Electrical generator set

• US 5,890,460 A
• Filed: 05/27/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Goodman Ball Incorporated (C.E. Niehoff & Co.)
• Original Assignee: Ronald C. Ball, William A. Eldredge
• Inventors: Eldredge, William A., Ball, Ronald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, HAI H
• Application Number:
  US08/863,836
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.7, 123/41.63, 123/41.65, 123/2, 290/1 A, 290/1 B
• US Class Current: 123/41.7
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 1/02 Arrangements for cooling cylinders or cylinder heads, e.g. ducting cooling-air from its pressure source to cylinders or along cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 1/06 Arrangements for cooling other engine or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/30 Circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/06 Guiding or ducting air to, or from, ducted fans
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2063/045 Frames for generator-engine sets
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/044 the engine-generator unit being placed on a frame or in an housing
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/005 having horizontal cylinders F02B75/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/007 having vertical crankshafts
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/16 Engines characterised by number of cylinders, e.g. single-cylinder engines F02B75/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/13 Acoustic insulation

Abstract

The electrical generator set has two separate cooling airflows. A first airflow is generated by an impeller mounted on the drive shaft of the engine and provides for cooling the electrical generator or alternator and for partial cooling of the electrical circuitry which controls mainly the voltage of the electrical output. This airflow exists only while the engine is running. The first airflow is mixed with the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine for noise and temperature reduction. the use of a venturi tube supports driven by the exhaust gases supports the airflow.

A second airflow provides for cooling the radiator of the liquid cooled internal combustion engine and for partial cooling for the electrical circuitry. This second airflow is generated by one or more electrical fans and is independent on whether or not the engine is running.

Claims

1. An electrical generator set comprising

an enclosure having a first and a second section, separated by a separation wall;

a liquid cooled internal combustion engine having a radiator for cooling a cooling liquid and a drive shaft,

an electrical generator linked to said drive shaft for providing electrical energy at a first voltage,

an electronic circuitry for converting said electrical energy of said first voltage to at least one desired second voltage,

said electronic circuitry being enclosed in a electronic box with a heat sink connected to an outside of said box;

an impeller mounted on said drive shaft of said engine inside a shroud for generating a first air flow;

an airflow path for guiding said first airflow from an air intake through said electronic box, through a duct connecting said electronic box to a front side of said alternator, through said alternator and said airflow generating impeller into said first section of said enclosure and through an air exit out of said enclosure;

at least one fan mounted in an outside wall of said second section of said enclosure for generating a second airflow flowing from said

at least one fan along an outside of said side of said electronic box through said radiator and leaving said second section through a baffle in another outside wall of said second section of said enclosure;

said radiator being located in said second section connected by hoses to said liquid cooled internal combustion engine in said first section;

whereby said electronic circuitry inside said electronic box is cooled by said first airflow while said combustion engine is running and by said second airflow while said at least one fan is operating.

2. An electrical motor generator set as claimed in claim 1, further including a battery for storing electrical energy, said battery being connected to at least one of said at least one fan for generating said second airflow.

3. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 1, whereby said electrical generator set includes at least two fans, of which a first fan is operated from a voltage generated by said alternator, and a second fan is operated from a second electrical energy source for generating said second airflow, thereby providing said second airflow independent of said internal combustion engine being operated.

4. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 1, further including a battery for storing electrical energy, said battery being connected to a starter motor for starting said internal combustion engine.

5. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 2, further including a fuel pump for supplying fuel from a tank external to said enclosure to said internal combustion engine.

6. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air exit includes

a venturi suction tube having a center tube, a suction intake and

a gas exit,

said center tube receiving exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine and providing a suction at said suction intake,

said suction intake receiving air from said first section of said enclosure,

said gas exit feeding a mixture of said exhaust gases and said air from said first section to an outside of said enclosure, thereby cooling said exhaust gases.

7. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 6, wherein said air exit further includes a first muffler located inside said first section of said enclosure and connected between said internal combustion engine and said center tube of said venturi suction tube for noise reduction.

8. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 7, further includes a second muffler located external to said enclosure and connected to said gas exit for further noise reduction.

9. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 1, further including air filters at said intake baffle and said at least one fan for filtering air of said first and second air flow.

10. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 9, wherein said enclosure includes a support structure having pockets for receiving tongues of a forklift, and wherein said intake baffle of said first airflow receives air from one of said pockets, and wherein at least on of said air filters is located at or in said one of said pockets.

11. An electrical generator set comprising

an internal combustion engine,

means for cooling said engine,

a generator for electrical energy driven by said internal combustion engine and providing said electrical energy at a first voltage,

electrical circuitry for converting said electrical energy from said first voltage to at least one second voltage,

a first airflow for cooling said electrical circuitry and said generator,

a second airflow for cooling said electrical circuitry and said means for cooling said engine;

whereby said first airflow depends on said engine being operating, and wherein said second airflow depends upon a source of electrical energy.

12. An electrical generator set as claimed in claim 11, wherein said internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas port providing exhaust gases, said generator set further including a venturi tube driven by said exhaust gases and supporting said first airflow, whereby said exhaust gases are cooled.