Abstract: A battery-operated electric mower having a chassis that supports at least an operator support and a first and second drive wheel, each drive wheel respectively connected to one of a first and a second drive wheel motor. The first drive wheel motor may be connected to the first drive wheel by a first gear mechanism, which may include a first system of planetary gears, and the second drive wheel motor may be connected the second drive wheel by a second gear mechanism, which may include a second system of planetary gears. The chassis also supports a battery pack positioned, at least in part, within the same horizontal plane as at least one of the drive wheel motors. The battery may be positioned, at least in part, between the first drive wheel motor and the second drive wheel motor, significantly lowering the mower's center of gravity.

Abstract: A method of operating a forced induction gaseous-fueled engine includes mixing gaseous-fuel and engine intake air to form a mixture at a fuel mixer. The method includes delivering the mixture to an intake manifold by at least partially bypassing a charge air cooler.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: A method and system for use in creating a profile of, managing and understanding power consumption in a premise of a user, wherein said premise comprises two or more power consuming devices comprises measuring, via at least one sensor, aggregate energy consumption at the premise, receiving at a mobile computing device comprising a data processor, said aggregated signal from the sensor, collecting and recording the aggregate signal over a plurality of time resolutions and frequencies, therein to create a predicted aggregate signal for each time x and frequency y, detecting changes in the predicted aggregate signal at time x an frequency y (detected consumption pattern changes) and conveying to at least one of the user, a utility company, and other third party a notification of detected consumption pattern changes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: A load shed module configured to be connected in series between a power supply and a load is disclosed. A separate load shed module is connected in series between each load and the power supply. The load shed module determines the frequency of the voltage supplied from the power supply. Based on the frequency, the load shed module determines if utility power is connected or if a generator is connected. If the generator is connected and the frequency of the voltage goes outside of a desired operating range for a preset time, the load shed module disconnects the load from the power supply. Each load shed module includes a priority setting and reconnects its corresponding load after a predetermined time corresponding to the priority setting.

Abstract: An assembly for indicating and communicating a priming charge to a fluid pump to establish self-sustained operation of the fluid pump is disclosed. The priming assembly includes an enlarged inlet associated with a fluid priming chamber and an outlet that is in fluid communication with the working fluid passage associated with the pump. The priming assembly includes one or more of a cap or valve assembly associated with isolating the pump chamber from atmosphere and preferably includes indicia associated with use and/or operation of the priming assembly.

Abstract: A load shed module configured to be connected in series between a power supply and a load is disclosed. A separate load shed module is connected in series between each load and the power supply. The load shed module determines the frequency of the voltage supplied from the power supply. Based on the frequency, the load shed module determines if utility power is connected or if a generator is connected. If the generator is connected and the frequency of the voltage goes outside of a desired operating range for a preset time, the load shed module disconnects the load from the power supply. Each load shed module includes a priority setting and reconnects its corresponding load after a predetermined time corresponding to the priority setting.

Abstract: An airflow system for an enclosed portable generator is provided that efficiently cools internal components by collecting an airflow and directing the entire airflow past a heat generating component such as an inverter module assembly before releasing the airflow in an unrestricted manner into an open interior space of the portable inverter generator. The airflow system includes an intake plenum system with a plenum body configured to collect and concentrate a volume of air as an intake airflow and to damp sound emission from a front side of housing of the generator.

Abstract: A seal protection system includes a housing located on a dry side of a seal and adjacent to the frame of a pump. The housing, in part, defines a cooling chamber adjacent to the seal in which a cooling liquid may be circulated. The cooling liquid may be contained within the chamber or within a reservoir removed from the chamber. The cooling liquid circulates within the chamber to keep the seal cool even if the pump is operating under dry conditions.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a variable speed, constant frequency generator system is disclosed. During operation, loads may be added to or removed from the output of the generator system. A controller monitors the power output by the generator system and detects a change in the output power exceeding a predefined threshold. The change indicates the addition of a large electrical load. The controller quickly detects the change in power output and activates a relay to disconnect the load from the generator system. The controller then accelerates the engine of the generator system to maximum speed and reconnects the load to the output of the generator system.

Abstract: An auxiliary winding for use in an engine-driven generator system is disclosed. The auxiliary winding is separate from but resides with the main winding in the stator slots of an alternator in the generator system. The auxiliary winding is configured to utilize the fundamental component of the flux in the airgap of the alternator along with selected spatial harmonic components to provide power to an automatic voltage regulator during all operating conditions.

Abstract: A single control for manipulating a fuel valve, a choke condition, and an ignition system condition of an engine of a portable engine powered device that simplifies starting, stopping, and operation of the engine associated with use of the device. The control includes a dial that can be rotated to positions between a first radial position and a second radial position. When the dial is in the first radial position, the fuel valve is maintained in a closed position and the ignition system is grounded such that the engine is rendered inoperable. Rotation of the dial away from the first radial position completes the ignition circuit, opens the fuel valve, and initiates a choke position suitable for subsequent starting and self-sustained operation of the engine. The dial is also axially displaceable to activate an electronic starter for engines so equipped.

Abstract: A generator system configured to be connected in parallel with other generators is disclosed. The generator system includes an alternator having a stator with an output winding and a quadrature winding and a rotor with a three-phase winding. The rotor of the alternator is rotatably driven by an engine having a controller to regulate the engine speed. An inverter receives power from the quadrature winding and generates an AC voltage for the rotor winding. The inverter receives an input corresponding to the voltage on the output winding of the stator and also receives an input corresponding to the phase angle of a second AC voltage produced by another power source. The inverter controls the frequency of the AC voltage for the rotor winding such that the phase angle of the voltage on the output winding of the stator is synchronized to the phase angle of the second AC voltage.

Abstract: A system is provided for calculating and displaying an estimated remaining runtime for a portable generator. The system may include fuel sender with capacitive sensors communicating with a control system to display the fuel level and/or remaining runtime that can be recalculated when step changes in system performance are detected.

Abstract: A single control for manipulating a fuel valve, a choke condition, and an ignition system condition of an engine of a portable engine powered device that simplifies starting, stopping, and operation of the engine associated with use of the device. The control includes a dial that can be rotated to positions between a first radial position and a second radial position. When the dial is in the first radial position, the fuel valve is maintained in a closed position and the ignition system is grounded such that the engine is rendered inoperable. Rotation of the dial away from the first radial position completes the ignition circuit, opens the fuel valve, and initiates a choke position suitable for subsequent starting and self-sustained operation of the engine. The dial is also axially displaceable to activate an electronic starter for engines so equipped.

Abstract: A system for connecting a single-phase generator in parallel with an inverter is disclosed. A signal corresponding to the angular position of the rotor in the generator is provided to the inverter, for example, from an angular position sensor connected to the rotor in the generator. Because variations in the load applied to the generator cause variations in the frequency of the power output by the generator, the inverter synchronizes the phase angle of the voltage output by the inverter to the angular position of the rotor.