Internal combustion engine traction drive with electric cutting unit drive for walking greens mower

• US 20050257512A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Derby, Harry L. V, Holby, Bryan E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/257
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/47 with motor driven cutters or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/58 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/78 electric

Abstract

A walk-behind greens mower having a mobile structure and a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to the mobile structure. The ground engaging traction member imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed. An internal combustion engine is supported on the mobile structure and outputs a driving force to the ground engaging traction member. A bed knife is supported by the mobile structure having a cutting edge that cooperates with a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on the mobile structure. An electric motor supported on the mobile structure rotatably driving the grass cutting reel at a rotational speed that can vary depending upon the detected ground speed.

Claims

1. A walk-behind greens mower comprising:

a mobile structure;

a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to said mobile structure, said ground engaging traction member imparting traction movement to said mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed;

an internal combustion engine supported on said mobile structure, said internal combustion engine outputting a driving force to said ground engaging traction member;

a bed knife supported by said mobile structure having a cutting edge;

a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on said mobile structure, said grass cutting reel having cutting blades being in grass cutting relationship with said bed knife; and

an electric motor supported on said mobile structure, said electric motor rotatably driving said grass cutting reel at a rotational speed.

2. The greens mower according to claim 1, further comprising:

a controller operably coupled to said electric motor, said controller operable to vary said electric motor so as to varying said rotational speed of said grass cutting reel.

3. The greens mower according to claim 2, further comprising:

a sensor operably coupled to said traction member for detecting said ground speed and outputting a signal to said controller in response thereto.

4. The greens mower according to claim 3 wherein said controller varies said electric motor to vary said rotational speed of said grass cutting reel in response to said signal.

5. The greens mower according to claim 1 wherein said mobile structure comprises:

a base portion; and

an articulating portion articulately mounted to said base portion for movement relative to said base portion, said articulating portion supporting said electric motor and said grass cutting reel.

6. The greens mower according to claim 5 wherein said base portion supports said internal combustion engine.

7. The greens mower according to claim 5, further comprising:

ground engaging rollers rotatably coupled to and supporting said articulating portion upon the ground.

8. The greens mower according to claim 1, further comprising:

a generator operably coupled to said internal combustion engine, said generator outputting electricity in response to operating of said internal combustion engine, said electricity powering said electric motor.

9. The greens mower according to claim 1, further comprising:

a battery outputting electricity said electric motor.

10. A walk-behind greens mower comprising:

a base portion;

a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to said base portion, said ground engaging traction member imparting traction movement to the mower for movement on the ground at a ground speed;

an internal combustion engine supported on said base portion, said internal combustion engine outputting a driving force to said ground engaging traction member;

an articulating portion articulately mounted to said base portion for movement relative to said base portion;

a bed knife supported by said articulating portion having a cutting edge;

a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on said articulating portion, said grass cutting reel having cutting blades being in grass cutting relationship with said bed knife; and

an electric motor supported on said articulating portion, said electric motor rotatably driving said grass cutting reel at a rotational speed.

11. The greens mower according to claim 10, further comprising:

a controller operably coupled to said electric motor, said controller operable to vary said electric motor so as to varying said rotational speed of said grass cutting reel.

12. The greens mower according to claim 11, further comprising:

a sensor operably coupled to said traction member for detecting said ground speed and outputting a signal to said controller in response thereto.

13. The greens mower according to claim 12 wherein said controller varies said electric motor to vary said rotational speed of said grass cutting reel in response to said signal.

14. The greens mower according to claim 10, further comprising:

ground engaging rollers rotatably coupled to and supporting said articulating portion upon the ground.

15. The greens mower according to claim 10, further comprising:

a generator operably coupled to said internal combustion engine, said generator outputting electricity in response to operating of said internal combustion engine, said electricity powering said electric motor.

16. The greens mower according to claim 10, further comprising:

a battery outputting electricity said electric motor.