Abstract: A load monitoring apparatus for monitoring the load applied to a portable generator. The apparatus includes a sensor, and a humanly perceptible indicator that indicates at least one discontinuous load power frequency.

Abstract: A door opener control system for outdoor power equipment. The system may generally include a transmitter coupled to the outdoor power equipment, a switch in communication with the transmitter, and a power supply, such that the transmitter is operable to remotely control the door between an open position and a closed position in response to a condition of the switch. The power supply may include a battery and the transmitter may be programmed to operate with a variety of receivers. The switch may be implemented with a variety of contact and non-contact type switches mounted on an instrument panel of the outdoor power equipment.

Abstract: A fluid condition indicating system and method using visual and audible devices. The system includes a circuit having visual and audible indicators, a power supply, and a plurality of switches or sensors. A start switch is coupled to the power supply, the visual indicator, and the audible indicator, and an enable switch is responsive to an ignition signal. During engine starting, the circuit enables the visual indicator in response to a condition of the start switch and a low fluid sensor, and disables the audible indicator. The audible indicator is enabled in response to the condition of the enable switch after engine starting, and may include a transistor or an output of a controller such as a microprocessor. The system may be integrated into a single wiring harness that can be easily replaced or retrofit onto existing outdoor power equipment.

Abstract: An engine starting system that includes a power source, an electromagnetic coil and core, and a choke valve disposed in an air intake of an air/fuel-mixing device of an internal combustion engine. At the time of starting the engine, the power source outputs an electrical signal to an electromagnetic coil and core, inducing a magnetic field from the electromagnetic coil and the core. The magnetic field from the core moves the choke valve toward a substantially closed position that enriches an intake mixture of fuel and air to the engine during starting. In one embodiment, the power source includes a moving magnet that interacts with a stator coil to provide the electrical signal to the electromagnetic coil. In another embodiment, the closing of a starter switch allows a battery to provide the electrical power to the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A fluid condition indicating system and method using visual and audible devices. The system includes a circuit having visual and audible indicators, a power supply, and a plurality of switches or sensors. A start switch is coupled to the power supply, the visual indicator, and the audible indicator, and an enable switch is responsive to an ignition signal. During engine starting, the circuit enables the visual indicator in response to a condition of the start switch and a low fluid sensor, and disables the audible indicator. The audible indicator is enabled in response to the condition of the enable switch after engine starting, and may include a transistor or an output of a controller such as a microprocessor. The system may be integrated into a single wiring harness that can be easily replaced or retrofit onto existing outdoor power equipment.

Abstract: An electrical power supply assembly for an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a dual circuit alternator that provides dual unregulated voltage signals to a supply connector. The supply connector is electrically connected to an input connector. A regulator receives one of unregulated voltage signals from the input connector and provides a regulated voltage signal to one contact at an output connector. A bypass conductor conducts the other unregulated voltage signal from the input connector to another contact at the output connector. The output connector is configured to be electrically connected to a dual load circuit connector. The dual load circuit connector is electrically connected to load circuits having different demands for regulated and unregulated electrical power.

Abstract: A load monitoring apparatus for monitoring the load applied to a portable generator. The apparatus includes a sensor, and a humanly perceptible indicator that indicates at least one discontinuous load power frequency.

Abstract: An engine starting system for an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a starter switch electrically connected between a battery and a starter motor for the engine, and a choke valve disposed in an air intake of an air/fuel-mixing device for the engine. The choke valve moves in response to a solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator is electrically connected to the starter motor and a temperature switch. When starting the engine below a threshold temperature, the starter switch and temperature switch close such that the battery powers the starter motor and solenoid actuator. The energized solenoid actuator moves the choke valve to a closed position to enrich the air/fuel mixture. Above a certain threshold temperature, the temperature switch interrupts the power to the solenoid actuator.

Abstract: An engine starting system that includes a power source, an electromagnetic coil and core, and a choke valve disposed in an air intake of an air/fuel-mixing device of an internal combustion engine. At the time of starting the engine, the power source outputs an electrical signal to an electromagnetic coil and core, inducing a magnetic field from the electromagnetic coil and the core. The magnetic field from the core moves the choke valve toward a substantially closed position that enriches an intake mixture of fuel and air to the engine during starting. In one embodiment, the power source includes a moving magnet that interacts with a stator coil to provide the electrical signal to the electromagnetic coil. In another embodiment, the closing of a starter switch allows a battery to provide the electrical power to the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: An engine starting system for an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a starter switch electrically connected between a battery and a starter motor for the engine, and a choke valve disposed in an air intake of an air/fuel-mixing device for the engine. The choke valve moves in response to a solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator is electrically connected to the starter motor and a temperature switch. When starting the engine below a threshold temperature, the starter switch and temperature switch close such that the battery powers the starter motor and solenoid actuator. The energized solenoid actuator moves the choke valve to a closed position to enrich the air/fuel mixture. Above a certain threshold temperature, the temperature switch interrupts the power to the solenoid actuator.

