Method and apparatus for preventing excessive reaction to a load disturbance by a generator set

An apparatus for controlling a genset having an engine and an alternator in order to prevent an excessive change in a speed of the engine because of a sudden change in a load on the alternator, the apparatus comprising:

• a first input terminal configured to receive at least a first measured value and a second measured value of an actual AC output power of an alternator of the genset;
• a processor coupled to the first input terminal, wherein the processor is configured to determine a first output power and a second output power based upon at least the first measured value and at least the second measured value, respectively, and to determine, based upon the first output power and the second output power, whether the actual AC output power has changed in an amount greater than a first threshold;
• and
• a first output terminal coupled to the processor and configured to provide a first output signal to the genset causing a position of a throttle on the genset to be modified when the processor determines that the actual AC output power of the alternator has changed in an amount greater than the first threshold.

An apparatus for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy comprising:

• a genset including an engine coupled to an alternator;
• an engine control module coupled to the genset;
• a means for monitoring an actual AC output power of the alternator, for determining whether the actual AC output power has increased in an amount greater than a first threshold, and for providing a first signal to the engine control module in order to cause an opening of a throttle of the engine when it is determined that the actual AC output power has increased in an amount greater than the first threshold;
• and
• a means for monitoring the speed of the engine, for determining whether a difference between the speed and a nominal speed is less than a second threshold, and for providing a second signal to the engine control module causing control of the throttle to be released to at least one of the engine control module and the engine when it is determined that the difference is less than the second threshold.