Generator system

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-066553 filed on Mar. 30, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to a generator system which has alternating current power generators connected to each other.

Equipment that obtains electric power by connecting multiple alternating current power generators (AC generators) in parallel is known. For example, in an arrangement described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5839836 (JP5839836B), paired generators are interconnected through power and signal lines, and the generator that goes into operation first is designated master generator and the other generator that goes into operation next as slave generator. When the slave generator starts and begins to generate power after the master side generator went into operation, a sensor of the slave generator detects AC voltage output through the power line from the master generator, and FETs of a slave generator inverter unit are on-off controlled so as to match the detected voltages and phases and thereby perform parallel synchronized operation of multiple generators.

However, when multiple generators start not one after another but simultaneously, a master-slave relation between the multiple generators cannot be defined, so that synchronized operation is hard to achieve.

An aspect of the present invention is a generator system, including: a first generator and a second generator each having an inverter circuit configured to output alternating current; a connection circuit configured to connect the first generator and the second generator to each other through a power line for outputting electric power; a master-slave determining unit configured to determine one of the first generator and the second generator as a master generator, and to determine other of the first generator and the second generator as a slave generator; a data acquiring unit configured to acquire an output data of the master generator determined by the master-slave determining unit; and a synchronization controlling unit configured to control switching operation of the inverter circuit of the slave generator determined by the master-slave determining unit based on the output data of the master generator to synchronize an output data of the slave generator with the output data of the master generator acquired by the data acquiring unit, wherein the master-slave determining unit further configured to determine one of the first generator and the second generator that starts earlier as the master generator, and when the first generator and the second generator start simultaneously, to determine one of the first generator and the second generator as the master generator in accordance with a predefined rule.

The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments in relation to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a power generator system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram showing an outer shape of an operation switch box in the power generator system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram showing essential components inside the operation switch box of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing essential components of the power generator system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of voltage waveforms output from two generators in the power generator system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a control unit of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7A is a time chart showing an example of operation related to master and slave decision of the power generator system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a time chart showing another example of operation related to master and slave decision of the power generator system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 3 ; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing signal levels appearing on terminal members in an electrical circuit of FIG. 8 .

An embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 in the following. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of an electric power generator system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This power generation system comprises a first generator 1 A, a second generator 1 B, and an operation switch box 2 that connects the first generator 1 A and second generator 1 B to enable parallel operation or enable series operation. The first generator 1 A and second generator 1 B are portable or mobile generators of weight and size a user can carry by hand. The power generator system 100 is not limited two interconnected generators but can instead comprise three or more interconnected generators.

The first generator 1 A and second generator 1 B are, for example, identical specification alternating current power generators (AC generators) having a rated voltage of 120V and identical structures. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the generators 1 A and 1 B each comprises a general purpose engine 10 , an alternator 11 driven by the engine 10 , and an inverter unit 13 for converting and outputting electric power generated by the alternator 11 . The generators 1 A and 1 B can be of a rated voltage other than 120V, such as 100V, for example. Each of the generators 1 A and 1 B has a serial number different from each other for identifying each of them.

The engine 10 is, for example, a spark ignition, air cooled, gasoline fueled engine with a piston that reciprocates inside a cylinder and a crankshaft that rotates synchronously with the piston. Motive power of the engine 10 is output through the crankshaft to the alternator 11 . Optionally, the engine 10 can be other than a gasoline engine and the alternator 11 can be driven using a different arrangement from that described in the foregoing.

The alternator (generator main unit) 11 is a multipolar alternator driven by the engine 10 to generate AC power. It comprises a rotor connected to and rotated integrally with the crankshaft and a stator arranged concentric with the rotor to face a peripheral surface thereof. The rotor is provided with permanent magnets. The stator is provided with UVW windings arranged at phase angle differences of 120 degree. The alternator 11 can be driven as a starter motor by power from a battery (not shown), thereby starting the engine 10 . The engine 10 can be started, for example, by operating an unshown recoil starter connected to the crankshaft.

