Patent ID: 7239034

Claim:
A combined heat and AC power generating system, the combined heat and AC power generating system comprising: an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; an exhaust system for removing combustion gases from said enginel; a permanent magnet alternator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft and generating AC power; rectifying means for converting the AC power from said alternator to DC power; inverter means for converting the DC power from said rectifying means to AC power having a defined amplitude and a frequency different than the AC power output from said alternator; a water jacket around said internal combustion engine; a water jacket around said exhaust system; a heat exchanger; means for passing water through said water jacket around said internal combustion engine and said water jacket around said exhaust system to remove heat from said internal combustion engine and said exhaust system, the removed heat being utilized for purposes including heating building air and heating tap water; a first sensor for sensing the speed of said engine and providing a first signal; a second sensor for sensing the amount of power being output from said inverter means and providing a second signal; and an electronic control unit responsive to the first and second signals for generating a control signal to said inverter for controlling the amount of power being output from said inverter means and thereby controlling the speed of said internal combustion engine.