System and method for secure operation of a vehicle mounted PTO-driven generator system
AssigneeContour Hardening, Inc.
InventorNathan D. Pugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle mounted AC generator system having an AC generator mounted driven by the vehicle's power-take off having a secure control system. The secure control system integrates with the AC generator, the power-take off and the vehicle to enable the generator to be operated by the vehicle's engine while the cab or passenger compartment of the vehicle remains secured, thereby preventing the potential for theft or accidental input which may create a dangerous condition. The secure control system also provides monitoring of the generator's operation and emergency stop capability to shut down both the generator and the vehicle's engine in the event required.
Claims20
A vehicle mounted AC electrical generator system capable of safe and secure operation, the vehicle mounted AC electrical generator system comprising:
- a vehicle frame supporting a prime mover and an AC generator, wherein operation of the prime mover is selectively enabled by at least an ignition switch;
- a power take-off driven by the prime mover and operably connected to the AC generator for driving the AC electrical generator to produce electricity;
- an electrical power output box electrically connected to the AC generator;
- at least one of an over-temperature switch monitoring the temperature of the AC electrical generator and a manual emergency stop switch separate from the ignition switch for the AC electrical generator system;
- and
- a security module for modifying at least one electrical signal from the ignition switch to permit the continued activation of the prime mover when a corresponding vehicle key is no longer physically present in the vehicle and for detecting the occurrence of a triggering event within the vehicle and thereafter automatically changing the at least one electrical signal to shut down the prime mover and the AC generator, wherein the security module is connected to at least one ignition wire originating from the ignition switch of the vehicle;
- wherein the triggering event is one of a changing position of a gear shifter in the vehicle, a depression of a brake pedal in the vehicle, an activation of the over-temperature switch, or an activation of the emergency stop switch.
A vehicle mounted AC electrical generator system capable of safe and secure operation, the vehicle mounted AC electrical generator system comprising:
- a vehicle frame supporting an internal combustion engine and an AC generator, wherein operation of the internal combustion engine is selectively enabled by at least an ignition switch;
- a power take-off driven by the internal combustion engine and operably connected to the AC generator for rotating at least a portion of the AC electrical generator to produce electricity;
- an electrical power output box electrically connected to the AC generator;
- an over-temperature switch monitoring the temperature of the AC electrical generator and a manual emergency stop switch separate from the ignition switch for the AC electrical generator system;
- a security module for modifying at least one electrical signal output from the ignition switch to permit the internal combustion engine and AC generator to continue to run when a corresponding vehicle key is no longer physically present in an ignition lock cylinder of the ignition switch and for subsequently detecting the occurrence of a triggering event within the vehicle and thereafter automatically changing the at least one electrical signal to shut down the internal combustion engine and the AC generator, wherein the security module is connected to at least one ignition wire originating from the ignition switch of the vehicle;
- wherein the triggering event is one of a changing position of a gear shifter in the vehicle, a depression of a brake pedal in the vehicle, an activation of the over-temperature switch, or an activation of the emergency stop switch.
A vehicle mounted AC electrical generator system capable of safe and secure operation, the vehicle mounted AC electrical generator system comprising:
- a vehicle frame supporting a prime mover and an AC generator, wherein operation of the prime mover is selectively enabled by at least an ignition switch;
- a power take-off driven by the prime mover and operably connected to the AC generator for driving the AC electrical generator to produce electricity;
- an electrical power output box electrically connected to the AC generator;
- at least one of an over-temperature switch monitoring the temperature of the AC electrical generator and a manual emergency stop switch separate from the ignition switch for the AC electrical generator system;
- and
- a security module for modifying at least one electrical signal from the ignition switch to permit the continued activation of the prime mover when a corresponding vehicle key is no longer physically present in the vehicle and for detecting the occurrence of a triggering event within the vehicle and thereafter automatically changing the at least one electrical signal to shut down the prime mover and the AC generator, wherein the security module is connected to at least one ignition wire originating from the ignition switch of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.