U.S. patent application number 15/673245 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for system and method for limiting welding output and ancillary features.
The applicant listed for this patent is ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to George Harold Baus.
Application Number | 20170334012 15/673245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45327739 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170334012 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baus; George Harold |
November 23, 2017 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITING WELDING OUTPUT AND ANCILLARY
FEATURES
Abstract
A system and method for limiting welding output and ancillary
features is provided. In one embodiment, a portable generator
system includes a power generator configured to generate electrical
power appropriate for welding or plasma cutting. The generator
system also includes power conversion circuitry coupled to the
power generator and configured to receive power from the power
generator and to provide output power. The generator system
includes at least operator accessible input for receiving an
operator input parameter. The generator system also includes an
output power limiting device not adjustable by the operator and
configured to selectively limit output power from the power
conversion circuitry.
Inventors: |
Baus; George Harold;
(Kimberly, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. |
Glenview |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45327739 |
Appl. No.: |
15/673245 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13105580 |
May 11, 2011 |
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15673245 |
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61355985 |
Jun 17, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23K 9/1062 20130101;
B23K 9/095 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B23K 9/095 20060101
B23K009/095; B23K 9/10 20060101 B23K009/10 |
Claims
1. A welding power supply limiting method comprising: receiving a
rental request from a customer for a portable engine-driven
generator system; determining portions of the portable
engine-driven generator system to limit using parameters from the
customer; and configuring the portable engine-driven generator
system to limit the determined portions of the portable
engine-driven generator system using an interface not accessible to
the customer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portions of the portable
engine-driven generator system include at least one of welding
power, auxiliary power, light system, hydraulic system, and air
compressor.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a
key.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises wireless
communication.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/105,580, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITING
WELDING OUTPUT AND ANCILLARY FEATURES," filed May 11, 2011, which
claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/355,985, entitled "GENERATOR/WELDER OUTPUT
SELECTOR," filed Jun. 17, 2010, each of which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates generally to generator systems and,
more particularly, to a system and method for limiting welding
output and ancillary features.
[0003] Portable engine-driven generators are commonly used to
provide electrical power in locations where conventional electrical
power is not readily available. Both gasoline and diesel engines
are used to drive such generators, and the power produced is
typically 120 VAC and/or 240 VAC. One specific generator
application is for welding processes and these units are commonly
known as portable engine-driven welders. These units include a
control system to regulate the power produced by the generator,
thereby making it suitable for an arc welding operation. Typical
welding operations for which these units are often intended include
stick electrode welding, metal inert gas (MIG) welding, tungsten
inert gas (TIG) welding, or plasma torch cutting, although in some
cases limited process selection is provided.
[0004] Increasingly, a rental market has developed for portable
engine-driven welders. Renting establishments may, for example,
provide the portable engine-driven welder attached to a trailer for
easily transporting the welder, or smaller welders may be placed in
a work vehicle. The renting establishment may desire to provide the
portable engine-driven welder to customers having a variety of
needs. For example, customers may desire only certain features
incorporated into the portable engine-driven welder. When possible,
an appropriate machine may be selected that accords with the needs
of the renter, with rental rates being charged accordingly.
However, in many cases, available equipment may simply be larger,
of greater power capacity, or more feature-rich than the renter
needs. There is, at present, little flexibility in the ability of
the renting establishment to tailor the equipment to the particular
needs of individual renters, with rental rates being adjusted
accordingly. As such, there is a need in the field for devices or
methods that might allow for more flexible adaptation of features
of portable engine-driven welders that might address such
situations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, a portable generator system
includes a power generator configured to generate electrical power
appropriate for welding or plasma cutting. The generator system
also includes power conversion circuitry coupled to the power
generator and configured to receive power from the power generator
and to provide output power. The generator system includes at least
one operator accessible input for receiving an operator input
parameter. The generator system also includes an output power
limiting device not adjustable by the operator and configured to
selectively limit output power from the power conversion circuitry.
