The present disclosure relates generally to a generator and specifically to an air intake system for a generator.
Generators typically include an air intake system for combustion air. It may be desirable to control the temperature of the combustion air for desired combustion efficiency. Operation of the generator with less than desired efficiency may result in lower power output or increased emissions of unburned and partially burned hydrocarbons.
A system is disclosed. The system includes a generator and an enclosure surrounding the generator, the generator having an air intake and an inside surface. The system also includes an air intake housing affixed to the inside surface of the enclosure and fluidly connected to the air intake, the air intake housing terminating in an air intake housing inner plate positioned at inner edge of the air intake housing. The air intake housing inner plate has a plurality of air intake holes. In addition, the system includes a damper, the damper abutting the air intake housing inner plate, the damper having a plurality of damper holes. The damper is adapted to slide along the air intake housing inner plate.
A method is disclosed. The method includes supplying an air intake control system and electrically connecting an exterior temperature sensor to the air intake control system, the exterior temperature sensor positioned outside an enclosure. A generator is positioned within the enclosure. The method also includes electrically connecting an interior temperature sensor to the air intake control system, the interior temperature sensor positioned within the enclosure. In addition, the method includes electrically connecting a mechanical electric actuator to the air intake control system. Further the method includes mechanically connecting the mechanical electric actuator to a damper, the damper having damper holes. The damper abuts an air intake housing inner plate, the air intake housing inner plate having air intake holes.
The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.
It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
Air intake housing 220 may be positioned such that air entering enclosure 200 passes through air intake housing 220, as shown in
One or more filters may be positioned within air intake housing 220. In the embodiments shown in
Air intake housing 220 may terminate within enclosure 200 in air intake housing inner plate 226 positioned at the inner edge 225 of air intake housing 220. In other embodiments, air intake housing inner plate may be omitted and inner edge 225 of air intake housing 220 may be open, as shown in
In certain embodiments, such as where air intake housing inner plate 226 is present, damper 230 may be positioned so as to abut air intake housing inner plate 226. In some embodiments, damper 230 is a plate. In some embodiments, damper 230 is a plate with damper holes 232. Damper 230 may be adapted to slide parallel to air intake housing inner plate 226 from the closed position as shown in
In some embodiments, damper 230 may be slid manually. In other embodiments, damper 230 may be moved with a mechanical electric actuator. The mechanical actuator may be driven by damper motor 256. When slid manually, damper 230 may be held by mounting nuts 236. To slide damper 230, a user may loosen mounting nuts 236, slide damper 230 along rails 234 to a desired position, and then retighten mounting nuts 236.
In yet other embodiments, as shown in
In certain embodiments exterior louvers 260 may be positioned within air intake housing 220 or the exterior of air intake 210, opposite damper 230. Exterior louvers 260, as shown in FIG. 6A, are in the closed position, preventing or retarding air from outside enclosure 200 from entering air intake 210. When in the open position, exterior louvers 260 allow air from outside enclosure 200 to enter air intake 210. In certain embodiments, exterior louvers 260 may be manually operated. In other embodiments, exterior louvers 260 may be operated by a mechanical electric actuator, as described further below. In some embodiments, exterior louvers 260 may be locked in the open or closed position, such as with a locking lever.
By operating both damper 230 and exterior louvers 260 in different positions, air to turbocharger 102 may be changed from entirely outside air, entirely inside air, and partially outside/partially inside air. For example, if exterior louvers 260 are closed, all air to turbocharger 102 is inside air. When exterior louvers are open, by altering the position of damper 230, the air to turbocharger 102 may be entirely outside air or partially outside/partially inside air.
In certain embodiments, air intake control system 250 may be used in conjunction with dampers 230 to control air feed temperature of generator 100. In such embodiments, air intake control system 250 may be electrically connected to one or more interior temperature sensors 252, positioned within enclosure 200 and one or more exterior temperature sensors 254. Air intake control system 250 may also be electrically connected to the mechanical electric actuator. Based on a desired temperature of the air feed to generator 100 and the outside air temperature measured by exterior temperature sensors 254 and interior temperature sensors 252, air intake control system 250 may activate damper motors 256, mechanically connected to the mechanical electric actuator to move dampers 230 to the desired partially open, open, or closed position to achieve the desired temperature of the air feed to generator 100. In certain embodiments, temperature of the air feed to generator 100 may be measured by generator air feed temperature sensor 258. In certain embodiments, exterior temperature sensors 254 and interior temperature sensors 252 may be omitted and the temperature of the air feed to generator 100 may be controlled only through generator air feed temperature sensor 258 and a feedback control system.
In certain embodiments, air intake control system 250 may be electrically connected to an electrical mechanical actuator for opening and closing exterior louvers 260. By opening and closing exterior louvers 260 in conjunction with damper 230 air to turbocharger 102 may be changed from entirely outside air, entirely inside air, and partially outside/partially inside air, as described above.
The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a person of ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Such features may be replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives, only some of which are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
This application is a nonprovisional application which claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/322,064, filed Mar. 21, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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10894295 | Taylor | Jan 2021 | B2 |
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Number | Date | Country |
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WO-2018162911 | Sep 2018 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20230296068 A1 | Sep 2023 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63322064 | Mar 2022 | US |