The inverter unit 13 comprises a rectifying and smoothing circuit 14 for rectifying and smoothing three-phase AC current output by the alternator 11 , an inverter circuit 15 for converting DC current output from the rectifying and smoothing circuit 14 to AC current, a detector 16 for detecting voltage value and amperage value of AC current output from the inverter circuit 15 , and a control unit 17 for controlling switching operation of the inverter circuit 15 . The detector 16 comprises a voltage sensor and an ampere sensor. The control unit 17 is constituted as a microcomputer including an arithmetic processing unit comprising a CPU 170 A, a memory 170 B such as a ROM, RAM and other peripheral circuits and the like.

The rectifying and smoothing circuit 14 comprises rectifying circuits and capacitor or other type smoothing circuits associated one with each of the U-phase, V-phase and W-phase windings of the alternator 11 . The rectifying and smoothing circuit 14 is configured as MOSFET, IGBT or other transistors, and comprises three pairs of (a total of six) semiconductor switching elements connected to respective U-phase, V-phase and W-phase windings of the alternator 11 and diodes connected in parallel with the switching elements. The switching elements are turned ON and OFF by control signals output by the control unit 17 . Therefore, when the alternator 11 functions as a generator, three-phase AC output from the alternator 11 is rectified, and when the alternator 11 functions as a starter motor, DC supplied from the battery is converted to three-phase AC and supplied to the alternator 11 .

The inverter circuit 15 is configured as an H-bridge circuit, for example, and comprises, for example, two pairs of (a total of four) semiconductor switching elements using MOSFET, IGBT or other transistors, and diodes connected in parallel with the switching elements. The switching elements are turned ON and OFF by control signals output by the control unit 17 so as to convert DC current to single-phase AC current. The obtained AC current is sinusoidally modulated by passage through an unshown filter circuit that is part of the inverter circuit 15 and transmitted through a cable 3 to the operation switch box 2 .

The operation switch box 2 is configured to enable connection mode switching, i.e., connection circuit switching, of the power lines of the generators 1 A and 1 B. The connection circuit switching in the operation switch box 2 enables the two generators 1 A and 1 B to be connected in parallel to obtain an output voltage of 120V or to be connected in series to obtain an output voltage of 240V.

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram showing the shape of the operation switch box 2 as seen from outside. As seen in FIG. 2 , the operation switch box 2 has an overall box-like shape and comprises multiple (four in FIG. 2 ) connectors CT (CT 1 -CT 4 ) to which the cables 3 of the generators 1 A and 1 B are connected. Each of the connectors CT 1 -CT 4 respectively has each of the generators 1 A- 1 D connected thereto.

The operation switch box 2 is equipped with sockets 21 and 22 for connecting loads (electrical loads) and a switch command unit 23 operated by a user to output a command to switch between parallel connection and series connection. Optionally, the switch command unit 23 can be provided on the side of the generators 1 A- 1 D. The socket 21 is a socket for 120V and 240V use during series connection, and the sockets 22 are sockets for 120V use during parallel connection.

FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram showing essential components inside the operation switch box 2 . To simplify the explanation, FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration corresponding to two generators 1 A and 1 B, instead of four generators 1 A- 1 D.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the inverter unit 13 of the first generator 1 A is connected to the operation switch box 2 through a pair of power lines L 1 and N 1 and a pair of communication lines SH 1 and SL 1 contained in the associated cable 3 . The inverter unit 13 of the second generator 1 B is connected to the operation switch box 2 through a pair of power lines L 2 and N 2 and a pair of communication lines SH 2 and SL 2 contained in the associated cable 3 . In addition, a phase switching switch 25 is connected to the inverter unit 13 of the second generator 1 B through a pair of signal lines SG 21 and SG 22 . A predetermined voltage (e.g., 5V) is applied to the signal line SG 21 and the signal line SG 22 is grounded.

The power lines L 1 and L 2 are output lines (hereinafter referred to as lines) passing current output from the generators 1 A and 1 B, and the power lines N 1 and N 2 are neutral lines. The neutral lines N 1 and N 2 are connected together at junction P 1 to be ground in common. The operation switch box 2 comprises a GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) 24 that functions as a leakage current breaker, the phase switching switch 25 , a pair of series-parallel switching switches 26 for switching an electrical circuit 20 between series connection and parallel connection, and the sockets 21 and 22 ( FIG. 2 ) inside the operation switch box.

The neutral lines N 3 and N 4 of the sockets 21 and 22 join at junction P 2 , from where, after passing via a neutral line N 5 that runs through the GFCI 24 , are grounded via the junction P 1 . The lines L 1 and L 2 are connected to the sockets 21 and 22 through the GFCI 24 and the series-parallel switching switches 26 . The GFCI 24 comprises a ground fault detector 24 c for detecting ground fault current and switch members 24 a and 24 b for breaking continuity of lines L 1 and L 2 , and upon detection of ground fault current by the ground fault detector 24 c , opens the switch members 24 a and 24 b to interrupt flow of current through lines L 1 and L 2 , thereby preventing supply of power to the sockets 21 and 22 . The ground fault detector 24 c detects ground fault current from difference between supply current and return current, e.g., by a principle similar to that of a zero phase current transformer (ZCT).

Each of the pair of series-parallel switching switches 26 comprises a common contact 26 a connected to one of the lines L 1 and L 2 , and a movable contact 26 d whose one end is connected to the associated common contact 26 a and whose other end switchably connects to either a parallel contact 26 b or a series contact 26 c. The parallel contacts 26 b are connected to a junction P 3 and from there to the sockets 22 (only one shown). In other words, the parallel contacts 26 b are connected to the sockets 22 in parallel connection. On the other hand, the series contacts 26 c are connected to the socket 21 in series.

The series-parallel switching switches 26 are switched by user operation of the switch command unit 23 ( FIG. 2 ). Specifically, when the switch command unit 23 is operated to select parallel connection, the movable contacts 26 d are switched to parallel connection, whereby the common contacts 26 a and parallel contacts 26 b are connected and the lines L 1 and L 2 are connected in parallel. This enables 120V output from the sockets 22 . On the other hand, when the switch command unit 23 is operated to select series connection, the movable contacts 26 d are switched to series connection, whereby the common contacts 26 a and the series contacts 26 c are connected and the lines L 1 and L 2 are connected in series. This enables 240V output from the socket 21 .

The phase switching switch 25 switches in linked operation with the series-parallel switching switches 26 . Namely, when the series-parallel switching switches 26 are switched to parallel position, the phase switching switch 25 is OFF (open), and when the series-parallel switching switches 26 are switched to series position, the phase switching switch 25 is ON (closed). The inverter units 13 of the generators 1 A and 1 B are sent a high signal when the phase switching switch 25 is OFF and a low signal when it is ON, and the control units 17 of the generators 1 A and 1 B detect whether the phase switching switch 25 is ON or OFF from these signals.

The communication lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 and SL 2 are configured as a CAN communication lines (CAN bus), and the communication lines SH 1 , SH 2 and the communication lines SL 1 , SL 2 are connected through terminators. The control units 17 of the generators 1 A and 1 B are intercommunicatively connected through the communication lines SH 1 , SH 2 , SL 1 and SL 2 .

When multiple generators 1 A, 1 B are parallel- or series-connected through the operation switch box 2 to operate in coordination in the aforesaid manner, the outputs of the generators 1 A and 1 B need to be synchronized. In the present embodiment, one of the two generators 1 A and 1 B is defined as master generator and the other as slave generator as set out below. And operation of the slave generator, i.e., switching operation of its inverter circuit 15 , is controlled based on, for example, output voltage value of the master generator detected by the detector 16 of the slave generator so as to synchronize output of the slave generator with output of the master generator.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing essential components of the power generator system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4 , for convenience of explanation, the control unit 17 of the first generator 1 A is designated 17 A and the control unit of the second generator 1 B is designated 17 B. The control units 17 A and 17 B are identically configured and each comprises a master-slave determining unit 171 and a synchronization controlling unit 172 as functional constituents.