Abstract: An electrical power supply assembly for an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a dual circuit alternator that provides dual unregulated voltage signals to a supply connector. The supply connector is electrically connected to an input connector. A regulator receives one of unregulated voltage signals from the input connector and provides a regulated voltage signal to one contact at an output connector. A bypass conductor conducts the other unregulated voltage signal from the input connector to another contact at the output connector. The output connector is configured to be electrically connected to a dual load circuit connector. The dual load circuit connector is electrically connected to load circuits having different demands for regulated and unregulated electrical power.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring system for monitoring an internal combustion engine. The monitoring system includes a power source having a winding and a magnet that magnetically interacts with the winding to generate a winding signal. The monitoring system further includes a conditioner that conditions the winding signal to generate a conditioned signal, a counter circuit powered by the conditioned signal that outputs an indication signal, and a visual or audible indicator that provides indication to the user upon receiving the indication signal.

Abstract: An engine starting and stopping device for an internal combustion engine includes an energy storing mechanism having at least one elastic member such as a spring, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable during engine coast down to load the elastic member, and an output element that is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism. The output element is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism as the elastic member unloads from the loaded state, to thereby move a rotatable member (i.e., a crankshaft and/or flywheel) of the engine during starting of the engine. An input control device is also provided for positioning the input element into engagement with the rotatable member of the engine such that rotation of the rotatable member moves the input element to load the elastic member during engine coast down and also to brake the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing, a crankshaft supported within the engine housing for rotation with respect to the engine housing, and a flywheel fixedly mounted to the crankshaft and rotatable with the crankshaft in a starting direction to start the engine. A coil spring has an outer end fixedly interconnected with respect to the engine housing, and an inner end. A unidirectional clutch has a portion connected to the inner end of the spring. The unidirectional clutch is characterized by an interference condition in which the unidirectional clutch couples the inner end of the spring to the flywheel such that the flywheel and crankshaft may be rotated in the starting direction in response to unloading of the spring. The unidirectional clutch is also characterized by a non-interference condition in which the inner end of the spring is uncoupled from the flywheel.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing and a crankshaft supported for rotation within the engine housing and rotatable in a starting direction to start said engine. At least one cup is fixedly mounted to the crankshaft for rotation therewith. A starter shaft is supported by the engine housing for rotation. A spring housing includes a circumferential flange that defines an annular track with the at least one cup, and a spring is housed within the spring housing. The spring has a first end interconnected with the spring housing and a second end interconnected with the engine housing. A friction roller is movable into the annular track and into engagement with both of the circumferential flange and the at least one cup to cause rotation of the spring housing and loading of the spring in response to rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing and a crankshaft supported for rotation within the engine housing and rotatable in a starting direction to start said engine. At least one cup is fixedly mounted to the crankshaft for rotation therewith. A starter shaft is supported by the engine housing for rotation. A spring housing includes a circumferential flange that defines an annular track with the at least one cup, and a spring is housed within the spring housing. The spring has a first end interconnected with the spring housing and a second end interconnected with the engine housing. A friction roller is movable into the annular track and into engagement with both of the circumferential flange and the at least one cup to cause rotation of the spring housing and loading of the spring in response to rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: An engine starting device for an internal combustion engine, includes an energy storing mechanism including at least one elastic member, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable into contact with a rotatable engine member of an engine to load the elastic member, an output element that is movable in response to unloading of the elastic member, at least one manual actuator to enable unloading of the elastic member, a locking mechanism engageable with the energy storing mechanism to prevent the elastic member from unloading from a loaded state, a sliding member, a cam member mounted to the sliding member, a pivot link pivotably mounted to the sliding member, and a key device coupled to the pivot link. In operation, rotation of the key device in a locking direction causes the pivot link to move the sliding member, thereby causing the cam member to engage the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is positioned in engagement with the energy storing mechanism.

Abstract: An engine starting device for an internal combustion engine, includes an energy storing mechanism including at least one elastic member, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable into contact with a rotatable engine member of an engine to load the elastic member, an output element that is movable in response to unloading of the elastic member, at least one manual actuator to enable unloading of the elastic member, a locking mechanism engageable with the energy storing mechanism to prevent the elastic member from unloading from a loaded state, a sliding member, a cam member mounted to the sliding member, a pivot link pivotably mounted to the sliding member, and a key device coupled to the pivot link. In operation, rotation of the key device in a locking direction causes the pivot link to move the sliding member, thereby causing the cam member to engage the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is positioned in engagement with the energy storing mechanism.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing, a crankshaft supported within the engine housing for rotation with respect to the engine housing, and a flywheel fixedly mounted to the crankshaft and rotatable with the crankshaft in a starting direction to start the engine. A coil spring has an outer end fixedly interconnected with respect to the engine housing, and an inner end. A unidirectional clutch has a portion connected to the inner end of the spring. The unidirectional clutch is characterized by an interference condition in which the unidirectional clutch couples the inner end of the spring to the flywheel such that the flywheel and crankshaft may be rotated in the starting direction in response to unloading of the spring. The unidirectional clutch is also characterized by a non-interference condition in which the inner end of the spring is uncoupled from the flywheel.

Abstract: An engine starting and stopping device for an internal combustion engine includes an energy storing mechanism having at least one elastic member such as a spring, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable during engine coast down to load the elastic member, and an output element that is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism. The output element is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism as the elastic member unloads from the loaded state, to thereby move a rotatable member (i.e., a crankshaft and/or flywheel) of the engine during starting of the engine. An input control device is also provided for positioning the input element into engagement with the rotatable member of the engine such that rotation of the rotatable member moves the input element to load the elastic member during engine coast down and also to brake the engine.