Output may be limited to particular welding power levels, voltage
levels, current levels, time period, but also to make available or
not available auxiliary power, power for lighting and/or hand
tools, and so forth. Output may also be limited by particular
processes, such as welding processes that are available or not
available to the operator.
[0006] In another embodiment, a portable engine-driven generator
system includes an internal combustion engine and a power generator
coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to be
driven by the internal combustion engine. The generator system also
includes a means adjustable by an operator for controlling output
power of the power generator. The generator system includes means
not adjustable by the operator for selectively limiting output
power from the power generator for use in the welding
operation.
[0007] In another embodiment, a welding power supply limiting
method includes receiving a rental request from a customer for a
portable engine-driven generator system and determining portions of
the portable engine-driven generator system to limit using
parameters from the customer. The method also includes configuring
the portable engine-driven generator system to limit the determined
portions of the portable engine-driven generator system using an
interface not accessible to the customer.
DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood when the following
detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout
the drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable engine-driven
generator system which may employ an embodiment of an output power
limiting device;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a portable
engine-driven generator system employing an output power limiting
device;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
portable engine-driven generator system employing an output power
limiting device;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control circuitry of FIG. 2
employing an embodiment of an output power limiting device; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a business method
for renting out a portable engine-driven generator system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a portable
engine-driven generator system 10 which may employ an embodiment of
an output power limiting device. The portable engine-driven
generator system 10 includes an engine-driven generator 12 mounted
to a trailer 14. The engine-driven generator 12 includes an
electrical power generator that is coupled to and driven by an
engine. The engine and generator are fully enclosed by an enclosure
15 which includes a top panel 16, side panels 18, and a front panel
20. The enclosure 15 protects the engine and generator from dust,
debris, and rough handling. It should be noted that various sized
and configurations of welding systems may be utilized, and in
practice, when used by a renting establishment, multiple systems
may be offered, including trailer-mounted systems, skid-mounted
systems, portable systems, and so forth.
[0015] A fuel cap 22 is located on the top panel 16 and provides
access to a fuel tank located within the enclosure 15. The fuel cap
22 may be removed and fuel may be added to the fuel tank for
supplying necessary fuel to run the engine. An exhaust pipe 24
extends out of the top panel 16. Exhaust from the engine is
directed by the exhaust pipe 24 out of the engine-driven generator
12. The top panel 16 also includes a lifting ring 26 which may be
used to move the engine-driven generator 12, such as with an
overhead crane.
[0016] A control circuitry within the enclosure 15 controls the
operation of the engine-driven generator 12 and allows the
generator 12 to be used for welding operations. As such, the front
panel 20 includes various controls (e.g., knobs 28 and 30, dial 32,
etc.) and connection terminals (e.g., generator power receptacles
34, work cable terminal 36, MIG welding terminal 38, and TIG
welding terminal 40) that allow an operator to interact with the
control circuitry. Specifically, the knob 28 may be an engine
control switch for starting and stopping the engine and for
selecting the engine speed. Furthermore, the knob 30 may be a
voltage or amperage control used to adjust output voltage or
amperage depending on the welding mode. The dial 32 may be a
process or contactor switch which is used to switch between welding
modes. For example, an operator may use dial 32 to switch between
stick electrode welding, MIG welding, and TIG welding.
[0017] The generator power receptacles 34 provide various
receptacles for using power output from the generator. For example,
the generator power receptacles may include 120 VAC and 240 VAC
receptacles. A work cable may be connected to terminal 36 on the
left side of the front panel 20, while a welding cable for MIG
welding may be connected to terminal 38 on the right side of the
front panel 20. For TIG welding, a welding cable may be connected
to terminal 40. In certain embodiments, the welding cable may be
connected to terminal 36, while the work cable may be connected to
either terminal 38 or 40.
