Internal combustion engine including starting system powered by lithium-ion battery

• US 9,127,658 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton LLC (Briggs & Stratton Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Koenen, Robert, Markowski, Matthew, Meyer, Michael, Nommensen, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Moulis, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): HADLEY, ELIZABETH HASIA
• Application Number:
  US14/309,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20140299089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/6818 Motor starting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0851 characterised by means for controlling the engagement or disengagement between engine and starter, e.g. meshing of pinion and engine gear
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/14 Starting of engines by means of electric starters with external current supply F02N11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/022 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/05 driven by internal-combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/06 Mobile combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

An internal combustion engine includes an engine block including a cylinder, a piston positioned within the cylinder, a crankshaft configured to be driven by the piston, a fuel system for supplying an air-fuel mixture to the cylinder, and an electric starting system including a starter motor, a battery receiver, and a lithium-ion battery removably attached to the battery receiver, wherein the lithium-ion battery is configured to power the starter motor to start the engine.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block including a cylinder;

a piston positioned within the cylinder, wherein the piston is configured to reciprocate in the cylinder along a cylinder axis;

a crankshaft configured to be driven by the piston;

a fuel system for supplying an air-fuel mixture to the cylinder; and

an electric starting system including a starter motor, a battery receiver, and a lithium-ion battery removably attached to the battery receiver, wherein the lithium-ion battery is configured to power the starter motor to start the engine, wherein the lithium-ion battery includes at least one lithium-ion cell having a cell axis, and wherein the battery receiver is positioned so that with the lithium-ion battery attached to the battery receiver, the cylinder axis and the cell axis are not parallel to one another;

wherein the crankshaft is a vertical crankshaft and the battery receiver is positioned above the crankshaft; and

wherein the battery receiver comprises a receptacle for receiving the lithium-ion battery and an air intake for allowing air to flow to the engine block.

2. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the lithium-ion battery is configured to be selectively attached to and removed from the battery receiver without tools.

3. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the battery receiver is positioned so that with the lithium-ion battery attached to the battery receiver, the cylinder axis and the cell axis are substantially transverse to one another.

4. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the battery receiver is positioned so that with the lithium-ion battery attached to the battery receiver, the cylinder axis and the cell axis are positioned at an angle of at least 45 degrees relative to one another.

5. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the battery receiver is positioned so that with the lithium-ion battery attached to the battery receiver, the cylinder axis and the cell axis are positioned at an angle of at least 15 degrees relative to one another.

6. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, further comprising:

an engine housing attached to the engine block, wherein the battery receiver comprises a portion of the engine housing.

7. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the battery receiver is attached to the engine block.

8. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the crankshaft axis extends through the battery receiver.