Output cable measurement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10114061-B2
Application number	US-201615362297-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 28, 2016
Priority date	Nov 28, 2016
Publication date	Oct 30, 2018
Grant date	Oct 30, 2018

Abstract

A generator system includes a generator controller for monitoring the operation of generator cable. The generator controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a generator output and a first connection of a generator cable and a second signal indicative of a second connection of the generator cable. The generator controller is configured to calculate a characteristic value for the generator cable based on the first signal and the second signal and compare the characteristic value for the generator cable to a threshold value. A generator status message or a generator command is generated in response to the comparison. The characteristic value may be resistance of the generator cable.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for monitoring a generator cable of a generator system including a prime mover and an alternator:
receiving a first signal indicative of a generator output and a first connection of a generator cable connected to the alternator;
receiving a second signal indicative of a second connection of the generator cable connected to a load supplied by the alternator;
calculating a characteristic value for the generator cable based on the first signal and the second signal;
receiving temperature data for the generator cable;
calculating a threshold value from the temperature data and at least one generator cable property value;
performing a comparison of the characteristic value for the generator cable to the threshold value calculated from the temperature data; and
generating a generator command in response to the comparison.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold value is based on a previous characteristic value calculation for the generator cable.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generator cable is a first generator cable, and the threshold value is based on a characteristic value for a second generator cable.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating a generator status message in response to the comparison.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generator cable property value corresponds to a conductive material.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the characteristic value is a resistance.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the generator status message includes a length of the generator cable or a gauge of the generator cable.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the generator status message includes a diagnostic message or an instruction to a user or includes a warning and data indicative of a remedial action.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generator command includes a breaker command to open or close a breaker in response to the comparison of the characteristic value for the generator cable to a threshold value.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generator command includes a load shedding command to reduce or increase the load in response to the comparison of the characteristic value for the generator cable to a threshold value.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generator command includes a shutdown command to shut down a generator of the generator system.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generator command includes a start command for another generator of the generator system.

13. An apparatus including a prime mover and an alternator comprising:
a first electrical path for a first signal indicative of a generator output from the alternator and a first connection of a generator cable;
a second electrical path for a second signal indicative of a second connection of the generator cable to a load supplied by the alternator; and
a controller configured to calculate a characteristic value for the generator cable based on the first signal and the second signal, calculate a threshold value from temperature data and at least one generator cable property value, and perform a comparison of the characteristic value for the generator cable to the threshold value,
wherein a generator status message or a generator command is provided in response to the comparison.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the threshold value is based on a previous resistance calculation for the generator cable.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the generator cable is a first generator cable, and the threshold value is based on a resistance calculation for a second generator cable.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the generator status message is provided and the generator status message includes a warning and data indicative of a remedial action.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the generator status message is provided and the generator status message includes a diagnostic message or an instruction to a user.

18. A generator comprising:
a first breaker coupled to a first electrical path for a first signal indicative of a generator output and a first connection of a generator cable to an alternator of the generator;
a second breaker coupled to a second electrical path for a second signal indicative of a second connection of the generator cable to a load powered by the alternator of the generator; and
a controller configured to calculate a characteristic value for the generator cable based on the first signal and the second signal and perform a comparison of the characteristic value for the generator cable to a threshold value,
wherein the controller is configured to modify the threshold value based on temperature data for the generator cable and at least one generator cable property value,
wherein a generator status message or a generator command is provided in response to the comparison.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Frampton Isaac S
• Chiu Harrison C

Classifications

• G01R31/58

  Testing of lines, cables or conductors (testing of electric windings G01R31/72) · CPC title

• G05B2219/24065

  Real time diagnostics · CPC title

• G05B23/0213 Primary

  Modular or universal configuration of the monitoring system, e.g. monitoring system having modules that may be combined to build monitoring program; monitoring system that can be applied to legacy systems; adaptable monitoring system; using different communication protocols · CPC title

• G01R31/44

  Testing lamps · CPC title

• G01R31/083 Primary

  in cables, e.g. underground · CPC title