Unitary Plant Patents (Class 290/1A)
  • Patent number: 6150731
    Abstract: A marine power distribution arrangement utilizes generators driven at standard or higher than normal speeds and/or having a number of poles to produce electric power at a standard 50/60 Hz frequency or substantially higher than the standard 50/60 Hz frequency, such as 400 Hz. Each generator is a multi-phase, multi-circuit generator supplying isolated outputs on a plurality of lines to a propulsion power converter having isolated inputs to provide variable frequency, variable voltage power to a ship propulsion motor and to a service power converter to provide ship service power at a standard AC frequency or DC and at standard voltage for a service load. With this arrangement, power conversion transformers can, for the most part, be eliminated, thereby reducing the size and weight of the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Rinaldi, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 6133642
    Abstract: A generator device for providing a controlled output current to a load, the device including a panel for generating electric current from light; a capacitor connected to the output of the panel; a source of stored energy; output terminals receiving power from the capacitor for connection to a load; a gear train connected to the source of stored energy so as to be driven thereby; a generator for supplying electric current to the output terminals and to the capacitor; output terminals for connection to a load; a source of stored mechanical energy; a generator for supplying electric current to a the output terminals and the capacitor; and a gear train connected to the source of the stored mechanical energy so as to drive the generator; a control circuit for controlling supply of electrical current to the output terminals from the panel, the capacitor and said generator, the control circuit including: a transistor switch arrangement for enabling current from the generator and the panel in excess of the load to ch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Freeplay Market Development Limited
    Inventor: John Edward Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6119636
    Abstract: A portable gasoline generator, constructed with an engine and a generator, provides a lightweight and compact size for easy storage and carrying by minimizing its weight and size of the alternator (generator) thereof. The generator includes a generator case which houses a stator and a rotor unit that is coaxially coupled with a driving end of the crankshaft. The rotor unit includes a rotor cap and a plurality of arc-shaped rotor magnets made of rare-earth metal circularly attached to an inner circumferential surface of a surrounding ring of the rotor cap. The rotor cap is constructed to function as an exhausting fan by puncturing a plurality of fan wings aligned radially and forming a plurality of fan vents thereon. The stator is coaxially affixed to a generator cup of the generator case, wherein the stator is coaxially positioned within the rotor cap that the rotor magnets are arranged to coaxially surround the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Guo Xiang Fan
  • Patent number: 6118186
    Abstract: The throttle of an engine in an engine driven generator system operating under an intermittently heavy load, as in supplying current to a welder, is controlled such that successive control signals sent to a throttle actuator for adjusting the engine throttle position are inhibited until at least a predetermined time has elapsed since the last preceding adjustment to the throttle. This procedure ensures that, as to each incremental adjustment to the throttle, the engine has sufficient time to respond, thereby preventing over-speeding or stalling the engine. The throttle actuator may be a stepper motor which is stepped by throttle position change signals from a processor which monitors engine speed and generator load to determine whether the throttle should be adjusted and, if so, in which direct. Alternatively, the throttle actuator may be a solenoid pulling against a spring in accordance with the average current through the solenoid coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Coleman Powermate, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, William J. Anderson, Kandarp I. Pandya, Chiping Sun
  • Patent number: 6100599
    Abstract: A portable generator includes a metal shroud surrounding at least a crankcase and a cylinder block of an engine. The engine is directly mounted to the shroud. The shroud forms an effective radiating element and gives an additional heat-radiating surface to the engine, thereby increasing the heat radiation capacity of the engine. Heat generated from the engine while running can, therefore, be radiated efficiently. The shroud is mounted within a sound insulating case, so that the portable generator has a double sound-insulating structure. The noise-proofing property of the portable generator is, therefore, very high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshifumi Kouchi, Akira Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6099265
    Abstract: A machine including a fluid compressor; a generator; a prime mover operably connected to the compressor and the generator; a machine switching means for switching the machine to a first mode of machine operation where only the compressor is operable, to a second mode of machine operation where only the generator is operable, to third mode of machine operation where neither the compressor nor the generator are operable, or to a fourth mode of machine operation where both the compressor and generator are operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: David F. Rowe, Jr., William R. Hutchinson, Donald J. Myers
  • Patent number: 6091160
    Abstract: A portable generator comprises a shroud for covering at least a crankcase and a cylinder block of an engine thereof. The shroud is formed of split halves. The engine is fixed to the shroud having its upper part connected to a carrying handle of a sound insulating case. As a result, the load of the engine is applied to the carrying handle through the shroud when the portable generator is lifted up with a hand. It is thus not necessary to increase rigidity of the case, thereby enabling lightening of the case. The generator arrangement also provides an improved soundproof effect since the engine, a source of noise, is covered with the shroud and the sound insulating case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshifumi Kouchi, Akira Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6084313
