# US 2017/0285677 A1 · System for Controlling Load Sharing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285677 A1 - Document ID: US20170285677A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/087,239 - Filed: 2016-03-31 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Perry D. Converse; Jeffrey A. Slabaugh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285677A1 ## CPC - G05F 1/66: Regulating electric power - B63H 23/24: electric {(dynamo-electric machines H02K)} - F02D 29/06: peculiar to engines driving electric generators - H02P 9/006: {Means for protecting the generator by using control (control effected upon generator excitation circuit to reduce harmful effects of overloads or transients H02P9/10)} - H02P 9/04: Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator - B63H 2025/465: {Jets or thrusters substantially used for steering or dynamic anchoring only, with means for retracting, or otherwise moving to a rest position outside the water flow around the hull} - B63J 2003/002: {by using electric power} - G05B 2219/39407: Power metrics, energy efficiency - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS - B63J: AUXILIARIES ON VESSELS - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A system for allocating power generation between a constant speed generator set and a variable speed generator set. A controller determines an operating power demand from on-line consumers, and determines an anticipated transient power demand from a new consumer or one with an increasing power demand. The controller allocates the electrical power response between the generator sets to meet both the operating power demand prior to a transient condition and the total power demand upon the occurrence of the transient condition. The allocation may be based upon operating modes of the system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power system for providing power to a bus, comprising: a first generator set configured to operate at a constant speed, the first generator set including a first prime mover and a first generator driven by the first prime mover, the first generator providing power to the bus; a first operating characteristic sensor associated with the first prime mover; a second generator set configured to operate at a variable speed, the second generator set including a second prime mover and a second generator driven by the second prime mover, the second generator providing power to the bus; a second operating characteristic sensor associated with the second prime mover; an engine speed sensor associated with the second prime mover, the engine speed sensor being operative to determine an operating speed of the second prime mover; a plurality of on-line consumers operatively connected to the bus; and a controller configured to: store a plurality of first maximum torque capabilities of the first prime mover, each of the plurality of first maximum torque capabilities being based upon at least one operating characteristic of the first prime mover; store a plurality of second maximum torque capabilities of the second prime mover, each of the plurality of second maximum torque capabilities being based upon at least one operating characteristic and the operating speed of the second prime mover; determine an operating power demand from the plurality of on-line consumers; determine an anticipated transient power demand from a consumer; the operating power demand and the anticipated transient power demand defining a total power demand; determine a desired first available electrical power response of the first generator; determine a desired second available electrical power response of the second generator; the desired first available electrical power response and the desired second available electrical power response defining a desired total available electrical power response at least equal to the total power demand; prior to a transient condition, the first generator generating a first electrical power response and the second generator generating a second electrical power response in response to the operating power demand, the first electrical power response resulting in the first prime mover operating at a first load factor, the second electrical power response resulting in the second prime mover operating at a second load factor; during the transient condition, the first generator generating a first transient electrical power response and the second generator generating a second transient electrical power response in response to the total power demand, the first transient electrical power response resulting in the first prime mover operating at a first transient load factor, the second transient electrical power response resulting in the second prime mover operating at a second transient load factor, the first load factor and the second load factor defining an operating ratio, the first transient load factor and the second transient load factor defining a transient ratio, the operating ratio being different from the transient ratio; generate first signals to control the first prime mover, the first signals being operable to control a fuel flow rate to the first prime mover to operate the first prime mover at a desired first maximum torque capability to provide the desired first available electrical power response; and generate second signals to control the second prime mover, the second signals being operable to control a fuel flow rate to and an operating speed of the second prime mover to operate the second prime mover at a desired second maximum torque capability to provide the desired second available electrical power response. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a mode of operation of the power system and the first load factor range and the second rated load factor range are based upon the mode of operation of the power system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power system of claim 2, wherein the power system is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and the first load factor range is between 50%-100% and the second rated load factor range is between 0-50%. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The power system of claim 2, wherein the power system is configured to operate in a second mode of operation and the first load factor range is between 30%-70% and the second rated load factor range is between 40%-80%. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The power system of claim 2, wherein the power system is configured to operate in a 3rd mode of operation and the first load factor range is between 40%-80% and the second rated load factor range is between 20%-100%. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The power system of claim 2, wherein the power system is configured to operate in a 4th mode of operation and the first load factor range is between 50%-80% and the second rated load factor range is between 0-100%. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The power system of claim 2, wherein the first rated torque capability is greater than the second rated torque capability. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The power system of claim 1, including a fuel flow rate sensor operatively associated with the first prime mover for determining a fuel flow rate to the first prime mover and the at least one operating characteristic of the first prime mover includes the fuel flow rate to first prime mover; and further including a fuel flow rate sensor and an engine speed sensor each being operatively associated with the second prime mover, the fuel flow rate sensor being operative to determining a fuel flow rate to the second prime mover and the engine speed sensor being operative to determine an operating speed of the second prime mover, the at least one operating characteristic of the second prime mover includes the fuel flow rate to the first prime mover and the operating speed of the second prime mover. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The power system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to increase the first maximum torque capability of the first prime mover upon an increase in load on the bus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The power system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to subsequently decrease the first maximum torque capability and increase the second maximum torque capability, the increase in the second maximum torque capability of the second prime mover compensating for the decrease in the first maximum torque capability of the first prime mover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The power system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to increase a fuel flow rate to the first prime mover to increase the first maximum torque capability. