JP2010106745A - Method for operating engine generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for operating an engine generator stably operating a device or an engine generator while reducing fuel consumption, by controlling an operational status of the engine generator depending on operational statuses of a device such as a pump switching between start and stop. <P>SOLUTION: The method for operating an engine generator is used when electric power as a driving force of a device such as a pump switching between the start and the stop according to a determination result of a float switch based on a condition set in advance, is supplied from the engine generator generating electric power by driving a generator by the engine. In the method for operating an engine generator, when the determination result is the stop of the device, electric power supply to the device is blocked to stop the device and the operation of the engine is switched to be an idling state. When the determination result is the start of the device, the engine is switched to a rated revolution, and the power supply to the device is started after the engine reaches the rated revolution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation method of an engine generator, and more particularly, to an operation method of an engine generator that supplies electric power to a device such as a submersible pump that is operated by switching between start and stop according to fluctuations in water level.

In a device that switches between starting and stopping according to a determination result based on a preset condition, for example, a pump that switches between starting and stopping according to fluctuations in the water level, a float switch that detects fluctuations in the water level is provided. By switching between starting and stopping the pump according to the detected fluctuations in the water level, the pump can be prevented from being driven during the drought (empty operation) and the power consumption can be reduced. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-283737 A

  When it is difficult to secure commercial power as the power source of the pump, an engine generator that generates power by driving a generator by an engine is installed in the vicinity of the pump, and power is supplied from the engine generator to the pump. Yes. In this case, even when the pump is stopped by a signal from the float switch, if the engine of the engine generator is continuously operated at the rated speed, fuel is wasted.

  Furthermore, when the engine is operated for a long time in a no-load state or a low-load state in which the pump is stopped, unburned gas may leak from the exhaust system due to a state similar to so-called idling. Also, when two pumps are connected to one engine generator, a large generator must be used to handle the starting current when two pumps start at the same time. Compared to the case of using two machines, it may be uneconomical.

  Therefore, the present invention stabilizes the device and the engine generator while reducing the fuel consumption by controlling the operation state of the engine generator according to the operation state of the device such as a pump that switches between start and stop. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating an engine generator that can be operated in the same manner.

  In order to achieve the above object, the engine generator operating method of the present invention drives the generator by using the engine as the power source for the equipment that switches between starting and stopping based on the determination result based on preset conditions. In the operation method of the engine generator when supplying from the engine generator that generates power when the determination result is that the device is stopped, the power supply to the device is cut off to stop the device and the engine is idled. When the determination result is that the device is started, the engine is switched to a rated speed, and power supply to the device is started after the engine reaches the rated speed.

  Further, the engine generator operating method of the present invention has a standby time between a preset start time and a preset end time, and during the standby time, when the determination result is a device start. However, the idling of the engine is continued, and the period from the preset start time to the preset end time is the continuous operation time, and during the continuous operation time, the determination result is the equipment stop. In this case, the rated operation of the engine and the power supply to the device are continued.

  In addition, when a plurality of devices are connected to one engine generator and the determination result in the plurality of devices is a device start at the same time, power supply to the plurality of devices is not performed simultaneously. Starting power supply in a preset order, and connecting a plurality of devices to one engine generator, and starting the determination result in one device out of the plurality of devices When the determination result in the other device is the device start during the power supply start operation for the one device, the power supply start operation for the one device is completed and the other device It is characterized by starting the power supply start operation of the device.

  Further, it is characterized in that the operation of starting the power supply to the device when the determination result is the device start is performed using the power of the battery provided in the engine generator as a drive source.

  According to the operation method of the engine generator of the present invention, the engine is in an idling state while the equipment is stopped, so that fuel consumption can be reduced and leakage of unburned gas from the exhaust system can be prevented. . Further, when starting the equipment, since the power supply is started after the engine reaches the rated speed and the equipment is started, a large load is not applied to the engine generator, and the equipment can be started reliably.

  Further, by setting a standby time for continuing the idling state of the engine, it is possible to avoid a noise problem to the surroundings. Conversely, by setting the continuous operation time before the time period in which noise generation is to be suppressed, the noise generation rate in the time period in which noise generation is to be suppressed can be reduced.

  In addition, when multiple devices are connected, it is set to start power supply sequentially at predetermined time intervals without starting power supply simultaneously, or to start power supply to one device By setting so that the operation to start power supply to other devices is not started, it becomes easier to handle large starting currents, and a small engine generator can be used. Cost reduction. In addition, the power supply start operation can be performed more reliably by performing the operation for starting the power supply to the device using the power of the battery instead of the generated power as a power source.

  FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment in which the operation method of the engine generator of the present invention is applied to the operation of a pump, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an operation example of a float switch for determining start and stop of the pump. .

  First, the float switch 11 shown in FIG. 2 contains a movable weight, a magnet, and a reed switch inside a cylindrical float 12, and one end in the longitudinal direction of the float 12 is pumped via a signal line 13. The ascending limit and the descending limit are set according to the length of the signal line 13, respectively.

  The float switch 11 is in an ON state (reference numeral 12a in FIG. 2) in which the signal line 13 is located below the float 12 when the water level in the drainage place, for example, the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than the set water level H. When the water level in the tank decreases in this state, the float 12 descends as the water level decreases while maintaining the ON state by the action of the movable weight inside (reference numeral 12b in FIG. 2). When the float 12 reaches the lower limit when the water level is lower than the set water level L, the float 12 is reversed so as to be pulled by the signal line 13, and the signal line 13 is positioned above the float 12 (in FIG. 2). 12c).

  When the water level in the tank rises in this OFF state, the float 12 also rises together with the water level while maintaining the OFF state by the action of the internal movable weight (reference numeral 12d in FIG. 2), and the water level is equal to or higher than the set water level H. When the float 12 reaches the rising limit, the float 12 is reversed by being pulled by the signal line 13 to be in the above-described ON state (reference numeral 12a in FIG. 2).

  In this way, power for driving one pump 14 that repeats starting and stopping by a signal from the float switch 11 that detects the water level in the tank and generates an ON / OFF signal is used to generate a generator by the engine. In the case of supplying from an engine generator that generates power by driving, a signal from the float switch 11 as described above is input to the engine generator, the engine generator is operated according to the control procedure shown in FIG. Switch between start and stop.

  First, the operation of the engine generator is started, the engine is operated at the rated speed (step 101), and the pump connected to the engine generator is set to be automatically operated instead of the manual operation (step 102). In this starting state, power is not supplied to the pump, and the pump is stopped.

  In step 103, it is determined whether or not the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than the set water level H based on the ON / OFF signal from the float switch 11. If the signal from the float switch 11 is OFF and it is determined that the water level in the tank is not equal to or higher than the set water level H (No), the process proceeds to step 104 and idling when the engine is operating at the rated speed at the start of operation. When the engine is in the idling state, idling is continued, and steps 103 and 104 are repeated until it is determined in step 103 that the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than the set water level H.

  If it is determined in step 103 that the signal from the float switch 11 is ON and the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than the set water level H (Yes), the process proceeds to step 105 to change the engine from the idling state to the rated rotational state or When the engine is operating at the rated speed at the start, the rated speed state is maintained, and the generator driven to rotate by the engine is set to the rated speed (frequency) state to output power at a predetermined voltage and frequency. And When the electric power generated by the generator reaches a predetermined state, the process proceeds to Step 106, where the contactor is turned on to perform an electric power supply start operation, the electric power supply to the pump is started, the pump is started, Start draining from the inside.

  In step 107, it is determined whether the automatic operation of the pump is turned off. If the automatic operation is turned off (Yes), the process proceeds to step 108, the contactor is turned off, and the automatic operation of the pump is finished in step 109. To do. If the automatic operation of the pump is not turned off in step 107 (No), the process proceeds to step 110, and an ON / OFF signal from the float switch 11 determines whether the water level in the tank is equal to or lower than the set water level L. to decide.

  If it is determined in step 110 that the water level in the tank is not lower than the set water level L (No), the process returns to step 107 and the pump operation is continued except when the automatic operation of the pump is turned off. Continue draining from the tank. If it is determined in step 110 that the water level in the tank has become equal to or lower than the set water level L (Yes), the process proceeds to step 111 and the pump is stopped by turning off the contactor and shutting off the power supply to the pump. Return the engine to idling state and return to step 103.

  In this way, when stopping the pump based on the determination in step 110, the contactor is not only turned off and the power supply to the pump is cut off, but also the engine is controlled to operate at idling, so that the rated rotation In addition to reducing the amount of fuel consumed compared to continuing to operate the engine as it is, it is possible to prevent the unburned gas from leaking out of the exhaust system due to the engine being emptied, and the engine and generator The operating noise can be reduced.