    Abstract: A portable generator system includes an interface mounting element for supporting a selected engine, from a plurality of engines, with a vertically oriented output shaft when the generator system is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface. A generator is directly coupled to the output shaft of the engine and rotates therewith about a common axis. The generator is selectable from a plurality of generators having different output power characteristics. A movable support cart supports interface, engine and generator and is formed of a single piece of tubular stock. The tubular stock is bent to form two substantially parallel, displaced, U-shaped regions bounded by a third U-shaped region substantially perpendicular thereto wherein the interface element, the selected engine and the selected generator are supported and protected. The cart supports first and second displaced wheels which rotate about a common axis which extends between the first and second regions, parallel to the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Coleman Powermate, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Frank
  • Patent number: 6067945
    Abstract: An engine generator includes an engine having an intake device and an exhaust device which are connected to an engine body, a generator connected to the engine, and a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the engine. The engine, the generator and the fuel tank are mounted on a frame. In this engine generator, the intake device and the exhaust device are connected to an upper portion of the engine body having a cylinder axis extending vertically to protrude to opposite sides from the engine body, and the fuel tank is disposed sideways of the engine body and the generator below the intake device or the exhaust device. Thus, when a vertical engine is used, the fuel tank can be effectively disposed to avoid the production of a wasteful space, thereby providing reductions in size, weight and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignees: Sawafuji Electric Co., Ltd, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukuda, Toru Nishikura, Masaru Sakamoto, Akira Fukuda, Takao Tamechika, Tsutomu Hatsugai
  • Patent number: 6064121
    Abstract: Axial compactness is achieved in a generator set including an internal combustion (10) having a main shaft (16) journalled for rotation about an axis (56) and having an end (18, 54) with a flywheel (20) mounted on the end. A first rotatable magnet assembly (21) having axially facing poles is disposed on the flywheel (20) and a stator (24, 72) including generator windings (102, 104) is provided adjacent the magnets (21). A second rotatable magnet assembly (21, 22) is opposite the first magnet assembly (21) and adjacent the stator (24, 72) and has axially facing poles directed toward the poles on the first magnetic assembly (21) and is coupled to the first magnetic assembly for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Roger M. Shervington, Hassan Mansir, John Hefter
  • Patent number: 6054775
    Abstract: An electrical power generating apparatus is developed as an internal combustion acoustically resonant engine. It has left and right acoustic formations (39), which are formed into the apparatus closure and constitute a multiple degree of freedom vibratory system. A shuttle (12) is suspended inside and between these acoustic formations and reciprocating when two fuel injectors (35), which are positioned symmetrically at each end of said shuttle in the body of said closure, do their alternate operation and create oscillations of said shuttle. A linear generator rotor (30) is attached to said shuttle with magnetic elements producing a magnetic field when rotor reciprocates together with the shuttle. A linear generator stator with windings is attached to said closure. The fuel injectors create mechanical oscillations of the shuttle, the shuttle creates oscillations of the rotor, and magnetic field of said rotor crosses the windings of the stator for generating of an electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph M. Vocaturo
  • Patent number: 6028369
    Abstract: A compact engine-operated generator unit in which only one centrifugal fan for cooling is provided to restrain generation and leakage of operation noise, while an engine and a generator are still cooled efficiently. Particularly, the engine-operated generator unit comprises an engine and a generator driven by the engine arranged in a direction of a rotary shaft, and soundproof case housing the engine, the generator and other components therein, the generator includes an outer-rotor; a centrifugal fan provided on an end surface the outer-rotor of the generator remote from the engine; a duct covering the centrifugal fan, the generator and the engine and having a suction opening at a side facing the centrifugal fan; a discharge operating on a downstream side of the duct facing an exterior of the soundproof case; and a circulation space provided between the generator and the engine for introducing a part of cooling air flowing toward the engine into the generator to circulate again back to the centrifugal fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadafumi Hirose, Ryuji Tsuru, Katsumi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6018200
    Abstract: The throttle of an engine in an engine driven generator system operating subject to a wide and rapidly variable load, as in supplying current to a welder, is operated such that control signals are sent to a throttle actuator for adjusting the engine throttle position in response to load changes. The throttle actuator may be a solenoid pulling against a spring in accordance with the average current through the solenoid coil. In this embodiment, the processor causes pulse width modulated signals to be applied across the solenoid coil with throttle position changes being reflected in changes to the width of the pulses, such changes in the pulse width being delayed for at least the predetermined time since the last preceding adjustment to the throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Coleman Powermate, Inc.
