Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, an electric motor, a worm coupled to and rotated by the electric motor, a worm gear coupled to and configured to be rotated by the worm, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel including a flywheel cup having flywheel protrusions, a clutch driven by the worm gear and configured to engage the one or more flywheel protrusions such that the crankshaft is rotated, and an energy storage device electrically coupled to the electric motor. The clutch is configured to disengage from the flywheel protrusions when the rotational speed of the crankshaft exceeds the rotational speed of the worm gear. When the electric motor is activated, the electric motor rotates the worm rotating the worm gear, which causes the clutch to engage the flywheel protrusions, transferring worm gear rotation to the flywheel and the crankshaft to rotate the engine for starting.

Abstract: An outdoor power equipment includes multiple motors and a controller module. The motors include a first motor and a second motor. The first motor is structured to operate a first component of the outdoor power equipment and the second motor is structured to operate a second component of the outdoor power equipment. The controller module includes multiple motor controllers structured to communicate via a network communication bus with each other and operate the first motor and the second motor to operate the first component and the second component based on the communication via the network communication bus.

Abstract: A transfer switch and load controller that can be plugged into an existing utility meter socket and electrically positioned between the meter socket and a distribution panel to allow switching between utility power and standby power. The plug-in transfer switch functions to transfer the power supplied to a home between the utility power source and the generator power source upon loss of power from the utility power source. The transfer switch components are contained in an enclosed housing of a meter socket adapter that is mounted directly to the meter socket of a meter housing. The meter socket adapter is prewired to a standby generator such that the standby generator can be connected to a home power system by plugging the meter socket adapter into the meter socket.

Abstract: An on-demand generator starting system and method is disclosed. The generator starting system is included as part of a standby or portable generator that includes one or more outlets that provide electrical power to an electrical device. The operating system includes a generator controller that monitors for a request for power from the electrical device connected to the outlet. When the control circuit of the generator controller determines that electric power is required from the generator, the control circuit initiates operation of the internal combustion engine. After the internal combustion engine starts, the control circuit operates a relay to provide power from the generator to the outlet of the generator. When the electrical device is no longer operating, the control circuit of the generator controller terminates operation of the internal combustion engine of the generator. In this manner, the generator operates only when the electrical device is requesting electrical power.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system including an engine, a shutdown circuit coupled to the engine to shut down the engine, a controller in communication with the shutdown circuit, and a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor in communication with the controller. The controller communicates with the shutdown circuit to shut down the engine at a predetermined CO threshold concentration when the CO sensor provides the controller with signals that are representative of a CO level proximate the engine that indicate a trend of building CO levels over a set time interval.

Abstract: A pressure washer structured to output a pressurized fluid including an engine having a throttle plate structured to move between a closed position and a wide-open position, a pump driven by the engine and having an inlet and an outlet that discharges fluid, a spray gun having a spray gun inlet fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pump and a nozzle structured to discharge the fluid and having selectable nozzle orifices, and an electronic governor system structured to control a speed of the engine. The electronic governor system includes a carburetor, a motor coupled to the throttle plate to move the throttle plate between the closed and wide-open position, and a controller coupled to the motor to control the motor to control the speed of the engine in response to a selection of at least one of the one or more selectable nozzle orifices.

Abstract: An air-cooled internal combustion engine including a crankshaft rotating about a crankshaft axis, a first cylinder having a first cylinder head, a second cylinder having a second cylinder head, and a blower assembly. The blower assembly includes a blower housing, a first fan, and a second fan. The first fan is positioned proximate the first cylinder and the second fan is positioned proximate the second cylinder.

Abstract: A pressure washer includes a water pump, a spray gun fluidly coupled to an outlet of the water pump, an electric motor coupled to the water pump to drive the water pump, a battery module configured to provide battery electricity, an electrical plug configured to receive grid electricity from a power outlet, and a power management system electrically connected to the battery module, the electrical plug, and the electric motor. The power management system is configured to selectively provide battery electricity from the battery module and grid electricity from the electrical plug to the electric motor to drive the water pump.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing spark generation in an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine at low rotational speeds of the flywheel. The method and system monitor the rotational speed of the flywheel and, when the rotational speed of the flywheel is below a threshold rotational speed, the system and method supplies voltage pulses to the primary winding. The timing of the voltage pulses supplied to the primary winding are triggered off of voltage transitions in pulses induced in the primary winding upon rotation of the flywheel. Once the internal combustion engine has started, the switching device transitions into a second condition to disconnect the electrical storage device from the primary winding. The spark generation system of the present disclosure allows for starting of an internal combustion engine upon slower initial rotational speeds.

