Modular generator control and external power unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016334769-A1
Application number	US-201514713856-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 15, 2015
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and system for use with an electric power system includes a monitoring unit to monitor at least one power characteristic, a generator control unit to control at least one generator characteristic, a ground interface unit to receive a ground power input, and a device configuration interface to select at least one of a generator control mode and an external power monitor mode, wherein the device configuration interface selectively engages at least one of the monitoring unit, the generator control unit, and the ground interface unit in response to at least one of the generator control mode and the external power monitor mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A multifunction control system for use with an electric power system, comprising:
a monitoring unit to monitor at least one power characteristic; a generator control unit to control at least one generator characteristic; a ground interface unit to receive a ground power input; and a device configuration interface to select at least one of a generator control mode and an external power monitor mode, wherein the device configuration interface selectively engages at least one of the monitoring unit, the generator control unit, and the ground interface unit based on whether the generator control mode or an external power monitor mode is selected.

2 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , wherein the device configuration interface selectively engages the monitoring unit and the generator control unit when the generator control mode is selected.

3 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , wherein the device configuration interface selectively engages the monitoring unit and the ground interface unit in response to the external power monitor mode.

4 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , the device configuration interface comprising a pin strap interface to select at least one of the generator control mode and the external power monitor mode.

5 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one generator characteristic includes at least one of a generator excitation characteristic, and a generator control characteristic.

6 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , wherein at least one power characteristic includes at least one of a voltage characteristic, and an amperage characteristic.

7 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , further comprising a contactor relay to engage at least one of the generator control unit and the ground interface unit.

8 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , the ground interface unit comprising a pin E-F interlock to selectively receive the AC ground power input.

9 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , the ground interface unit comprising a DC overvoltage protection unit to receive the ground power input.

10 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , wherein the generator control mode includes at least one of a main generator control mode and an auxiliary generator control mode.

11 . The multifunction control system of claim 1 , wherein the device configuration interface indicates a system status and a selection of the at least one of the generator control mode and the external power monitor mode.

12 . A method for controlling an electric power system, the method comprising:
selecting at least one of a generator control mode and an external power monitor mode via a device configuration interface; selectively engaging a monitoring unit in response to at least one of the generator control mode and the external power monitor mode; monitoring at least one power characteristic via the monitoring unit; selectively engaging a generator control unit in response to the generator control mode; controlling at least one generator characteristic via the generator control unit; selectively engaging a ground interface unit in response to the external power monitor mode; and receiving a ground power input via the ground interface unit.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one generator characteristic includes at least one of a generator excitation characteristic, and a generator control characteristic.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one power characteristic includes at least one of a voltage characteristic, and an amperage characteristic.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the generator control mode includes at least one of a main generator control mode and an auxiliary generator control mode.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Buzzard John N
• Wetzel Richard T

Classifications

• H02J3/007

  Arrangements for selectively connecting one or more loads to one or more power sources or power lines · CPC title

• H02J9/066

  characterised by the use of dynamo-electric machines (H02J9/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G05B2219/2639

  Energy management, use maximum of cheap power, keep peak load low · CPC title

• H02P9/48

  Arrangements for obtaining a constant output value at varying speed of the generator, e.g. on vehicle (H02P9/04 - H02P9/46 take precedence) · CPC title

• G05B19/048 Primary

  Monitoring; Safety · CPC title