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The power system of claim 1, wherein the first prime mover and the second prime mover are engines. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The power system of claim 1, wherein the first generator set and the second generator set are on-board a marine vessel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The power system of claim 1, further including a load sensor to measure an electrical load on the bus, and the operating power demand is based upon signals from the load sensor. ### Claim 15 A method of providing power to a bus, comprising: storing a plurality of first maximum torque capabilities of a first prime mover, each of the plurality of first maximum torque capabilities being based upon at least one operating characteristic of the first prime mover; storing a plurality of second maximum torque capabilities of a second prime mover, each of the plurality of second maximum torque capabilities being based upon at least one operating characteristic and an operating speed of the second prime mover; determining an operating power demand from a plurality of on-line consumers; determining an anticipated transient power demand from a consumer; the operating power demand and the anticipated transient power demand defining a total power demand; determining a desired first available electrical power response of a first generator driven by the first prime mover; determining a desired second available electrical power response of a second generator driven by the second prime mover; the desired first available electrical power response and the desired second available electrical power response defining a desired total available electrical power response at least equal to the total power demand, prior to a transient condition, the first generator generating a first electrical power response and the second generator generating a second electrical power response in response to the operating power demand, the first electrical power response resulting in the first prime mover operating at a first load factor, the second electrical power response resulting in the second prime mover operating at a second load factor; during the transient condition, the first generator generating a first transient electrical power response and the second generator generating a second transient electrical power response in response to the total power demand, the first transient electrical power response resulting in the first prime mover operating at a first transient load factor, the second transient electrical power response resulting in the second prime mover operating at a second transient load factor, the first load factor and the second load factor defining an operating ratio, the first transient load factor and the second transient load factor defining a transient ratio, the operating ratio being different from the transient ratio; generating first signals to control the first prime mover, the first signals being operable to control a fuel flow rate to the first prime mover to operate the first prime mover at a desired first maximum torque capability to provide the desired first available electrical power response; and generating second signals to control the second prime mover, the second signals being operable to control a fuel flow rate to and an operating speed of the second prime mover to operate the second prime mover at a desired second maximum torque capability to provide the desired second available electrical power response. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further including determining a mode of operation of the power system and the first load factor range and the second rated load factor range are based upon the mode of operation of the power system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further including operating the power system in a first mode of operation with the first load factor range between 50%-100% and the second rated load factor range between 0-50%. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further including increasing the first maximum torque capability of the first prime mover upon an increase in load on the bus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further including subsequently decreasing the first maximum torque capability and increasing the second maximum torque capability, the increase in the second maximum torque capability of the second prime mover compensating for the decrease in the first maximum torque capability of the first prime mover. ### Claim 20 A system for allocating power generation of a bus between a first generator set and a second generator set, the first generator set being configured to operate at a constant speed, the first generator set including a first prime mover and a first generator driven by the first prime mover, the first generator providing power to the bus, the second generator set being configured to operate at a variable speed, the second generator set including a second prime mover and a second generator driven by the second prime mover, the second generator providing power to the bus, the system comprising: a first operating characteristic sensor associated with the first prime mover; a second operating characteristic sensor associated with the second prime mover; an engine speed sensor associated with the second prime mover, the engine speed sensor being operative to determine an operating speed of the second prime mover; a plurality of on-line consumers operatively connected to the bus; and a controller configured to: store a plurality of first maximum torque capabilities of the first prime mover, each of the plurality of first maximum torque capabilities being based upon at least one operating characteristic of the first prime mover; store a plurality of second maximum torque capabilities of the second prime mover, each of the plurality of second maximum torque capabilities being based upon at least one operating characteristic and the operating speed of the second prime mover; determine an operating power demand from the plurality of on-line consumers; determine an anticipated transient power demand from a consumer; the operating power demand and the anticipated transient power demand defining a total power demand; determine a desired first available electrical power response of the first generator; determine a desired second available electrical power response of the second generator; the desired first available electrical power response and the desired second available electrical power response defining a desired total available electrical power response at least equal to the total power demand; prior to a transient condition, the first generator generating a first electrical power response and the second generator generating a second electrical power response in response to the operating power demand, the first electrical power response resulting in the first prime mover operating at a first load factor, the second electrical power response resulting in the second prime mover operating at a second load factor; during the transient condition, the first generator generating a first transient electrical power response and the second generator generating a second transient electrical power response in response to the total power demand, the first transient electrical power response resulting in the first prime mover operating at a first transient load factor, the second transient electrical power response resulting in the second prime mover operating at a second transient load factor, the first load factor and the second load factor defining an operating ratio, the first transient load factor and the second transient load factor defining a transient ratio, the operating ratio being different from the transient ratio; generate first signals to control the first prime mover, the first signals being operable to control a fuel flow rate to the first prime mover to operate the first prime mover at a desired first maximum torque capability to provide the desired first available electrical power response; and generate second signals to control the second prime mover, the second signals being operable to control a fuel flow rate to and an operating speed of the second prime mover to operate the second prime mover at a desired second maximum torque capability to provide the desired second available electrical power response.