Engine generator unit

• US 6,362,533 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Morohoshi, Shinichi, Hatsugai, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US09/572,744
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/40.R, 290/40.C, 322/14, 322/1, 322/15, 322/16, 123/2, 123/3, 123/41.56
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2063/045 Frames for generator-engine sets
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/048 Portable engine-generator combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/16 Engines characterised by number of cylinders, e.g. single-cylinder engines F02B75/26 takes precedence

Abstract

In an engine generator unit, a framework has vertical pipe frame portions at its four corners, and an engine and an electric-power generator to be driven by the engine are provided coaxially in a direction of an engine output shaft within a space defined by the framework. Fuel tank is provided above the engine and electric-power generator between a pair of support members each spanning between a different pair of the vertical pipe frame portions. Muffler connected to an exhaust-discharging end of the engine is positioned adjacent the fuel tank in a side-by-side relation to the fuel tank. Heat blocking cover covers top and side portions of the muffler and is placed between the pair of support members in such a way that a substantially entire top region of the space defined by the framework is covered with the fuel tank and the heat blocking cover. Thus, it is possible to increase the capacity of the muffler while providing for a large capacity of the fuel tank.

Claims

1. An engine generator unit comprising:

a framework having vertical pipe frame portions at four corners thereof;

an engine;

an electric-power generator to be driven by said engine, said engine and said electric-power generator being provided coaxially in a direction of an engine output shaft within a space defined by said framework;

a fuel tank disposed above said engine and electric-power generator between a pair of support members each spanning between a different pair of the vertical pipe frame portions;

a muffler connected to an exhaust-discharging end of said engine and positioned adjacent said fuel tank in a side-by-side relation thereto; and

a heat blocking cover covering top and side portions of said muffler, said heat blocking cover being placed between said pair of support members in such a way that a substantially entire top region of the space defined by said framework is covered with said fuel tank and said heat blocking cover.

2. An engine generator unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cylinder of said engine is mounted in a downwardly tilted posture with respect to a general vertical axis of said engine generator unit, and said muffler is mounted with a general plane thereof lying substantially horizontally above the cylinder of said engine in an orientation where a longitudinal axis of said muffler crosses the engine output shaft at right angles thereto.

3. An engine generator unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said heat blocking cover is generally in a shape of an elongate semicylindrical bowl closed at opposite ends and opening downward to cover an upper surface of said muffler, and a cooling air passage is provided between said heat blocking cover and said muffler.

4. An engine generator unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said muffler has an exhaust port positioned near a distal end of said cylinder of said engine mounted in the downwardly tilted posture, and a control panel is disposed on a side of said engine generator unit remote from said exhaust port.

5. An engine generator unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said electric-power generator is an outer-rotor/multipolar-magnet generator that has an outer rotor functioning also as a flywheel of said engine, and which further comprises an electric power controller for converting an output from said outer-rotor/multipolar-magnet generator to electric power of a predetermined frequency.

6. An engine generator unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said framework includes a pair of upper horizontal pipe frame portions each connecting between a predetermined pair of the vertical pipe frame portions, and said pair of upper horizontal pipe frame portions provide grips when said engine generator unit is to be carried by hand.