Abstract: An operating system for a standby generator includes a control unit, a switch, an inverter, a terminal, a current sensor, a starter circuit, a power control circuit, and an ignition kill circuit. The control unit is powered by a rechargeable twelve volt DC battery. The switch is selectively operable by the control unit to connect one of a first input or a second input to an output. The second input receives the supply of electrical power from an internal combustion engine. The inverter is positioned between the DC battery and the first input, and supplies electrical power to the electrical device when a movable contact of the switch connects the output to the first input. The power control circuit is connected to the control unit and is operable to adjust the movable contact of the switch to selectively connect the output to either the first input or the second input.

Abstract: Portable jobsite equipment includes a generator including an internal combustion engine and an alternator. The internal combustion engine includes a first cylinder including a first spark plug configured to create a first electrical spark, a second cylinder including a second spark plug configured to create a second electrical spark, an electronic control unit configured to activate and deactivate at least one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, and a load source receiving supplied power from the generator. The electronic control unit activates one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder in response to a threshold increase of the load source.

Abstract: An operating system for a standby generator includes a control unit, a switch, an inverter, a terminal, a current sensor, a starter circuit, a power control circuit, and an ignition kill circuit. The control unit is powered by a rechargeable twelve volt DC battery. The switch is selectively operable by the control unit to connect one of a first input or a second input to an output. The second input receives the supply of electrical power from an internal combustion engine. The inverter is positioned between the DC battery and the first input, and supplies electrical power to the electrical device when a movable contact of the switch connects the output to the first input. The power control circuit is connected to the control unit and is operable to adjust the movable contact of the switch to selectively connect the output to either the first input or the second input.

Abstract: An on-demand generator starting system and method is disclosed. The generator starting system is included as part of a standby or portable generator that includes one or more outlets that provide electrical power to an electrical device. The operating system includes a generator controller that monitors for a request for power from the electrical device connected to the outlet. When the control circuit of the generator controller determines that electric power is required from the generator, the control circuit initiates operation of the internal combustion engine. After the internal combustion engine starts, the control circuit operates a relay to provide power from the generator to the outlet of the generator. When the electrical device is no longer operating, the control circuit of the generator controller terminates operation of the internal combustion engine of the generator. In this manner, the generator operates only when the electrical device is requesting electrical power.

Abstract: A battery pack for use in providing starting power for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine and to supply power to one or more auxiliary loads. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of battery cells. A control unit is positioned within the outer housing and is connected to at least a starter switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The control unit controls the position of both the starter switching element and the auxiliary switching element to selectively connect the battery cells to the starter motor and the auxiliary loads. The battery pack further includes an ignition input terminal that is connected to the ignition circuit of the internal combustion engine such that the control unit can monitor the operational status of the internal combustion engine. The control unit can selectively ground the ignition coil of the ignition circuit to enable and/or terminate operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A battery pack for use in providing starting power for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine and to supply power to one or more auxiliary loads. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of battery cells. A control unit is positioned within the outer housing and is connected to at least a starter switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The control unit controls the position of both the starter switching element and the auxiliary switching element to selectively connect the battery cells to the starter motor and the auxiliary loads. The battery pack further includes an ignition input terminal that is connected to the ignition circuit of the internal combustion engine such that the control unit can monitor the operational status of the internal combustion engine. The control unit can selectively ground the ignition coil of the ignition circuit to enable and/or terminate operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An apparatus including an internal combustion engine, an electric motor configured to start the internal combustion engine, a brake mechanism, a release mechanism movable to a first position to release the brake mechanism, a switch actuated by the release mechanism, a pull rope, a sensor configured to output a signal based on the pull rope being actuated, and a control module coupled to the switch and the sensor. The switch is configured to provide a switch input to the control module when the release mechanism is in the first position. The sensor is configured to provide a sensor input to the control module when the pull rope is actuated. The control module activates the electric motor in response to the switch input and the sensor input.

Abstract: A battery pack for use in providing starting power for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine and to supply power to one or more auxiliary loads. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of battery cells. A control unit is positioned within the outer housing and is connected to at least a starter switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The control unit controls the position of both the starter switching element and the auxiliary switching element to selectively connect the battery cells to the starter motor and the auxiliary loads. The battery pack further includes an ignition input terminal that is connected to the ignition circuit of the internal combustion engine such that the control unit can monitor the operational status of the internal combustion engine. The control unit can selectively ground the ignition coil of the ignition circuit to enable and/or terminate operation of the internal combustion engine.

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: A battery for equipment having a charging system providing a charging voltage is provided. The battery includes a primary power supply, a secondary power supply, and a battery management system configured to at least one of (a) selectively increase the charging voltage to a boosted voltage and (b) selectively decrease the charging voltage to a bucked voltage, and provide at least one of the boosted voltage and the bucked voltage to the primary power supply.