  At this time, it is possible to further reduce the fuel consumption by stopping the pump and stopping the engine. However, when the engine is stopped, it is necessary to start the engine before starting the pump. In addition, the control may be complicated, or the engine may not be started for some reason. Therefore, when the power supply to the pump is interrupted so that the engine can maintain a stable operating state, the engine can be started idling without stopping the engine so that the pump can be started stably and reliably. Can do.

  Furthermore, when starting the pump based on the determination in step 103, do not immediately turn on the contactor, but turn on the contactor after the engine has reached the rated speed and the generator is in a stable rated operating state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent accidents such as the engine being stopped due to a large load due to a large starting current of the pump or the contactor being unable to be turned on due to a voltage drop. Can be reliably started.

  In addition, when using an electromagnetic contactor as a contactor, if AC power generated by a generator is used as the operating power supply as a power source for opening and closing the electromagnetic contactor, the contactor is turned on due to a voltage drop at the start of the pump. A large generator with some margin is required because it may not be able to be maintained, but the DC power (for example, DC24V) of the battery built in the engine generator is used as the switching contact power supply for the magnetic contactor. By doing so, even if the voltage drop of the AC power temporarily occurs at the time of starting the pump, the power supply start operation for turning on the contactor can be reliably performed, so that a small generator can be used. .

  3 to 5 show an example in which power is supplied from one engine generator to two pumps. As shown in FIG. 3, two tanks 22a and 22b are supplied from one engine generator 21. When supplying electric power to two pumps 23a and 23b (hereinafter referred to as pump A and pump B) respectively installed in the tank (hereinafter referred to as A tank and B tank), the control unit 21a and the power output of the engine generator 21 Control devices 24a and 24b for controlling the start and stop of the pump are connected to the terminal 21b, and float switches 26a and 26b corresponding to the signal input portions 25a and 25b of the control devices 24a and 24b are connected and contacted respectively. The pump A and the pump B are connected to a power feeding section having the devices 27a and 27b (hereinafter referred to as contactors A and B).

  The control relationship between the two pumps A and B is set such that the control device on the pump A side is the master unit and the control device on the pump B side is the slave unit. In addition, basically, the same equipment as in the above embodiment is used and the same control is performed, and therefore a detailed description thereof is partially omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the float switch 26a of the pump A installed in the tank A is turned on when the water level becomes equal to or higher than the set water level Ha, and turned off when the water level becomes equal to or lower than the set water level La. It becomes. As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the float switch 26b of the pump B installed in the tank B is turned on when the water level is equal to or higher than the set water level Hb, and is turned off when the water level is equal to or lower than the set water level Lb. It becomes.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, first, the operation of the engine generator is started, the engine is operated at the rated speed (step 201), and the pump A and the pump B are set to the automatic operation state (steps 202 and 203). When only one of them is set to automatic operation, it may be operated according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  On the side of the pump A as the master unit, it is determined whether or not the water level in the A tank is equal to or higher than the set water level Ha by the signal from the float switch 26a installed in the A tank in Step 211, and is not higher than the set water level Ha. In the case (No), it is determined in step 212 whether the pump B is in operation. If the pump B is not in operation (No), the process proceeds to step 213, the engine is set in an idling state, and the process returns to step 211. Further, when the pump B is in operation at step 212 (Yes), the pump B must be continuously supplied with a predetermined electric power, so the process proceeds to step 214 and the engine is maintained at the rated rotation state. Returning to step 211, these are repeated until the tank A reaches the set water level Ha or higher.

  If it is determined in step 211 that the water level is equal to or higher than the set water level Ha (Yes), the process proceeds to step 215. In Step 215, it is determined whether or not the pump B is in operation. If the pump B is not in operation (No), that is, if both the pumps A and B are stopped, the process proceeds to Step 216 and the engine proceeds. After setting to the rated rotation state, the process proceeds to step 217. On the other hand, if pump B is in operation at step 215 (Yes), it means that predetermined power is being supplied to pump B from the engine generator, and the process proceeds to step 217 without passing through step 212. . In step 217, the contactor A is turned on and turned on, whereby the power supply to the pump A starts and the pump A starts.

  When the automatic operation of the pump A is OFF in step 218 (Yes), the process proceeds to step 219, where the contactor A is turned OFF, and then the automatic operation of the pump A is ended in step 220. If the automatic operation of the pump A is not turned off in step 218 (No), the process proceeds to step 221 to determine whether or not the water level in the tank A is equal to or lower than the set water level La by a signal from the float switch 26a. . If it is determined in step 221 that the tank A is not lower than the set water level La (No), the operation of the pump A is continued and the process returns to step 218.

