Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6765304
-
Patent Number
6,765,304
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, September 26, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 20, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Ponomarenko; Nicholas
- Cuevas; Pedro J.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 060 597
- 060 614
- 060 616
- 060 618
- 290 1 A
- 290 2
- 290 1 R
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International Classifications
- F02B6500
- H02P904
- H02B504
- F01D1510
- F01K2310
-
Abstract
A mobile power generation system is provided. The system includes a main trailer having an engine and an electric generator turned by the engine, an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the engine, an exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise, and an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the invention relate to multi-part mobile equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to multi-part mobile electric power generation equipment.
There is often a need for electric power generation in locations where permanent power is not available such as, for example, disaster sites or hospitals which have lost all other sources of power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides, among other things, solutions to problems associated with providing power to remote or emergency areas.
Examples of the invention include a mobile power generation system. The system includes a main trailer having an engine and an electric generator turned by the engine, an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the engine, an exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise, and an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine.
Examples of the invention include a main trailer for use with a plurality of other trailers. The main trailer being capable of connecting to the other trailers to form a power generation system. The main trailer includes a gas turbine, an electric generator turned by the gas turbine, a generator lineside cubicle, and switchgear. The switchgear is hardwired to the generator lineside cubicle.
Examples of the invention include a method of providing a mobile power generation system. The method includes providing a main trailer having an engine and an electric generator turned by the engine, providing an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the engine, providing an exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise, and providing an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine. The method also includes attaching the air filtration trailer to the main trailer, attaching the exhaust trailer to the main trailer, and attaching the auxiliary trailer to the main trailer.
These and other features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure in connection with the attached drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a side view of an example of a trailer in accordance with the invention attached to a tractor for transport;
FIG. 2
is a side schematic view of an example of a main trailer in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 3
is a side schematic view of an example of an auxiliary trailer in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4
is a side schematic view of an example of an inlet trailer in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 5
is a side schematic view of an example of an exhaust trailer in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 6
is a side schematic view of the trailers of
FIGS. 2
,
3
,
4
and
5
in an assembled state in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a solution to the problem of providing large amounts of electrical power to locations where permanent electrical power is not currently available. Embodiments of the invention solve this problem by providing a complete mobile electric power generation system mounted on a plurality of trailers that can be moved over highways and other roads.
FIG. 1
is a side view of an example of a trailer in accordance with the invention attached to a tractor for transport.
FIGS. 2-5
are schematic views of examples of trailers in accordance with the invention. In the example shown in
FIGS. 2-5
, the components of the mobile electric power generation system are mounted on four trailers.
FIG. 2
shows an example of a main trailer
100
on which a gas turbine and mounting system
125
and a complete generator with lineside and neutral cubicles are mounted. It is preferable that the gas turbine
125
and complete generator with lineside and neutral cubicles
150
are mounted on the same trailer so as to avoid the extensive time and effort that would be required to align a turbine and a generator transported on separate trailers. In
FIG. 2
, gas turbine
125
is mounted on a turbine base
135
. In this example, turbine base
135
has a three-point mounting system using devises and isolators and lift rings. A drop over turbine enclosure
140
with lift rings is provided to protect gas turbine
125
and to help contain noise generated by gas turbine
125
. Also included in this example of main trailer
100
are turbine enclosure fire protection components
105
such as horns, beacons, nozzles and detectors; a complete turbine lube oil system
110
, in this example less an oil cooler; a complete generator lube oil system
115
, in this example less an oil cooler; and turbine generator vibration monitoring equipment
120
. Also provided in this example are a main turbine terminal box
130
; a main generator terminal box
155
and switch gear
160
that is hard wired to the line side cubicle of generator
150
. An exhaust collector
145
with drain system, blanket and mounting system is provided along with a female half
165
of an exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station and a filter trailer/main trailer docking station.
FIG. 3
shows an example of an auxiliary trailer
200
on which an auxiliary skid
210
is mounted. Auxiliary skid
210
contains hydraulic start components
212
used to start gas turbine
125
, off-line water wash components
214
, gas fuel components
216
, liquid fuel components
218
, and water injection components
220
. Gas vents and interconnect hoses
225
, oil coolers and interconnects
230
, and fire system bottles and interconnects
235
are also provided. A rail-mounted turbine ventilation silencer
240
is transported on auxiliary trailer
200
but is moved and bolted to turbine enclosure
140
at the power generation location. A generator outlet silencer
245
is mounted on auxiliary trailer
200
for transport only and is connected to generator
150
at the power generation location. A control house
250
is provided to house the controls necessary for operation of the system and includes air conditioning, lighting, an uninterrupted power supply system, a motor control center, a transformer, a turbine control panel, a variable frequency drive (VFD) system for the liquid fuel and water injection systems, a desktop computer, a 24-volt DC control system and fire system battery system and charger, and a 125-volt DC switch gear and backup generator lube oil pump motor battery system and charger.
FIG. 4
shows an example of an inlet trailer
300
in accordance with the invention. On inlet trailer
300
is mounted a filter house that houses air filtration equipment. The air filtration equipment includes marine type separators
312
before and after the filtration system, filtration
314
for both combustion and ventilation air, a heating/chilling coil
316
placed in line between combustion filter stages, and turning vanes
318
. Also included in filter house
310
are combustion and ventilation air silencers
320
, foreign object damage (FOD) screen and commissioning screen
322
, an inlet plenum
324
with turbine bell mouth transition and flex connection, direct drive ventilation fans
326
with back draft dampers, and a flexible connection
328
for a filter house/turbine enclosure interface. A male half
330
of the filter trailer/main trailer docking station is also included.
