Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting abrupt voltage changes and supplying reactive power support are provided. In some embodiments, a genset connected to a power grid can identify a maximum voltage value and a minimum voltage value. The maximum voltage value and the minimum voltage value are based on an average of a plurality of mains voltage values. The genset may detect an abrupt voltage change by determining whether an instantaneous mains voltage value is above the maximum voltage value or below the minimum voltage value. The genset can adjust an amount of reactive current either supplied to the power grid or consumed by the genset for a period of time, responsive to detecting the abrupt voltage change.

Abstract: A method of operating a genset (1), wherein an internal combustion engine (2) drives a generator (3), wherein a kinematic parameter characteristic for a rotation of a rotor (13) of the generator (3) and an electrical parameter characteristic for a frequency and/or a phase of a power supply network (4) are directly or indirectly detected, wherein at least one deviation of the kinematic parameter from the electrical parameter is used in a control of the mechanical power output of the internal combustion engine (2) before or during a connecting of the generator (4) to the power supply network (4) in order to supply electrical power to the power supply network (4), wherein a control intervention for a control of the mechanical power output of the internal combustion engine (2) using the control law is starting to fire a plurality—preferably all—of previously unfired cylinders (11) and/or stopping to fire a plurality—preferably all—previously fired cylinders (11).

Abstract: A method for operating a microgrid electric power generation system includes delivering energy to an electric power bus at least partially from one or more kinetic generators electrically coupled to the electric power bus, controlling the one or more kinetic generators in response to a change in a load such that a magnitude of a voltage on the electric power bus remains within a predetermined voltage range, and controlling one or more combustion generators electrically coupled to the electric power bus based at least in part on an operating state of the one or more kinetic generators. The one or more kinetic generators are capable of (a) delivering energy stored therein to the electric power bus, and (b) storing energy in kinetic form.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle alternator, in which an error value, resulting from the comparison between the voltage produced by the alternator and a set value, is processed in a filtering means by applying a transfer function, which determines a gain to be associated with the error value on the basis of the rotational frequency of the alternator, in order to control the adjustment of the field current allowed by the alternator. The transfer function of the filtering means is modified on the basis of the rotational speed of the alternator by attenuating the gain over a given frequency range when the rotational speed decreases.

Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.

Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.

Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.

Abstract: In an apparatus (and a method) for controlling a cogeneration system equipped with a generation unit having a generator connectable to an AC power feed line between a commercial power network and an electrical load and an internal combustion engine driving the generator, and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between coolant and exhaust heat from the engine, there are provided with a condensate water hose discharging condensate water generated by condensation of moisture in exhaust gas, a hose temperature sensor detecting temperature in the hose, an exhaust gas temperature sensor detecting temperature of the exhaust gas from the engine and an exhaust gas blowout discriminator discriminating that the exhaust gas blows out through the hose when a difference between the hose temperature and the exhaust gas temperature is found to be less than a predetermined value. With this, exhaust gas leakage caused by blowout can be easily detected.

Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.

Abstract: In a cogeneration system having a generator adapted to be connectable to an AC power feed line between a commercial power network and an electrical load, an internal combustion engine for driving the generator such that exhaust heat of the engine is supplied to a thermal load and an actuator that opens and closes a throttle valve of the engine, there are provided a power demand detector that detects power demand of the electrical load, a thermal demand detector that detects thermal demand of the thermal load. The operation of the actuator is controlled in response to the detected power demand so as to increase or decrease the engine, and ignition timing of the engine is controlled in a retard direction in response to the detected thermal demand. With this, generation of surplus electricity is suppressed so as to improve operation efficiency.

Abstract: An electric power system includes an engine, a generator driven by the engine, an electrical energy storage device, power control circuitry coupling the generator and storage device together, and a processor coupled to the circuitry. The generator provides variable AC power and the storage device provides variable DC power to the circuitry. The processor executes operating logic to provide control signals to the circuitry to operate the generator at a first speed to provide a first level of AC electricity, increase the DC power provided from the storage device to increase the AC electricity to a second level, increase operating speed of the generator from the first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed, decrease the DC power from the storage device as the operating speed of the generator increases, and limit acceleration of the operating speed to reduce perception of a speed change.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regenerative energy system comprising a first energy producer and a second energy producer. The object of the invention is to improve the environmental compatibility of electrical island networks.

Abstract: An auxiliary electrical power supply includes a fuel combustor passively sourced with fuel for combusting fuel and a thermoelectric generator close-coupled to the combustor for converting the heat from the combustor to electric power.

Abstract: In the case where a start command of an engine is given with a gearshift lever being operated to a parking position, when a cooling water temperature Tw is lower than a threshold value Twref, and a stop time tst of the engine is a threshold value tstref or longer (S110 and S120), a relatively large predetermined torque T2 is set to a power-holding torque Tg (S140), and the power-holding torque Tg added to a torque for canceling a reaction torque is output from a second motor to motor and start the engine. This allows the engine to be started with a backlash between gears being eliminated even when resistance in motoring the engine is relatively large.

