Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine that utilizes a single primary coil and a single secondary coil to drive a pair of spark plugs. Current flowing in both a first direction and a second direction passes through the primary coil. The current flowing through the primary coil induces corresponding current in the secondary coil, which flows from the secondary coil to one of two spark plugs. Each spark plug is coupled to the secondary coil such that each of the two spark plugs receives current flowing only in a single direction. The current flowing through the ignition system can be from either a power source or created by the rotation of a flywheel having a series of magnet clusters.

Abstract: An electronic governor system includes a motor, a transmission coupled to the motor, a throttle plate coupled to the transmission, the throttle plate movable to multiple positions between closed and wide-open, wherein power is supplied to the motor to move the throttle pate to a desired position and wherein power is not supplied to the motor to maintain the throttle plate in the desired position.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an air-cooled engine and an external oil reservoir. The engine includes a vertically-oriented crankshaft a crankcase cover having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion of the crankcase cover and the cylinder head are located forward of a vertical plane that includes the crankshaft axis, a return pump housing formed in the exterior of the crankcase cover, a return pump positioned in the return pump housing, and a return pump inlet formed through the crankcase cover, wherein the return pump inlet is located in the front portion of the crankcase cover and the return pump inlet is located closer to the camshaft than to the crankshaft. The external oil reservoir includes an oil tank and an oil filter assembly.

Abstract: A pressure washer spray gun includes a spray gun body configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of pressurized water, a chemical container configured to contain liquid chemical, a chemical injection port fluidly coupled to the chemical container, an air inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled a source of air, and a nozzle configured for ejecting fluid through an orifice having an orifice diameter. The air inlet port is located between the chemical injection port and the nozzle orifice. In operation, with the orifice diameter being a first orifice diameter, a high pressure operating mode is implemented. In operation, with the orifice diameter being a second orifice diameter greater than the first orifice diameter, a chemical injection operating mode is implemented. In operation, with the orifice diameter being a third orifice diameter greater than the second orifice diameter, a foaming chemical injection mode is implemented.

Abstract: A snow thrower includes a body, a chute rotatable relative to the body about a vertical axis, wherein the chute is configured to discharge snow from the snowthrower, a chute motor for rotating the chute, and a chute position user interface. The chute motor is electrically controlled to rotate the chute in response to a first input duration to the chute position user interface and to rotate the chute in response to a second input duration to the chute position user interface. The chute motor ceases operation after the first input duration and the chute motor continues operation after the second input duration.

Abstract: A pressure washer includes a motor configured to drive a pump, a frame having first and second end portions, a handle having first and second end portions, and a rotating joint rotatably coupling the first end portion of the handle to the second end portion of the frame. The rotating joint includes a locking mechanism to selectively lock the position of the handle relative to the frame. The handle rotates between a storage position and an extended position. In the storage position, the second end portion of the handle is positioned near the first end portion of the frame such that the motor and the pump are located within a volume defined by the first and second end portions of the handle and the frame. In the extended position, the second end portion of the handle is spaced apart from the frame.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying electric power to a plurality of priority loads from either a utility power source or a secondary power source, such as a generator. A control unit monitors the power draw by each of a plurality of priority loads and base loads during the supply of electric power from the utility power source. When the supply of power from the utility power source is interrupted, the control unit determines the number of the priority loads that can be powered by the secondary power source based on the monitored power draw of the priority and base loads prior to power interruption. The secondary power source is activated and the determined number of priority loads is immediately connected to the secondary power source without delay. When the utility power source returns, the system and method transfers utility power back to all of the priority and base loads.

Abstract: An electric starting system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The starting system includes a rechargeable battery including two voltage output terminals and an enable terminal, a battery receiver including a battery receptacle configured to receive the rechargeable battery, two voltage output terminals, and an enable terminal, a starter motor configured to start the internal combustion engine, and a continuous duty electrical load. The voltage output terminals of the lithium-ion battery and the battery receiver are configured to connect to complete a circuit between the rechargeable battery and the continuous duty electrical load when the rechargeable battery is attached to the battery receptacle.

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.

Abstract: An air/fuel mixing apparatus configured for use with an internal combustion engine including a carburetor including a body defining a passageway therethrough and a choke valve positioned in the passageway, a solenoid, and a thermal switch configured to energize or de-energize the solenoid. The solenoid is configured to move the choke valve between the choke open position and the choke closed position, wherein the solenoid includes a rotary shaft coupled to a choke lever, and a thermostatic element coupled to the rotary shaft. The thermostatic element expands and constricts based on a temperature of the engine and restricts the movement of the choke valve between the choke closed position and a partially-open position when the solenoid is not energized.

Abstract: An impeller assembly for a snowthrower includes a driven shaft configured to rotate about an axis, a flexible impeller configured to rotate about the axis and extending horizontally across substantially a complete width of the impeller assembly parallel to the axis, and a rigid cutting implement. The flexible impeller extends radially from the driven shaft to an impeller radial distance. The rigid cutting implement extends radially from the driven shaft to a cutting implement radial distance less than the impeller radial distance, wherein the rigid cutting implement is spaced apart from and does not contact the flexible impeller.

Abstract: A method of exercising a generator includes detecting a temperature of the generator, if the temperature is above a predetermined temperature, activating a starter motor and starting an engine of the generator, and performing a first exercise test, and if the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, activating the starter motor without starting the engine of the generator, and performing a second exercise test.

Abstract: A choke removal mechanism for an autochoked engine includes an actuator arm which is configured to have an actuated state and an idle state, an actuator which is configured to be mechanically coupled to the actuator arm, a choke which is configured to have an open state and a closed state, and a choke spring which is configured to be mechanically coupled to the choke and the actuator arm, where the choke spring is configured to mechanically link the actuator arm to the choke such that when the actor arm is in the actuated state the choke is in the open state and when the actuator arm is in the idle state the choke is in the closed state.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes a crankcase, a shaft, a housing, and a cooling fan. The shaft is coupled to the crankcase and defines a rotational axis. The housing has a sidewall that defines an internal space. The cooling fan is disposed at least partially within the internal space and is coupled to the shaft. The cooling fan includes a plate defining an upper surface and a lower surface. The plate is positioned to rotate with the shaft about the rotational axis. The cooling fan also includes a band that has an inner band radius and an outer band radius. The cooling fan also includes a plurality of reversed fins coupled to the band and extending from the upper surface of the plate, further radially outward from the rotational axis than the band.

Abstract: A portable generator includes an engine including an air-fuel mixing device, an alternator, first and second fuel reservoir fluidly coupled to the air-fuel mixing device, a first fuel valve and a second fuel valve movable to an open position that allows fuel to flow from respective fuel reservoirs to the air-fuel mixing device and a closed position that prevents fuel from flowing from respective fuel reservoirs to the air-fuel mixing device, a fuel selector input device operable to select the first or second fuel reservoir as the source of fuel, and a controller programmed to automatically open or close the first fuel valve and open or close the second fuel valve in response to an input from the fuel selector input device indicating selection of the first or second fuel reservoirs.

Abstract: A battery pack for use to provide starting power of an internal combustion engine. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of individual battery cells organized into two battery groups. A charging circuit is contained within the outer housing, which allows the battery cells to be recharged without the need for a charging device other than the battery pack. The charging circuit allows the battery cells to be recharged from either a wall outlet or from the alternator of the internal combustion engine. The battery pack further includes a switching circuit that can configure the battery groups in either a parallel mode or a series mode. In the series mode, the output voltage of the battery pack is increased for starting a cold engine. In the parallel mode, the amount of current available from the battery pack is increased.

Abstract: A starter battery pack with a start button included as part of the starter battery pack is shown and described. The starter battery pack includes a start button that, when the starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of outdoor power equipment, such as a lawn tractor, allows the starter battery pack to provide power to a starting circuit of the power equipment. The battery pack is selectively rechargeable and preferably is a type of battery, such as lithium ion, that can be repeatedly discharged and recharged without affecting battery life. When the starter battery pack is received within the receptacle, activation of the start button provides current and voltage from the starter battery pack to an electric starter motor, which initiates operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An engine includes an air filter assembly having a filter element and a case. A base of the case includes multiple clips, multiple pins, and a catch. The clips are configured to engage a bottom wall of the filter element. A cover of the case includes multiple hinge wings, a hook, and a guide structure. Each of the hinge wings is coupled with a corresponding pin of the base to allow the cover to rotate about the pins. The hook is configured to fasten to the catch of the base for securing the case in a closed configuration. The guide is configured to facilitate placement of the hook and prevent lateral slipping of the hook from the catch of the base. The base and the cover define an interior volume of the air filter assembly sized to receive the filter element.

Abstract: An electronic governor system includes a motor, a transmission coupled to the motor, a throttle plate coupled to the transmission, the throttle plate movable to multiple positions between closed and wide-open, wherein power is supplied to the motor to move the throttle pate to a desired position and wherein power is not supplied to the motor to maintain the throttle plate in the desired position.