Microgen Energy Limited

Microgen Engine Corporation Holding B.v.

Bg Intellectual Property Ltd.

Wayne Kenneth Aldridge

David Anthony Clark

Heather Allderidge

James Robert Lowrie

Christopher John Spenceley

George McChesney Francis

Jarlath McEntee

Frank Ferdinandi

Graham Richard Roberts

Stephen Michael Hasko

Stephen Charles Welty

Roger Stuart Silcock

Christopher Mark Hardingham

Adrian Robin Richardson

Alan William McCarthy-Wyper

Isobel Dorothy Rea

Nigel Graham Moore

Gordon Smith

Jarlath Michael McEntee

This invention relates to domestic heat and power systems that allow efficient methods of operating a domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit and to energy-efficient methods of scheduling domestic appliance operation within a household having a dchp unit. Dchp units provide heating and hot water for the home and also generate electricity for use in the home. A domestic heat and power system is provided that comprises a dchp unit, a dchp unit controller, a programmer module and an energy scheduler linked to allow communication therebetween, wherein the programmer module receives data input and generates a heating and/or hot water schedule therefrom, the dchp unit controller determines operating times of the dchp unit in accordance with the schedule and provides the operating times to the energy scheduler that then operates the domestic appliance during operating times.

Domestic heat and power system

Apparatus and method are provided, for connecting prime mover driven alternator to circuit that has an existing alternating current. Alternator is connected to circuit when minimum current flows to or from alternator. The actual current is measured by controller following connection and the value of this current is used to determine the optimal connection conditions when alternator is next connected. Alternator is disconnected by controller by running down prime mover, monitoring the current and stalling prime mover when the current flow is at a minimum.

Connecting a prime mover driven alternator to a circuit with an existing alternating current

A Stirling engine () includes a reciprocating piston which drives an alternator to provide an electrical output (). The current signal () is measured by a current monitor () and a fast Fourier Transform value is produced. The FFT of the current signal () has been found to be directly related to the stability of operation of the Stirling engine. As harmonic peaks in the FFT increase, this indicates that the stroke length of the piston is approaching or exceeding a safe maximum. Correction action, such as a reduction in heat to the Stirling engine, can be taken in consequence. A variety of stroke length detectors () are also disclosed, for use in combination with, or separately from, the FFT analysis of the current signal (). Optical and mechanical switches and analogue sensors are disclosed, along with an accelerometer mounted upon the casing of the Stirling engine.

Stirling engine instability detection and prevention

A domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit includes a Stirling engineto provide heat for a domestic dwelling along with a source of electrical power. Under normal operation, the dchp is supplied with power from the national grid. When there is an interruption in the mains power from the grid, the dchp switches into a grid independent mode wherein power is generated by the dchp and is supplied to a controllerand to a water pump so as to maintain integrity of heat supply to the dwelling; the remaining power after that is supplied to selected domestic electrically powered equipment such as lights or television sets. The invention also discloses methods for black start of the dchp during a mains power loss, and also modification of the operating voltage on start up of electrical equipment during a power loss, to prevent the Stirling engine stalling.

Domestic combined heat and power unit

A method and a connector arrangement for connecting and disconnecting an electrical generator, such as a prime mover driven alternator (), to a circuit with an existing alternating current such as the mains electricity supply ().

Method and a connector arrangement for connecting and disconnecting a generator to a circuit with an existing alternating current

The heating appliance, and particularly a dchp system, comprising two burners (). A splitter valve () splits a stream of air () into two streams, one for each burner. Combustible fuel is mixed with the air. A controller controls the combustible fuel, and the splitter valve position, thereby controlling the portion of air fed to each burner.

Heating appliance

A fan assembly comprising two fans () for supplying combustible gases to two burners () respectively. The flow parts from the first and second burners are combined in a common manifold. Temperature censor () detect the temperature of the gases passing through each fan, and the speed of a particular fan is increased if the temperature sensor detects reverse flow of combustion gases.

Heat fan assembly and method of controlling a fan

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Granby, United Kingdom

Wayne Kenneth Aldridge