Patents by Inventor Michael Pitcel
Michael Pitcel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240011426Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an air filter assembly, a first electric fan coupled to a first duct, and a second electric fan coupled to a second duct. The first duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the first cylinder. The second duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the second cylinder. The first cylinder is at least partially within the first duct. The second cylinder is at least partially within the second duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
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Patent number: 11767786Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an air filter assembly, a first electric fan coupled to a first duct, and a second electric fan coupled to a second duct. The first duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the first cylinder. The second duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the second cylinder. The first cylinder is at least partially within the first duct. The second cylinder is at least partially within the second duct.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
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Patent number: 11668270Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel, Kevin Leix
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Patent number: 11572852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventor: Michael Pitcel
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Publication number: 20220349334Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an air filter assembly, a first electric fan coupled to a first duct, and a second electric fan coupled to a second duct. The first duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the first cylinder. The second duct is configured to direct cooling air directly over the second cylinder. The first cylinder is at least partially within the first duct. The second cylinder is at least partially within the second duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
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Patent number: 11408325Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an electric fan, and an air filter assembly configured to filter incoming air from an air intake and provide cleaned air to a throttle body. The engine block includes a cylinder. The throttle body is configured to throttle incoming air to the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
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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: 20200232379Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an electric fan, and an air filter assembly configured to filter incoming air from an air intake and provide cleaned air to a throttle body. The engine block includes a cylinder. The throttle body is configured to throttle incoming air to the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Jacob Zuehl, Michael Pitcel
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Patent number: 9945281Abstract: A cooling system for an air-cooled engine includes a plurality of electric fans, a plurality of ducts, each duct configured to receive one of the plurality of electric fans, a housing, the housing configured to be coupled to the engine and to include at least one opening, each opening is configured to be coupled to receive one of the plurality of ducts to direct air from the electric fans to a plurality of target locations, a sensor, the sensor is configured to acquire sensor data regarding the operation of the engine, and a processing circuit, the processing circuit is configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to control operation of the plurality of electric fans in accordance with the sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Michael Pitcel, David Procknow, Jacob Zuehl
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Publication number: 20170167353Abstract: A cooling system for an air-cooled engine includes a plurality of electric fans, a plurality of ducts, each duct configured to receive one of the plurality of electric fans, a housing, the housing configured to be coupled to the engine and to include at least one opening, each opening is configured to be coupled to receive one of the plurality of ducts to direct air from the electric fans to a plurality of target locations, a sensor, the sensor is configured to acquire sensor data regarding the operation of the engine, and a processing circuit, the processing circuit is configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to control operation of the plurality of electric fans in accordance with the sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Michael Pitcel, David Procknow, Jacob Zuehl
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Publication number: 20160201609Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventor: Michael Pitcel
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Patent number: 8863485Abstract: A lawn mower includes an engine, an energy storage device, a motor/generator including an output shaft, an engine coupling, wherein, with the engine coupling disengaged, the motor/generator drives the output shaft, and with the engine coupling engaged, the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine drive the output shaft, a mower blade, a power take-off clutch, and a control unit configured to implement a first operating condition in which the engine coupling is disengaged, the engine is off, and the output shaft is driven by the motor/generator, and configured to implement a second operating condition in which the engine coupling is engaged, the engine is on, the output shaft is driven by the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Michael Pitcel, William Latus, Robert Koenen, David Procknow, Jeffrey Berger, Jason Elvers