POWER-GENERATING APPARATUS, SUCH AS A GENERATOR

• US 20080079264A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Marx, John G., Serdynski, David P., Gongola, Andrew G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,667,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/30A
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/047 Movable engine-generator combinations on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A power-generating apparatus includes a frame, an engine supported by the frame, an alternator coupled to the engine and operable to convert mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy, and a battery charger supported by the frame and electrically coupled to the alternator. The battery charger is operable to charge a battery pack with the electrical energy from the alternator.

Claims

1. A power-generating apparatus comprising:

a frame;

an engine supported by the frame;

an alternator coupled to the engine and operable to convert mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy; and

a battery charger supported by the frame and electrically coupled to the alternator, the battery charger operable to charge a battery pack with the electrical energy from the alternator.

2. The power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the engine includes a starter motor operable to start the engine.

3. The power-generating apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising an engine start circuit electrically coupled to the starter motor and the battery charger, wherein the engine start circuit is operable to direct power from a battery pack connected to the battery charger to the starter motor to start the engine.

4. The power-generating apparatus of claim 3 and further comprising a relay electrically coupled to the battery charger and the engine start circuit, the relay movable between a first position, whereby the relay provides the electrical energy from the alternator to the battery charger, and a second position, whereby the relay provides the power from the battery pack to the starter motor.

5. The power-generating apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a control panel supported by the frame, wherein the control panel includes an outlet electrically coupled to the alternator, and further wherein the outlet is operable to supply the electrical energy from the alternator to a secondary device.

6. The power-generating apparatus of claim 5 wherein the battery charger is positioned on the control panel.

7. The power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a top portion defining a plane, and further comprising a lift hook assembly pivotally coupled to the top portion, and wherein the lift hook assembly is movable between a first position, whereby the lift hook assembly is substantially parallel to the plane, and a second position, whereby a portion of the lift hook assembly extends from the top portion substantially perpendicular to the plane.

8. The power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a top portion defining a plane, and further comprising a handle assembly pivotally coupled to the frame, and wherein the handle assembly is movable between a first position, whereby the handle assembly is substantially parallel to the plane, and a second position, whereby a portion of the handle assembly extends from the frame substantially perpendicular to the plane.

9. The power-generating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one wheel rotatably coupled to the frame to facilitate movement of the power-generating apparatus along a surface.

10. The power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery pack is a power tool battery pack.

11. A power-generating apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a engine supported by the frame;

an alternator coupled the engine and operable to convert mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy; and

a battery charger securely fastened to the frame and electrically coupled to the alternator, the battery charger including at least one receptacle, each receptacle configured to support a battery pack.

12. The power-generating apparatus of claim 11 wherein the engine includes a starter motor operable to start the engine.

13. The power-generating apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising an engine start circuit electrically coupled to the starter motor and the battery charger, wherein the engine start circuit is operable to direct power from a battery pack supported by the at least one receptacle to the starter motor to start the engine.

14. The power-generating apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising a relay electrically coupled to the battery charger and the engine start circuit, the relay movable between a first position, whereby the relay provides the electrical energy from the alternator to the battery charger, and a second position, whereby the relay provides the power from the battery pack to the starter motor.

15. The power-generating apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising a control panel supported by the frame, wherein the control panel includes an outlet electrically coupled to the alternator, and further wherein the outlet is operable to supply the electrical energy from the alternator to a secondary device.

16. The power-generating apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control panel is securely fastened to the frame and the battery charger is positioned on the control panel.

17. The power-generating apparatus of claim 11 wherein the frame includes a top portion defining a plane, and further comprising a lift hook assembly pivotally coupled to the top portion, and wherein the lift hook assembly is movable between a first position, whereby the lift hook assembly is substantially parallel to the plane, and a second position, whereby a portion of the lift hook assembly extends from the top portion substantially perpendicular to the plane.

18. The power-generating apparatus of claim 11 wherein the frame includes a top portion defining a plane, and further comprising a handle assembly pivotally coupled to the frame, and wherein the handle assembly is movable between a first position, whereby the handle assembly is substantially parallel to the plane, and a second position, whereby a portion of the handle assembly extends from the frame substantially perpendicular to the plane.

19. The power generating apparatus of claim 11 wherein the battery pack is a power tool battery pack.

20. A power-generating apparatus comprising:

a frame;

an engine supported by the frame and including a starter motor;

an alternator coupled to the engine and operable to convert mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy;

a control panel supported by the frame, the control panel including an outlet electrically coupled to the alternator and operable to supply the electrical energy from the alternator to a secondary device;

a battery charger positioned on the control panel and electrically coupled to the alternator, the battery charger including at least one receptacle;

a battery pack configured to be supported by the at least one receptacle to facilitate charging of the battery pack;

a engine start circuit electrically coupled to the starter motor and the battery charger, the engine start circuit operable to direct power from the battery pack to the starter motor to start the engine; and

a relay electrically coupled to the battery charger and the engine start circuit, the relay movable between a first position, whereby the relay provides the electrical energy from the alternator to the battery charger, and a second position, whereby the relay provides the power from the battery pack to the starter motor.