FIG. 5
shows an example of an exhaust trailer
400
on which certain exhaust components are mounted. An exhaust collector flange flex connection
410
, a transition duct
420
with maintenance access door, a horizontal silencer section
430
with drains and a 90 degree exhaust elbow
440
with drain are provided. In addition a vertical stack
450
that, in this example, is rotated down for transport and then rotated up at the power generation site, is also provided. Also a male half
460
of the exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station is mounted on exhaust trailer
400
.
While
FIGS. 2-5
show, as examples, particular elements of a mobile power generation system in accordance with the invention, it is noted that some elements shown on a particular trailer may be included, instead, on another one of the trailers or, in some cases, may be omitted. Further, other equipment (not shown) can be added to any of the trailers. In deciding which elements of the system are included on each of the trailers, highway regulations regarding weight and size are considered in order to minimize or eliminate the need for special transportation permits. By reducing or, preferably, eliminating the need for such permits, the overall time required for deployment of the system can be reduced.
By providing height adjustments, preferably using the trailer's air suspension, alignment of the trailers and set up can be facilitated. In addition, by providing quick disconnect connectors on all cables and hoses throughout the system, assembly of the system at the power generation location can be accomplished more quickly and easily.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention,
FIG. 6
is a side schematic view of the trailers of
FIGS. 2
,
3
,
4
and
5
in an assembled state. Specifically,
FIG. 6
shows the main trailer
100
, the auxiliary trailer
200
, the inlet trailer
300
and the exhaust trailer
400
. The main trailer
100
includes a gas turbine
125
, as shown. As described above, the invention provides for attaching the air filtration trailer to the main trailer, attaching the exhaust trailer to the main trailer, and attaching the auxiliary trailer to the main trailer. Attachments (
12
,
14
and
16
) between the trailers are shown in
FIG. 6
, i.e., the attachments (
12
,
14
and
16
) schematically show that components on the attached trailers may be connected. As described above, for example, by providing quick disconnect connectors on all cables and hoses throughout the system, assembly of the system at the power generation location can be accomplished more quickly and easily. In accordance with further aspects, as described above, on the main trailer
100
, provided is a female half
165
of an exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station and a filter trailer/main trailer docking station. On the inlet trailer
300
, a male half
330
of the filter trailer/main trailer docking station is also included. Also a male half
460
of the exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station is mounted on exhaust trailer
400
.
While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made thereto without significantly departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A mobile power generation system, comprising:a main trailer having an engine, wherein the engine is a gas turbine; and an electric generator turned by the engine; an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the engine; an exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise; and an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine.
- 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary equipment comprises one of engine start components, fuel components, fire system bottles, and a control house.
- 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the main trailer further comprisesswitchgear electrically connected to the electric generator.
- 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the switchgear is ultimately hardwired to the generator.
- 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the main trailer further comprises a generator lineside cubicle, andthe switchgear is hardwired to the generator lineside cubicle.
- 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the main trailer further comprises a turbine lube oil system; anda generator lube oil system.
- 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the main trailer further comprises an exhaust collector,the exhaust collector comprising a drain system.
- 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the air filtration trailer further comprises one of a male half and a female half a filter trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the main trailer further comprises the other of the male half and the female half of the filter trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the air filtration trailer further comprises a filter house,the filter house having a drain, filters for combustion air, filters for ventilation air, combustion air silencers, and ventilation air silencers.
- 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust trailer further comprises one of a male half and a female half of an exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the main trailer further comprises the other of the male half and the female half of the exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust trailer further comprises a vertical exhaust stack,the vertical exhaust stack being reversibly rotatable from a down position to an up position, the down position being for transport, and the up position being for use.
- 14. A main trailer for use with a plurality of other trailers, the main trailer being capable of connecting to the other trailers to form a power generation system, the main trailer comprising:a gas turbine; an electric generator turned by the gas turbine; a generator lineside cubicle; and switchgear, wherein the switchgear is hardwired to the generator lineside cubicle; and wherein the other trailers comprise: an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the gas turbine; art exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise; and an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine.
- 15. The trailer of claim 14, further comprising an exhaust collector,the exhaust collector comprising a drain system.
- 16. The trailer of claim 15, further comprising one of a male half and a female half of a filter trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 17. A method of providing a mobile power generation system, comprising:providing a main trailer having an engine, wherein the engine is a gas turbine, and an electric generator turned by the engine; providing an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the engine; providing an exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise; and providing an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine; attaching the air filtration trailer to the main trailer; attaching the exhaust trailer to the main trailer; and attaching the auxiliary trailer to the main trailer.
- 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the auxiliary equipment comprises one of engine start components, fuel components, lube oil cooler, fire system bottles, and a control house.
- 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the main trailer further comprisesswitchgear electrically connected to the electric generator.
- 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the switchgear is ultimately hardwired to the generator.
- 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the main trailer further comprises a generator lineside cubicle, andthe switchgear is hardwired to the generator lineside cubicle.
- 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the main trailer further comprisesa turbine lube oil system; and a generator lube oil system.
- 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the main trailer further comprises an exhaust collector,the exhaust collector comprising a drain system.
- 24. The method of claim 17, wherein the air filtration trailer further comprises one of a male half and a female half of a filter trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the main trailer further comprises the other of the male half and the female half of the filter trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 26. The method of claim 17, wherein the air filtration trailer further comprises a filter house,the filter house having a drain, filters for combustion an, filters for ventilation air, combustion air silencers, and ventilation air silencers.
- 27. The method of claim 17, wherein the exhaust trailer further comprises one of a male half and a female half of an exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the main trailer further comprises the other of the male half and the female half of the exhaust trailer/main trailer docking station.
- 29. The method of claim 17, wherein the exhaust trailer further comprises a vertical exhaust stack,the vertical exhaust stack being reversibly rotatable from a down position to an up position, the down position being for transport, and the up position being for use.
US Referenced Citations (24)