Abstract: An increment of a fuel consumption rate caused by power generation is determined from a difference in fuel consumption rate between a case of performing power generation of an alternator and a case of stopping the power generation. The increment of the fuel consumption rate is divided by a power generation amount of the alternator to determine an increment of a fuel consumption per unit power generation amount. A use-frequency of the electric consumption is determined and also a possible power generation amount and average consumption power are calculated. A target electric consumption is set based upon the use-frequency, the possible power generation amount and the average consumption power so that the charge and discharge balance of the battery becomes zero. The present electric consumption is compared with the target electric consumption to determine whether or not to perform the power generation of the alternator.

Abstract: This invention discloses a vehicle electrical system voltage regulator with improved electrical protection and warning means that discerns and responds to regulator, generator, or vehicle electrical system operation and malfunctions. The regulator includes monitoring, control, and protection circuits with a phase signal monitor, a field switching circuit that operates the field coil in response to electrical power demands, and a field enable switch in series with the field regulating switch. The phase monitor and protection circuit ascertains and transmits generator rotational motion for use by the monitoring and control circuit in discerning the various operating conditions. The monitoring and control circuit operates on the field switching circuit to meet the electrical power demands and provide multi level fault protection to include field switching circuit reconfiguration to continue operating under various fault conditions.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus comprised of a bridge circuit made up of rectification diodes and MOSFETs for rectifying an output of a generator through a full-wave rectifier circuit comprised of rectification diodes and parasitic diodes of the MOSFETs and obtaining a supply voltage of a fuel injection apparatus, the power supply apparatus being comprised of an FET control section which turns ON/OFF the MOSFETs to step up the output voltage of the generator and a transistor provided for each MOSFET, which is set in an ON-state for a period during which a reverse voltage is applied to a parasitic diode of each MOSFET and set in an OFF-state for a period during which a forward voltage is applied to the parasitic diode of each MOSFET, wherein a control voltage for turning ON the MOSFET is given between the gate and source of the corresponding MOSFET for a period during which each transistor is in an OFF-state.

Abstract: A control unit assembly is disclosed including a housing, at least one processor to control operation of an engine, and a voltage regulator configured to regulate a voltage of at least one rail of the engine. The at least one processing unit and the voltage regulator reside on a common circuit board.

Abstract: One embodiment includes an internal combustion engine, a sensor signal representative of an observed engine speed, and a controller. This controller is responsive to the sensor signal to determine a control input representative of a difference between the observed engine speed and a desired engine speed. The controller defines a compensator that is one or more of a proportional-integral type, a proportional-derivative type, and a proportional-integral-derivative type. The controller determines at least one gain factor of the compensator with a signal corresponding to engine load. The compensator is responsive to the control input to generate an output signal to adjust engine fueling as a function of the control input and the gain factor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an on-vehicle generator is provided. The apparatus comprises a switching element, current detecting unit, setting unit and driving unit. The switching unit turns on/off an exciting current to an exciting winding of the generator, the switching element being driven responsively to a driving signal having an adjustable duty ratio. The setting unit sets the duty ratio based on (i) a difference between an output voltage of the generator and a target voltage value and (ii) a condition in which an electric load is disconnected from the generator, wherein the duty ratio is allowed to lower than a minimum value of the duty ratio depending on a generated state of the generator. The minimum value allows the exciting current to flow at a lower limit detectable by the current detecting unit, The driving unit drives the switching element based on the driving signal.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle electric generator judges the currently available generating capacity of the generator and establishes a regenerative current mode of operation, utilizing an induced current of the field winding, only when the generating capacity is estimated to be below a predetermined level. The control apparatus also controls the conduction factor of a power transistor to adjust the average voltage applied to the field winding such as to prevent fluctuations in output current and generator torque that would otherwise occur at each changeover to/from the regenerative current mode.

