Auxiliary power unit power compensation using global positioning system for altitude
A transport power system is provided. The system includes a prime mover separate from a vehicle engine; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to receive GPS data; and a controller configured to communicate with the prime mover and the GPS receiver. The controller is configured to determine an altitude of the transport power system with respect to sea level based on the GPS data received by the GPS receiver, determine a power output of the prime mover, adjust a power output upper limit for the prime mover based on the determined altitude, compare the power output of the prime mover and the adjusted power output upper limit, and operate the prime mover of the transport power system so as not to exceed the adjusted power output upper limit.
1 . A transport power system comprising:
a diesel prime mover separate from and independent to a vehicle engine used for operating a vehicle, the prime mover not being configured to move the vehicle;
a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to receive GPS data; and
a controller configured to communicate with the prime mover and the GPS receiver,
wherein the controller is configured to:
determine an altitude of the transport power system with respect to sea level based on the GPS data received by the GPS receiver;
determine a power output of the prime mover;
adjust a power output upper limit for the prime mover based on the determined altitude;
compare the power output of the prime mover and the adjusted power output upper limit; and
operate the prime mover of the transport power system so as not to exceed the adjusted power output upper limit.
2 . The transport power system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a telematics device disposed external to the prime mover of the transport power system,
wherein the telematics device includes the GPS receiver, and the controller is configured to communicate with the telematics device via a controller area network.
3 . The transport power system according to claim 2 , wherein the telematics device is a datalogger.
4 . The transport power system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
compare the determined altitude with an altitude threshold; and
increase the power output upper limit for the prime mover when the determined altitude is less than the altitude threshold.
5 . The transport power system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a human-machine interface configured to receive user inputs; and
a remote input-output device configured to enable or disable power consumption components based on the power output of the prime mover.
6 . The transport power system according to claim 5 , wherein the controller, the human-machine interface, the remote input-output device, and the GPS receiver are configured to communicate with each other via a controller area network.
7 . The transport power system according to claim 1 , wherein when the prime mover is running, the vehicle engine is turned off.
8 . The transport power system according to claim 7 , wherein when the vehicle engine is running, the prime mover is turned off.
9 . The transport power system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport power system is an auxiliary power unit (APU) without a pressure sensor.
10 . The transport power system according to claim 9 , wherein the APU includes a telematics-based datalogging device, the GPS receiver is contained within the datalogging device, and the datalogging device is configured to communicate with the controller, a remote input-output device, and a human-machine interface over a controller area network (CAN).
11 . The transport power system according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit enabling or disabling commands to power consuming devices of the APU based on the adjusted power output upper limit via the CAN.
12 . The transport power system according to claim 11 , wherein the remote input-output device is configured to receive the enabling or disabling commands from the controller via the CAN, and to execute the enabling or disabling commands to enable or disable the power consuming devices of the APU.
13 . The transport power system according to claim 12 , wherein the remote input-output device is configured to transmit revolutions per minute data and coolant temperature data of the prime mover to the controller via the CAN.
14 . The transport power system according to claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the CAN, make decisions based on the received data, and transmit the decisions in a form of commands back to the CAN for the remote input-output device to execute.
15 . A method for controlling an operation of a transport power system, the method comprising:
determining, by a controller of the transport power system, an altitude of the transport power system with respect to sea level based on global positioning system (GPS) data received by a GPS receiver, a diesel prime mover being separate from and independent to a vehicle engine used for operating a vehicle, the prime mover not being configured to move the vehicle, the controller being configured to communicate with the prime mover and the GPS receiver;
determining a power output of the prime mover;
adjusting, by the controller, a power output upper limit for the prime mover based on the determined altitude;
comparing the power output of the prime mover and the adjusted power output upper limit; and
operating, by the controller, the prime mover of the transport power system so as not to exceed the adjusted power output upper limit.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:
the controller communicating, via a controller area network, with a telematics device disposed external to the prime mover of the transport power system,
wherein the telematics device includes the GPS receiver.
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the telematics device is a datalogger.
18 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:
comparing the determined altitude with an altitude threshold; and
increasing the power output upper limit for the prime mover when the determined altitude is less than the altitude threshold.
19 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a human-machine interface receiving user inputs; and
a remote input-output device enabling or disabling power consumption components based on the power output of the prime mover.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising:
the controller, the human-machine interface, the remote input-output device, and the GPS receiver communicating with each other via a controller area network.