    Inventors: William J Anderson, Harold C. Scott, Chiping Sun, Kandarp I. Pandya
  • Patent number: 5998961
    Abstract: A new portable battery charger for jump-starting an engine of a disabled vehicle. The inventive device includes a main housing having a motor and a generator disposed therein. The main housing includes gasoline and oil intake portions in communication with the motor. A pair of cables extend outwardly from one of the side walls of the main housing. The pair of cables are in communication with the generator. The pair of cables each have a spring-loaded clip disposed on free ends thereof for operative coupling with positive and negative terminals of a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Audley Brown
  • Patent number: 5977644
    Abstract: Backup power systems and methods of operation thereof. In one embodiment, a backup power system constructed according to the present invention includes: (1) an enclosure, (2) an engine, having an air inlet, located within the enclosure, (3) an alternator, coupled to and driven by the engine, that converts mechanical power derived from the engine into AC electrical power and (4) a baffle, located within the enclosure and about a portion of the engine to block direct fluid communication from within the alternator to within the engine, that guides cooling air received into the enclosure sequentially through the alternator to cool the alternator, around the baffle and the engine, through the air inlet and into the engine to cool the engine and through an outlet port of the baffle, the baffle thereby establishing a serial path within the enclosure for the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5969429
    Abstract: An electrical power supply arrangement incorporates a turbine-generator ambly providing a self-contained non-battery electrical power source for supplying power to a breathing apparatus. The turbine-generator assembly is interposed in an air hose extending between first and second stage pressure regulators respectively connected to a pressurized air cylinder and to a cooling device of the breathing apparatus. The assembly includes an air turbine and an electrical generator disposed and coupled in tandem relationship to one another and enclosed in an elongated hollow housing. Pressurized air introduced into the turbine end of the housing expands across turbine blades and rotatably drives a central shaft of the turbine which, in turn, rotates a central rotor of the generator causing generation of electrical power in a stationary stator of the generator which surrounds the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joseph Rudolph, Robert Hughes, Kenneth Price
  • Patent number: 5965949
    Abstract: An engine-driven generator incorporating an engine and a generator into a single unit, with the output shaft of the engine coaxially connected to the rotating shaft of the generator, via a frame structure formed by integrally combining two support members provided in parallel with the axial line of the output and rotating shafts with two handle members orthogonally intersecting the aforementioned axial line via upright members wherein base members are fixedly fitted between the support members below the engine and the generator in such a manner as to orthogonally intersecting the aforementioned support members; a generator mounting member, having a mounting hole in the axial direction, provided between a bulged portion integrally protruded on the lower part a rear bracket of the generator and a base member below the generator, and two engine mounting members provided between the engine and a base member below the engine are disposed at the apexes of a triangle, so that the engine and the generator are mounted
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sawafuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukuda, Tohru Yoshioka, Tohru Nishikura, Masaru Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5960637
    Abstract: A trailer refrigeration unit has a pivotally mounted engine driven generator unit and a pivotally mounted compressor unit that combine to form a structure that minimizes the spatial "real estate" occupied by the refrigeration unit. A single common rotatable shaft operates the integrally mounted engine and generator to form a unitary unit. The engine driven generator and compressor units can be pivoted out of the refrigeration unit frame to a fully serviceable position that provides easy access to the rear portions of the engine, generator and compressor units without requiring removal of those units from the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Stevens, Thomas F. Mallinson, Robert S. Simeone
  • Patent number: 5942806
    Abstract: A method and device for generating an electric current and power from the earth's electric field. The electric current is generated by providing a thermoemissive material at some distance above the earth's surface, connecting the thermoemissive material to the earth's surface with a conductor (e.g., wire) such that a conductive path is established between the thermoemissive material and the earth's surface through the conductor, and heating the thermoemissive material to cause it to emit electrons into the surrounding air, thereby drawing replacement electrons from the earth's surface through the conductor to the thermoemissive material. One way to produce power in the above setting is by installing a D.C. electric motor or other electrical device along the said conductive pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Konstantinos D. Veliadis
  • Patent number: 5928535
