System and method for supplying auxiliary power to a large diesel engine

Abstract

A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

1. An auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine having a battery, comprising
 (A) a secondary engine, and  
 (B) control means having a timer, wherein: 
 (i) such control means shuts down such primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of such primary engine; and  
 (ii) such control means enables automatic operation of such secondary engine.  
 
 
     
     
       2. The auxiliary power system of  claim 1 , in which
 such control means starts such secondary engine in response to a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.  
 
     
     
       3. The auxiliary power system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 an electrical power producing means driven by such secondary engine.  
 
     
     
       4. The auxiliary power system of  claim 3 , in which
 such electrical power producing means comprises a 240 vac, 60 Hz, single-phase electrical generator.  
 
     
     
       5. The auxiliary power system of  claim 4 , in which
 such electrical generator produces at least 17 kva of power.  
 
     
     
       6. The auxiliary power system of  claim 4 , further comprising
 battery charging means.  
 
     
     
       7. The auxiliary power system of  claim 6 , in which
 such control means 
 (i) isolates the battery of the primary engine from all dc loads upon operation of such secondary engine, and  
 (ii) continuously charges the battery during operation of such secondary engine.  
 
 
     
     
       8. The auxiliary power system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 (A) primary engine coolant pumping means, and  
 (B) heat exchanging means.  
 
     
     
       9. The auxiliary power system of  claim 8 , further comprising
 engine coolant heating means.  
 
     
     
       10. The auxiliary power system of  claim 9  further including,
 coolant temperature sensing means, and in which  
 such control means maintains primary engine coolant temperature within a predetermined temperature range.  
 
     
     
       11. The auxiliary power system of  claim 9 , in which
 such engine coolant heating means comprises electric heaters.  
 
     
     
       12. The auxiliary power system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 primary engine lube-oil pumping means.  
 
     
     
       13. The auxiliary power system of  claim 12 , further comprising,
 lube-oil heating means.  
 
     
     
       14. The auxiliary power system of  claim 13 , further including,
 primary lube-oil temperature sensing means, and in which  
 such control means maintains primary engine lube-oil temperature within a predetermined temperature range.  
 
     
     
       15. The auxiliary power system of  claim 13 , in which
 such lube-oil heating means comprises electric heaters.  
 
     
     
       16. The auxiliary power system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a remotely operable primary engine coolant drain valve.  
 
     
     
       17. The auxiliary power system of  claim 16 , in which
 such control means causes such remotely operable drain valve to open and drain the primary engine coolant after a predetermined period of time in response to a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating and such secondary engine fails to start.  
 
     
     
       18. A method of supplying auxiliary power to a primary engine, comprising the steps of:
 (A) providing a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator;  
 (B) providing a controller having 
 (i) a primary engine idle timer; and  
 (ii) a plurality of selectable control modes;  
 
 (C) monitoring the operating condition of such primary engine;  
 (D) automatically shutting down such primary engine following idling of such primary engine for a predetermined period of time; and  
 (E) operating such secondary engine in response to a predetermined condition of such primary engine.  
 
     
     
       19. Method of supplying auxiliary power to a primary engine of  claim 18 , wherein such predetermined condition of such primary engine is selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) if such controller is selected to a first mode, 
 (a) starting such secondary engine is response to a first selected coolant temperature or lube-oil temperature; and  
 (b) shutting down such secondary engine is response to a second selected coolant temperature or lube-oil temperature;  
 
 (ii) if such controller is selected to a second mode, 
 (a) enabling manual control of such secondary engine;  
 (b) starting such secondary engine is response to a first selected coolant temperature or lube-oil temperature; and  
 (c) shutting down such secondary engine is response to a second selected coolant temperature or lube-oil temperature; and  
 
 (iii) if such controller is selected to a third mode, 
 (a) enabling manual control of such secondary engine.  
 
 
     
     
       20. Method of  claim 18 , further comprising
 providing heating means for such primary engine coolant, and  
 providing heating means for such primary engine lube-oil.