Generator inhibit switch
AssigneeRf Industries, Ltd.
InventorRichard De Felice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a telecommunications machine room environment, an air quality inhibit (AQI) controller attaches to a standby generator control circuit for preventing generator maintenance operation (generator “exercise”) cycles when air quality is compromised according to an air quality directive restricting non-emergency IC (internal combustion) engine operation. Routine generator cycles for preventative maintenance, normally scheduled on a periodic basis, are suppressed based on an IoT (Internet of Things) device receiving an inhibit signal resulting from air quality issues. Intended emergency generator operation, due to power outage and brownout conditions, remains uninterrupted so that the air quality signal will not interfere with a true emergency calling for generator support.
Claims14
A generator control circuit, comprising:
- a generator control interface for commencing generator startup via a generator control circuit;
- an interface to a grid power source;
- a network device, the network device responsive to an inhibit signal, the inhibit signal indicative of a need to suppress generator operation;
- an inhibit switch, the inhibit switch responsive to the inhibit signal to prevent generator startup upon receipt of the inhibit signal, and override the inhibit signal to energize the generator control interface when a deficiency in the grid power source is detected, the inhibit switch further comprising:
- an enable coil for preventing unintended generator inhibition, including
- a NC (normally closed) switch connected to the generator control circuit;
- and
- an override signal for opening the NC switch when the grid power source is sufficient.
A generator control circuit, comprising:
- a generator control interface for commencing generator startup via a generator control circuit;
- an interface to a grid power source;
- a network device, the network device responsive to an inhibit signal, the inhibit signal indicative of a need to suppress generator operation;
- and
- an inhibit switch,
- the inhibit switch responsive to the inhibit signal to prevent generator startup upon receipt of the inhibit signal, and override the inhibit signal to energize the generator control interface when a deficiency in the grid power source is detected,
- the inhibit switch configured to receive power from the grid power source,
- the inhibit switch configured to energize a generator relay using the grid power for opening the generator control circuit when the inhibit signal is active, and configured to deenergize the generator relay for closing the generator control circuit when the grid power falls below a threshold voltage.
A generator control circuit, comprising:
- a generator control interface for commencing generator startup via a generator control circuit;
- an interface to a grid power source;
- a network device, the network device responsive to an inhibit signal received from an established authority at a remote location, the inhibit signal indicative of a need to suppress generator operation;
- and
- an inhibit switch, the inhibit switch responsive to the inhibit signal to prevent generator startup upon receipt of the inhibit signal, and override the inhibit signal to energize the generator control interface when a deficiency in the grid power source is detected, the inhibit switch configured to detect a high voltage signal and a low voltage signal, the switch having logic for passing the high voltage signal when the low voltage signal is enabled and the high voltage signal meets a threshold voltage.
A power switching device, comprising:
- a generator control circuit;
- an interface to a grid power source;
- and
- a network device responsive to an inhibit signal, the inhibit signal indicative of a need to suppress generator operation and received from an established authority at a remote location;
- and
- inhibit logic configured to:
- prevent generator startup and operation upon receipt of the inhibit signal;
- and
- override the inhibit signal and energize the generator control circuit when a deficiency in the grid power source is detected, the inhibit logic connected to an inhibit switch, further comprising an enable coil for preventing unintended generator inhibition, including:
- a NC (normally closed) switch connected to the generator control circuit;
- and
- an override signal for opening the NC switch when the grid power source is sufficient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.