Motor generator control for fixed fuel source engine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11242044-B2
Application number	US-201816038867-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2018
Priority date	Jul 18, 2018
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

A system for supplementing a fixed fuel source for an engine includes a motor-generator set connected to a mechanical load device and a controller. The motor-generator set includes a motor and a generator. The engine is configured to provide a first torque from a fixed fuel source from an independent variable flow input. The fixed fuel source is independent of the engine and set external to the engine. The mechanical load device is driven by the engine and configured to require a second torque defined by an independent flow device. The controller is configured to compare the first torque and the second torque, provide a first control signal to the motor to provide power to the engine when the second torque exceeds the first torque and provide a second control signal to the generator to draw power from the engine when the first torque exceeds the second torque.

First claim

We claim:

1. A system for supplementing a fixed fuel source for an engine with a motor-generator, the system comprising:
a motor-generator including a motor and a generator;
an engine configured to provide a first torque from a fixed fuel source, wherein the fixed fuel source is independent of the engine and set by a gaseous emission that is external to the engine;
a mechanical load device driven by the engine and configured to require a second torque defined by a fixed speed or a fixed power output; and
a controller configured to compare the first torque and the second torque, provide a first control signal to the motor to provide power to the engine when the second torque exceeds the first torque and provide a second control signal to the generator to draw power from the engine when the first torque exceeds the second torque.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fixed fuel source varies over time and is consumed by the engine independent of a load on the engine from the mechanical load device.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fixed fuel source is a fuel cell, a digester, or a biogas source.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical load device is a compressor coupled to the fixed fuel source.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an air valve configured to selectively control a flow of ambient air to the fixed fuel source.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fuel path from the fixed fuel source to the engine to provide a flow of fuel from the fixed fuel source to the engine; and
a fuel valve configured to selectively control the flow of fuel from the fixed fuel source to the engine.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising:
a first valve configured to selectively control a flow of ambient air to the fixed fuel source;
a tail gas path from the fixed fuel source to the engine to provide a flow of tail gas from the fixed fuel source to the engine; and
a second valve configured to selectively control the flow of tail gas from the fixed fuel source to the engine.

8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a third valve as a throttle of the engine to apply a setting for the throttle for the engine in response to the flow of fuel.

9. A method for supplementing a fixed fuel source for an engine with a motor-generator a motor and a generator, the method comprising:
providing, from the engine, a first torque from a fixed fuel source, wherein the fixed fuel source is independent of the engine and set by a gaseous emission that is external to the engine;
identifying a second torque required by a mechanical load device and defined by a fixed speed or a fixed power output;
comparing the first torque and the second torque;
providing a first control signal to the motor to provide power to the engine when the second torque exceeds the first torque; and
providing a second control signal to the generator to draw power from the engine when the first torque exceeds the second torque.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Frampton Isaac S
• Larson Adam

Classifications

• Y02T10/72

  Electric energy management in electromobility · CPC title

• B60W10/08

  including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators · CPC title

• Y02T10/30

  Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels · CPC title

• F02D29/06

  peculiar to engines driving electric generators · CPC title

• F02M21/0215 Primary

  Mixtures of gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Biogas; Mine gas; Landfill gas · CPC title