Generator Control Optimizing Fuel and Thermal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling electric generators in micro-networks do not account for efficiency curves and temperature, leading to suboptimal fuel consumption and potential overheating, and lack consideration for reserve power needs.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining control parameters of electric generators based on requested power, reserve power, efficiency, and temperature, which optimizes fuel consumption per unit of electrical energy produced and ensures equitable power distribution to minimize fuel usage and prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If manual control or simple threshold-based automation is used for generator activation, then the control system is simple and easy to operate, but fuel consumption is not optimized and generator efficiency is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors generator efficiency curves, temperature readings, and power demand, using this feedback to dynamically adjust generator activation and power distribution decisions, thereby optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes control parameters from simple on/off thresholds to multi-parameter optimization considering efficiency curves, temperature, and power demand, enabling fuel consumption optimization without excessive complexity through structured parameter management
2Reliability
If generator activation is based on simple power thresholds, then the response to power demand changes is automatic, but generator temperature is not monitored leading to potential overheating and safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback on generator thermal state, which is integrated into the control logic to prevent overheating by adjusting activation and load distribution, ensuring safety without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The control system proactively monitors temperature trends and adjusts generator operation before critical overheating occurs, taking preliminary actions to distribute load or activate cooling measures, thereby preventing safety issues before they arise
3Use of energy by moving object
If all generators are operated to meet power demand, then power supply is sufficient, but fuel consumption per unit of energy is not optimized and some generators may operate inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different operational strategies to different generators based on their individual efficiency curves and current operating conditions, directing load to generators operating at optimal efficiency points while keeping others idle or at minimal load, thereby optimizing overall fuel consumption while maintaining required power output
Solution Approach 2:
The control system operates only the necessary number of generators at optimal load levels rather than running all generators at partial load, achieving better fuel efficiency by concentrating power production on fewer units operating in their efficient range
4Use of energy by moving object
If equitable distribution of power among generators is enforced, then generator utilization is balanced, but fuel consumption optimization is compromised when efficiency curves differ among generators
Solution Approach 1:
The control system recognizes that equitable distribution is not universally optimal and instead applies localized optimization strategies that consider individual generator efficiency characteristics, directing more load to generators with better efficiency at current operating conditions while maintaining balanced utilization over time
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining the control parameters of N electric generators at a time t, said method comprising, for a power demand Ptott=∑i=1NPit at a time t with Pi(t) the electrical power supplied by the electric generator i at time t and a reserve power Preservet≤∑i=1NPimax−Pit×δit at a time t with Pimax the maximum power that can develop the electric generator i and δi(t) the activation coefficient of the electric generator i which is 1 when said electric generator is on and 0 when said electric generator is off, a step of determining the optimal power Pioptt at time t associated with each electric generator i so as to minimize the fuel consumption per unit of electrical energy produced sfct=1Ptott∑i=1NfiPit×Pit with fi(x) the function giving the fuel consumption of the electric generator i for the electrical power x.