Prime mover systems including multi-accessory drives and methods of controlling same

• Main Authors: Richards, Kieran J, Sharpe, David George
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.10.2023
• Subjects: BLASTING; BRAKES; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTINGELECTRIC POWER; CLUTCHES; COMBUSTION ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL; CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORSOR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; ELECTRICITY; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GEARING; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; GENERATION; HEATING; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS; INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

One embodiment is a system comprising an internal combustion engine including an output shaft, a pulley system structured to be driven by the output shaft, a first alternator and a second alternator structured to be driven by the pulley system, and an electromagnetic clutch integrated within one of the pulley system, the first alternator and the second alternator and structured to selectably couple and decouple at least one of the first alternator and the second alternator from the output shaft. The system includes a controller in operative communication with the internal combustion engine system and structured to evaluate power demand and power production capability parameters of the system and to control the electromagnetic clutch to engage or disengage in response to the evaluation.