  If it is determined in step 221 that tank A has become equal to or lower than the set water level La (Yes), it is determined in step 222 whether pump B is in operation, and if pump B is not in operation (No), step Proceeding to 223, the contactor A is turned off to cut off the power supply to the pump A to stop the pump A, and the engine is set in an idling state, and the process returns to step 211. If pump B is in operation at step 222 (Yes), power supply to pump B must be continued, so contactor A is turned off at step 224 without idling the engine. After stopping the pump A, the process returns to the first step 211.

  On the other hand, on the pump B side as the slave unit, if it is determined in step 231 that the water level in the B tank is not equal to or higher than the set water level Hb based on the signal from the float switch 26b installed in the B tank (No), In 232, it is determined whether the pump A is in operation. If the pump A is not in operation (No), the process proceeds to step 233, the engine is set in an idling state, and the process returns to step 231. Further, when the pump A is in operation at step 232 (Yes), in order to continue supplying power to the pump A, the process proceeds to step 234 and returns to step 231 while maintaining the engine at the rated rotation state. These are repeated until the tank reaches the set water level Ha or higher.

  If it is determined in step 231 that the water level is equal to or higher than the set water level Hb (Yes), the process proceeds to step 235 to determine whether or not the pump A is in operation. If the pump A is not in operation (No), the process proceeds to step 236 to set the engine generator to the rated rotation state and then proceeds to step 237. If the pump A is in operation (Yes), the process proceeds from step 235 to step 235. Proceed to step 237.

  In step 237, it is determined whether or not the contactor A on the pump A side is in a closing operation (during a power supply start operation). That is, it is determined whether or not the step 217 is being performed on the pump A side. If the contactor A on the pump A side is in the closing operation (Yes), step 237 is performed until the closing operation of the contactor A is completed. Repeat and wait. When the charging operation of the contactor A is not performed or when the charging of the contactor A is completed (No), the process proceeds to step 238, where the contactor B is charged and the pump B is started.

  When the automatic operation of the pump B is OFF in step 239 (Yes), the process proceeds to step 240 and the contactor B is turned OFF, and then the automatic operation of the pump A is ended in step 241. If the automatic operation of the pump B is not OFF in step 239 (No), the process proceeds to step 242 and it is determined whether or not the water level in the tank B is equal to or lower than the set water level Lb by a signal from the float switch 26b. If it is not lower than the set water level Lb (No), the operation of the pump B is continued and the process returns to Step 239.

  If it is determined in step 242 that the tank B is below the set water level Lb (Yes), it is determined in step 243 whether the pump A is in operation, and if the pump A is not in operation (No), step Proceeding to step 244, the contactor B is turned OFF to stop the pump B, and the engine is set to an idling state and the process returns to step 231. If the pump A is in operation at step 243 (Yes), the contactor B is turned off at step 245, the pump B is stopped, and the process returns to step 231.

  As described above, when power is supplied to a plurality of pumps, when it is determined that the determination results of the float switches of all the pumps are OFF, the engine is set to the idling standby operation state in the same manner as described above. It is possible to reduce fuel consumption, leakage of unburned gas from the exhaust system, and reduction of operating noise. In addition, when the contactor is inserted, in the case of two pumps as described above, one is set in advance as a master unit and the other is set as a slave unit, and when the contactor of the slave unit is inserted, When the contactor of the master unit is in the closing operation, it is not necessary to consider the starting current for the two units by delaying the introduction of the contactor of the slave unit so that the two pumps are not started simultaneously. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a large engine generator, and a small engine generator can be adequately accommodated, thereby reducing fuel consumption and the like.

  Regardless of the master unit or slave unit, the state of the other unit is detected before the own unit starts the power supply start operation, and when the other unit is in the power supply start operation, the power supply start operation is performed. It is also possible to set so that the power supply start operation of the own device starts after the power supply start operation of the other device ends.

  The same applies when power is supplied to three or more pumps. Priorities are assigned to each contactor, and when the upper contactor is in the closing operation, the closing operation of the lower contactor is delayed. When one contactor is in the power supply start operation, the other contactors may be set not to perform the power supply start operation. In addition, a timer corresponding to the time from the start of charging of the contactor to the completion of charging is provided. When the contactor of the master unit or other device is in the switching operation, contact of the slave unit or its own unit for the time set in the timer It can also be configured to delay the introduction of the vessel. Furthermore, it may be configured such that when one contactor starts a closing operation, the closing operation of another contactor is limited.

