IP Library Granted Patent US 11,242,044
Granted Patent B2
US 11,242,044 · App. 16/038,867 · Granted Feb 8, 2022

Motor generator control for fixed fuel source engine

Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton (Strattanville, PA); Adam Larson (Mequon, WI)
Assignee: Kohler Co.
B60W20/15B60W10/06B60W10/08F02D19/021F02D29/06F02D41/0027F02M21/0215B60L15/2045B60W10/26F02D2250/24Y02T10/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,242,044
App. No.
16/038,867
Granted
Feb 8, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for supplementing a fixed fuel source for an engine includes a motor-generator set connected to a mechanical load device and a controller. The motor-generator set includes a motor and a generator. The engine is configured to provide a first torque from a fixed fuel source from an independent variable flow input. The fixed fuel source is independent of the engine and set external to the engine. The mechanical load device is driven by the engine and configured to require a second torque defined by an independent flow device. The controller is configured to compare the first torque and the second torque, provide a first control signal to the motor to provide power to the engine when the second torque exceeds the first torque and provide a second control signal to the generator to draw power from the engine when the first torque exceeds the second torque.

Claims (25)

1. A system for supplementing a fixed fuel source for an engine with a motor-generator, the system comprising:

a motor-generator including a motor and a generator;

an engine configured to provide a first torque from a fixed fuel source, wherein the fixed fuel source is independent of the engine and set by a gaseous emission that is external to the engine;

a mechanical load device driven by the engine and configured to require a second torque defined by a fixed speed or a fixed power output; and

a controller configured to compare the first torque and the second torque, provide a first control signal to the motor to provide power to the engine when the second torque exceeds the first torque and provide a second control signal to the generator to draw power from the engine when the first torque exceeds the second torque.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fixed fuel source varies over time and is consumed by the engine independent of a load on the engine from the mechanical load device.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fixed fuel source is a fuel cell, a digester, or a biogas source.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical load device is a compressor coupled to the fixed fuel source.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an air valve configured to selectively control a flow of ambient air to the fixed fuel source.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a fuel path from the fixed fuel source to the engine to provide a flow of fuel from the fixed fuel source to the engine; and

a fuel valve configured to selectively control the flow of fuel from the fixed fuel source to the engine.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising:

a first valve configured to selectively control a flow of ambient air to the fixed fuel source;

a tail gas path from the fixed fuel source to the engine to provide a flow of tail gas from the fixed fuel source to the engine; and

a second valve configured to selectively control the flow of tail gas from the fixed fuel source to the engine.

8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a third valve as a throttle of the engine to apply a setting for the throttle for the engine in response to the flow of fuel.

9. A method for supplementing a fixed fuel source for an engine with a motor-generator a motor and a generator, the method comprising:

providing, from the engine, a first torque from a fixed fuel source, wherein the fixed fuel source is independent of the engine and set by a gaseous emission that is external to the engine;

identifying a second torque required by a mechanical load device and defined by a fixed speed or a fixed power output;

comparing the first torque and the second torque;

providing a first control signal to the motor to provide power to the engine when the second torque exceeds the first torque; and

providing a second control signal to the generator to draw power from the engine when the first torque exceeds the second torque.

Assignments (4)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded May 3, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067306/0903 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded May 2, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067290/0853 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2024
From: KOHLER CO.
To: DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 067289/0516 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2018
From: FRAMPTON, ISAAC S.; LARSON, ADAM
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 046413/0901 →