Single point engine control interface

• US 9,476,370 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2014
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Generac Power Systems Incorporated (Generac Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Generac Power Systems Incorporated (Generac Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Saari, Russell, Repasky, Michael, Schneider, Glen, Castaldo, Gary, Caldwell, Jennifer
• Primary Examiner(s): Moubry, Grant
• Application Number:
  US14/185,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20150233311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 123/332, 123/179.1, 123/179.16, 123/179.18
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/02 for hand-held tools
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/044 the engine-generator unit being placed on a frame or in an housing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/02 characterised by hand, foot, or like operator controlled initiation means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/003 Controlling the feeding of liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus control of electrical fuel pumps F02D41/3082, controlling fuel flow to a common rail F02D41/3845; Failure or leakage prevention; Diagnosis or detection of failure; Arrangement of sensors in the fuel system; Electric wiring; Electrostatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/006 depending on engine operating conditions, e.g. start, stop or ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/10 said parameters being related to driver demands or status
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 3/02 having pull-cords
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A single control for manipulating a fuel valve, a choke condition, and an ignition system condition of an engine of a portable engine powered device that simplifies starting, stopping, and operation of the engine associated with use of the device. The control includes a dial that can be rotated to positions between a first radial position and a second radial position. When the dial is in the first radial position, the fuel valve is maintained in a closed position and the ignition system is grounded such that the engine is rendered inoperable. Rotation of the dial away from the first radial position completes the ignition circuit, opens the fuel valve, and initiates a choke position suitable for subsequent starting and self-sustained operation of the engine. The dial is also axially displaceable to activate an electronic starter for engines so equipped.

Claims

1. A control assembly for manipulating operation of an internal combustion engine, the control assembly comprising:

a dial that is rotatable about an axis of rotation;

a barrel engaged with the dial such that rotation of the dial through a range of rotation associated with the axis of rotation causes rotation of the barrel about the axis of rotation, the barrel being constructed to engage an elongated connector that extends between the barrel and a throttle assembly of the internal combustion engine;

an extender axially aligned with the barrel and having a first portion engaged with the barrel and a second portion engaged with a fuel shut-off valve, the extender being associated with the fuel shut-off valve such that rotation of the extender affects a position of the fuel shut-off valve and associated with the barrel such that the extender rotates for at least a portion of a range of rotation of the barrel; and

a biasing device urging the dial and barrel axially away from the extender such that the dial and the barrel are axially movable toward the extender against a bias of the biasing device.

2. The control assembly of claim 1 further comprising a tab that extends from the barrel and is positioned to interfere with an engine stop switch at an end of the range of rotation of the dial.

3. The control assembly of claim 2 wherein the tab extends in an outward radial direction from the barrel.

4. The control assembly of claim 1 further comprising a ramp that extends from the barrel in an axial direction and at a location that is offset in an outward radial direction from the axis of rotation.

5. The control assembly of claim 4 wherein the ramp is constructed to engage a starter switch when the barrel is axially displaced toward the extender.

6. The control assembly of claim 5 wherein the ramp extends a circumferential distance about the axis of rotation that is less than the range of rotation of the barrel.

7. The control assembly of claim 1 further comprising a base that defines a cavity that is shaped to cooperate with a portion of the fuel shut-off valve and a cover that cooperates with the base such that the barrel and the extender are captured between the base and the cover.

8. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein the biasing device is disposed between the barrel and the extender.