Abstract: A starter motor connected to a power supply and operable to start an internal combustion engine includes an outer housing and a solid state switching device associated with the outer housing. The outer housing encloses a commutator and a series of brushes. The solid state switching device is movable between an open position and a closed position. The current flow from the power supply through the commutator is prevented when the solid state switching device is in the open position.

Abstract: A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack.

Abstract: A starter motor connected to a power supply and operable to start an internal combustion engine includes an outer housing and a solid state switching device associated with the outer housing. The outer housing encloses a commutator and a series of brushes. The solid state switching device is movable between an open position and a closed position. The current flow from the power supply through the commutator is prevented when the solid state switching device is in the open position.

Abstract: A starter motor that includes an integrated solid state switching device. The solid state switching device is mounted within the outer housing of the starter motor such that the entire starter motor can be installed as a single unit. In one embodiment, the solid state switching device includes a MOSFET positioned on the low side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device opens and closes to control the flow of current through the starter motor. In another embodiment, the solid state switching device is positioned on the high side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device can include a speed sensing circuit to prevent operation of the starter motor when the internal combustion engine is operation, a crank limiting circuit that limits the amount of time the starter motor can operate without starting the internal combustion engine and/or a thermal limiting circuit to prevent operation during overheating of the starter motor.

Abstract: A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack.

Abstract: A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack.

Abstract: A starter motor that includes an integrated solid state switching device. The solid state switching device is mounted within the outer housing of the starter motor such that the entire starter motor can be installed as a single unit. In one embodiment, the solid state switching device includes a MOSFET positioned on the low side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device opens and closes to control the flow of current through the starter motor. In another embodiment, the solid state switching device is positioned on the high side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device can include a speed sensing circuit to prevent operation of the starter motor when the internal combustion engine is operation, a crank limiting circuit that limits the amount of time the starter motor can operate without starting the internal combustion engine and/or a thermal limiting circuit to prevent operation during overheating of the starter motor.

Abstract: A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack.

Abstract: A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack.

Abstract: A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack.