Patents by Inventor Michael Pitcel

Michael Pitcel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240011426
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an air filter assembly, a first electric fan coupled to a first duct, and a second electric fan coupled to a second duct. The first duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the first cylinder. The second duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the second cylinder. The first cylinder is at least partially within the first duct. The second cylinder is at least partially within the second duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
  • Patent number: 11767786
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an air filter assembly, a first electric fan coupled to a first duct, and a second electric fan coupled to a second duct. The first duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the first cylinder. The second duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the second cylinder. The first cylinder is at least partially within the first duct. The second cylinder is at least partially within the second duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
  • Patent number: 11668270
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic fuel injection module including a throttle body including a throat extending between an inlet port and an outlet port and a fuel delivery injector too unit. The fuel delivery injector unit includes a cavity, a fuel inlet, a magnetic assembly, a pumping assembly, a spring, a valve seat, a valve, and an out valve. The fuel inlet receives fuel and directs fuel into the cavity. The magnetic assembly is within the cavity and includes a magnet, a pole, and a hollow sleeve. The pumping assembly includes a bobbin and piston. The bobbin is configured to move the pumping assembly. The piston is coupled to the bobbin. The valve seat is located at one end of the piston. The valve selectively allows fuel to flow into a pressure chamber. The out valve is configured to provide fuel to the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel, Kevin Leix
  • Patent number: 11572852
    Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the cylinder in response to the combustion of a mixture of air and fuel, and a venturi having a throat. The venturi is positioned to draw in air and direct the air and fuel to the cylinder. A fuel inlet is positioned to direct gaseous fuel into the throat, a valve is coupled to the fuel inlet, and an engine control module operable to control the valve and the fuel flow into the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Pitcel
  • Publication number: 20220349334
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an air filter assembly, a first electric fan coupled to a first duct, and a second electric fan coupled to a second duct. The first duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the first cylinder. The second duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the second cylinder. The first cylinder is at least partially within the first duct. The second cylinder is at least partially within the second duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
  • Patent number: 11408325
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an electric fan, and an air filter assembly configured to filter incoming air from an air intake and provide cleaned air to a throttle body. The engine block includes a cylinder. The throttle body is configured to throttle incoming air to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
  • Publication number: 20210404428
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic fuel injection module including a throttle body including a throat extending between an inlet port and an outlet port and a fuel delivery injector too unit. The fuel delivery injector unit includes a cavity, a fuel inlet, a magnetic assembly, a pumping assembly, a spring, a valve seat, a valve, and an out valve. The fuel inlet receives fuel and directs fuel into the cavity. The magnetic assembly is within the cavity and includes a magnet, a pole, and a hollow sleeve. The pumping assembly includes a bobbin and piston. The bobbin is configured to move the pumping assembly. The piston is coupled to the bobbin. The valve seat is located at one end of the piston. The valve selectively allows fuel to flow into a pressure chamber. The out valve is configured to provide fuel to the throat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel, Kevin Leix
  • Publication number: 20200232379
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an electric fan, and an air filter assembly configured to filter incoming air from an air intake and provide cleaned air to a throttle body. The engine block includes a cylinder. The throttle body is configured to throttle incoming air to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
  • Patent number: 9945281
    Abstract: A cooling system for an air-cooled engine includes a plurality of electric fans, a plurality of ducts, each duct configured to receive one of the plurality of electric fans, a housing, the housing configured to be coupled to the engine and to include at least one opening, each opening is configured to be coupled to receive one of the plurality of ducts to direct air from the electric fans to a plurality of target locations, a sensor, the sensor is configured to acquire sensor data regarding the operation of the engine, and a processing circuit, the processing circuit is configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to control operation of the plurality of electric fans in accordance with the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Pitcel, David Procknow, Jacob Zuehl
  • Publication number: 20170167353
    Abstract: A cooling system for an air-cooled engine includes a plurality of electric fans, a plurality of ducts, each duct configured to receive one of the plurality of electric fans, a housing, the housing configured to be coupled to the engine and to include at least one opening, each opening is configured to be coupled to receive one of the plurality of ducts to direct air from the electric fans to a plurality of target locations, a sensor, the sensor is configured to acquire sensor data regarding the operation of the engine, and a processing circuit, the processing circuit is configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to control operation of the plurality of electric fans in accordance with the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Pitcel, David Procknow, Jacob Zuehl
  • Publication number: 20160201609
    Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the cylinder in response to the combustion of a mixture of air and fuel, and a venturi having a throat. The venturi is positioned to draw in air and direct the air and fuel to the cylinder. A fuel inlet is positioned to direct gaseous fuel into the throat, a valve is coupled to the fuel inlet, and an engine control module operable to control the valve and the fuel flow into the throat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Pitcel
  • Patent number: 8863485
    Abstract: A lawn mower includes an engine, an energy storage device, a motor/generator including an output shaft, an engine coupling, wherein, with the engine coupling disengaged, the motor/generator drives the output shaft, and with the engine coupling engaged, the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine drive the output shaft, a mower blade, a power take-off clutch, and a control unit configured to implement a first operating condition in which the engine coupling is disengaged, the engine is off, and the output shaft is driven by the motor/generator, and configured to implement a second operating condition in which the engine coupling is engaged, the engine is on, the output shaft is driven by the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Pitcel, William Latus, Robert Koenen, David Procknow, Jeffrey Berger, Jason Elvers