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US 2014/0277791 A1Published application
Hybrid generator
AssigneePlanetary Power, Inc.
InventorsRoger X. Lenard, Eric Melberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid generator may include a fuel powered engine; an alternator comprising a permanent magnet alternator head with at least 90% mechanical-to-electric efficiency, the alternator being coupled to the engine; one or more batteries to receive and store power routed from the alternator; a controller to maintain efficient operating speed of the engine at prime power; and a power converter or inverter to convert stored energy from the batteries into usable electricity for AC or DC loads.
Claims21
A hybrid generator comprising:
- a fuel powered engine;
- an alternator comprising a permanent magnet alternator head with at least 90% mechanical-to-electric efficiency, the alternator being coupled to the engine;
- one or more batteries to receive and store power routed from the alternator;
- a controller to maintain efficient operating speed of the engine at prime power;
- and
- a power converter or inverter to convert stored energy from the batteries into usable electricity for AC or DC loads.
3 more elements
A method of operating a hybrid generator comprising:
- initiating startup by a system controller;
- measuring battery power level by the system controller;
- energizing one or more glow plugs;
- energizing an engine starter for an engine, the engine coupled to an alternator;
- starting the engine;
- cooling the engine using a water jacket;
- determining, by the system controller, if the engine started;
- measuring, by the system controller, a temperature of a liquid in the water jacket;
- instructing, by the system controller, the generator to produce energy at a selected percentage of the alternator maximum capacity based on the measured water jacket temperature;
- instructing, by the system controller, the engine to operate at the most efficient power setting regardless of a requested energy demand;
- storing excess output in batteries;
- and
- initiating a shutdown of the engine when the measured battery power level reaches a designated level.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.