| 摘要 |
A distributed power generating system enables very rapid and reliable start-up of an engine used to generate back-up power, thereby substantially reducing the need for stored power. More particularly, the distributed power generating system comprises a power bus electrically coupled to commercial power and to a load, an engine comprising a rotatable shaft, a starter/generator operatively coupled to the shaft of the engine and electrically coupled to the power bus, and a temporary storage device electrically coupled to the power bus. The starter/generator is adapted to start the engine from a standstill condition and rapidly bring the engine to an operational speed sustainable by the engine alone. In an embodiment of the invention, the power generating system further includes a plurality of redundant fuel tanks each containing liquid fuel, such as propane, at a respective initial pressure level. A fuel delivery system operatively couples a selected one of the plurality of fuel tanks to the engine to supply fuel thereto. The fuel delivery system supplies vaporized fuel to the engine at a first reduced pressure level relative to the initial pressure level of the selected one of the plurality of fuel tanks while the starter/generator is starting the engine from the standstill condition, and supplies vaporized fuel to the engine at a second reduced pressure level lower than the first reduced pressure level when the engine reaches the operational speed. By supplying fuel to the engine at the first reduced pressure level, the fuel is delivered rapidly to the engine in order to promote fast startup from the standstill condition. |
