Power system that operates in an exercise mode based on measured parameters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9397598-B2
Application number	US-201514804056-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 20, 2015
Priority date	Jan 11, 2013
Publication date	Jul 19, 2016
Grant date	Jul 19, 2016

Abstract

A power system may include a power generation component and a sensor configured to measure a parameter. The power system may also include a controller in communication with the power generation component and the sensor. The controller may be configured to run the power generation component in an exercise mode for a duration. The duration may be based on the measured parameter.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
identifying a parameter;
determining when the parameter satisfies a condition;
monitoring a duration of operation of a generator in an exercise mode, the generator not providing power to a load when operating in the exercise mode;
comparing, using a control system, the duration to a time threshold; and
stopping the operation of the generator in the exercise mode based on the determination of when the parameter satisfies the condition and the comparison of the duration to the time threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time threshold comprises a minimum time threshold; and
wherein the stopping the operation of the generator in the exercise mode comprises stopping the generator only after the duration exceeds the minimum time threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time threshold comprises a maximum time threshold; and
wherein stopping the operation of the generator in the exercise mode comprises stopping the generator no later than when the duration equals the maximum time threshold.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the parameter comprises measuring the parameter with a sensor.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is an oil temperature.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a moisture content of oil.

7. A method comprising:
identifying a parameter;
determining a duration to operate a power generation component in an exercise mode based on the identified parameter; and
operating the power generation component in the exercise mode for the duration, the power generation component not supplying power to a load when operating in the exercise mode.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining the duration occurs before operating the power generation component in the exercise mode.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the power generation component comprises an engine and an alternator; and
wherein operating the power generation component in the exercise mode comprises running the engine for a first portion of the duration at a first speed, and running the engine for a second portion of the duration at a second speed different than the first speed.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein identifying the parameter comprises identifying initial parameter information; and
the method further comprising identifying additional parameter information after starting the operation of the power generation component.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the additional parameter information is identified at preset time intervals.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising adjusting the determined duration based on the additional parameter information.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the determined duration is adjusted only when the additional parameter information exceeds a threshold parameter change level.

14. A power system, comprising:
a power generation component; and
a control system in communication with the power generation component;
wherein the control system is configured to determine a duration to run the power generation component in an exercise mode where the power generation component is not supplying power, the duration based on an identified generator parameter; and
wherein the control system instructs the power generation component to run in the exercise mode for the duration.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the control system determines the duration based on a time threshold.

16. The duration of claim 15 , wherein the time threshold defines a minimum amount of time that the power generation component is run in the exercise mode.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the control system communicates changes in the operation of the power generation component to a user.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the control system is comprised of two or more processors controlling separate components.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the two or more processors are in wireless communication with one another.

20. The system of claim 14 , wherein the duration may be modified after the control system instructs the power generation component to run in the exercise mode for the duration.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• White Timothy W
• Danforth Iii Robert J
• Neis Jeffrey J

Classifications

• F02D29/06

  peculiar to engines driving electric generators · CPC title

• F02D41/22

  Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions {(in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809)} · CPC title

• F02N11/0803 Primary

  characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop (F02N11/0814 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02P9/008 Primary

  wherein the generator is controlled by the requirements of the prime mover · CPC title

• H02P9/04 Primary

  Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator · CPC title