Patents Assigned to Briggs & Stratton, LLC
  • Patent number: 11603078
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a machine including a prime mover, a drive pulley, a chassis, a subframe, a drive device, a drive belt, and a pulley arrangement. The drive pulley is coupled to the prime mover. The chassis is configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover. The subframe is pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via a suspension device. The drive device is configured to drive wheels of the machine. The drive device is configured to be driven by the prime mover. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the drive pulley to a driven pulley on the drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises at least one idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Publication number: 20230072285
    Abstract: A cell module assembly includes a first frame having a first plurality of pockets, a second frame spaced apart from the first frame and having a second plurality of pockets, a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells coupled to and extending between the second frame and the first frame, a first collector plate electrically connected to the plurality of lithium-ion battery cells and coupled to the first frame by a first curable adhesive, and a second collector plate electrically connected to the plurality of lithium-ion battery cells and coupled to the second frame by a second curable adhesive. Each one of the plurality of lithium-ion battery cells is received within a respective one of the first plurality of pockets and a respective one of the second plurality of pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, James Michael Busse, Jacob Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20230062152
    Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes a frame supported by a plurality of wheels and an air heating system. The air heating system includes an air inlet, an air outlet, a heating device configured to heat the air between the air inlet and the air outlet, and an adjustable duct connector fixedly coupled to at least one of the air inlet and the air outlet. The adjustable duct connector includes a base plate, a ring arm slidably coupled to the base plate, and a handle rotatably coupled to the base plate and the ring arm. Rotation of the handle selectively transitions the ring arm between a first position proximate the handle and a second position arranged further from the handle. The adjustable duct connector further includes a locking mechanism configured to secure the ring arm in the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Sabatka, Brett Shive
  • Patent number: 11589522
    Abstract: A stand-on debris blower comprising including a main frame, a pair of front wheels, and a pair of rear wheels. The stand-on debris blower also includes an operator standing platform coupled to the main frame, a control pedestal positioned forward of and above the operator standing platform, and a power source, wherein the power source has a vertically-oriented shaft. A blower assembly is also provided, wherein the blower assembly includes a horizontally-oriented impeller configured to rotate about a vertical axis, the horizontally-oriented impeller being coupled to the vertically-oriented shaft of the power source. Additionally, the blower assembly may include a V-shaped deflector assembly configurable to block air flow to at least a first, a second, or both a first and second discharge chute in the blower assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: Rick A. Weihl
  • Patent number: 11591984
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block including a cylinder a piston positioned within the cylinder and configured to reciprocate in the cylinder, an electronic throttle control system comprising a motor and a throttle plate, a fuel system for supplying a controlled amount of fuel to the cylinder including a fuel injector, and an engine control unit coupled to the fuel system and the electronic throttle control system. The engine control unit is configured to determine engine speed data comprising a current engine speed, a previous engine speed, and a desired engine speed and control a fuel injection duration based on the engine speed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: David Procknow, Jacob Zuehl
  • Patent number: 11592819
    Abstract: A robotic lawn mower includes a first wheel driven by a first electric wheel motor, a second wheel driven by a second electric wheel motor, a cutting implement driven by an electric cutting implement motor, a power system for powering the electric wheel motors and the electric cutting implement motor, and a controller configured to control operation of the electric wheel motors and the electric cutting implement motor to autonomously mow a yard. The power system includes multiple removable rechargeable battery modules and multiple receptacles, each receptacle configured to receive one of the battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Pjevach
  • Patent number: 11591977
    Abstract: A standby generator includes an internal combustion engine, an alternator, and a controller. The internal combustion engine includes an engine housing, an engine block, and a crankshaft. The engine housing at least partially covers the engine block. The engine block includes a cylinder. The crankshaft is configured to rotate about a vertical crankshaft axis in response to movement by the cylinder. The alternator includes a stator, as well as a rotor that is configured to rotate with the rotation of the crankshaft to produce electrical power. The controller includes an inverter that is configured to receive electrical power from the alternator and output alternating current electrical power. The controller extends at least partially above the engine housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Thurnbauer Cirillo, Sie Teong Lim, Philip Helwig, Kenny Jalmas Stair, Svetlana Byaliy, Mark Thomas Molinski
  • Publication number: 20230053421
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a data terminal, a battery management system, and an Internet of Things (IoT) module. The data terminal includes at least one data pin that is configured to receive operational information from a piece of equipment coupled with the battery pack. The IoT module is in communication with the data terminal and the battery management system, and is configured to receive operational information about the piece of equipment from the data terminal, receive operational information about the rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells from the battery management system, and transmit the operational information about the piece of equipment and the operational information from the lithium-ion battery cells via a network interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Johnson, Mark Noller
  • Publication number: 20230058417
    Abstract: A battery pack for powering equipment includes a core battery pack, a first housing, and a second housing. The core battery pack has a capacity of outputting a constant amount of current to deliver at least 1000 Watt-hours of energy. The core battery pack includes multiple battery cells and a mating interface. The mating interface is configured to selectively and electrically couple the core battery pack with an interface of a piece of power equipment or a charger. The first housing includes a handle and is attached to the core battery pack. The second housing is attached to the core battery pack and is configured to dampen a force experienced by the core battery pack upon an impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicants: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC, Briggs & Stratton (Shanghai) International Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeff Whitmore, Ryan Hahn, Nick Zeidler, Ryan Jaskowiak, Kyle Harvey, Shaoban Wu, Haijiang Liu, Yongkai Li
  • Publication number: 20230054789
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and a plurality of cell module assemblies. The positive terminal and negative terminal are each externally accessible from the housing and extend into a first compartment of the housing. The cell module assemblies are received in a second compartment of the housing, and are coupled to the positive terminal and the negative terminal through a connection extending from the second compartment into the first compartment. The first compartment is accessible through a first panel that is movably coupled to the housing through a first securing mechanism providing a first level of access. The second compartment is accessible through a second panel that is movably coupled to the housing through a second securing mechanism providing a second level of access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Zeiler, Michael Marshall, Jacob Schmalz, John Piechowski
  • Patent number: 11588202
    Abstract: A cell module assembly includes a top frame, a bottom frame, multiple lithium-ion battery cells, a top collector plate, a bottom collector plate, and a curable adhesive. The top frame includes protrusions that define first multiple pockets. The bottom frame includes protrusions that define second multiple pockets axially aligned with the first multiple pockets. Each of the first and the second multiple pockets have multiple windows. The battery cells are received within a pocket in each of the first and second multiple pockets. The top collector plate is coupled to the top frame and includes multiple apertures above the first multiple pockets. The bottom collector plate is coupled to the bottom frame. The top collector plate and the bottom collector plate are electrically connected to the battery cells. The curable adhesive is received within each window in the first multiple pockets and couples each battery cell to the top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, James Michael Busse, Jacob Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20230051999
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a plurality of rechargeable battery cells, a connection interface, a near-field communication (NFC) reader, a battery management system, and a communication gateway. The connection interface is in communication includes a plurality of data pins, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal. The battery management system is in communication with the NFC reader and is configured to receive information from the NFC reader including an NFC tag identification, then retrieve stored parameters corresponding to the NFC tag identification, and configure at least one of the plurality of data pins based upon the stored parameters corresponding to the NFC tag identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Noller, Todd Johnson
  • Patent number: 11578689
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a blower housing configured to direct cooling air to the engine block, an electric starting system, and a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis. The electric starting system includes an electric motor and an energy storage device located within the blower housing. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor, and is positioned above the crankshaft. When the starter motor is activated, the electric starting system rotates the crankshaft to rotate the engine for starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Procknow, Mark Meyer
  • Patent number: 11570948
    Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes a frame, a power head, a hydrostatic transmission, a pair of rear drive wheels, a drive chain, and a wheel height adjustment mechanism. The hydrostatic transmission includes a drive gear configured to rotate about a first axis. The pair of rear drive wheels are coupled at respective ends of a rear drive axle, wherein the rear drive axle is operably coupled to a driven gear. The pair of rear drive wheels, the rear drive axle, and the driven gear are configured to rotate about a second axis. The drive chain is operably coupled to both the drive gear and the driven gear. The wheel height adjustment mechanism includes a first bell crank pivotally coupled to the frame about the first axis, with a first end of the first bell crank being coupled to the rear drive axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11571640
    Abstract: A filtration system includes a filter housing and a filter cartridge. The filter housing includes a base and a cover removably coupled to the base. The cover includes a retainer. The filter cartridge has a longitudinal axis and is movable between an installed position within the filter housing and an uninstalled position outside the filter housing. The filter cartridge includes a top endplate including at least one protrusion extending upwardly away from the top endplate. The protrusion includes a tab extending radially outward from the protrusion that is structured to interact with the retainer to removably couple the filter cartridge to the cover. The filter cartridge further includes a bottom endplate and a filter media extending axially between the top endplate and the bottom endplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth Woytach, Bryce Metcalf, Randall Ammentorp, Chris Martinek, Rodney Balzar, Glen Stroik
  • Publication number: 20230018540
    Abstract: A lawnmower includes a frame, a pair of drive wheels, a front axle assembly, a first caster wheel, a second caster wheel, a first rod, a second rod, and a mower deck. The pair of drive wheels are coupled to a second end portion of the frame. The front axle assembly includes a bar pivotally coupled to a first end portion of the frame about a pivot axis. The first caster wheel is coupled to a first lateral end of the bar. The second caster wheel is coupled to a second lateral end of the bar. The first rod is coupled between the frame and the first lateral end of the bar. The second rod is coupled between the frame and the second lateral end of the bar. When the bar pivots about the pivot axis, the first caster wheel and the second caster wheel move relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Philip H. Wenzel, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Brian Crossway, Derrick R. Camenga
  • Patent number: 11543458
    Abstract: A power unit operable to power equipment, the power unit including an electric motor, multiple removable and rechargeable battery packs, multiple switching elements, and a control unit. Each of the switching elements is connected between one of the battery packs and the electric motor and operate in one of an open position or a closed position. The control unit is operable to manage the position of the switching elements. The control unit is configured to determine whether one or more battery packs are supplying power for the electric motor, measure a voltage of each of the battery packs, determine whether each of the voltage measurements is within a predetermined value to each other, calculate a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal for each of the switching elements, assign each PWM signal to one of the switching elements, and apply each of the PWM signals to the assigned switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: Numan Mohammad Jan
  • Publication number: 20220416312
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery housing, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a plurality of cell module assemblies, and a battery management system. The plurality of cell module assemblies are received within an internal cavity of the battery housing, and include a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells that are connected in parallel. The battery management system is in communication with at least one of the plurality of cell module assemblies within the internal cavity, and is structured to receive a voltage tap measurement from each of the plurality of cell module assemblies within the internal cavity, compare the voltage tap measurement from each of the plurality of cell module assemblies to an expected voltage tap measurement, and determine if a voltage tap measurement for a cell module assembly within the plurality of cell module assemblies deviates from the expected voltage tap measurement to identify a faulty cell module assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Zeiler, Jacob Schmalz, Michael Marshall, Jim Busse
  • Publication number: 20220407122
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Battery cells are located within the housing and are selectively coupled to the positive terminal and coupled to the negative terminal. A battery management system is located within the housing and is configured to operate a first switch within the housing to selectively couple the battery cells and the positive terminal. A bleed circuit is electrically coupled between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The bleed circuit includes a resistor and a second switch to selectively couple the positive terminal to the negative terminal. The battery management system is configured to open the first switch and close the second switch and measure a voltage drop across the resistor to detect a presence and type of voltage source connected to the positive terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Marshall, Jacob Schmalz