The master-slave determining units 171 determine starting order of the generators 1 A and 1 B by means of communication between the control units 17 A and 17 B, and determine master-slave relation based on determination result or serial number value. Specifically, when one of the generators 1 A and 1 B is started earlier and the other later, the one started earlier is designated master generator and the one started later is designated slave generator, irrespective of serial number value. When the generators 1 A and 1 B are started simultaneously, that with smaller serial number is designated master generator and that with larger serial number is designated slave generator.

The synchronization controlling units 172 respond to master-slave decisions by outputting to the inverter circuits 15 control signals for controlling switching operation thereof. For example, when the first generator 1 A is designated master generator and the second generator 1 B is designated slave generator, the control unit 17 A of the master generator 1 A outputs control signals to its inverter circuit 15 for outputting forward-phase AC of predetermined frequency. On the other hand, the control unit 17 B of the slave generator 1 B outputs control signals to its inverter circuit 15 based on a signal detected by the detector 16 of the slave generator 1 B (in case of parallel connection) or a signal transmitted from the master generator 1 A via the signal lines (in case of serial connection) and a signal from the phase switching switch 25 for outputting forward-phase or reverse-phase AC synchronized with AC output from the master generator 1 A.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of voltage waveforms output from the first generator (master generator) 1 A and the second generator (slave generator) 1 B, namely, an example in a case where the second generator 1 B went into operation after the first generator 1 A went into operation. In an initial state (at time t 1 ) in FIG. 5 , the control unit 17 A outputs control signals to the inverter circuit 15 so as to output forward-phase AC of predetermined frequency as shown. When the phase switching switch 25 is determined to be OFF (high signal) at time t 1 , the control unit 17 B of the second generator 1 B begins parallel connection synchronization processing. In this case, the control unit 17 B first checks coordination with the first generator 1 A and then prohibits output of AC from the second generator 1 B during the coordination check (time t 1 to t 2 ).

In a first aspect of the coordination check, the control units 17 A and 17 B communicate each other to exchange their respective data on nominal voltage (e.g., 120V) and frequency (e.g., 50 Hz or 60 Hz) and determine whether these match. When they match, the control unit 17 B acquires voltage data of the first generator 1 A and commences synchronization processing. Once synchronization is established, the control unit 17 B controls ON-OFF of the switching elements of the inverter circuit 15 to initiate output of forward-phase AC from the second generator 1 B (time t 2 ).

When the control unit 17 B of the second generator 1 B determines that the phase switching switch 25 is switched ON (low signal) at time t 3 in FIG. 5 , series connection synchronization processing is started. In this case, too, the control unit 17 B checks coordination with the first generator 1 A and prohibits output of AC from the second generator 1 B during the coordination check. Once the coordination check is terminated and synchronization of respective generator 1 A, 1 B is established, the control unit 17 B controls ON-OFF of the switching elements of the inverter circuit 15 to initiate output of reverse-phase AC from the second generator 1 B (time t 4 ).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit 17 A (CPU 170 A) of the first generator 1 A in accordance with a program stored in the memory 170 B beforehand. The processing of this flowchart is, for example, started when power of the control unit 17 A is turned ON in response to a generator 1 A engine starting instruction, and is repeated at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 2 ms). Although omitted in the drawings, processing identical to that of FIG. 5 is also executed in the control unit 17 B of the second generator 1 B.

First, in S 1 (S: processing Step), the control unit 17 A transmits a connect request signal through the signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 and SL 2 to the control unit 17 B of the second generator 1 B. The control unit 17 A also simultaneously transmits serial number data of the generator 1 A to the control unit 17 B.

Next, in S 2 , whether a connect request was received from the control unit 17 B through the signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 and SL 2 is confirmed, i.e., response confirmation is performed. When the generator 1 A was started but the generator 1 B is not yet started, the control unit 17 A does not receive a connect request from the control unit 17 B, so the result in S 2 is NO, and the program goes to S 3 .

