Abstract:
The operation of a generator and the loads placed on the generator are controlled in response to measuring the loads and generator operating parameters and controllably altering the operating conditions in response to comparison of the measurements to respective set points.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,305 B1, issued May 1, 2001 from an application filed by John E. McLoughlin et al, on Nov. 6, 1997, entitled “Apparatus Multiplexing System”.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The subject invention relates to apparatus for controlling the operation of an electric generator.  
         [0006]     More particularly, the subject invention relates to selectively controlling the operation of an electric generator in response to measured generator operating parameter signals and measured load signals.  
         [0007]     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98  
         [0008]     Related art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,305 B1, issued May 1, 2001 from an application filed by John E. McLoughlin; et al, on Nov. 6, 1997, entitled “Apparatus Multiplexing System”.  
         [0009]     In the operation of a generator to supply power to various load apparatus it is desirable to prevent damage to the generator or load apparatus by bringing the generator up to speed before any loads are placed on the generator and then most desirable to bring the loads on sequentially and in a preselected order desirably at timed intervals.  
         [0010]     The actuation of bringing loads onto the generator are controlled in this apparatus in response to measuring the generator operating parameters, such as voltage, frequency, and temperature for example and finding such parameters to be within acceptable limits.  
         [0011]     The apparatus of this invention is also controlled by continuously measuring the various loads placed on the generator and controllably terminating the supply of electricity to each in a preselected sequence and priority when operating problems are detected.  
         [0012]     By the utilization of this invention the generator and its associated load apparatus are protected from damage while necessary loads continue to receive power. This represents a saving of equipment, labor, time, and natural resources.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In one aspect of the invention, a generator is connected to a plurality of load apparatus via a power distribution unit and a controller. The generator has apparatus for measuring a plurality of generator operating parameters and delivering operating parameter signals responsive to said measurements. The generator also controllably delivers electrical power to the plurality of load apparatus via the power distribution unit. The power distribution unit has apparatus for continuously measuring the electrical power delivered to each load apparatus and delivering a load signal response to each respective measurement. The controller is adapted to receive generator operating parameter signals and load signals, comparing the signals to respective set points and delivering respective controlling signals to the power distribution unit in response to said comparison.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0014]     The drawing is a schematic representation of the apparatus of this invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     Referring to the drawing, the generator controlling system  10 , of this invention has an electric generator  12 , a plurality of load apparatus  13 - 16 , for example, a power distribution unit  18  and a controller  20 .  
         [0016]     It should be understood that four load apparatus  13 - 16  are shown for exemplary purposes and that a greater or lesser number can be utilized without departing from this invention. Further, in order to avoid confusion and complexity, most control lines are shown as a single line on the drawing. The control signals can sequentially and continuously be delivered over a single line, as shown, or each respective signal can be deliver by a separate selective line of a line bundle without departing from this invention. The single line is used for descriptive purposes to avoid complexity.  
         [0017]     The generator has apparatus for measuring a plurality of operating parameters of the generator and delivering, operating parameter signals responsive to said measurements to the power distribution unit  18  via line  22  to the controller  20 . The controller  20  also has the capability to store the data received and provide the operator interface to both download historical data and upload software updates.  
         [0018]     The heretofore mentioned plurality of load apparatus  13 - 16 , for example, light, siren and, motor are connected to the generator  12  via power lines  43  and adapted to operate on electrical power received from the generator  12 .  
         [0019]     The power distribution unit  18  is connected to and controllably delivers power from the generator  12  via power lines  43  to the power distribution unit  18  and then via lines  34 - 37  to the plurality of load apparatus  13 - 16  for operating same. The power distribution unit has apparatus for continuously measuring the electrical power deliver to each load apparatus  13 - 16  and delivering a load signal, via line  24 , responsive to each respective measurement.  
         [0020]     The controller  20  is connected to the generator  12  and the power distribution unit  18 . The controller  20  is adapted to receive generator operating parameter signals, via line  22  and load signals, via line  24 , compare the signals to respective set points and deliver respective controlling signals, via line  26 , to the power distribution unit  18  and the generator vial line  44  in response to said comparison.  
         [0021]     The apparatus of this invention can also have one or more manual operating systems or remote controllers  28 , 29  connected to the controller  20  and adapted to override the controller  20  and manually actuate and terminate power from the generator  12  to respective load apparatus  13 - 16 , via line  32 .  
         [0022]     The controller  20  has a priority list and priority selecting apparatus  40 . The selecting apparatus  40  receives the respective load signals from the power distribution unit  18 , via line  24 , compares the load signals to respective set points, deliver a respective priority signal in response to an undesirable load signal relative to its respective set point, compare each priority signal to a preselected priority list and controllably deliver a load apparatus power termination signal, via line  26 , to the power distribution unit in a preselected order responsive to the priority list comparison.  
         [0023]     The priority selecting apparatus  40  can also be adapted to receive the operating parameter signals from the generator, via line  22 , compare each of the operating parameter signals to a respective set point, deliver a respective priority signal in response to an undesirable operating parameter signal comparison to its respective set point, comparing each priority signal to a preselected priority list, and controllably deliver a load apparatus power termination signal, via line  26 , to the power distribution unit  18  in a preselected order responsive to the priority list comparison. The controller  20  can also deliver signals via line  44  to the generator  12  to engage or disengage the generator drive.  
         [0024]     In some cases, it is desirable for the priority list to contain a termination block on one or more load apparatus  13 - 16 , for power termination signals and operating parameter signals. Such termination blocks can be used to prevent power shut down to load apparatus  13 - 16  which are essential. Examples of essential load apparatus would be extraction tools, and lights which might be used in a ambulance or fire rescue vehicle to rescue or sustain a injured persons life.  
         [0025]     Such blocks can be used during initial start up signal from the generator  12  for blocking all power delivered by the generator  12  until the comparison of each of the operating parameter signals to their respective set point is within desirable limits and then permit the deliver of power to the plurality of load apparatus  13 - 16 , via the power distribution unit  18 , in a preselected order. Such power can be controllably delivered consecutively to the plurality of load apparatus in a particular sequence at preselected timed intervals.  
         [0026]     It should be noted that the various parameter and load signals are delivered, via line  42 , to each remote manual operating system or remote controller where they can be observed by an operator and caused to deliver overriding operating signals, via line  32  when desired.