  In addition, a timer function for holding the engine in an idling state and waiting can be added in preparation for use in a place where the operating noise of the engine generator or pump becomes a problem, for example, in a quiet residential area. For example, in correspondence with the bedtime, a standby time with a start time of 10 pm and an end time of midnight is set, and whether or not the standby time is the next step after steps 103, 211, and 231 is determined. If a determination step is added and the determination result of the float switch is ON (Yes) in steps 103, 211, and 231; The operation sound can be kept low by continuing the idling of the engine during the standby time without proceeding to the step of setting to the rated rotation state.

  On the other hand, in order to suppress noise generation in a specific time zone, for example, as described above, to suppress noise generation from 10 pm to midnight, continuous operation with a start time of 9 pm and an end time of 10 pm Set the time, and from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm, by operating the pump regardless of the water level in the tank and sufficiently lowering the water level in the tank, Since the time until the water level becomes equal to or higher than the set water level can be lengthened, it is possible to reduce the probability that the float switch is turned on and the engine rotates at a rated speed between 10 pm and midnight. Moreover, it can avoid that the water level in a tank rises too much during standby time by using continuous operation time and the said standby time together.

  Furthermore, by providing a step in which automatic operation and manual operation can be selected as in step 102, the pump can be arbitrarily operated manually regardless of the determination result of the determination means such as the float switch. Thus, it is possible to supply power from the same control device to devices other than the pump, such as lighting.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pump is exemplified as a device that switches between start and stop based on a determination result based on a preset condition. However, for example, a temperature sensor such as a refrigerant compressor (compressor) that configures a refrigeration cycle. The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus that switches between start and stop by a signal from

  Further, the control procedure is incorporated in advance in the control unit of the engine generator, and the contactor and the engine generator can also be used. However, as illustrated in FIG. It is also possible to manufacture a control device having a signal receiving unit from a generator, float switch, etc. separately from the engine generator and connect it to the engine generator as necessary. When another control device is connected in this way, it is only necessary to connect a control signal line and a power line for switching between engine idling and rated rotation to the engine generator. Since the generator can be kept on at all times, even a generally used engine generator can cope with a slight modification that allows connection of a control signal line. Furthermore, even when a plurality of devices are connected, it can be easily handled by forming a circuit for sequentially connecting control devices having the same configuration.

It is a flowchart which shows one form example which applied the operating method of the engine generator of this invention to the driving | operation of a pump. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the float switch for determining the start and stop of a pump. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which connected the two pumps to one engine generator. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of a float switch. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control in the case of supplying electric power to two pumps from one engine generator.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Float switch, 12 ... Float, 13 ... Signal line, 14 ... Pump, 21 ... Engine generator, 21a ... Control part, 21b ... Power supply output terminal, 22a, 22b ... Tank (A tank, B tank), 23a, 23b ... Pump (Pump A, Pump B), 24a, 24b ... Control device, 25a, 25b ... Signal input unit, 26a, 26b ... Float switch, 27a, 27b ... Contactor

Claims (6)

  A method of operating the engine generator when supplying electric power, which is a power source of a device that switches between starting and stopping based on a determination result based on a preset condition, from an engine generator that generates power by driving the generator with an engine In the case where the determination result is that the device is stopped, the power supply to the device is shut off to stop the device and the engine is switched to idling. When the determination result is that the device is started, the engine is rated. A method for operating an engine generator, comprising switching to rotation and starting supplying power to the device after the engine reaches a rated rotation.   A period from a preset start time to a preset end time is set as a standby time, and the idling of the engine is continued during the standby time even when the determination result is a device start. The method of operating an engine generator according to claim 1.   The period from the preset start time to the preset end time is the continuous operation time. During the continuous operation time, even when the determination result is that the equipment is stopped, the rated operation of the engine and the equipment are The method of operating an engine generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power supply is continued.   When a plurality of devices are connected to one engine generator, and the determination result of the plurality of devices is a device start at the same time, the power is not supplied to the plurality of devices at the same time. The method of operating an engine generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that power supply is started in the order in which they are performed.   A plurality of devices are connected to one engine generator, and the determination result of one device among the plurality of devices is a device start, and power supply start operation is being performed for the one device The power supply start operation of another device is started after the power supply start operation for the one device is completed when the determination result in the other device is a device start. The operation method of the engine generator according to any one of 1 to 4.   6. The operation of starting power supply to a device when the determination result indicates that the device is started, using the power of a battery provided in the engine generator as a drive source. A method for operating the engine generator according to claim 1.

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