Abstract: A gas turbine generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a gas turbine capable of a high-speed operation, a permanent-magnet-type generator driven at a high speed by the gas turbine, an inverter device (5) for converting alternating-current power generated by the generator into commercial alternating-current power, and a system-interconnection device (9) for interconnecting output of the inverter device to a commercial AC power supply system (10). The system-interconnection device controls the inverter device based on voltage of the commercial AC power supply system as a criterion such that output current of the inverter device is in phase with the voltage or out of phase with the voltage by a constant phase difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an engine control system and method for a hybrid electric vehicle. The system includes an engine, a motor mounted to one side of the engine, and a controller receiving one or more signals indicating vehicle operational conditions, and performing control of operations of the engine and motor. The controller is programmed to perform control logic (i.e., the method) that includes determining if predetermined idle stop conditions are satisfied based on the one or more signals; performing control into an idle stop state if the predetermined idle stop conditions are satisfied; and discontinuing idle stop if, following detection of a reverse range On signal, it is determined that the reverse range On signal is maintained for a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the generation of pressure pulses, being intended for transmitting signals, in a fluid-carrying channel (2), using a pulser (1) designed to be integrated in the channel (2) and having a housing (4) and an adjustable throttling device by means of which the flow resistance can be varied at at least one point of the channel (2), an electrical generator (16), an impeller (9) exposed to the fluid passing through the channel and designed to drive the generator (16), a control device by means of which the load of the generator (16) can be varied in response to control signals, and an actuating device that is connected to the throttling element (12) and effects an adjustment of the throttling element responsively to the driving torque of the generator (16).

Abstract: Methods and systems for cutting off the supply of fuel to an engine in response to engine turn-off. A fuel cutoff solenoid or functionally equivalent device is connected to a source of electrical power in response to detection of conditions representing engine turn-off. One method for cutting off the supply of fuel to the engine comprises the following steps: detecting whether ignition pulses are present; and then activating a device for cutting off the supply of fuel to the engine in response to detecting the cessation of ignition pulses. The fuel cutoff device is activated by connecting it to either a battery or an output of a generator being driven by the engine. In the latter case, the rotor is grounded and a bipolar transistor is bypassed in response to detection of conditions representing engine turn-off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the smoke emissions of a railroad locomotive during throttle notch changes. For certain throttle notch increases the present invention advances the engine timing angle and controls application of the load at the new throttle notch position, according to certain predetermined parameters. These strategies, when used together or separately, minimize visible smoke during transient operation.

Abstract: Two or more rolling-contact bearings, each having rolling members, are aligned in an axial direction. A pinion shaft, inserted in an inner cylindrical bore of each rolling-contact bearing, is supported by a housing via the rolling-contact bearings. The pinion shaft is disposed rotatably on the output shaft via a plain bearing and is shiftable on the output shaft in the axial direction. A pinion gear is attached in a cantilever fashion to a distal end of the pinion shaft opposed to the motor. The pinion gear selectively meshes with a ring gear of an engine in a startup operation to transmit the rotational force of a motor to the ring gear.

Abstract: The present invention provides an engine generator which is small in the size but high in the efficiency of power generation and a controller for the engine generator. The present invention is implemented by a power generator G driven by an engine E, a starter motor M for cranking the engine E, and a controller 4 for supplying various electric loads including the starter motor M with a driving voltage which depends on the power released from the generator G and a battery 5.

Abstract: A structure of a space generator system and device for engine is disclosed and the generator system characterized in that a ignition device leads current from a battery to a spark plug within the engine to ignite so as to drive the engine to operate, the power of the engine drives the generator so as to produce current to be stored within the battery, a manual driving device is provided so that the space generator device temporary stores kinetic energy and the ignition device releases the kinetic energy of the generator device to urge the engine generator to produce current to be leaded to the battery to ignite the spark plug so as to drive the engine to operated, thereby when the battery is exhausted, the generator can be operated manually and urgently ignite the engine.

Abstract: An exciter circuit for firing one or more igniter plugs in an aircraft ignition system. The exciter circuit includes an input node capable of receiving an alternating-current (AC) voltage with a variable frequency and amplitude, a pair of tank capacitors used as energy storage devices, a charging circuit for charging the tank capacitors, a discharge circuit for providing spark energy from the capacitors to two igniters, and a spark gap to initiate the discharge once the capacitors have been charged to a sufficient voltage. The charging circuit includes a step-up ferro-resonant transformer network and a full-wave rectifier. The transformer network includes a saturating transformer, a choke coil in series with the transformer primary, and one or more tuning capacitors connected to a center tap on the primary.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting diesel engine overspeed conditions (and thereby prevent engine damage) caused by the ingestion of lubricating oil from the turbocharger, or other source, into the diesel engine cylinders. In response to the development of an overspeed condition, the dynamic brake grids are coupled to the output of the main alternator to absorb the excess energy caused by the overspeed condition. Alternatively, non-combustible gases can be injected into the combustion system to limit the overspeed condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid motor comprising an engine comprising a plurality of intake valves and an auxiliary power plant in communication with the engine and a throttle valve for controlling a quantity of air into the engine wherein during operation by the auxiliary power plant the throttle valve is open and the intake valves are opened by the valve control unit.

