Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Electrical power generation or distribution system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2003-10-07
Picard, Leo (Department: 2125)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Electrical power generation or distribution system
C700S021000, C700S079000, C702S067000, C713S340000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06631310
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to engine-generator systems, and more particularly to control and monitoring systems for engine-generator systems.
Engine-generator sets are used to provide an on-site alternate source of electrical energy in hospitals, offices, data centers, factories, institutions, hotels and other buildings where an interruption to the utility source of power may cause unsafe situations or which may result in economic loss. In addition, engine-generator sets may be used to provide electrical energy in remote areas where there is no utility power available. Engine-generator sets may also be used as a distributed source of electrical energy to reduce a peak load on utility electrical generation systems during peak electrical demand periods, for example, during the summer.
Engine-generator sets are usually closely monitored by operation technicians who are responsible for gathering operation data, such as temperatures and pressures, from instruments located on the engine-generator set. This data is normally obtained visually, and recorded using pens or pencils on notepads or forms.
Typically the operation of an engine-generator set is controlled by an engine-generator controller. Known engine-generator controllers use microprocessors to control the operation of an engine-generator set and in some cases provide for, or have interfaces to, annunciation equipment, such as incandescent lights or light emitting diodes to display the status and operating condition of the engine-generator. Those known engine-generator controllers have limited communication capabilities through visual indicators and control and monitor the engine-generator set using hard-wired discrete control wiring. Thus, known engine-generator controllers are unable to communicate to other systems, for example, computers, actual operational parameters of the engine-generator set such as oil pressure, oil temperature, power quality for collection and analysis of engine-generator set performance. Therefore, data storage and retrieval to and from the engine-generator set is a tenuous task.
Therefore, it would be desirable to closely monitor the operational status of the controller and the engine-generator sets without the need for pens and pencils, notepads or forms.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method for the collection of operational data for analysis on a computer from an engine-generator controller and the downloading of operational parameters to an engine-generator controller from the computer using a personal digital assistant (PDA) is described herein.
The described method includes the steps of configuring the engine-generator controller with a service manager to enable communications with the PDA, configuring the PDA to display engine-generator set operational data and transferring operational parameters from the computer to the PDA. Further steps to the method include downloading the operational parameters from the PDA to the engine-generator controller, the upload of operational data from the engine-generator controller to the PDA and the transfer of operational data from the PDA to the computer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3902076 (1975-08-01), Meyers et al.
patent: 4731547 (1988-03-01), Alenduff et al.
patent: 4755798 (1988-07-01), Hooper
patent: 4912382 (1990-03-01), Koenig et al.
patent: 5390068 (1995-02-01), Schultz et al.
patent: 5574654 (1996-11-01), Bingham et al.
patent: 5608657 (1997-03-01), Conway et al.
patent: 5650936 (1997-07-01), Loucks et al.
patent: 5708840 (1998-01-01), Kikinis et al.
patent: 5736847 (1998-04-01), Van Doorn et al.
patent: 5754033 (1998-05-01), Thomson
patent: 5973481 (1999-10-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 6055163 (2000-04-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 6292717 (2001-09-01), Alexander et al.
patent: 2 252 629 (1992-08-01), None
patent: 62113076 (1987-05-01), None
patent: 05328616 (1993-12-01), None
Product Information Pamphlet from Basler Electric dated 6/97.
Product Information Pamphlet from ASCO.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled System 200 Generator Control; dated Jul. 1, 1997.
Engine Monitoring System/Controller with Remote Communications Capabilities by Frank W. Murphy Manufacturer; dated Jan. 11, 1999.
Controls & Instrumentation by Frank W. Murphy Manufacturer; Condensed Catalog No. 28.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled First In Advanced Generator Controls and Alarm Modules.
GENCON® II—Standby V1-7h High Performance Generator-Set Controller by Wexler Computer Systems Development LTD; dated 1993-1994.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled Electronic Control Equipment by Modex Automation .
Product Information Pamphlet from Deep Sea Electronics Ltd.
Decription of the AC Power Monitor System by EXOR Electronic R&D—ACPM System Nov. 21, 1997—Ver. 1.04.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled Onan by Cummins.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled The UniOP Family of Operator Interfaces by EXOR® Electronic R & D.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled The Complete Windows CE® Engine only from EXOR.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled Industrial Computers by EXOR®.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled First, a breakthrough GenSet.Now, an innovative application.
Product Information Pamphet entitled PowerCommand™ paralleling Digital MasterControl Infinite Bus Applications by Cummins Power Generation.
Product Information Pamphlet Model 50 PowerCommand™ Paralleling Interface Enclosure for Isolated bus applications by Cummins Power Generation.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled Model 100 MasterControl PowerCommand™ Paralleling for Isolated bus applications by Cummins Power Generation.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled Model 150 PowerCommand™ Automatic Paralleling Interface Isolated Bus System Controller Range: 40 to 1600 kVA Sets by Cummins Power Generation.
Product Information Pamplet entitled PowerCommand™ Paralleling System Overview by Cummins Power Generation.
Product Infomation Pamphlet entitled ‘Power Control’PCL System Generator Set Control by Cummins Power Generation.
Product Information Pamphlet by Turner Electric Corporation.
Product Information Pamphlet by Spectrum Detroit Diesel; Series ISAS.
Product Information Pamphlet by Spectrum Detroit Diesel; Generator Accessories.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled Onan PowerCommand Digital Paralleling Sample Specification Guide; dated Aug. 1, 1995.
Product Information Pamphlet entitled Distributed Power by Siemens dated May/Jun. 2000.
Product Information Pamphlet by Hardware Datasheet entitled Generator Power Control for Single Generator Applications.
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Bahta Kidest
General Electric Company
Picard Leo
Vick, Esq. Karl A.
LandOfFree
Wireless engine-generator systems digital assistant does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Wireless engine-generator systems digital assistant, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wireless engine-generator systems digital assistant will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3114885