In S 3 , the first generator 1 A is designated master generator. Next, in S 4 , the control unit 17 A outputs control signals to the switching elements of its inverter circuit 15 so as to output forward-phase AC of predetermined frequency and amplitude from the inverter circuit 15 ( FIG. 5 ). Next, in S 5 , presence of a connect request from the control unit 17 B is determined, i.e., it is determined whether a connect request was transmitted in response to power of the second generator 1 B having been turned ON after the first generator 1 A started. S 5 is repeated until the determination result becomes YES, and when it becomes YES, the program goes to S 6 . In S 6 , synchronization data are transmitted to the control unit 17 B through the signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 and SL 2 . The synchronization data include voltage data detected in the first generator 1 A, i.e., voltage waveform phase and amplitude data.

When reception of a connect request from the control unit 17 B is determined in S 2 , i.e., when one or the other of the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B is determined to have started first, the program goes to S 7 . Assuming here that the second generator 1 B started first, the first generator 1 A is designated slave generator in S 7 . Next, in S 8 , synchronization data transmitted from control unit 17 B through the signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 and SL 2 (S 6 ) are received. Next, in S 9 , whether the phase switching switch 25 is ON (outputs low signal) is determined. When the result in S 9 is NO, i.e., when the phase switching switch 25 is determined to be OFF and parallel connection of the generators 1 A and 1 B is determined, the program goes to S 10 .

In S 10 , control signals are output to the inverter circuit 15 so as to bring the phase and frequency of the waveform of the AC voltage output from the first generator 1 A into coincidence with those of the AC voltage waveform output from the second generator 1 B that was read in S 8 . Specifically, in parallel connection, in order to synchronize single phase AC output from the first generator 1 A with single phase AC output from the second generator 1 B, a control signal is output to the inverter circuit 15 based on AC current zero crossing time of the second generator 1 B detected by the detector 16 of the first generator 1 A, and ON-OFF of the switching elements is controlled accordingly. As a result, the first generator 1 A outputs forward single phase AC that is matched to that of the second generator 1 B.

On the other hand, when the result in S 9 is YES, i.e., when series connection of the generators 1 A and 1 B is determined, the program goes to S 11 . In S 11 , in order to phase-shift the waveform of AC voltage output from the first generator 1 A by 180° relative to the waveform of AC voltage output from the second generator 1 B that was read in S 8 (so as to synchronize with phase shifted) 180 ° , control signals are output to the inverter circuit 15 . Specifically, in series connection, a control signal is output to the inverter circuit 15 based on AC current zero crossing time of the second generator 1 B included in the data sent from the second generator 1 B, and ON-OFF of the switching elements is controlled accordingly. As a result, the first generator 1 A outputs reverse single phase AC relative to the second generator 1 B.

As stated above, the control unit 17 A determines reception or not of a connect request in S 2 , but when, for example, the generators 1 A and 1 B start simultaneously and a connect request is received simultaneously with a determination in S 2 that no connect request was received, i.e., when a connect request is received in S 2 in the cycle immediately after a no-connect-request received determination in S 2 but before designation of the master generator in S 3 , conflicting determination results may occur. Such a situation may arise when start processing for deciding master-slave relation is commenced in response to power-ON of one of the generators (e.g., first generator 1 A), whereafter, before this start processing is completed, start processing is commenced in response to power-ON of the other generator (e.g., second generator 1 B). Specifically, since time required for start processing is on the order of several ms, the condition concerned may arise when one generator commences start processing and within several ms thereof, the other generator commences start processing.

When this issue arises, the control unit 17 A determines neither presence nor absence of a connect request but instead determines that a conflict occurred regarding presence/absence of a connect request or that presence/absence of a connect request cannot be determined, and the program goes to S 12 . That is, when the first generator 1 A and second generator 1 B start simultaneously (commence start processing simultaneously), the program goes to S 12 . In S 12 , whether the serial number of the second generator 1 B transmitted from the control unit 17 B was received is determined. S 12 is repeated until the determination result becomes YES, and when it becomes YES, the program goes to S 13 .

