Patents Assigned to Onan Corporation
  • Patent number: 5238085
    Abstract: An engine oil makeup and extended operation oil exchange system and method are provided for automatically maintaining the amount of engine oil and continuously exchanging engine oil in extended operation between an engine and an oil tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventor: Randall K. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 5193501
    Abstract: A method for assembling and preloading shaft assemblies that are supported by bearings in reciprocating internal combustion engines and the resulting improved shaft assembly. The method is comprised of the steps of: placing a spring element (21) on one end of the shaft (10) wherein said spring element (21) is arranged and configured to fill any gap between the shaft (10) and the bearings (14, 15) that could arise from the accumulation of design tolerances in the shaft assembly components and arranged and configured to always exert a positive load on the shaft (10) to reduce the axial movement of the shaft (10); and securing the shaft (10) between the bearings (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony T. Klejeski, Curtis D. Leaf, James I. R. Butcher
  • Patent number: 5175458
    Abstract: A stator termination assembly comprising a gate member, a terminator, terminals, a terminator cover and electrical plug assemblies. The preferred assembly comprises an arcuate gate member having that operate to lead a stator magnet wire extension from stator lamination assembly to a terminal where a solderless electrical connection can be made. The terminator accepts stator magnet wire extensions and terminals so that an electrical connection can be made. A terminator cover helps secure and align the terminals into the terminator so that an electrical connection can be made between the terminals and an electrical plug assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome J. Lemmer, Gary B. O'Malley
  • Patent number: 5168208
    Abstract: An electrical generator system integrated controller device utilizing PID control and capable of regulating voltage or current, and frequency simultaneously. The device utilizes a micro-controller (30.1) to monitor the engine generator set (20), then determines the appropriate signal to deliver to the electrical generator set (20) to regulate the engine throttle (21) and the generator (22) field windings. The micro-controller (30.1) also provides for real and reactive load sharing with additional generator sets (40) while also providing for an integrated circuit interrupter module (500) to open the line from the generator (22) to the load bus (42). Additionally, serial communications (34) are provided as well as displays (35), meters (37), and operator input (36). Finally, the permissive paralleling module (700) provides that the engine electrical generator set (20) will not be allowed to be connected to the load bus (42) until standards of voltage and phase have been achieved for a set period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Schultz, David J. Koenig
  • Patent number: 5165376
    Abstract: An apparatus for use as a governor arm/governor shaft joint in a governor system (10) and a method for zeroing out the tolerances in a governor system (10) used in reciprocating internal combustion engines. The apparatus is comprised of a governor shaft (12) with first and second ends having a tapered portion (21) located near said first end; a governor arm (13) with first and second ends having a tapered aperture (29) generally located near said first end that is arranged and configured to match the tapered portion (21) of the governor shaft (12); and a securing element (31) that forces the tapered portion (21) into engagement with the tapered aperture (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony T. Klejeski, Curtis D. Leaf
  • Patent number: 5146889
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a primary governor device (20) on an engine at certain load conditions or during transient loading is disclosed. The primary governor device has a control arm (12) which is moved by a primary governor spring (15) via a primary governor arm (14). The control arm (12) governs opening and closing of the throttle plate (10) on the carburetor (11). Four embodiments (47, 54, 30 and 78) of the governor assist mechanism are disclosed. The governor assist apparatus has an assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) operatively connected to the control arm (12). A vacuum capsule (41) actuates the assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) from the primary governor device (20) according to the vacuum in the intake manifold and load on the engine. The first embodiment or linear mechanism (47) has an assist spring (48), an intermediate link (49), and the diaphragm plunger (40) in linear alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Swanson, John C. Fanner, Nick V. Halstead
  • Patent number: 5144182
    Abstract: A dynamo assembly comprising a stator assembly and rotor assembly as shown. The preferred rotor assembly comprises two end caps, a single wire strand, a collector ring assembly and a plurality of laminants. The two end caps are preferably identical to one another, and oriented with the wire wrapped in two coils therearound. The laminants are supported between the two and caps, in a skewed manner. An advantageous arrangement for engagement between the collector ring assembly and wire held on the end caps is provided. A unique method of molding the collector ring assembly without internal inserts is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome J. Lemmer, Gary B. O'Malley, Rickie A. Evenson
  • Patent number: 5125236
    Abstract: A combined generator set and air conditioning compressor drive system is disclosed for use in a mobile vehicle. The disclosed device includes an auxiliary engine, a compressor, and a motor-generator. When an external source of electricity is unavailable, the motor-generator is shaft driven by the auxiliary engine and operated as a generator to provide electricity to the vehicle. The compressor is also shaft driven. When an external source of electricity is available, the motor-generator operates as a motor so as to drive the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Clancey, David A. Overland, Deborah A. Klinkert, Mark S. Lent, Paul H. Plahn
  • Patent number: 5096153
    Abstract: A shock and vibration mount including a mounting bolt, a first elastomer member, a support bracket, and a second elastomer member. The first elastomer member is interposed between the bottom surface of a mechanism which vibrates and the top surface of the support bracket. The second elastomer member is interposed between the under-surface of the mounting bolt head and the bottom surface of the support bracket. The first and second elastomer members and the support bracket do not normally contact the mounting bolt shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Dale F. Seeley, Michael D. Olson, Gary A. Salmonson
  • Patent number: 5076247