    Abstract: An engine driven welder has a fuel tank with a filler tube that extends upwardly from a reservoir in the machine base. The filler tube upper end and a cap thereon are below the machine top cover. The machine top cover has a cutout into which is installed a grommet that closes the cutout and that fully protects the filler tube upper end and the cap. The grommet has a hole that seals over a top portion of the filler tube such that any spilled fuel does not leak inside the machine. The filler tube has an expansion space that prevents splashback and spillover during fueling. An angled tail pipe directs engine exhaust away from the welding machine in any desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Miller Electric Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Michael J. Trinkner, Mark E. Peters, David E. Radtke
  • Patent number: 5924393
    Abstract: In the frame of an engine generator are arranged an engine, a generator adjacent to the engine, and a fuel tank disposed above the generator. A muffler of the engine is disposed on a side of the fuel tank, and a heat shield plate is provided in the frame and interposed between the muffler and the fuel tank. Accordingly, the muffler can be disposed in the vicinity of the fuel tank while avoiding an adverse influence of the radiation of heat from the muffler of the engine on the fuel tank, and the degree of freedom in layout of the engine can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Sawafuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5908011
    Abstract: The apparatus is an enclosed engine generator assembly with air intake and air discharge openings into the enclosure in which the engine is installed and the radiator for engine cooling moved from the conventional position in front of the engine to a location at the bottom of the enclosure and between the supports for the assembly. The arrangement permits an assembly with a shorter overall length, but no significant increase in the height, which facilitates installation aboard vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Stauffer Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Tony Stauffer, Travis J. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 5899174
    Abstract: The engine generator set has an internal combustion engine and an alternator in a main compartment. Two separate cooling air streams independently cool the internal combustion engine and alternator. The independent air streams are then intermixed in the main compartment and used to cool the engine exhaust system and gases. Heat sensitive components are segregated from the heat generating components. Cooling air is drawn over the heat sensitive components maintaining them at nearly ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventors: Wayne A. Anderson, Donald R. Fischer, James L. King
  • Patent number: 5816102
    Abstract: In an engine-generator set, the generator has a first shaft driving a generator armature and also has a second shaft in spaced relationship to the first shaft. The second shaft is coupled to the engine and there is a gear on each of the shafts which provides a "step-down" gear reduction for powering the generator at, e.g., 1800 rpm, where the engine speed is greater than 1800 rpm. Preferably, the engine is coupled to the generator armature shaft through a torsional coupling for isolating engine vibration from the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Generac Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow
  • Patent number: 5788003
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle is disclosed which includes at least one wheel assembly, an axle assembly, a linearly reciprocating piston member, and an internal combustion engine for causing linear movement of the piston member for generating electric power. Electric power generated by the linear reciprocating motion of the piston including a coil within an annular magnetic member is used to drive a wheel assembly by way of an electric motor thereby driving the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the piston is caused to reciprocate linearly by a pair of combustion chambers which operate in an alternating fashion thereby causing current to be output via the coil. The invention allows for a highly flexible vehicle design which results in improved fuel efficiency, increased power, less weight, and improved travel ranges in an electrically powered vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Kent Spiers
  • Patent number: 5744940
    Abstract: A self contained generator set of the type which includes a fuel tank made up of a base section and a pair of vertically extending tower sections. The motor generator assembly is mounted on the base section between the two vertically extending tower sections. A passageway is formed in each of the vertically extending fuel tank sections by communicating openings formed in opposite side walls of each of the fuel tank sections with a pipe section welded thereto. The passageways allow passage of the motor generator assembly's exhaust pipe and the generator's power cable therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Colton, Vincent P. Fecteau, Vincent D. Green
  • Patent number: 5734148
    Abstract: A side panel is easily installable onto and removed from a welding machine using a minimum of fasteners and requiring only a small space on the side of the machine. The side panel includes clips joined to one edge of the panel. The clips have respective first legs secured to the panel, second legs that register with slots in the machine base, and third legs that elastically bend against a lip on the base. The restoring force of the bent third legs of the clips holds the clips second legs firmly against the base slot and thereby prevents vibration. Conventional fasteners are used to attach at least one other edge of the panel to the welding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Miller Electric Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Steven D. Latvis, Ross C. Borchardt
