Patents Assigned to Briggs & Stratton, LLC
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Patent number: 11296576Abstract: An electric powerhead includes a housing including a mounting plate including a shaft opening and a plurality of first openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern. The housing also includes a base including a plurality of second openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern. The electric powerhead further includes an electric motor positioned within the housing, where the electric motor includes an output shaft that extends through the shaft opening of the mounting plate and where the output shaft is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventor: David Schulenberg
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Patent number: 11293312Abstract: An engine assembly includes a small air-cooled engine and a dry sump lubrication system including an external oil reservoir, wherein the dry sump lubrication system has an overall oil capacity that provides at least five hundred hours of engine oil life.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Adam J. Hellman, John Schneiker, Tim Kwiatkowski, Casey Groh, Robert Price, Ryan Sullivan, Gary Johnson
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Patent number: 11286895Abstract: A fuel injector is provided. The fuel injector includes a sleeve having a first end proximate an outlet; a piston slidingly received in the sleeve, the piston having a first end proximate the outlet; a pumping chamber at least partially defined by the sleeve between the first end of the piston and the outlet; and a normally-open inlet valve through which fuel passes to enter the pumping chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventor: Lihang Nong
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Patent number: 11273705Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 11272652Abstract: A turf aerator includes a tine assembly and an input mechanism. The tine assembly includes multiple tines, a retractor plate for positioning the plurality of tines, and a linkage for selectively moving the retractor plate and the plurality of tines between an operating position and a retracted position. The input mechanism coupled to the linkage, the input mechanism operable to activate the linkage to move the retractor plate and the plurality of tines between the operating position and the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Brandon King, William Coates
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Publication number: 20220071077Abstract: A turf aerator includes a retracting tine assembly and an input mechanism. The tine assembly includes a plurality of tines, a pair of swing arms, and a linkage for selectively moving the pair of swing arms and the plurality of tines from the operating position to the retracted position. The pair of swing arms support the plurality of tines and are configured to rotate the plurality of tines between an operating position to a retracted position. The input is coupled to the linkage and the input is operable to active the linkage to move the pair of swing arms and the plurality of tines from the operating position to the retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Brandon King, William Coates
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Patent number: 11267443Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
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Publication number: 20220061212Abstract: An autonomous lawn mower includes removable batteries, one or more electric motors, a cutting blade, one or more wheels, an angle sensor, and a controller. The cutting blade is driven by one of the electric motors. The wheels are driven by one of the electric motors. The controller is configured to allow the lawn mower to perform a grass cutting function at a jobsite without human interaction. The controller is configured to determine whether a roll angle is greater than a first predefined amount using data from the angle sensor. In response to determining the roll angle is greater than the first predefined amount, the controller is configured to stop operation of one of the one or more electric motors configured to provide rotational drive power to the cutting blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Ryan T. Hahn, Kyle Harvey, Todd Johnson, Robert Pjevach, Jacob Schmalz, Peter D. Shears, Nicholas Zeidler
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Patent number: 11260328Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block including a cylinder, a horizontally oriented crankshaft, an air-fuel mixing device configured to provide an air-fuel mixture to the cylinder, and an air filter assembly configured to provide filtered air to the air-fuel mixing device. The air filter assembly includes a housing comprising a first housing end portion and a second housing end portion and defining an interior volume, a filter element positioned within the interior volume dividing the interior volume into a filtered volume and an unfiltered volume, a gap between the filter element and the housing configured to allow air to flow between the filter element and the housing, an air intake, and a filtered air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Steven G. Gleixner, Robert Johnson
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Patent number: 11258114Abstract: A cell module assembly includes multiple lithium-ion battery cells connected in parallel and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is programmed to receive useful life data for a useful life indicator of the battery cells, save the life data to memory to create a life data history, determine a life measurement based on the life data history, compare the life measurement to a first end of life threshold, determine if the life measurement has met the first end of life threshold, provide a first end of life output indicating that the life measurement has met the first end of life threshold, compare the life measurement to a second end of life threshold, determine if the life measurement has met the second end of life threshold, and provide a second end of life output indicating that the life measurement has met the second end of life threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Zeiler, Jacob Schmalz, Nick Zeidler
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Publication number: 20220045395Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2020Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, James Michael Busse, Jacob Schmalz