    Abstract: An enclosed generator set (10) is provided having an engine (12) and a generator (14). An air cleaner preheater assembly (60) is in airflow communication with a source of ambient air and a source of preheated air to supply the engine (12) with air for use in the combustion process. The air cleaner preheater assembly (60) attaches to a bulkhead (28) which defines an ambient air compartment (36) and a preheated air compartment (38) on the generator set (10). An ambient air passage (68) and a preheated air passage (72) pass through a wall of air cleaner preheater assembly (60). A door (82) is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (86) perpendicular to a major surface of the door. The door (82) is variably positioned by a bimetal spring (110) between a first position wherein preheated airflow into the air cleaner preheater assembly (60) is at a maximum and a second position wherein ambient airflow into the air cleaner preheater assembly is at a maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Schmidt, David A. Overland, Paul F. Huffman
  • Patent number: 5069180
    Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus is provided having a choke plate mounted for variable rotation in a carburetor between a closed position and an open position wherein a flow of air entering the carburetor is substantially obstructed in the closed position compared to the open position whereby the flow of fuel entering the engine is increased when in the closed position. The choke plate has a choke shaft arm for rotatably moving the choke plate. The automatic choke apparatus has a throttle plate downstream from the choke plate mounted for variable rotation in the carburetor between an open position wherein a flow of air and fuel mixture exiting the carburetor is at a maximum and a closed position wherein the flow of air and fuel mixture exiting the carburetor is at a minimum. The throttle plate has a throttle lever for rotatably miving the throttle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Schmidt, David A. Overland, Paul F. Huffman, Paige R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5046473
    Abstract: An automatic air intake temperature regulator (10) for regulating the temperature of air entering an engine (12) by varying amounts of ambient air and preheated air entering the engine includes a movable shutter (22). The shutter (22) is movable between a first position wherein the shutter closes an ambient air inlet (20) and opens a preheated air inlet (18), and a second position wherein the shutter (22) closes the preheated air inlet (18) and opens the ambient air inlet (20). The regulator (10) further includes biasing structure (48) for biasing the shutter (22) toward the first position. The regulator further includes temperature responsive structure (50) for sensing temperature of the ambient air and urging the shutter (22) toward the second position as the ambient air temperature increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventor: Larry D. Hokenson
  • Patent number: 5039931
    Abstract: A circuit for charging a battery from a source of AC power. The disclosed circuit provides over voltage protection, reverse battery protection, current limiting, and over frequency protection. These protections are provided through the use of an SCR, a zener diode, a current sense resistor, a voltage reference, and several voltage comparators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Wieland
  • Patent number: 5018676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to armature windings. Individual coils (100) of a group of coils (105) are disposed in slots (203) of an armature such that a first sub-group of coils (100a) are wound in a first direction and second sub-group of coils (100b) are wound in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Gulbrandson
  • Patent number: 5006781
    Abstract: An electrical generator system integrated controller device utilizing PID control and capable of regulating voltage or current, and frequency simultaneously. The device utilizes a micro-controller (30.1) to monitor the engine generator set (20), then determines the appropriate signal to deliver to the electrical generator set (20) to regulate the engine throttle (21) and the generator (22) field windings. The micro-controller (30.1) also provides for real and reactive load sharing with additional generator sets (40) while also providing for an integrated circuit interrupter module (500) to open the line from the generator (22) to the load bus (42). Additionally, serial communications (34) are provided as well as displays (35), meters (37), and operator input (36). Finally, the permissive paralleling module (700) provides that the engine electrical generator set (20) will not be allowed to be connected to the load bus (42) until standards of voltage and phase have been achieved for a set period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Schultz, David J. Koenig
  • Patent number: 5003949
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a primary governor device (20) on an engine at certain load conditions or during transient loading is disclosed. The primary governor device has a control arm (12) which is moved by a primary governor spring (15) via a primary governor arm (14). The control arm (12) governs opening and closing of the throttle plate (10) on the carburetor (11). Four embodiments (47, 54, 30 and 78) of the governor assist mechanism are disclosed. The governor assist apparatus has an assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) operatively connected to the control arm (12). A vacuum capsule (41) actuates the assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) from the primary governor device (20) according to the vacuum in the intake manifold and load on the engine. The first embodiment or linear mechanism (47) has an assist spring (48), an intermediate link (49), and the diaphragm plunger (40) in linear alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Fanner, Nick V. Halstead
  • Patent number: 4999598
    Abstract: A three-position actuating mechanism (10) for a transfer switch (11) is disclosed. The transfer switch is movable by the actuator (10) between a contact block (13) corresponding to a normal power source, and a contact block (14) interconnected to a standby or emergency power source. The actuator (10) has a pair of disk drives (22, 23) interconnected to solenoids (20, 21) by means of linkages (33, 34). The disk drives (22, 23) are interconnected to each other and to a driven disk (26) by means of a pin (30). Energization of the solenoids (20, 21) causes movement of the corresponding solenoid plunger (31, 32) and rotation of the disk drives (22, 23), so as to cause rotation of the contact crossbar (16) and transfer of the contacts (15, 18) between the two power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Jannesari, Alan N. Fabian
  • Patent number: 4912382
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and analyzing a fault condition occurring in an engine electrical generator set (21) while providing means for inhibiting the engine electrical generator set (21) upon the occurrence of the fault. The apparatus utilizes a run relay (22) connected in series with single contact fault senders (26) to a reference potential. The single contact fault senders (26) monitor various parameters of the engine electrical generator set (21). When a parameter is exceeded, the single contact fault sender (26) opens, de-energizing run relay (22) thereby inhibiting engine electrical generator set (21). Optical isolators (27) monitor the single contact fault senders (26) and provide information on their status to logic determining means (24) to alert an operator of an exceeded parameter. Also provided is a bypass switch (31) to bypass single contact fault senders (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Koenig, Mark H. Schultz
  • Patent number: D309288
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventor: Paul W. Haverly
  • Patent number: D331929
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Leaf, Richard L. Hollar