[0018] A limiting or lockout input 42 is also located on the front
panel 20. However, in certain embodiments, the input 42 may be
positioned anywhere on the enclosure 15. The limiting or lockout
input 42 may utilize one of many devices which can be used to limit
the functionality of the engine-driven generator 12. For example,
the input 42 may utilize a keyed selector switch, a connector, a
keypad, or a receiver. In embodiments where the limiting input 42
uses a keyed selector, a key may be inserted by a vendor into a
keyhole and rotated to select the functionality or limitations of
the engine-driven generator 12. For embodiments where the limiting
input 42 uses a connector, a vendor may connect a separate device
or cable to the connector to provide information to the
engine-driven generator 12 to limit its functionality.
Specifically, in some embodiments, an enabling device (e.g.,
dongle) may be attached to the connector to enable functionality
programmed into the enabling device. In other embodiments, a cable
may connect from a computer or other programming device to the
connector in order to send instructions to the engine-driven
generator 12 control circuitry. When a keypad is used for the
limiting input 42, a vendor may enter a code to access the device
42, and then input codes to limit or enable functionality. For
embodiments where the limiting input 42 uses a receiver, the
receiver may receive wireless communication from a computer or
other programming device to limit or enable functionality of the
engine-driven generator 12.
[0019] As may be appreciated, various functions of the
engine-driven generator 12 may be limited or inhibited by the
limiting input 42. For example, any welding setting (e.g., type of
welding, current level, voltage level, etc.), auxiliary power
output, lighting system, hydraulic system, air compression system,
engine speed, time of use, or generator output power, may be
limited or inhibited by the limiting input 42. For welding
operations, the output power as well as particular processes may be
selected to be available or not available to the user, such as to
limit the output to one or more of stick welding processes,
tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding processes, metal inert gas (MIG)
welding processes, pulsed processes, constant voltage or constant
current processes, cutting processes, and so forth. When the
generator 12 receives parameters from the limiting input 42,
various devices in the generator 12 may limit the functionality of
the generator 12. For example, control circuitry, switches, or
other devices not accessible to an operator may selectively limit
functionality of the generator 12. It should also be noted that the
limiting input 42 is intended to be accessible only to vendors, not
to operators that may rent the generator 12. The engine-driven
generator 12 is mounted to the trailer 14 to enable the
engine-driven generator 12 to be transported. The trailer 14
includes a frame 50 to provide structural support for the
engine-driven generator 12. A hitch 52 is attached to the frame 50
to allow the trailer 14 to be connected to a tow vehicle for
transporting the portable engine-driven generator system 10. Wheels
54 are also attached to the frame 50 and support the weight of the
frame and the engine-driven generator 12.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a portable
engine-driven generator system 70 employing an output power
limiting device. The system 70 includes an engine 72 coupled to a
generator 74 via a shaft 76. The engine 72 may be any suitable
internal combustion engine (e.g., gasoline engine, diesel engine,
etc.) for driving the generator 74. For example, in certain
embodiments, the engine 72 may be three-cylinder diesel engine,
such as a 21.7 HP engine operating at an idle speed of
approximately 1500 RPM and a welding speed of approximately 1850
RPM. Such an engine 72 may be manufactured by Caterpillar of
Peoria, Ill. In another embodiment, the engine 72 may be a
four-cylinder diesel engine, such as a 24.4 HP engine operating at
an idle speed of approximately 1500 RPM and a welding speed of
approximately 1850 RPM. Such an engine 72 may be manufactured by
Mitsubishi Engine North America, Inc. of Addison, Ill. Although the
engine 72 is depicted, certain embodiments may not include the
engine 72. Furthermore, the system 70 may provide power appropriate
for welding and/or plasma cutting operations.
[0021] The engine 72 rotates the shaft 76 to drive the generator 74
which provides power output. The available output power from the
generator 74 varies based on the generator 74 and engine 72 in the
system 70. For example, in certain embodiments, the generator 74
may have a rated peak power output of 12,000 watts and a rated
continuous power output of 10,000 watts. However, as with engine
72, other generators and power ratings can be employed. A governor
78 is attached to the engine 72 to control the speed of the
engine.
[0022] The generator 74 provides power for welding and other
powered equipment that may be coupled to the system 70.