Abstract: An electric starting system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The starting system includes a rechargeable battery, a battery receiver, and a starter motor. The rechargeable battery including a battery housing, internal circuitry housed within the battery housing, two voltage output terminals, and an enable terminal. The battery receiver includes a battery receptacle configured to receive the rechargeable battery, two voltage output terminals, and the enable terminal. The starter motor is configured to start the internal combustion engine. The internal circuitry is coupled to the enable terminal and configured to enable and disable an internal switch to provide power to one of the two voltage output terminals, the internal circuitry monitoring at least one internal condition of the rechargeable battery for a fault condition. The internal circuitry disables the internal switch upon detection of the fault condition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block including a cylinder having a cylinder axis, a piston positioned within the cylinder and configured to reciprocate along the cylinder axis, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, an air-fuel mixing device configured to provide an air-fuel mixture to the cylinder, a cyclonic air filter positioned entirely below the air-fuel mixing device, and a duct coupling the cyclonic air filter to the air-fuel mixing device and configured to provide air filtered by the cyclonic air filter to the air-fuel mixing device.

Abstract: A starting circuit for providing electric power to a starter motor of an internal combustion engine of outdoor power equipment is shown and described. The starting circuit includes a battery receptacle mounted on the outdoor power equipment and a starter battery that is received within the battery receptacle. The starter battery includes a battery controller and a series of battery cells contained within an outer housing. A plurality of high current pins provide electric power to the starter motor and auxiliary devices on the tractor/mower while a plurality of low current pins receives signals from the tractor/mower related to operation of the tractor/mower. A wireless transceiver is used to communicate information from the battery controller to a wireless device. The wireless device displays the received information to a user. The battery receptacle can be configured to include a dipstick receiver that receives an oil dipstick.

Abstract: A generator includes an engine, an air-fuel mixing device coupled to the engine, where the air-fuel mixing device is structured to receive air from an air intake and combine the air with fuel to create an air/fuel mixture, an exhaust outlet positioned on a first side of the generator and coupled to the engine, wherein the exhaust outlet is structured to emit exhaust gases from the engine, and a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor positioned on a second side of the generator opposite the exhaust outlet, where the CO sensor is structured to detect CO concentration near the generator.

Abstract: An electric powerhead includes a housing including a mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate includes a shaft opening, multiple first openings arranged in a standard vertical shaft engine mounting pattern and multiple second openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern, an electric motor positioned within the housing, wherein the electric motor includes an output shaft that extends through the shaft opening of the mounting plate and wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a support configured to be removably attached to the housing, wherein with the support attached to the housing, the output shaft is arranged horizontally.

Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.

Abstract: A utility implement may include a frame, traction members supported by the frame, a propulsion unit supported by the frame and operably coupled to the traction members, a handle bar coupled to the frame, a control handle extending from the handlebar and located to be gripped by an operator while the operator is maneuvering the utility implement and as the utility implement is being driven by the traction members and a control transmission associating the control handle to the propulsion unit such that manipulation of the control handle adjusts operation of the propulsion unit to adjust propulsion of the utility implement by the traction members.

Abstract: The invention provides a hierarchically accessible monitoring system configured to be used with a standby generator, and a method of remotely accessing generator information from a standby generator. The hierarchically accessible monitoring system includes an interface unit configured to receive information from the standby generator and to communicate the generator information, and a remote data server in communication with the interface unit. The remote data server receives the generator information from the interface unit, stores the generator information, and controls access to the generator information based upon at least two hierarchical levels, each hierarchical level having different access privileges. The hierarchically accessible monitoring system also includes a user interface configured to display the generator information from the remote data server to at least one user. The user has access privileges to read the generator information based upon the user's assigned hierarchical level.

Abstract: An air-cooled internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, a cylinder, a blower assembly including a blower housing and a fan, and a static cover. The static cover includes a main body that is aligned with the crankshaft, an arm that extends from the main body and is aligned with the cylinder, and a plurality of air intake openings. A first subset of the air intake openings is formed through the main body and a second subset of the air intake openings is formed through the arm, and the static cover is configured to prevent user access to a moving component of the engine. The fan is configured to move air into the blower housing through the air intake openings.

Abstract: A turf aerator includes a frame, a tine crank having a clearing end with threads, a plurality of tines coupled to the tine crank, and a coupling for fastening the tine crank clearing end to the frame. The coupling includes a collar area for receiving the tine crank clearing end, an anchor plate for selectively fastening to the frame, and an opening sized for accessing the threads of the tine crank clearing end. The turf aerator further includes an actuator threaded complementary to the threads of the tine crank clearing end for selectively moving the coupling from an extended position relative to the tine crank to a retracted position relative to the tine crank.