  • Patent number: 5620620
    Abstract: A self-contained welding machine has the same width as a selected prior welding machine and is interchangeably mountable therewith to a flat surface. The welding machine of the invention has a base that utilizes the full space available above its width by fabricating the base with side walls that lie in respective vertical planes coinciding with the vertical planes that pass through the outermost ends of mounting lugs on the base of the prior welding machine. Mounting holes in the floor of the base are accessible through associated openings in the base side walls. Covers cooperate with the base floor and side walls to create pockets that close the side wall openings while providing access to the mounting holes in the base floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Miller Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffery P. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5433175
    Abstract: An engine generator set apparatus including an internal combustion engine including a drive shaft driving an electrical generator, the engine and the generator being disposed along a longitudinal axis. A housing substantially enclosing the engine and generator, the housing including air inlets and air outlets. A fan drawing outside ambient air through the air inlets in the housing and along an inlet air pathway, the generator being axially disposed intermediate of the fan and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Hughes, Steven R. Kuczenski, Anthony T. Klejeski
  • Patent number: 5397922
    Abstract: An internal combustion unit having a cylinder with at least one power piston with thermal means for reciprocating the power piston in the cylinder, the power piston and cylinder defining a combustion chamber, and a generator unit having a linear inductor piston coupled to the power piston for reciprocation together with the power piston and a stationary coil stator constructed in the configuration of an annulus, wherein the inductor piston reciprocates in the annulus of the coil stator and electrical current is generated in the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventors: Marius A. Paul, Ana Paul
  • Patent number: 5382833
    Abstract: A current generator, particularly for vehicles, has a shaft, a liquid cooled generator, a liquid cooled internal combustion engine forming a drive motor for the generator, and a pump for supplying a liquid coolant. The generator, the internal combustion engine and the pump are arranged coaxially on the shaft. The pump for a liquid coolant is located on the shaft between the generator and the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignees: Kaethe Hagemeier, Chandrakanthi Wirges
    Inventor: Gerhard O. Wirges
  • Patent number: 5341644
    Abstract: A power plant for generating electric power and pneumatic pressure includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator, and a compressor and pneumatic supply tanks. Both the electrical generator and the compressor are driven by the engine, however, the engine drive is so coupled and controlled that the engine drives the generator as its primary load, and the compressor as its secondary load and apportions the engine power between these units according to need. When the generator uses all the engine power, pneumatic power is supplied by the pneumatic supply tanks, permitting a smaller than normal drive engine. A quick start and quick kill mechanism is provided for the engine by using the air supply from the pneumatic supply tank and an air motor, and a time delay shut down relay when no power is being used. Also the generator can be used as an electric drive motor for the compressor in place of the internal combustion engine, where 110 volt power is available on the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Bill Nelson
  • Patent number: 5337560
    Abstract: Energy of shock force normally absorbed by shock absorber in an automotor vehicle is recovered and converted to electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Fawzy T. Abdelmalek
  • Patent number: 5212952
    Abstract: A compact portable electrical generator powered by a gas fueled internal combustion engine. A combined starter and generator is coupled to the engine for starting of the engine and for generating electrical power when the engine is running. The engine includes a lubricating system including lubricant that is supplied from a separately insertable lubricant cartridge and which is pumped by a hose compressing type of pump so as to insure adequate delivery of small amounts of lubricant regardless of the orientation of the unit and also so as to insure that lubricant cannot leak from the system when the unit is not being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Yokoyama, Shigeru Akiyama, Kazuhito Kitano
  • Patent number: 5177369
    Abstract: Engine-driven equipment includes a stopped-engine detector and a mechanism for safely shutting down the engine, including battery operated auxiliary devices, after detection that the engine has stopped. The engine may be shut down simply by closing a gas cock in the fuel line, but whatever the cause of engine stoppage, auxiliary devices are permitted to run for a predetermined time after stoppage to, for example, cool the engine or maintain warm glow plugs for easier restarting. If the gas cock is used to stop the engine, the engine will continue to run until fuel remaining in the fuel line has been expended, and then safely and automatically shut-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kamiya, Hironori Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5172784