Specifically, the generator 74 provides power to a power conversion
circuitry 80 that may include circuit elements such as
transformers, rectifiers, switches, and so forth. Such circuits are
generally known in the art. In some embodiments, the power
conversion circuitry 80 may be configured to convert the generator
74 output power to a weld power 82, an auxiliary power 84, and
power for a light system 86. However, in other embodiments, the
power conversion circuitry 80 may only be adapted to convert
generator 74 output power to a weld power 82.
[0023] The weld power 82 includes welding power that may be used
for any type of welding operation (e.g., stick, MIG, TIG, etc.). As
such, the weld power 82 may provide current output of approximately
20 to 410 amps and voltage output of approximately 14 to 40 VDC for
welding. The auxiliary power 84 may be used to power electrical
equipment separate from the system 70. Therefore, in certain
embodiments the generator 74 may provide 120 VAC and/or 240 VAC at
approximately 60 Hz. The light system power 86 may provide power to
a lighting system used in conjunction with a welding operation.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the system 70 may include a
hydraulic system 88 and/or an air compressor 90. The hydraulic
system 88 is coupled to valving 92 to enable hydraulic fluid to
flow to and from other devices 94 to apply a usable force. For
example, the hydraulic system 88 may be used for a hydraulic lift,
hydraulic actuator, hydraulic motor, etc. A clutch 96 is coupled to
the hydraulic system 88 and may be engaged or disengaged to control
the operation of the hydraulic system 88. The air compressor 90 is
coupled to valving 98 to enable air to flow to and from devices 100
that use the compressed air. For example, the air compressor 90 may
be used for powering tools, providing compressed air to clean a
surface, or to increase the air pressure in a device, such as a
wheel. A clutch 102 is coupled to the air compressor 90 and may be
engaged or disengaged to control the operation of the air
compressor 90. Each clutch 96 and 102 may be any suitable clutch,
such as a wrap spring clutch, belt clutch, or electric clutch.
Furthermore, the clutches 96 and 102 may be coupled to the shaft
76, such as via a belt or chain, to drive the hydraulic system 88
and the air compressor 90 when the engine 72 rotates. As such, when
clutch 96 is engaged, the engine 72 drives the hydraulic system 88
and when clutch 102 is engaged, the engine 72 drives the air
compressor 90.
[0025] The system 70 includes control circuitry 104 which may be
configured to receive and process a plurality of inputs, such as
limiting or lockout inputs 106. The control circuitry 104 may use
the inputs 106 to determine instructions to send to the governor
78, power conversion circuitry 80, and clutches 96 and 102 to limit
and/or inhibit the output or operation of such devices. In
addition, the control circuitry 104 may include volatile or
non-volatile memory, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic storage memory,
optical storage memory, or a combination thereof. Therefore, a
variety of control parameters may be stored in the memory along
with code configured to provide a specific output during operation
(e.g., inhibit or limit use of weld power 82, inhibit or limit use
of auxiliary power 84, inhibit use of hydraulic system 88, inhibit
use of air compressor 90, etc.).
[0026] The limiting or lockout input 106 receives instructions 108
which may limit or inhibit the use of any power output, process or
processes, system, component, or other feature of the system 70.
Furthermore, the limiting or lockout input 106 may be a keyhole, a
connector, or a keypad as previously described in relation to FIG.
1. As illustrated, the system 70 may include a transceiver 110
which may receive limiting instructions wirelessly from a
controlling transceiver 112. The controlling transceiver 112 may be
operated by a vendor to configure the system 70 for use by an
operator renting the system 70. For example, the operator renting
the system 70 may desire and pay for limited functionality,
therefore the vendor may limit the functionality of the system 70
to what the operator paid for. As may be appreciated, an operator
may desire increased functionality after renting the system 70. In
such a condition, the operator may be at a remote location relative
to the rental location. Therefore, the transceiver 110 and the
controlling transceiver 112 may be configured to communicate via a
cellular or internet connection to enable the vendor to configure
the system 70 remotely using the controlling transceiver 112.
