Abstract: A drive assembly couples a driving mechanism, e.g., an engine, and a driven mechanism, e.g., a generator, to one another. The assembly includes a transmission member having a plurality of inwardly projecting fingers and a coupling having a plurality of outwardly directed projections interdigitated with the fingers. The projections include first and second projections which define a notch between them. A finger extends into the notch, thereby forming first and second pockets between the finger and the first and second projections, respectively. In the improvement, the first and second resilient devices are received in the first and second pockets, respectively. Each resilient device includes at least one spur projecting from it to prevent substantial rotation of the device in its pocket. In a more specific embodiment, alternating pairs of resilient devices are made, respectively, of natural rubber for good shock absorption and Buna N for resisting the harmful effects of oil.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled IC engine is in combination with a heat exchange apparatus therefor and the apparatus includes a radiator and a belt-driven fan. In the improvement, a pair of fan support stanchions are fixed with respect to the radiator and a fan carrier assembly is slide-mounted with respect to them. In a highly preferred embodiment, there are two springs urging the assembly for translational movement in a belt-tensioning direction. A tube-like arbor is mounted with respect to the panel and a bearing-supported shaft extends through the arbor and couples the fan and a driven fan pulley to one another. A flexible belt is driven by the crankshaft pulley and drives the fan pulley. The crankshaft pulley rotates at engine speed and has a first diameter and the fan pulley has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The fan pulley (and the fan) rotate at a speed less than engine speed, thereby reducing fan noise.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic transfer switch (ATS) having "operate," "test" and "isolate" positions for the switch per se. A handle selects one of the positions and a mechanical linkage couples the ATS and the handle to one another. In the improvement, the linkage has first and second members for applying motive force to the switch. The mechanical linkage has first and second rotary driver devices in engagement with the first and second members, respectively, thereby providing redundant switch-positioning mechanisms. The new ATS may be combined with a bypass switch having "normal," "auto" and "emergency" contact positions. A switch interlock linkage extends between the transfer switch and the bypass switch and includes a bypass plate and a transfer plate coupled to one another by a bar. The bypass switch includes a pivot-mounted first bypass interlock member obstructing substantial movement of the bypass plate when the bypass switch electrical contacts are in the "normal" position.

Abstract: An electrical alternator includes a stator with circumferentially-spaced stator arms, each having a coil wound on it. The rotor includes a cup-shaped support component with a plurality of magnets affixed to the inner surface of the component rim so as to be in excitation relationship to the coils. The improvement comprises a hub including (a) a first hub portion having the stator affixed thereto, and (b) a second hub portion axially spaced from the first hub portion. A ribbed section is affixed to the hub between the hub portions and includes a primary mount and two auxiliary mounts. The primary mount is bolted to an engine block. The alternator affords a high degree of mounting flexibility in that the alternator can be mounted toward the left or right of the engine and either one of the auxiliary mounts used for alternator attachment to a mounting bracket. Novel cooling and voltage regulator mounting arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure washer is powered by a prime mover, e.g., an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, and has a flow control valve. The valve has a housing containing a piston assembly and the assembly has a mechanism coupled to it for controlling prime mover power. The piston assembly includes a first piston sealing against the housing and dividing the housing interior into two chambers. Such first piston is spring-biased to a first position during periods when no output flow is being demanded from the washer. The assembly also has a second piston spring-biased to seal against the first piston during periods of no flow. When flow is demanded by opening the nozzle, the pressure in the second chamber diminishes. And when the difference between the pressure in the second chamber and that in the first chamber exceeds a predetermined value, the assembly shifts to a second position, causing the mechanism to actuate the prime mover.

Abstract: An apparatus has first and second driven pulleys for powering an engine auxiliary function, e.g., a water pump, and for driving an engine fan, respectively. The apparatus includes a hollow tube-like arbor fixed with respect to the first pulley and having a first arbor surface, e.g., an exterior cylindrical surface. A bearing has a first load-supporting surface, e.g., the interior surface of the bearing, which is mounted to the first arbor surface. A fan drive member is mounted to the second load-supporting surface of the bearing, e.g., the exterior bearing surface, and both the fan and the second pulley are coupled to the fan drive member. The two pulleys are driven by respective belts powered by the engine crankshaft and the pulleys rotate in opposite directions when driven. A new engine incorporating the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston for a water pump, e.g., a pressure washer pump. The piston includes a piston body and a piston head and in the improvement, the piston body is solid, homogeneous ceramic. That is, the piston body has a generally cylindrical surface and the body is circumscribed by the surface and is homogeneous ceramic. A method for making a piston for a water pump includes the steps of providing a piston body made of a ceramic material, and making a piston head of steel and having a pocket formed therein. The head is heated, the pocket and the body are engaged in overlapping relationship and the head is allowed to cool and "shrink-fit" to the piston body. The piston head is formed to have a relief groove circumscribing the pocket for reducing compression forces resulting from such cooling.

Abstract: A "hot start" method for arc welding includes selecting a first weld current, setting a time interval, striking an arc, flowing a second, higher weld current through the welding rod and then, after a brief time interval, reducing the current through the rod to the value of the first weld current. Also disclosed is a new arc welder stator having two groups of slots around a core. The group of larger slots contains the weld current windings and slots in the group of smaller slots contain windings for timing, gate voltage, battery charging, auxiliary power and the like. A new cooling apparatus for an arc welder has an air duct and a "double-bladed" fan for flowing air along several paths and cooling both the welder control section and the generating section. A new method for electronically controlling engine speed in an engine-driven arc welder is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a prime mover and a pump-mount adapter mounted thereto. The adapter includes a central housing and a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the housing and coupled to the prime mover. Resilient mounts are used for such coupling and a rigid compression limiter prevents such mounts from being compressed to the degree that substantial resiliency is lost. The housing contains a liquid lubricant for lubricating the pump. A resilient seal device is between the housing and the prime mover and retains the lubricant in the housing. And after assembly, the housing is maintaining in a spaced relationship to the prime mover. The new mounting arrangement permits relatively generous manufacturing tolerances while yet permitting the prime mover and adapter-mounted pump to radially and angularly "self-align" during assembly.

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.

Abstract: An engine-driven generator having a battery powered starter motor includes a permanent magnet battery charger/pre-exciter for charging the starting battery and for exciting the main alternator field winding of an AC synchronous alternator included in the engine-driven generator. A first winding in the permanent magnet battery charger/pre-exciter provides power to a first voltage regulator that, in turn, maintains a desired load voltage substantially independently of alternator loading. A second winding within the permanent magnet battery charger/pre-exciter supplies power to a second voltage regulator that maintains a desired battery charging voltage substantially independently of the alternator loading. Use of the permanent magnet battery charger/pre-exciter maintains a desired battery charge current and a desired main alternator field excitation substantially independently of the load current supplied by the alternator.