Importance

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Abstract

A distributed power generating system enables very rapid and reliable start-up of an engine used to generate back-up power, thereby substantially reducing the need for stored power. More particularly, the distributed power generating system comprises a power bus electrically coupled to commercial power and to a load, an engine comprising a rotatable shaft, a starter/generator operatively coupled to the shaft of the engine and electrically coupled to the power bus, and a temporary storage device electrically coupled to the power bus. The distributed power generating system further comprises a control system adapted to detect a failure of the commercial power and cause the starter/generator to start the engine from a standstill condition. The control system provides the starter/generator with an initial voltage vector selected to rapidly bring the engine to an operational speed sustainable by the engine alone. The temporary storage device supplies electrical power to the power bus for delivery to the load and for powering the starter/generator until the engine reaches the operational speed, whereupon the control system causes the starter/generator to take over supply of electrical power to the power bus for delivery to the load. The control system starts the engine upon detection of a voltage on the power bus below a predetermined lower limit. After the engine has started, the control system monitors speed of the engine to determine whether the operational speed is reached. The control system terminates operation of the engine upon detection of a voltage on the power bus above a predetermined upper limit.

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First Claim