Abstract: An on-demand generator starting system and method is disclosed. The generator starting system is included as part of a standby or portable generator that includes one or more outlets that provide electrical power to an electrical device. The operating system includes a generator controller that monitors for a request for power from the electrical device connected to the outlet. When the control circuit of the generator controller determines that electric power is required from the generator, the control circuit initiates operation of the internal combustion engine. After the internal combustion engine starts, the control circuit operates a relay to provide power from the generator to the outlet of the generator. When the electrical device is no longer operating, the control circuit of the generator controller terminates operation of the internal combustion engine of the generator. In this manner, the generator operates only when the electrical device is requesting electrical power.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing spark generation in an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine at low rotational speeds of the flywheel. The method and system monitor the rotational speed of the flywheel and, when the rotational speed of the flywheel is below a threshold rotational speed, the system and method supplies voltage pulses to the primary winding. The timing of the voltage pulses supplied to the primary winding are triggered off of voltage transitions in pulses induced in the primary winding upon rotation of the flywheel. Once the internal combustion engine has started, the switching device transitions into a second condition to disconnect the electrical storage device from the primary winding. The spark generation system of the present disclosure allows for starting of an internal combustion engine upon slower initial rotational speeds.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing spark generation in an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine at low rotational speeds of the flywheel. The method and system monitor the rotational speed of the flywheel and, when the rotational speed of the flywheel is below a threshold rotational speed, the system and method supplies voltage pulses to the primary winding. The timing of the voltage pulses supplied to the primary winding are triggered off of voltage transitions in pulses induced in the primary winding upon rotation of the flywheel. Once the internal combustion engine has started, the switching device transitions into a second condition to disconnect the electrical storage device from the primary winding. The spark generation system of the present disclosure allows for starting of an internal combustion engine upon slower rope pull starting or upon discharge of a starter battery.

Abstract: An engine control system includes an engine, crankshaft, and a flywheel. The flywheel is coupled to the crankshaft of the engine and includes a number of magnets arranged axially along a first side. The system further includes a printed circuit board including a number of coils integrated into the circuit board. The printed circuit board is positioned such that a first face of the printed circuit board is positioned parallel to the first side of the flywheel. Power is generated by the flywheel rotating and causing the magnetic fields associated with the magnets to induce a current though the coils integrated into the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A battery pack for use in providing starting power for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine and to supply power to one or more auxiliary loads. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of battery cells. A control unit is positioned within the outer housing and is connected to at least a starter switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The control unit controls the position of both the starter switching element and the auxiliary switching element to selectively connect the battery cells to the starter motor and the auxiliary loads. The battery pack further includes an ignition input terminal that is connected to the ignition circuit of the internal combustion engine such that the control unit can monitor the operational status of the internal combustion engine. The control unit can selectively ground the ignition coil of the ignition circuit to enable and/or terminate operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Portable jobsite equipment includes a generator including an internal combustion engine and an alternator. The internal combustion engine includes a first cylinder including a first spark plug configured to create a first electrical spark, a second cylinder including a second spark plug configured to create a second electrical spark, an electronic control unit configured to activate and deactivate at least one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, and a load source receiving supplied power from the generator. The electronic control unit activates one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder in response to a threshold increase of the load source.

Abstract: A device including a number of printed circuit board layers assembled in a stack that functions as a starting device for an internal combustion engine. Each of the circuit board layers includes a number of loops formed by copper traces on a dielectric substrate and each oriented in a coiled pattern. A rotor, which may take the form of a flywheel, is closely spaced from the stack of printed circuit board layers and includes a series of permanent magnets. When alternating current is supplied to the circuit board layers, the magnetic fields created by the loops induce rotation of the rotor. The device can operate in an alternator mode in which the device generates current as the rotor rotates past the loops on the circuit board during operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A self-contained starting module for outdoor power equipment that has control circuit and a start button. The starting module includes internal control circuit that can be either microprocessor based or analog. The control circuit receives a start signal from a start button of the starting module. The control circuit monitors for the presence of an enable device and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device, 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 control circuit initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the control circuit activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the operation of the engine is terminated.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing spark generation in an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine at low rotational speeds of the flywheel. The method and system monitor the rotational speed of the flywheel and, when the rotational speed of the flywheel is below a threshold rotational speed, the system and method supplies voltage pulses to the primary winding. The timing of the voltage pulses supplied to the primary winding are triggered off of voltage transitions in pulses induced in the primary winding upon rotation of the flywheel. Once the internal combustion engine has started, the switching device transitions into a second condition to disconnect the electrical storage device from the primary winding. The spark generation system of the present disclosure allows for starting of an internal combustion engine upon slower initial rotational speeds.