Marine outboard electrical generator and assembly method

• US 6,579,137 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2002
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Westerbeke Corporation (Westerbeke Acquisition Corp)
• Original Assignee: Westerbeke Corporation (Westerbeke Acquisition Corp)
• Inventors: Mabru, Alain A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotelo, Jesus D.
• Application Number:
  US10/198,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20020177374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 440/1, 440/113, 440/88, 440/89, 440/900, 123/599, 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 440/113
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 3/02 from propulsion power plant
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/027 four
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/045 for marine engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/16 Engines characterised by number of cylinders, e.g. single-cylinder engines F02B75/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A outboard marine electrical generator unit capable of installation on the transom of a marine vessel which provides an electrical generating unit for small and medium sized marine vessels. The invention thus provides an A/C and D/C electrical power source capable of providing electrical power for appliances, air conditioning units and other electrical loads, even while the primary propulsion system is off and the vessel is docked or at anchor. The electrical generator includes: (1) a housing, including upper and lower portions, generally having the external appearance of an outboard motor; (2) an internal combustion engine; (3) a permanent magnet electrical alternator, including a rotor and stator, and a cooling fan, mechanically connected to the engine crankshaft; (4) a carburetor assembly, including feedback control responsive to electrical load; (5) an inverter module, including pulse-width-modulation (“PWM”) voltage regulation system and D/C-A/C inverter frequency regulation system; (6) an exhaust system terminating at the lower housing portion in a typically submerged location; (7) a fuel storage and delivery system, including either an internal and/or external fuel tank and a fuel pump; and (8) a transom mounting mechanism, preferably including a tilt feature.

Claims

1. A marine electrical generator comprising:

an internal combustion engine having a projecting crankshaft and an exhaust outlet for discharging engine exhaust;

said internal combustion engine constructed to be securely mounted to a marine vessel; and

a permanent magnet alternator mechanically connected to said crankshaft for producing electrical current, said permanent magnet alternator including a stator mechanically connected to said internal combustion engine, and a permanent magnet rotor connected to said crankshaft for rotation with respect to said stator for generating electrical current.

2. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the alternator is configured to generate synchronized magnetic forces to counterbalance periodic vibrational forces generated by piston movement within the engine.

3. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the crankshaft is disposed generally vertically, and wherein the alternator is disposed at an upper end of the crankshaft.

4. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the rotor comprises a permanent magnet attached to a peripheral edge thereof.

5. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine is rated at between 5 and 25 horsepower.

6. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine is an air cooled engine.

7. The electrical generator of claim 1 further comprising means for mounting said internal combustion engine to a transom of the marine vessel.

8. The electrical generator of claim 7 wherein said means for mounting said engine to the transom of a marine vessel includes a pivotal connection whereby said engine may be pivotally moved from a first position wherein said housing exhaust outlet is disposed below the surface of the water to a second position wherein said exhaust outlet is disposed above the surface of the water.

9. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the alternator further comprises a cooling fan connected to the engine crankshaft.

10. The electrical generator of claim 1 further including an inverter electrically connected to at least one AC output receptacle.

11. The electrical generator of claim 10 further comprising at least one DC output receptacle.

12. The electrical generator of claim 1 further comprising feedback control circuitry for controlling engine throttle as a function of electrical load.

13. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine and alternator are housed within a single enclosure.

14. The electrical generator of claim 13 wherein the enclosure has an appearance similar to an outboard motor housing.

15. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine is a water cooled engine.

16. The electrical generator of claim 1 further including means for regulating fuel flow to said internal combustion engine in response to electrical demand.

17. The electrical generator of claim 6 wherein said means for regulating fuel flow includes feedback carburetor control for adjusting engine speed in response to electrical load.

18. The electrical generator of claim 7 wherein said feedback carburetor control includes an electric throttle control motor connected to a carburetor and feedback control means for sensing the electrical load placed on the electrical generator, said feedback control means controlling said electric throttle control motor throttle fuel flow.

19. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein said internal combustion engine further includes means for generating a properly timed electrical pulse electrically connected to a spark plug connected to said internal combustion engine.

20. The electrical generator of claim 19 wherein said means for generating a properly timed electrical pulse comprises an ignition pulse generator.

21. The electrical generator of claim 20 wherein said ignition pulse generator is mounted in close proximity to the periphery of said permanent magnet alternator.

22. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein said internal combustion engine further includes an ignition pulse generator electrically connected to a spark plug.