[0027] Specifically, in one presently contemplated scenario, an
operator may enter a store to rent the system 70. A store vendor
may provide the operator with a total cost to rent the system 70.
However, under certain conditions, the operator may only desire
some functionality of the system 70 for a reduced cost, therefore,
the operator may be given a price list to use various functions or
operating times of the system 70. The various functions provided to
the operator may include: welding power for stick welding, welding
power for MIG welding, welding power for TIG welding, welding
current limited to 200 amps, welding current limited to 100 amps,
auxiliary power, auxiliary power limited to 5000 watts, auxiliary
power limited to 2500 watts, lighting system power, hydraulic
system, and air compressor, for example. As may be appreciated, the
various functions provided to the operator are not limited to the
examples provided, but the examples merely represent possible
configurations. In addition, an operator may be charged based on an
operating time of various functions or of the complete system 70.
Therefore, the system 70 may include limits on the amount of time
various portions of the system 70 may be used. As such, a customer
may purchase amounts of time they wish to use the system 70 or
portions of the system 70. Like other purchases described, the
system 70 may be programmed to be time limited using a wireless,
wired, or other option.
[0028] The operator may select specific options of the system 70 to
be enabled. For example, the operator may select to only enable
weld power 82 for stick welding and to enable the hydraulic system
88. After the operator makes a selection of their desired features,
the operator pays for those features and the vendor configures the
system 70 to enable the selected features using a vendor accessible
input. For example, the vendor may send wireless signals using the
controlling transceiver 112 with instructions to enable or inhibit
system 70 features. In some embodiments, the vendor may insert a
key into the limiting input 106 to select desired features.
Likewise, a keypad or cable connection may be used to send
instructions to the control circuitry 104. The control circuitry
104 receives the limiting, inhibiting, and/or enabling instructions
and configures the system 70 using those instructions.
[0029] For example, the control circuitry 104 may disable the
hydraulic system 88 or the air compressor 90 by sending a control
signal to either the clutch 96 or the clutch 102 that causes the
clutch to remain disengaged. As another example, the control
circuitry 104 may disable or limit the weld power 82, the auxiliary
power 84, or the light system 86 by sending a control signal to the
power conversion circuitry 80 instructing the power conversion
circuitry 80 to disable or limit the power. Furthermore, the
control circuitry 104 may send signals to the governor 78 to limit
the engine speed 72. It should be noted that the limiting device or
devices in the system 70 are not accessible to the operator (e.g.,
they are internal to the system 70 and/or protected by security
codes, secure communication, or locks).
[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
portable engine-driven generator system 120 employing an output
power limiting device. As illustrated by FIG. 3, switches 122, 124,
126, 128, and 130 may be used to inhibit use of portions of the
system 120. The switches 122, 124, 126, 128, and 130 are controlled
by the control circuitry 104. As such, the switches 122, 124, 126,
128, and 130 may be relay, solid state, or another type of switch.
In certain embodiments, the switches 122, 124, 126, 128, and 130
may be manual switches that may be actuated by a vendor. In such an
embodiment, the switches may be within a locked compartment of the
system 120, or the switches may be selected using one or more keys
or other devices which an operator is inhibited from accessing.
[0031] When a vendor inhibits an operator from using certain
functionality of the system 120, the vendor sends instructions to
the limiting or lockout input 106. The control circuitry 104
receives the instructions from the input 106 and limits or inhibits
the functionality of the system 120 based on the limiting
instructions. Furthermore, enabling instructions may be sent from
the input 106 to the control circuitry 104. For example, the
control circuitry may cause any of the switches 122, 124, 126, 128,
and 130 to be in an open or closed position in order to enable or
disable portions of the system 120. More specifically, the control
circuitry 104 may transition switch 122 to a closed position to
enable weld power 82 to flow from the power conversion circuitry
80. Similarly, the control circuitry 104 may configure switches 124
and 126 to enable or disable use of auxiliary power 84 and the
light system 86, respectively. Furthermore, the control circuitry
104 may transition switch 128 to a closed position to enable the
clutch 96 to operate, therefore enabling use of the hydraulic
system 88. Similarly, the control circuitry 104 may configure
switch 130 to enable or disable use of the air compressor 90.