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Publication number: 20220021234Abstract: A smart switching panel for selectively connecting either a primary power supply or a secondary power supply to a plurality of electric loads. The switching panel includes a plurality of switching elements each connected to both the primary and secondary power supplies. A controller of the switching panel operates to cause the switching element to transition between a first position in which the primary power supply is connected to the electric load, a second position in which the secondary power supply is connected to the electric load and an open condition. A current sensor is positioned to monitor the amount of current drawn by the electric load and is connected to the controller such that the controller can monitor the amount of current drawn by each of the electric loads. The controller can transition each of the switching elements to the open condition when the current draw exceeds a current threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLCInventors: Brian Northway, Michael Miller
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Patent number: 11220964Abstract: A generator including an internal combustion engine having an exhaust outlet, a proximity sensor structured to detect a distance value indicative of a distance between the exhaust outlet and an object, and a controller. The controller includes a proximity circuit structured to receive the distance value from the proximity sensor and a shutdown circuit. The shutdown circuit is structured to receive the distance value from the proximity circuit, determine whether to initiate at least one of an alarm and a shutdown of the generator based on the distance value and a predetermined distance value minimum, and initiate at least one of the alarm and the shutdown of the generator based on determining that the distance value is less than the predetermined distance value minimum.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Mark Willer, Ryan Janscha, Brandon Nigh, Austin Baeten
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Publication number: 20210404428Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic fuel injection module including a throttle body including a throat extending between an inlet port and an outlet port and a fuel delivery injector too unit. The fuel delivery injector unit includes a cavity, a fuel inlet, a magnetic assembly, a pumping assembly, a spring, a valve seat, a valve, and an out valve. The fuel inlet receives fuel and directs fuel into the cavity. The magnetic assembly is within the cavity and includes a magnet, a pole, and a hollow sleeve. The pumping assembly includes a bobbin and piston. The bobbin is configured to move the pumping assembly. The piston is coupled to the bobbin. The valve seat is located at one end of the piston. The valve selectively allows fuel to flow into a pressure chamber. The out valve is configured to provide fuel to the throat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel, Kevin Leix
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Publication number: 20210408769Abstract: A power management system for selectively providing power to one or more electrical loads using a standby generator includes a meter mounted transfer switch, a power management module, and a controller. The meter mounted transfer switch is configured to receive electrical power from a utility source. The power management module is configured to receive electrical power from each of the standby generator and the utility source. The controller is in communication with the standby generator and the power management module, and monitors a load on the standby generator and communicates to the power management module to selectively disconnect at least one of the one or more electrical loads based on the monitored load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Michael Miller, Gary Gracyalny, David A. Kratz, Richard Gilpatrick, Dean Weigand, Sie Teong Lim, Nicholas Demos
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Publication number: 20210408820Abstract: A transportation vehicle including a plurality of battery packs, a plurality of power equipment, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify at least one of the plurality of power equipment or at least one of the plurality of battery packs that requires charging and direct power through a bus to distribute power to at least one of the plurality of power equipment or at least one of the plurality of battery packs. The plurality of battery packs are configured to recharge the plurality of power equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert J. Koenen, Scott A. Funke, Todd Johnson, Mark Noller, Nicholas Joseph Ziedler, Jacob Zuehl
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Publication number: 20210386019Abstract: A standing ride on mower includes a frame, a right drive wheel, a left drive wheel, a prime mover, a right side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel and having a housing, hydraulic pump, and hydraulic motor, a left side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel, having a housing, hydraulic pump, and hydraulic motor, and an operator platform to support a standing operator of the mower extending beneath the left housing and beneath the right housing such that a distance between an innermost portion of the right side integrated transaxle and an innermost portion of the left side integrated transaxle is less than a width of the operator platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch, Derrick R. Camenga
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Patent number: 11197414Abstract: A system for providing autonomous lawn care services. The system includes a number of autonomous outdoor power devices, and one or more service vehicles. The one or more service vehicles are configured to selectively load and unload one or more of the autonomous outdoor power devices at a jobsite based on instructions received by a controller of the one or more service vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Robert Pjevach, Kyle Harvey, Nicholas Zeidler, Jacob Schmalz, Peter D. Shears, Todd Johnson, Ryan T. Hahn
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Publication number: 20210381448Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Joshua Thurnbauer Cirillo, Sie Teong Lim, Philip Helwig, Kenny Jalmas Stair, Svetlana Byaliy, Mark Thomas Molinski
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Publication number: 20210384746Abstract: A battery assembly includes a housing having a handle, rechargeable battery cells disposed within the housing, and a mating feature configured to selectively connect the battery assembly with a receptacle of at least one of a power equipment and a charging station. The mating feature includes a connector having at least two electrical ports electrically connected to the battery cells, and a data port configured to provide data communication between the battery assembly and at least one of a power equipment and a charging station. The mating feature also protrudes away from a side portion of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Zeiler, Christopher Krajewski, Kyle Harvey, Ryan S. Jaskowiak, Nicholas Zeidler, Mark Noller, Todd Johnson