Crank only exercise mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9874190-B2
Application number	US-201615006846-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 26, 2016
Priority date	Jan 26, 2016
Publication date	Jan 23, 2018
Grant date	Jan 23, 2018

Abstract

Methods and systems for exercising a genset are disclosed herein. The method includes detecting whether the genset is in a first mode or a second mode, and activating a plurality of exercise cycles of the genset. Activating the plurality of exercise cycles comprises, in response to detecting the genset is in the first mode, ignite fuel to activate the genset during each of the plurality of exercise cycles of the genset; and in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode, cranking the genset without igniting fuel during at least a first subset of the plurality of exercise cycles.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for exercising a genset, comprising:
detecting whether the genset is in a first mode or a second mode; and
activating a plurality of exercise cycles of the genset, wherein activating the plurality of exercise cycles comprises:
in response to detecting the genset is in the first mode, igniting fuel to activate the genset during each of the plurality of exercise cycles of the genset; and
in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode, cranking the genset without igniting fuel during at least a first subset of the plurality of exercise cycles.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the plurality of exercise cycles further comprises, in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode, igniting fuel to activate the genset during a second subset of the plurality of exercise cycles.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the first mode and the second mode is selected via an operator panel of the genset.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising scheduling the first subset and the second subset of the plurality of exercise cycles to activate periodically in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising alternating between the first subset and the second subset of the plurality of exercise cycles during every other exercise cycle in response to detecting the genset in the second mode.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the plurality of exercise cycles further comprises:
detecting whether a time maintained by the genset meets a predetermined time for any of the plurality of exercise cycles; and
activating a particular exercise cycle in response to detecting that the time maintained by the genset meets the predetermined time for the particular exercise cycle.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cranking the genset comprises:
actuating a starter of the genset to accelerate the engine to a speed lower than a nominal speed of the genset; and
actuating an exciter of the genset to provide a field current to a generator of the genset.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein cranking the genset without igniting fuel comprises cranking the genset for a duration of between 1 to 60 seconds.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein cranking the genset without igniting fuel comprises at least one of deactivating a fuel valve, deactivating an ignition system, closing a throttle, or deactivating an engine valve train.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
activating one or more diagnostic processes on at least one of a starter, a battery, an alternator, an oil lube system, a temperature sensor, a speed sensor, an exciter, or a voltage regulator of the genset while cranking the genset without igniting fuel; and
obtaining diagnostic data while the diagnostic processes are active.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
detecting a fault in the diagnostic data; and
providing a notification of the fault.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
detecting a fault in the diagnostic data;
in response to detecting the fault, cranking the genset again, reactivating the diagnostic processes, and determining whether the fault is reoccurring; and
in response to detecting reoccurrence of the fault, providing a notification of the fault.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
providing a notification of a successful exercise event in response to not detecting any fault in the diagnostic data.

14. A system, comprising:
circuitry configured to:
detect whether a genset is in a first mode or a second mode;
in response to detecting the genset is in the first mode, ignite fuel to activate the genset during each of a plurality of exercise cycles of the genset; and
in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode, crank the genset without igniting fuel during at least a first subset of the plurality of exercise cycles.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to: in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode, ignite fuel to activate the genset during a second subset of the plurality of exercise cycles.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to alternate between the first subset and the second subset of the plurality of exercise cycles during every other exercise cycle.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the cranking the genset comprises:
actuating a starter of the genset to accelerate the engine to a speed lower than a nominal speed of the genset; and
actuating an exciter of the genset to provide a field current to a generator of the genset.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
activate one or more diagnostic processes on at least one of a starter, a battery, an alternator, an oil lube system, a temperature sensor, a speed sensor, an exciter, or a voltage regulator of the genset while cranking the genset without igniting fuel; and
obtain diagnostic data while the diagnostic processes are active.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
detect a fault in the diagnostic data; and
provide a notification of the fault.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
detect a fault in the diagnostic data;
in response to detecting the fault, crank the genset again, reactivate the diagnostic processes, and determine whether the fault is reoccurring; and
in response to detecting reoccurrence of the fault, provide a notification of the fault.

21. The system of claim 18 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to provide a notification of a successful exercise event in response to not detecting any fault in the diagnostic data.

22. A genset comprising:
an engine including a fuel valve and an ignition system;
a starter connected to the engine;
an alternator connected to the engine;
an exciter electrically connected to the alternator; and
a controller configured to:
detect whether the genset is in a first mode or a second mode;
in response to detecting the genset is in the first mode, ignite fuel to activate the genset during each of a plurality of exercise cycles of the genset;
in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode:
ignite fuel to activate the genset during a first subset of the plurality of exercise cycles; and
crank the genset without igniting fuel during a second subset of the plurality of exercise cycles, wherein cranking the engine comprises:
actuating the starter to accelerate the engine to a predetermined speed lower than a nominal speed of the genset; and
actuating the exciter to provide a field current to the generator; and

activate one or more diagnostic processes on at least one of the starter, a battery, the alternator, an oil lube system, a temperature sensor, a speed sensor, the exciter, or a voltage regulator of the genset while cranking the genset without igniting fuel in the second mode;
obtain diagnostic data while the diagnostic processes are active;
detect a fault in the diagnostic data; and
provide a notification of the fault.

23. The genset of claim 22 , further comprising an operator panel communicably connected with the controller, wherein the first mode and the second mode are selectable via the operator panel, and wherein the notification of the fault is displayed on the operator panel.

24. The genset of claim 22 , w

Assignees

• Cummins Power Generation Ip

Inventors

• Priem Dan G
• Steffl Leo T

Classifications

• F02N11/04

  the motors being associated with current generators · CPC title

• F02P5/045

  combined with electronic control of other engine functions, e.g. fuel injection (in general F02D37/02) · CPC title

• F02P5/1506

  with particular means during starting · 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

• F02D41/042

  for stopping the engine · CPC title