In S 13 , whether the subject (first generator 1 A) serial number is smaller than the partner (second generator 1 B) serial number is determined. When the result in S 13 is YES, the program goes to S 3 to designate the first generator 1 A master generator. When the result in S 13 is NO, the program goes to S 7 to designate the first generator 1 A slave generator.

There now follows a more concrete explanation of operation related to master-slave decision performed by the power generator system 100 according to this embodiment of the present invention. In the following, processing of steps S 1 to S 13 of FIG. 6 are referred to as steps S 1 A to S 13 A when performed by the control unit 17 A and as S 1 B to S 13 B when performed by the control unit 17 B. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are time charts showing examples of operation related to master and slave decision, respectively. In FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B , the serial numbers S/N of the generators 1 A and 1 B are indicated as S/N 01 and S/N 02 , respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7A , when the first generator 1 A starts at time t 10 , without the second generator 1 B starting, the control unit 17 A designates the first generator 1 A master generator because no connect request is received from the control unit 17 B (S 2 A→S 3 A).

Thereafter, when the second generator 1 B starts at time t 11 , the control unit 17 A responds to a connect request from the control unit 17 B (S 1 B) by transmitting synchronization data (S 6 A). On the other hand, since the control unit 17 B receives the response signal from the control unit 17 A, the control unit 17 B designates the second generator 1 B slave generator (S 7 B) and, based on received synchronization data (S 8 B) and a signal from the phase switching switch 25 , controls operation of its inverter circuit 15 to synchronize output of the second generator 1 B with output of the first generator 1 A in forward phase or reverse phase (S 10 B and S 11 B).

When to the contrary, as shown in FIG. 7B , the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B are powered ON simultaneously at time t 20 , i.e., when the control units 17 A and 17 B therefore commence start processing simultaneous, more exactly, when one of the control units commences start processing for deciding master-slave relationship and the other control unit commences start processing before the one control unit completes its start processing, the control units 17 A and 17 B transmit their respective connect requests and serial number S/N 01 and S/N 02 data at time t 21 (S 1 A and S 1 B). When the control unit 17 A ( 17 B) receives the serial number S/N 02 (S/N 01 ) of the partner generator 1 B ( 1 A) at t 22 , the control unit 17 A ( 17 B) determines whether its serial number S/N 01 (S/N 02 ) is higher or lower than the partner's serial number (S 13 A and S 13 B).

Since the control unit 17 A determines that its serial number S/N 01 is lower than its partner's serial number S/N 02 , it designates the generator 1 A master generator at time t 23 (S 3 A). Since the control unit 17 B determines that its serial number S/N 02 is higher than its partner's serial number S/N 01 , it designates the generator 1 B slave generator (S 7 B).

The present embodiment can achieve advantages and effects such as the following:

(1) The power generator system 100 includes: the first generator 1 A and second generator 1 B, each equipped with an inverter circuit 15 ; the electrical circuit 20 configured to connect the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B together through power output lines L 1 and L 2 ; the master-slave determining units 171 for designating one of the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B master generator and the other thereof slave generator; the detector 16 of the generator designated slave generator by the master-slave determining units 171 (e.g., generator 1 B) for during parallel connection, for example, detecting output of the generator designated master generator by the master-slave determining units 171 (e.g., generator 1 A); and the synchronization controlling units 172 for controlling switching operation of the inverter circuit 15 of the slave generator (generator 1 B) based on output of the master generator (generator 1 A) so as to synchronize output of the slave generator (generator 1 B) with output of the master generator (generator 1 A) detected by the detector 16 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The master-slave determining units 171 on the one hand designate the one of the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B that starts earlier master generator and on the other hand designate the one of the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B whose serial number is smaller master generator when the generators start simultaneously ( FIG. 6 ).

Owing to this configuration, master-slave relation can be defined for multiple generators 1 A, 1 B even when multiple generators 1 A, 1 B start not one after another but simultaneously. Multiple generators 1 A, 1 B can therefore be constantly favorably operated in synchronization by the so-called master-slave method of coordinating operation of a slave generator to that of a master generator.