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system having an external combustion free-piston engine is provided with an integral linear electric current generator and a pulse frequency controller. The system includes a power integration processor, a frequency modulator circuit and a pulse width modulator circuit, the power integration processor controls the frequency modulator circuit and the pulse width modulator circuit to produce both a frequency modulated pulsed current and an auxiliary power current which varies in pulse width. Both the frequency modulated pulsed current and the pulse width modulated auxiliary current are combined to power an electric drive motor having an integral electronic differential. A small auxiliary power source, such as a rechargeable battery pack, is provides the auxiliary current for acceleration and hill climbing power. The external combustion engine may burn any pollution free fuel (such as natural gas, alcohol, propane, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Arthur A. Varela, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5162662
    Abstract: A compact portable power supply including an internal combustion engine that drives a generator and which engine is fueled by a pressurized source of gaseous fuel. The outer housing and control structure is configured in such a way that the source of gaseous fuel will always be oriented so that liquid fuel will not be delivered to the engine when the power supply is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hironori Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5150568
    Abstract: A control (100) for a turbine engine (104) contained in a power unit in accordance with the invention includes a housing (103) mounted on a surface (11) containing the turbine; a power takeoff (106) providing rotary power from the turbine into the housing; an electrical power generator (108) contained within the housing which is driven by the power takeoff for providing electrical power within the housing; at least one sensor (16, 18, 20 and 22) for sensing an operational parameter of the turbine engine; and a controller (119) contained within the housing, for controlling operation of the turbine engine in response to signals coupled to the control from at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. White
  • Patent number: 5087824
    Abstract: A power plant for generating electric power and pneumatic pressure includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator, and a compressor and pneumatic supply tanks. Both the electrical generator and the compressor are driven by the engine, however, the engine drive is so coupled and controlled that the engine drives the generator as its primary load, and the compressor as its secondary load and apportions the engine power between these units according to need. When the generator uses all the engine power, pneumatic power is supplied by the pneumatic supply tanks, permitting a smaller than normal drive engine.A quick start and quick kill mechanism is provided for the engine by using the air supply from the pneumatic supply tank and an air motor, and a time delay shut down relay when no power is being used. Also the generator can be used as an electric drive motor for the compressor in place of the internal combustion engine, where 110 volt power is available on the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Bill Nelson
  • 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: 5058660
    Abstract: A voltage regulator for an electrical generator driven by an internal combustion engine is cooled by water flowing through a heat exchanger attached to the voltage regulator. The cooling water is obtained from the upstream side of a secondary cooling loop of a water-to-water cooling system associated with the internal combustion engine, such secondary water typically at an ambient temperature less than or equal to that of the air. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is formed from a heat conductive tube attached to the heat sink of at least one semiconductor device regulating the current through the field coils of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Randall J. Hedstrom
  • Patent number: 4987953
    Abstract: A voltage regulator for an electrical generator driven by an internal combustion engine is cooled by water flowing through a heat exchanger attached to the voltage regulator. The cooling water is obtained from the upstream side of a secondary cooling loop of water-to-water cooling system associated with the internal combustion engine, such secondary water typically at an ambient temperature less than or equal to that of the air. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is formed from a heat conductive tube attached to the heat sink of at least one semiconductor device regulating the current through the field coils of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Kohler Company
    Inventor: Randall J. Hedstrom
  • Patent number: 4961403
    Abstract: An engine generator set includes a frame mountable to the underside of a vehicle floor or chassis. An engine and a generator are both resiliently mounted to the frame by way of shock mounts and enclosed by a cover. The engine has an exhaust pipe extending downwardly through an opening in the bottom of the cover. A muffler mount is secured to the frame and has elastomeric joints. A muffler is resiliently mounted to the muffler mount by the elastomeric joints and is connected to the exhaust pipe through a flexible pipe. This arrangement serves to reduce the engine and generator vibration that is transmitted to the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kawaguchi, Masaaki Endo
