Patent ID: 8744634

Claim:
A system, comprising: a turbine coupled to a generator, wherein the turbine has at least one input fluid flow and at least one output fluid flow; a turbine-generator controller comprising a first plurality of functions and coupled to the turbine, wherein the turbine-generator controller controls operation of the turbine, and the first plurality of functions comprises a shutdown function and a startup function for the turbine; and a second controller comprising a second plurality of functions and coupled to the turbine and the turbine-generator controller, wherein the second controller is configured to control the turbine-generator controller with at least one function of the second plurality of functions that is different than the first plurality of functions, wherein the second controller is functionally independent from the turbine-generator controller, wherein the first and second pluralities of functions each include control functions to control the at least one input fluid flow or the at least one output fluid flow, wherein the at least one function of the second plurality of functions comprises at least one startup permitting function that permits the turbine-generator controller to startup the turbine, a shutdown causing function that causes the turbine-generator controller to shutdown the turbine, or a combination thereof.