(2) The first generator 1 A and second generator 1 B are individually equipped with a master-slave determining unit 171 and a synchronization controlling unit 172 , and are interconnected through signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 and SL 2 for data exchange ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B are preassigned unique serial numbers S/N 01 and S/N 02 , and when the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B start simultaneously, the master-slave determining units 171 determine whether the serial number of their own generator is larger or smaller than that of the other generator and designate the generator whose serial number is smaller (first generator 1 A) master generator, whereby master-slave relation can be decided by a simple configuration for merely comparing serial numbers.

(3) The power generator system 100 further includes the series-parallel switching switches 26 for switching the electrical circuit 20 so as to switch connection of the first generator 1 A and the second generator 1 B through lines L 1 and L 2 between parallel and series ( FIG. 3 ). Multiple generators 1 A, 1 B can therefore be coordinately operated in either series or parallel.

In the aforesaid embodiment, when the multiple generators 1 A, 1 B start simultaneously, the control units 17 A and 17 B communicate to receive each other's serial number S/N and decide master generator/slave generator relation by determining which of the generators 1 A and 1 B has the larger (smaller) serial number S/N. Optionally, however, master-slave relation can be decided without the control units 17 A and 17 B communicating with each other. As an example for achieving this, the diagram of FIG. 8 shows an electrical circuit in the operation switch box 2 that is a modification on that shown in FIG. 3 . In FIG. 8 , only communication lines and signal lines are shown and illustration of power lines is omitted.

In the example of FIG. 8 , the inverter units 13 of the generators 1 A to 1 D are respectively connected to the four connectors CT 1 , CT 2 , CT 3 and CT 4 (called first connector, second connector, third connector and fourth connector) of the operation switch box 2 . The connectors CT 1 , CT 2 , CT 3 and CT 4 respectively have terminal members CT 11 to CT 16 , CT 21 to CT 26 , CT 31 to CT 36 and CT 41 to CT 46 . To terminal members CT 11 , CT 12 , CT 21 , CT 22 , CT 31 , CT 32 , CT 41 and CT 42 among these are respectively connected signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 , SL 2 , SH 3 , SL 3 , SH 4 and SL 4 , whereby the control units 17 A to 17 D of the generators 1 A to 1 D can intercommunicate through the signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 , SL 2 , SH 3 , SL 3 , SH 4 and SL 4 .

The terminal member CT 16 of the first connector CT 1 , the terminal member CT 26 of the second connector CT 2 , the terminal member CT 36 of the third connector CT 3 and the terminal member CT 46 of the fourth connector CT 4 are grounded through a signal line SG 16 , a signal line SG 26 , a signal line SG 36 and a signal line SG 46 , respectively. A terminal member CT 24 of the second connector CT 2 is connected through a signal line SG 24 to the signal line SG 26 , a terminal member CT 33 of the third connector CT 3 through a signal line SG 33 to the signal line SG 36 , and terminals CT 43 and CT 444 of the fourth connector CT 4 respectively through signal lines SG 43 and SG 44 to the signal line SG 46 .

Predetermined voltages are respectively applied to the terminal members CT 13 to CT 15 of the first connector CT 1 , the terminal members CT 23 to CT 25 of the second connector CT 2 , the terminal members CT 33 to CT 35 of the third connector CT 3 and the terminal members CT 43 to CT 45 of the fourth connector C 4 . Among these terminal members, the terminal member CT 45 of the fourth connector CT 4 is connected through a signal line SG 45 to the phase switching switch 25 . A terminal member CT 25 of the second connector CT 2 is connected through a signal line SG 25 to the signal line SG 45 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the signal levels (high signal H, low signal L) appearing on the terminal members CT 13 to CT 15 of the first connector CT 1 , the terminal members CT 23 to CT 25 of the second connector CT 2 , the terminal members CT 33 to CT 35 of the third connector CT 3 and the terminal members CT 43 to CT 45 of the fourth connector CT 4 respectively for when the phase switching switch 25 of the electrical circuit of FIG. 8 is ON (series connection) and for when it is OFF (parallel connection).

