Patent ID: 7664577
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A control apparatus for an electric generator, wherein the electric generator is driven by an engine and configured to charge an electric energy storage device and feed an electrical load, the control apparatus comprising: a power generation cost determiner working to determine a power generation cost of the electric generator based on parameters representative of operating condition of the engine and an amount of electric power generated by the electric generator; a threshold determiner working to determine a threshold of power generation cost as a function of a State of Charge (SOC) of the electric energy storage device; a comparator working to compare the power generation cost of the electric generator with the threshold of power generation cost; and a controller working to control the electric generator to generate: an increased amount of electric power, if the power generation cost of the electric generator is determined by the comparator as being lower than the threshold, so as to both feed the electrical load and charge the electric energy storage device, and a decreased amount of electric power, if the power generation cost of the electric generator is determined by the comparator as being higher than the threshold, so as to allow the electric energy storage device to discharge to feed the electrical load.