  • Patent number: 4835405
    Abstract: A generator set including an internal combustion engine which drives an alternator or generator to generate electricity. The engine and the generator are air cooled by air driven by a fan along two parallel air cooling circuits through the generator set. The components of the set are enclosed in a two-piece housing or enclosure having two openings, an air inlet and an air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Clancey, Stanely D. Hjelmstad, Mark S. Lent, Michael C. Miller
  • Patent number: 4831277
    Abstract: A power system specifically adapted to provide DC power for powering a DC load at a remote site under severe environmental conditions, such as is found at remote gas pipeline locations. The power system includes a slow speed heat engine adapted to be powered by fuel, preferably taken directly from the gas pipeline, the supply of which is controlled by means of a pressure regulator. The engine is adapted to be directly coupled to an oversized, slow speed three-phase alternator so as to produce AC power, which is subsequently rectified to DC power output for powering a load in the range of 500 to 5,000 watts. The engine is particularly adapted to be started with a hand crank or a portable starter, and is provided with ceramic main bearings, an oversized lubrication system, redundant independent ignition systems and a highly superior cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Christopher
  • Patent number: 4827147
    Abstract: Engine-powered portable working apparatus (100) including a soundproof casing (4) for accommodatingly supporting therein a main unit (1) having an engine (10) and a rotary working machine (11) driven by the engine, and a carrying handle (6) provided on the soundproof casing. The soundproof casing (4) comprises a first casing half (2) and a second casing half (3) to be joined together along a predetermined mating plane (P). The first and second casing halves (2, 3) are, respectively, integrally formed with a first handle half part (23) and a second handle half part (33) to be joined together along the mating plane (P) to thereby cooperate with each other to constitute the carrying handle (6). The working apparatus (100) further comprises an anti-vibratory member (5) for elastically holding the main unit (1) in the soundproof casing (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadao Mizushima
  • Patent number: 4805407
    Abstract: A downhole tool for an oil or gas well includes a self-contained power supply having a housing in which a primary fuel source, a Stirling cycle engine, and a linear alternator are disposed. The primary fuel source includes a radioisotope which, by its radioactive decay, provides heat to operate the Stirling engine which in turn drives the liner alternator to provide a suitable electrical output for use by the circuit of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Ronnie J. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 4779905
    Abstract: In an engine generator having a work generator arranged at the upper side of an engine of a vertical crank shaft type, the output shaft of the engine projects upwards from the engine crank case so as to be connected to the rotor of the work generator. And the stator is arranged so as to encircle the rotor and to be encircled by an air induction casing. A cooling fan of a centrifugal blower type is located at the upper end of the rotor shaft with the blades thereof directed to the side of the generator so as to supply a cooling air flowing upwards to both the interior and the exterior of the stator during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Kubato Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Ito, Kenji Ueno, Tutomu Wada, Osamu Murakami, Shigeru Kawabata, Kazuo Higo, Akiyoshi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 4759560
    Abstract: A stable, portable utility cart particularly suited for doing "on-site" minor auto repairs has a frame with a pair of wheels on an axle about 1/3 from the rear of the cart and mounted on a lower shelf are batteries and a generator. An upper shelf is adapted to contain at least one tool box. The cart also contains a compressor and a reel and air hose, which may be mounted on a pivotally mounted storage member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Michael J. Virgulti
  • Patent number: 4748824
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus for a transport container has a partition to divide the interior of a box, which is mounted on the front wall of a container, into two compartments. In one of the compartments is disposed a refrigeration assembly including an evaporator, an evaporator fan, a condenser, a condenser fan and a refrigerant compressor, on the other hand, in the other one of the compartment is disposed a common mount on which a generator assembly including an engine, an engine radiator, a radiator fan and a generator in in-line relation is mounted in such a manner that the generator assembly may be installed into or removed from the box as one unit. The refrigeration assembly and the generator assembly are thermally isolated from each other by the partition, so that an exhausted warm air from one assembly does not heat the other assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignees: Daikin Industries, Ltd., Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. Yaskawa, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Wakabayashi, Masayuki Aono, Katsuyuki Sawai, Yasuhiro Oyamada, Katsuhiro Sakoh, Tsugio Matsuno, Tooru Maeda