generator and a first battery charger. The first battery charger is adapted to charge a first battery and a second battery. The first battery and the second battery are each adapted to provide power to start the first generator. The power generation system further includes a controller that determines a state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery. Based on the state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery, the controller determines which of the first battery and the second battery receives charging current from the first battery charger.

Power generation system that provides efficient battery charger selection

Power generation system that optimizes the power provided to start a generator

A hybrid voltage regulator controls the voltage of three phases of alternating electricity produced by an alternator. A digital voltage regulator produces an average of the RMS voltage for each phase and produces an error value based on a ratio of the voltage to the frequency of the alternating electricity. The RMS voltage average and the error value are used to modify a voltage command designating a desired voltage level. The modified voltage command is processed by an analog voltage regulator that rectifies the alternator output voltage which then is averaged over an period of time. The resultant average voltage value is utilized to modify the voltage command to produce a regulated voltage command that determines a level of current to apply to excite the alternator.

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Grafton, WI, United States of America

Harrison Chiu