Abstract: A standby generator includes a base and a number of walls extending from the base including a wall having a removable panel. A cover is coupled to the wall having the removable panel and is moveable between a closed position and an open position. When the cover in the open position, the removable panel may be removed from the standby generator.

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: 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.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor configured to start the engine, a blade driven by the engine, and an assembly for stopping at least one of the blade and the engine. The assembly includes a brake mechanism, a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to release the brake mechanism, an interlock configured to selectively prevent the release mechanism from moving to the engaged position, and an interface allowing an operator to release the interlock to allow the release mechanism to move to the engaged position. The lawn mower further includes a switch actuated by the release mechanism and a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor in response to the signal to start the engine.

Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.

Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes an engine having a throttle and a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a tool coupled to the driven shaft. The engine further includes a transmission coupling the drive and driven shafts and providing a mechanical advantage therebetween. The transmission automatically changes the mechanical advantage in response to torque experienced by the driven shaft.

Abstract: A refueling system includes a filling station configured to store a first volume of liquid fuel, the filling station including a station receptacle, a removable fuel cartridge configured to store a second volume of liquid fuel less than the first volume of liquid fuel, and outdoor power equipment including an engine having an engine receptacle, wherein inserting the removable fuel cartridge into the station receptacle fluidly couples the filling station and the removable fuel cartridge to automatically fill the removable fuel cartridge with liquid fuel, and wherein inserting the removable fuel cartridge into the engine receptacle fluidly couples the removable fuel cartridge and the engine to provide liquid fuel to the engine.

Abstract: A pressure washer includes a prime mover, a water pump, the water pump including a pump inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid source and a pump outlet for supplying a pressurized primary fluid, a jet pump including a primary fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the pump outlet, a secondary fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, and a spray gun configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet of the jet pump, the spray gun including a spray gun outlet having a variable effective flow area. Wherein, in operation, in a high pressure operating mode, the pressurized primary fluid flows through the jet pump and exits through the fluid outlet of the jet pump, and in a high flow operating mode, the pressurized primary fluid flows through the jet pump and entrains a secondary fluid supplied through the secondary fluid inlet, resulting in a combined fluid flow.

Abstract: An impeller assembly for a snowthrower includes a driven shaft configured to rotate about an axis, a flexible impeller paddle coupled to the driven shaft for rotation about the axis, and a rigid cutting implement coupled to the driven shaft for rotation about the axis. The flexible impeller paddle is configured to clear snow from a surface to be cleared. The flexible impeller paddle extends radially from the axis to a paddle radial distance. The rigid cutting implement is configured to break up snow or ice on the surface to be cleared. The rigid cutting implement extends radially from the axis to a cutting implement radial distance less than the paddle radial distance.

Abstract: A generator including an enclosure, an internal combustion engine provided within the enclosure, an alternator provided within the enclosure and driven by the internal combustion engine, a fuel supply line for providing fuel to the internal combustion engine, a valve for selectively closing the fuel supply line, the valve biased to a normally closed position, a controller configured to provide a signal to maintain the valve in an open position, and a temperature responsive device configured to interrupt the signal from the controller to the valve upon exposure to a threshold temperature, thereby resulting in the closing of the valve.

Abstract: A choke system for an internal combustion engine includes a carburetor having an air intake, a choke valve disposed in the air intake, and a choke lever coupled to the choke valve, wherein the choke valve is movable between a closed position and an open position, a mechanical linkage coupled to the choke lever, and a solenoid attached to the carburetor and coupled to the mechanical linkage so activation of the solenoid moves the choke valve, wherein the solenoid is activated in response to activation of a starter system of an internal combustion engine, thereby moving the choke valve via the mechanical linkage to the closed position.

Abstract: A filter element is provided for an air filter assembly of an internal combustion engine including a breather conduit and an intake conduit. The filter element includes a first wall, a second wall, filter media extending between the first and second walls, a first aperture in one of the first and second walls configured to receive air from the breather conduit, and a second aperture in one of the first and second walls configured to deliver air to the intake conduit. The filter media, the first wall, and the second wall define an interior chamber of the filter element. The first and second apertures connect to the interior chamber such that air filtered by the filter media mixes with unfiltered gases provided through the first aperture by the breather conduit prior to exiting the interior chamber through the second aperture into the intake conduit.

Abstract: A pressure washer includes a prime mover, a water pump, the water pump including a pump inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid source and a pump outlet for supplying a pressurized primary fluid, a jet pump including a primary fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the pump outlet, a secondary fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, and a spray gun configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet of the jet pump, the spray gun including a spray gun outlet having a variable effective flow area. Wherein, in operation, in a high pressure operating mode, the pressurized primary fluid flows through the jet pump and exits through the fluid outlet of the jet pump, and in a high flow operating mode, the pressurized primary fluid flows through the jet pump and entrains a secondary fluid supplied through the secondary fluid inlet, resulting in a combined fluid flow.

Abstract: An engine includes a throttle, a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a continuously variable transmission coupling the drive and driven shafts and providing a mechanical advantage therebetween, and a governor that operates the throttle as a function of rotational speed of the driven shaft. The transmission includes a first wheel coupled to the drive shaft, a second wheel coupled to the driven shaft, and a belt coupling the first and second wheels, wherein a working diameter of the second wheel changes as a function of torque acting on the driven shaft, thereby automatically changing the mechanical advantage in response to torque experienced by the driven shaft, and wherein a working diameter of the first wheel changes a function of tension in the belt.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, a rotary tool driven by the internal combustion engine, an electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to start the internal combustion engine, a receiving port mounted to the internal combustion engine, an energy storage device configured to be selectively inserted into and removed from the receiving port without tools, a first user interface, and a second user interface, wherein the electric motor starts the internal combustion engine upon actuation of the first user interface and the second user interface.

Abstract: An engine includes a piston located in a piston bore within a cylinder block, a first spring biasing the piston in a first direction, and a second spring biasing the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the first spring and the second spring control a displacement of the piston.

Abstract: An engine includes a crankcase defining a crankcase space, a first shaft disposed at least partially within the crankcase and supported for rotation by the crankcase, and an oil pump coupled to the first shaft and operable to draw low pressure oil from the crankcase and discharge a flow of high pressure oil. A pressure relief path is positioned to selectively receive a portion of the flow of high pressure oil and a pressure relief assembly is coupled to the pressure relief path and is arranged to spray the portion of the high pressure flow that passes through the pressure relief passage against an interior surface of the crankcase.

Abstract: An engine mounting system for power equipment includes a tubular frame, an internal combustion engine, and one or more supports for mounting the engine to the tubular frame. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block and a crankcase cover attached to the engine block. The one or more supports are integrally cast with and extend away from at least one of the engine block and the crankcase cover. Additionally, the one or more supports are designed to be mounted to the frame and are contoured to match a portion of a profile of the frame.

Abstract: A water spraying system includes an engine, a pump driven by the engine, the pump including a pump inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source and a pump outlet providing water at an increased water pressure, a sprayer fluidly coupled to the pump outlet, the sprayer including a flow restriction valve, a trigger for operating the flow restriction valve, and a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a wireless start signal indicating release of the flow restriction valve, a wireless receiver, and a controller coupled to the wireless receiver, wherein the wireless receiver receives the wireless start signal from the wireless transmitter and in response the controller activates the pump by starting the engine.

Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.