As shown in FIG. 9 , master generator/slave generator relation is determined by the combination of signal level on the terminal members CT 13 , CT 23 , CT 33 and CT 43 and signal level on the terminal members CT 14 , CT 24 , CT 34 and CT 44 , and priority order is assigned to multiple slave generators.

To explain in further detail, when high signals are output from both terminal members CT 13 and CT 14 of the first connector CT 1 , the control unit 17 of the generator 1 A connected to the first connector CT 1 designates the generator 1 A master generator. When a high signal and a low signal are output from the terminal members CT 23 and CT 24 respectively of the second connector CT 2 , the control unit 17 of the generator 1 B connected to the second connector CT 2 designates the second generator 1 B first slave generator. When a low signal and a high signal are output from the terminal members CT 33 and CT 34 respectively of the third connector CT 3 , the control unit 17 of the generator 1 C connected to the third connector CT 3 designates the generator 1 C second slave generator. When low signals are output from both terminal members CT 43 and CT 44 of the fourth connector CT 4 , the control unit 17 of the generator 1 D connected to the fourth connector CT 4 designates the generator 1 D third slave generator.

Moreover, the synchronization controlling units 172 of the control units 17 decide, depending on the signal levels on the terminal members CT 15 , CT 25 , CT 35 and CT 45 , to control switching operation of the inverter circuits 15 so as to output voltage waveform of either forward phase or reverse phase. Specifically, switching operation is controlled so as to output voltage waveform of forward phase when high signals and reverse phase when low signals are output from the terminal members CT 15 , CT 25 , CT 35 and CT 45 .

Thus, master-slave relation of the generators 1 A to 1 D can be decided by detecting signal level on the terminal members CT 13 , CT 23 , CT 33 , CT 43 , CT 14 , CT 24 , CT 34 and CT 44 . Specifically, when multiple generators 1 A to 1 D each connected to one of multiple connectors CT 1 to CT 4 of the operation switch box 2 start simultaneously, the master-slave determining units 171 designate the generator connected to the predetermined connector CT 1 (generator 1 A) master generator and designate the generators connected to the other connectors CT 2 , CT 3 and CT 4 (generators 1 B, 1 C and 1 D) slave generators. Master-slave relation can therefore be easily decided even when the serial numbers of the generators 1 A to 1 D are unknown.

In addition, the synchronization controlling units 172 can decide which of forward-phase voltage waveform and reverse-phase voltage waveform to output by detecting signal level on the terminal members CT 15 , CT 25 , CT 35 and CT 45 , whereby multiple generators 1 A to 1 D can be easily coordinated to operate in series or parallel.

In the aforesaid embodiment, serial number value is determined and the master-slave determining units 171 determine master generator/slave generator relation based on the result of the determination or based on connected position of a connector CT (terminal member) of the operation switch box 2 serving as a connecting unit, but the master-slave determining units can be of any configuration insofar as capable of deciding master generator/slave generator relation in accordance with a predefined rule. In the aforesaid embodiment, the electrical circuit 20 is switched between parallel connection and series connection by switching performed by the pair of series-parallel switching switches 26 serving as a circuit switching unit, but the configuration of the connection circuit for connecting multiple generators is not limited to that set out in the foregoing. In the aforesaid embodiment, output data of the generators 1 A and 1 B used to synchronize the outputs is acquired as AC voltage waveform data detected by the detector 16 or as AC waveform data received through the signal lines SH 1 , SL 1 , SH 2 and SL 2 , but the configuration of the data acquiring unit is not limited to that set out in the foregoing. For example, in the aforesaid embodiment, the detector 16 of the second generator 1 B detects voltage waveform of the first generator 1 A during parallel connection, but it is possible instead for the control unit 17 of the second generator 1 B to acquire voltage waveform data of the first generator through the signal lines.

The above embodiment can be combined as desired with one or more of the above modifications. The modifications can also be combined with one another.

In accordance with the present invention, master-slave relation can be easily defined between a first generator and a second generator even when the first generator and the second generator start simultaneously.

Above, while the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood, by those skilled in the art, that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.