Therefore, system 120 may enable or disable the use of its
devices.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a block diagram 140 of the control circuitry 104
of FIG. 2 employing an embodiment of an output power limiting
device. Processing circuitry 142 of the control circuitry 104 may
receive limiting instructions from the limiting or lockout input
106 and/or the transceiver 110. The processing circuitry 142 may
use the instructions to limit the functionality of the
engine-driven generator system 120. Furthermore, the processing
circuitry 142 may include one or more microprocessors, such as one
or more "general-purpose" microprocessors, one or more
special-purpose microprocessors and/or ASICS, or some combination
thereof. For example, the processing circuitry 142 may include one
or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors.
[0033] The control circuitry 104 also includes a memory device 144
and a storage device 146. The memory device 144 may include a
volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or a
nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). In addition,
the memory device 144 may store a variety of information and may be
used for various purposes. For example, the memory device 144 may
store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or
software) for the processing circuitry 142 to execute, such as
instructions for limiting or inhibiting the functionality of the
welding power, the auxiliary power, the lighting system power, the
hydraulics system, the air compressor, etc. The storage device 146
(e.g., nonvolatile storage) may include ROM, flash memory, a hard
drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state
storage medium, or a combination thereof. In addition, the storage
device 146 may store data (e.g., security codes), instructions
(e.g., software or firmware to limit functionality of the system
120), and any other suitable data.
[0034] The processing circuitry 142 is configured to communicate
with governor control circuitry 148 to control the operation of the
governor 78. For example, the processing circuitry 142 may instruct
the governor control circuitry 148 to adjust the limit of the
engine 72 speed used by the governor 78. Furthermore, the
processing circuitry 142 is configured to communicate with power
control circuitry 150 to control the operation of the power
conversion circuitry 80. For example, the processing circuitry 142
may instruct the power control circuitry 150 to inhibit the use of
auxiliary power 84 produced by the power conversion circuitry
80.
[0035] Likewise, the processing circuitry 142 is configured to
communicate with relay control circuitry 152 which controls the
operation of relays 154. For example, the processing circuitry 142
may instruct the relay control circuitry 152 to control the relays
154 to open the switch providing auxiliary power 84. In addition,
the processing circuitry 142 is configured to communicate with
clutch control circuitry 156 which controls the operation of
clutches 158. For example, the processing circuitry 142 may
instruct the clutch control circuitry 156 to inhibit the use of the
air compressor 90 by disengaging the clutch 102. As may be
appreciated, the control circuitry 104 is configured to receive
limiting inputs, process the inputs, and control power outputs
based on the limiting inputs. Therefore, the control circuitry 104
functions as a output power limiting device within the
engine-driven generator system 70.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a business method
160 for renting out a portable engine-driven generator system. At
step 162, a vendor may receive a rental request from a customer for
a portable engine-driven generator system. Next, at step 164, the
vendor and customer determine which portions of the generator
system to enable, limit, or inhibit. As previously described, the
vendor may enable or inhibit all portions of the generator system,
or individual portions (e.g., weld power, auxiliary power, lighting
system power, air compressor, and hydraulic system).
[0037] At step 166, the vendor configures the generator system with
the enabling, limiting, or inhibiting instructions using an
interface not accessible to the customer. For example, the vendor
may use secure wireless communications, a security key, a
proprietary programming device or cable, a proprietary software, or
other hardware or software to configure the generator system with
limiting instructions. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the
generator system may include an internal log that contains a
history of what devices and systems a customer has used. Such an
internal log may be viewed by the vendor in cases where a vendor
suspects a customer has tampered with the generator limiting
devices. With such a system, as described, vendors may rent the
generator system to customers at a variable cost based on the
customer needs. As may be appreciated, fewer or more steps may be
included in certain embodiments. In addition, other embodiments may
perform the method 160 in a different order than described.
[0038] While only certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes
will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *