Method of and system for starting engine-driven power equipment

• US 20050082833A1
• Filed: 08/05/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Stair, Kenny J., Brandenburg, Billy, Hoenisch, Herbert, Sodemann, Wesley C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,148,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1.A
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/12 Starting of engines by means of mobile, e.g. portable, starting sets
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/14 Starting of engines by means of electric starters with external current supply F02N11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/001 Hot plugging or unplugging of load or power modules to or from power distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/122 Provisions for temporary connection of DC sources of essentially the same voltage, e.g. jumpstart cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

A portable power source for starting a variety of outdoor power equipment, particularly a portable generator. The portable power source generally includes a housing, an electrochemical power supply, a switch, and a connector connected to the switch. The switch may be electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and, using a conductor (e.g., a cable), the connector is operable to be electrically connected to a starter motor associated with the outdoor power equipment. The portable power source is adapted to be used as a primary power source and as an auxiliary power source. The portable power source can also includes an integrated light, an air compressor, a power supply indicator, and one or more inputs and outputs to receive and provide direct current (“DC”) and alternating current (“AC”).

Claims

1. An engine-driven power equipment system comprising:

engine-driven power equipment comprising

an alternator,

an internal combustion engine coupled to the alternator,

a starter motor coupled to the internal combustion engine,

a cable hardwired to the starter motor, and

a first connector electrically connected to the cable;

a portable power source comprising

a housing,

an electrochemical power supply supported by the housing,

a second connector mating with the first connector, and

a switch coupled to the housing and electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and the second connector, the switch adapted to control power from the power supply to the second connector.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first and second conductors are readily disconnectable.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the switch comprises a START position with a momentary contact, and wherein actuation of the switch to the START position electrically connects the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing supports the second connector and the switch.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the engine-driven power equipment further comprises a frame, and wherein the frame supports the alternator, the internal combustion engine, and the starter motor.

6. A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the frame further supports a second switch electrically connected in circuit with the starter motor, the cable, and the first connector, the second switch comprising a START position with a momentary contact, wherein the first switch includes an ON position with a fixed contact, and wherein actuation of the second switch to the START position and the actuation of the first switch to the ON position electrically connects the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor.

7. A system as set fourth in claim 6 wherein the frame comprises an operation panel supporting the first switch and a fuel-enrichment device.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the fuel-enrichment device and the switch are in close proximity.

9. A system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the fuel enrichment device comprises at least one of a choke and a primer.

10. A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the engine-driven power equipment further comprises a tray supported by the frame and adapted to receive the portable power source, and wherein the tray supports the first connector.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the tray receives the portable power source on a first side and wherein the tray comprises a support on a second side opposite the first side.

12. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the engine-driven power equipment further comprises a charging input connector supported by the housing and adapted to receive at least one of alternating current and direct current to charge the electrochemical power supply.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portable power source further comprises a power supply condition indicator supported by the housing.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portable power source further comprises an air compressor supported by the housing.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portable power source further comprises an inverter supported by the housing and an output connector coupled to the inverter, the output connector to supply alternating current.

16. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portable power source further comprises an integrated light supported by the housing.

17. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrochemical power supply comprises at least one of a battery and a fuel cell.

18. A method of starting an engine-driven power equipment system, the system comprising

a frame,

an alternator, an internal combustion engine, and a starter motor supported by the frame,

a cable hardwired to the starter motor,

a first connector electrically connected to the cable,

a first switch supported by the frame and electrically connected in circuit with the starter motor, the conductor, and the first connector, and

a portable power source comprising a housing, an electrochemical power supply supported by the housing, a second connector, and a second switch coupled to the housing and electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and the second connector, the method comprising:

readily mating the first and second connectors;

actuating the second switch to make power available from the portable power source; and

actuating the first switch to energize the starter motor while power is available from the portable power source.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 and further comprising readily disconnecting the first and second connectors after the engine has started.

20. A method as set forth in claim 19 wherein the first switch comprises a momentary contact, wherein actuating the first switch comprises providing momentary contact while the first switch is actuated, and wherein the method further comprises ceasing actuation of the first switch after the engine has started.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the second switch comprises a fixed contact, wherein actuating the second switch comprises providing fixed contact after actuating the second switch, and wherein the method further comprises actuating the second switch to cease fixed contact after the engine has started.

22. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein the portable power source further comprises a tray supported by the frame, the tray supporting the first connector, and wherein readily connecting the first and second connectors comprises placing the portable power source in the tray resulting in the mating of the first and second connectors.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein the tray further comprises a support structure, and wherein the method further comprises moving the tray to allow the support structure to support the tray.

24. An engine-driven power equipment system, the system comprising:

engine-driven power equipment comprising

an alternator,

an internal combustion engine coupled to the alternator,

a starter motor coupled to the internal combustion engine,

a conductor hardwired to the starter motor, and

a tray comprising a first connector electrically connected to the conductor;

a portable power source supported by the tray, the portable power source comprising

a housing,

an electrochemical power supply supported by the housing,

a second connector mating with the first connector, and

a switch coupled to the housing and electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and the second connector, the switch adapted to control power from the power supply to the second connector.

25. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the first and second connectors are readily disconnectable.

26. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the switch comprises a START position with a momentary contact, and wherein actuation of the switch to the START position electrically connects the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor.

27. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the housing supports the second connector and the switch.

28. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the engine-driven power equipment further comprises a frame, and wherein the frame supports the alternator, the internal combustion engine, and the starter motor.

29. A system as set forth in claim 28 wherein the frame further supports a second switch electrically connected in circuit with the starter motor, the cable, and the first connector, the second switch comprising a START position with a momentary contact, wherein the first switch includes an ON position with a fixed contact, and wherein actuation of the second switch to the START position and the actuation of the first switch to the ON position electrically connects the electrochemical power supply to the starter motor.

30. A system as set fourth in claim 29 wherein the frame comprises an operation panel supporting the first switch and a fuel-enrichment device.

31. A system as set forth in claim 30 wherein the fuel-enrichment device and the switch are in close proximity.

32. A system as set forth in claim 31 wherein the fuel enrichment device comprises at least one of a choke and a primer.

33. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the tray receives the portable power source on a first side and wherein the tray comprises a support on a second side opposite the first side.

34. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the engine-driven power equipment further comprises a charging input connector supported by the housing and adapted to receive at least one of alternating current and direct current to charge the electrochemical power supply.

35. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the portable power source further comprises a power supply condition indicator supported by the housing.

36. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the portable power source further comprises an air compressor supported by the housing.

37. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the portable power source further comprises an inverter supported by the housing and an output connector coupled to the inverter, the output connector to supply alternating current.

38. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the portable power source further comprises an integrated light supported by the housing.

39. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein the electrochemical power supply comprises at least one of a battery and a fuel cell.

40. A method of starting an engine-driven power equipment system, the system comprising

a frame,

an alternator, an internal combustion engine, and a starter motor supported by the frame,

a conductor hardwired to the starter motor,

a tray comprising a first connector electrically connected to the conductor,

a first switch supported by the frame and electrically connected in circuit with the starter motor, the conductor, and the first connector, and

a portable power source comprising a housing, an electrochemical power supply supported by the housing, a second connector, and a second switch coupled to the housing and electrically connected to the electrochemical power supply and the second connector, the method comprising:

readily mating the first and second connectors, the readily mating step comprising placing the portable power source onto the tray;

actuating the second switch to make power available from the portable power source; and

actuating the first switch to energize the starter motor while power is available from the portable power source.

41. A method as set forth in claim 40 and further comprising readily disconnecting the first and second connectors after the engine has started, the readily disconnecting step including removing the portable power source from the tray.

42. A method as set forth in claim 41 wherein the first switch comprises a momentary contact, wherein actuating the first switch comprises providing momentary contact while the first switch is actuated, and wherein the method further comprises ceasing actuation of the first switch after the engine has started.

43. A method as set forth in claim 42 wherein the second switch comprises a fixed contact, wherein actuating the second switch comprises providing fixed contact after actuating the second switch, and wherein the method further comprises actuating the second switch to cease fixed contact after the engine has started.

44. A method as set forth in claim 40 wherein the tray further comprises a support structure, and wherein the method further comprises moving the tray to allow the support structure to support the tray.