Hybrid outdoor power equipment

• US 8,076,873 B1
• Filed: 05/30/2008
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mtd Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mtd Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lucas, Delbert E., Lucas, Justin, Lucas, Ryan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Benson, Walter
• Assistant Examiner(s): DINH, THAI T
• Application Number:
  US12/156,434
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 318/107, 318/106, 318/108, 318/123, 318/124, 318/244, 318/245, 318/599, 318/43, 318/53, 307/43, 307/44, 307/48, 307/112, 307/125, 307/126, 307/140
• US Class Current: 318/107
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 1/54 for starting two or more dynamo-electric motors

Abstract

Hybrid power equipment comprising a user-selectable power selection switch for switching between DC or AC power, a boost and conserve feature for increasing speed of the working elements as necessary, and a motor or a plurality of motors for moving working elements. Running the OPE at the conserve setting prolongs battery pack duration per charge. The motor may comprise a dual coil commutator configuration. Power supply and control systems allow the user to select operation of the plurality motors or dual coil commutators in either series or parallel configuration depending on the power source.

Claims

1. A hand-held power tool for operatively accepting alternating current and direct current, comprising:

a working element;

a motor coupled with the working element for driving the working element, the motor comprising a connection for selectably coupling the motor with one or more of a source of alternating current and a source of direct current;

wherein the motor is capable of selectably receiving power from either of the alternating current source and the direct current source, as well as from both the alternating current source and the direct current source, for driving the working element;

wherein the output voltage of said source of alternating current is greater than the output voltage of said source of direct current.

2. The hand-held power tool of claim 1, further comprising a user selectable boost switch for selectably increasing power output to the motor;

wherein the boost switch operatively connects to a power control module for converting alternating current from the alternating current source to direct current.

3. The hand-held power tool of claim 2, wherein the power control module controls the speed of the motor by selecting a first power output or a second power output through the boost switch.

4. The hand-held power tool of claim 1, further comprising a user selectable boost switch for selectably increasing power output to the motor;

wherein the boost switch operatively connects a secondary direct current source to the motor.

5. The hand-held power tool of claim 1, wherein the motor further comprises a commutator configuration;

wherein the commutator configuration is a parallel configuration when the motor receives power substantially from the direct current source.

6. The hand-held power tool of claim 5, wherein the commutator configuration is a series configuration when the motor receives power substantially from the alternating current source.

7. A hand-held power tool with boost and conserve feature for operatively accepting alternating current and direct current, comprising:

a working element;

a motor coupled with the working element for driving the working element, the motor comprising a connection for selectably coupling the motor with one or more of a source of alternating current and a source of direct current;

a user selectable boost switch for selectably increasing power output to the motor;

wherein the motor is capable of selectably receiving power from either of the alternating current source and the direct current source, as well as from both the alternating current source and the direct current source, for driving the working element;

wherein the output voltage of said source of alternating current is greater than the output voltage of said source of direct current.

8. The hand-held power tool of claim 7, wherein the boost switch operatively connects to a power control module for converting alternating current from the alternating current source to direct current.

9. The hand-held power tool of claim 8, wherein the power control module controls the speed of the motor by selecting a first power output or a second power output through the boost switch.

10. The hand-held power tool of claim 7, wherein the boost switch operatively connects a secondary direct current source to the motor.

11. The hand-held power tool of claim 7, wherein the motor further comprises a commutator configuration.

12. The hand-held power tool of claim 11, wherein the commutator configuration is a parallel configuration when the motor receives power substantially from the direct current source.

13. The hand-held power tool of claim 12, wherein the commutator configuration is a series configuration when the motor receives power substantially from the alternating current source.