Abstract: The throttle opening setting value provided from a throttle controller 108 may exceed the actual controllable range of the throttle opening. The value stored in an output voltage setter 20 is read out in response to its throttle opening setting value and transferred to a correction signal generator 21. The generator 21 supplies a correction signal determined by the output voltage setting to a modulator 23. PWM signal is transferred to an inverter 3 for determining the output voltage. When receiving the opening setting value indicative of overloading, the output voltage setter 20 releases a smaller value to decrease the output of the generator.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system for vehicle prevents an electronic device from being damaged due to over-voltage failure of a generator, and enables the vehicle to continue to travel. Over-voltage failure of a vehicle generator (3) is detected from a voltage generated by the vehicle generator (3) and a voltage of a battery (4). When detecting any over-voltage failure, a maximum engine speed limiting apparatus (13) for preventing over speed of an internal combustion engine (1) is controlled to suppress the engine speed. Any electric load that consumes a relatively large current and does not make the traveling dangerous such as headlight (5) or heater heating wire (6) is applied to suppress the over-voltage. The electric load to be applied is increased or decreased depending on magnitude of the over-voltage. Thus the vehicle can continues traveling even if any over-voltage failure occurs.

Abstract: Multi-cylinder stationary internal combustion engine for driving at least one generator for the production of electric current, the internal combustion engine having a control device which selectively disconnects one or more cylinders during operation according to at least one control signal.

Abstract: A system for deriving electrical power from an engine includes a current inducing module that supplies current to a load such as a chargeable power source. The current inducing module preferably includes a magnet and coil arrangement. The magnet is associated with a rotating element of the engine such that the magnet passes by the coil as the engine element rotates. The current that is induced in the coil is handled using current regulating components to control the amount of power supplied to the chargeable power source. The invention provides a way to electrically power components associated with devices that do not have a battery.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes an engine coupled to drive an alternator, a rectifier circuit, and an ignition controller. The alternator includes a stator and a rotor that cooperate when driven to provide a current supplied to the rectifier circuit. The rectifier circuit provides output power having a voltage. The ignition controller supplies energy to the spark plug of the engine. If the voltage exceeds a predetermined limit, the ignition controller supplies less energy to the spark plug to decrease engine drive. The stator may include several windings (or a tapped winding) and the system further includes an engine throttle controller and a winding control circuit. The winding control circuit selectively couples one or more windings of the plurality (or one or more turns of a tapped winding) to the rectifier circuit. The winding control circuit cooperates with a throttle controller to facilitate provision of a predetermined output power with a relatively low engine RPM for noise abatement.

Abstract: A generator system is arranged to respond to a variation in the load with a generous margin regardless of a change in the output of the generator or the engine due to degradation with the passage of time. The output current of the generator 1 is rectified by a converter 3 composed of thyristors in a bridges configuration of which the direct current output is converted by an inverter 4 into an alternating current at a commercial frequency and connected to a load 5. The engine speed is controlled so that the conduction angle of the thyristors in the converter 3 can be held at a target degree. As the target degree stays within a range smaller than the maximum limit, the generator runs with a margin thus readily responding to a variation in the load. When the throttle opening is excessively opened, the target conduction angle is decreased to increase a target speed of the engine, hence inhibiting the engine 2 from being overloaded and running at an excessive higher speed.

Abstract: In a vehicular electric power generation apparatus having an a.c. generator and an engine, a rotation speed of the a.c. generator at the idling rotation operation of the engine is set to be higher than a rotation speed, at which the driving torque of the a.c. generator becomes a maximum. Thus, the rotation speed of the a.c. generator does not change through the rotation speed at which the driving torque of the vehicle a.c. generator becomes a maximum, even when the rotation speed of the engine is raised high for running of a vehicle. Thus, changes in the load applied to the engine can be restricted.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically restart a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor when a fatal fault is detected. The automatic restart logic includes time constraints and limitations on the number of iterations, and is useful regardless of whether the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is in a grid connect mode or a standalone mode, and regardless of how the fatal fault originates or is detected. Additional control logic is utilized to handle grid transients and over load conditions to prevent a fatal fault from occurring by using time constraints and an iterative process, together with a brake resistor to control DC bus voltage.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an idle speed includes controlling the idle speed based on system voltage, and increasing the idle speed when system voltage is low and the vehicle speed status indicates that the vehicle is stationary. In some embodiments, idle speed may ramp up with current demanded engine speed while the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and a motor/generator as a rotary driving source. A differential device has a first shaft connected to the engine, a second shaft connected to the motor/generator, and a third shaft connected to a transmission device. The first and the second shafts can be coupled by a direct clutch. At the time of start of the vehicle with the engine in an idling condition, the motor/generator is controlled to enter a reverse rotation power generating condition, and the engine speed is maintained near an idling speed. After the start of the vehicle, when the motor/generator is in a forward rotation condition, the motor/generator is controlled to operate as a motor to maintain the engine speed at a target speed, and when the engine speed and the motor/generator speed coincide with each other, the direct clutch is made to enter a coupled condition thereby to prevent the occurrence of coupling shock, and also to reduce a driving time of the motor/generator.