Power system having dual synchronization

1. A power system, comprising:

a first generator set having a first engine drivingly coupled to a first generator;

a second generator set having a second engine drivingly coupled to a second generator;

a common bus; and

a controller in communication with the first and second generator sets, the controller being configured to:

direct power from the first generator to the common bus;

synchronize a power output from the second generator with a power output from the first generator;

attempt mechanical synchronization a number of times;

direct power from the second generator to the common bus if the first and second engines are substantially mechanically synchronized during the number of attempts; and

direct power from the second generator to the common bus after power output synchronization regardless of mechanical synchronization when the number of attempts has been made.

2. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the power output from the second generator is synchronized with the power output from the first generator when at least one of a phase angle, a frequency, and a voltage of the power outputs from the first and second generators are substantially matched.

3. The power system of claim 1 , further including:

a first sensor situated to generate a first signal indicative of a rotational angle of the first engine; and

a second sensor situated to generate a second signal indicative of a rotational angle of the second engine,

wherein the controller is configured to compare the first and second signals after synchronizing the power output of the second generator with the power output of the first generator.

4. The power system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to direct power from the second generator to the common bus only when the rotational angles of the first and second engines are within 170-190° out of phase with each other.

5. The power system of claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct power from the second generator to the common bus only when the rotational angles of the first and second engines are about 180° out of phase with each other.

6. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the number of attempts is ten.

7. The power system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second engines has an imbalanced rotational mass.

8. The power system of claim 7 , wherein the imbalanced rotational mass is caused by the at least one of the first and second engines having an odd number of cylinders.

9. The power system of claim 8 , wherein the first and second engines are substantially identical and include nine cylinders each.

10. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second engines are mounted to a common anchor platform.

11. A method of providing power, comprising:

operating a first power source to produce electrical power;

directing power from the first power source to a common bus;

operating a second power source to produce electrical power;

synchronizing a power output from the second power source with a power output from the first power source;

attempting mechanical synchronization a number of times;

directing power from the second power source to the common bus if the first and second power sources are substantially mechanically synchronized during the number of attempts; and

directing power from the second power source to the common bus after power output synchronization regardless of mechanical synchronization when the number of attempts has been made.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the power output from the second power source is synchronized with the power output from the first power source when a phase angle, a frequency, and a voltage of the power outputs from the first and second power sources are substantially matched.

13. The method of claim 11 , further including:

sensing a first rotational angle of the first power source;

sensing a second rotational angle of the second power source; and

comparing the first and second rotational angles after synchronizing the power output of the second power source with the power output of the first power source.

14. The method of claim 13 , further including directing power from the second power source to the common bus only when the rotational angles of the first and second power sources are about 180 degrees out of phase with each other.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the number of attempts is ten.

16. A power facility, comprising:

a common anchor platform;

a first generator set mounted to the common anchor platform and having a first mass-imbalanced engine drivingly coupled to a first generator;

a second generator set mounted to the common anchor platform in proximity to the first generator set and having a second mass-imbalanced engine drivingly coupled to a second generator;

a common bus configured to transmit electrical power from the first and second generator sets to a power load; and

a controller in communication with the first and second generator sets, the controller being configured to:

direct power from the first generator to the common bus;

synchronize a power output from the second generator with a power output from the first generator;

attempt mechanical synchronization a number of times;

direct power from the second generator to the common bus if the first and second mass-imbalanced engines are substantially mechanically synchronized; and a vibrational input directed from the first generator set into the common anchor platform is at least partially dampened by a vibrational input from the second generator set during the number of attempts; and

direct power from the second generator to the common bus after power output synchronization regardless of mechanical synchronization when the number of attempts has been made.