Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090293828 | ENGINE WITH AN AUTOMATIC CHOKE AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC CHOKE FOR AN ENGINE - A method of controlling a choke valve of an engine with a controller is disclosed. Also disclosed is an automatic choke performing the method, an engine having the automatic choke, and an apparatus having the engine. The controller includes an electronic circuit, such as a programmable device, and is coupled to a temperature sensor and a motor. The method includes determining a temperature value using the temperature sensor, determining a time period to hold the choke valve in a first position, keeping the choke valve at the first position for the time period, moving the choke valve from the first position toward a second position using the motor, determining a count to hold the choke valve, keeping the choke valve at the second position for the count, and moving the choke valve from the second position toward a fully open position. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299614 | ENGINE WITH AN AUTOMATIC CHOKE AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC CHOKE FOR AN ENGINE - An automatic choke connectable to an engine. Also disclosed is an engine including the automatic choke, an apparatus including the engine and the automatic choke, and a method of controlling a choke valve. The automatic choke includes a motor for moving a choke valve and a controller electrically connected to the motor. In one construction, the controller is configured to store position information and a flag related to a position of the choke valve, determine the engine has, and control the automatic choke with the stored position information based on the flag and the determination that the engine has re-started. In another construction, the controller is configured to generate a motor control signal to direct the choke valve to a fully-open position without providing choke relief based on a temperature value indicating the engine temperature is greater than a threshold. | 12-03-2009 |
20100114464 | SMART TRACTOR INCLUDING COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM - An engine control, communication and starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a one or more safety interlocks. The controller monitors the status of the safety interlocks to determine whether the internal combustion engine can be started upon activation of a starting device. If the starting device is activated and one or more of the safety interlocks is in a condition that prevents operation of the engine, the controller generates a feedback message to the operator through a feedback system. The feedback message can be either an audible or visual message that relays information to the operator. The system further includes a speed selection circuit that allows the operator to select the desired engine speed. The controller operates the internal combustion engine at the selected engine speed. During engine operation, the controller terminates operation of the engine if any of the safety interlocks move to an un-allowed status. | 05-06-2010 |
20100147264 | FUEL SHUTOFF SYSTEM - A fuel control system that has a fuel control device to control the flow of fuel to a carburetor of an internal combustion engine. The fuel control device includes a control member that is movable between a first position and a second position to control the flow of fuel into a carburetor. When a kill switch within the fuel control system is closed, induced current from a primary ignition coil within the internal combustion engine is fed through an electromagnetic coil, causing the fuel flow control device to interrupt the supply of fuel to the carburetor. Thus, when an operator desires to stop the internal combustion engine, the kill switch closes and the fuel control device interrupts the supply of fuel to the carburetor to prevent backfires. | 06-17-2010 |
20120266839 | ENGINE WITH AN AUTOMATIC CHOKE AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC CHOKE FOR AN ENGINE - An engine including an automatic choke that includes a choke valve movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, a temperature sensor coupled to the engine and operable to provide a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the engine, and a motor connected to the choke valve and operable to move the choke valve in response to a motor control signal. A controller is electrically connected to the motor and to the temperature sensor. The controller includes an electronic circuit having a memory. A table includes engine specific choke position data stored in memory, wherein the controller determines a choke initial position based on the temperature of the engine and the choke position data, and wherein the motor moves the choke valve toward that position in response to an attempt to start the engine. | 10-25-2012 |
20130111864 | STARTER SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE - A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor configured to start the internal combustion engine, and a blade driven by the internal combustion engine. The lawn mower further includes an assembly for stopping at least one of the blade and the internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a brake mechanism, a release mechanism, a linkage between the brake mechanism and the release mechanism. The assembly further includes an interlock configured to prevent the release mechanism from releasing the brake mechanism, and an interface allowing an operator to release the interlock. The electric motor is coupled to the assembly such that release of the brake mechanism automatically engages the electric motor to start the internal combustion engine. | 05-09-2013 |
20130111865 | STARTER SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE - A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor configured to start the engine, a blade driven by the engine, and an assembly for stopping at least one of the blade and the engine. The assembly includes a brake mechanism, a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to release the brake mechanism, an interlock configured to selectively prevent the release mechanism from moving to the engaged position, and an interface allowing an operator to release the interlock to allow the release mechanism to move to the engaged position. The lawn mower further includes a switch actuated by the release mechanism and a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor in response to the signal to start the engine. | 05-09-2013 |
20130343906 | STARTER SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE - A pressure washer includes an engine, a water pump driven by the engine, a starter motor coupled to the engine to start the engine, an energy storage device electrically coupled to the starter motor, a spray device including an activation device for starting and stopping a flow of water from the spray device, a pressure sensor, and a flow sensor. The water pump has a low pressure side and a high pressure side. The high pressure side provides pressurized water. The pressure sensor is located at the low pressure side and is configured to indicate a water pressure relative to a threshold pressure. The flow sensor is located at the low pressure side and is configured to indicate a water flow relative to a threshold flow. With the engine off, the starter motor starts the engine when the pressure sensor indicates the water pressure is above the threshold pressure and the flow sensor indicates the water flow is above the threshold flow. | 12-26-2013 |
20140013633 | AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE SNOWTHROWER CHUTE - A snowthrower includes a body, a chute rotatable relative to the body among multiple chute positions, wherein the chute is configured to discharge snow from the snowthrower, a motor for rotating the chute, a chute position detector configured to detect a current chute position, a compass sensor configured to detect a snowthrower bearing, and an electronic control unit configured to, in a compass guidance operating mode, control the motor to move the chute to an appropriate chute position to maintain the chute at a preferred chute bearing in response to a comparison of the snowthrower bearing detected by the compass sensor and the current chute position detected by the chute position detector. | 01-16-2014 |
20140013722 | HYBRID LAWN MOWER DRIVE SYSTEM - A lawn mower includes an engine, an energy storage device, a motor/generator including an output shaft, an engine coupling, wherein, with the engine coupling disengaged, the motor/generator drives the output shaft, and with the engine coupling engaged, the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine drive the output shaft, a mower blade, a power take-off clutch, and a control unit configured to implement a first operating condition in which the engine coupling is disengaged, the engine is off, and the output shaft is driven by the motor/generator, and configured to implement a second operating condition in which the engine coupling is engaged, the engine is on, the output shaft is driven by the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine. | 01-16-2014 |
20140230393 | LAWN MOWER STARTER SYSTEM - A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, a rotary tool driven by the internal combustion engine, an electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to start the internal combustion engine, a receiving port mounted to the internal combustion engine, an energy storage device configured to be selectively inserted into and removed from the receiving port without tools, a first user interface, and a second user interface, wherein the electric motor starts the internal combustion engine upon actuation of the first user interface and the second user interface. | 08-21-2014 |
20140299089 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE INCLUDING STARTING SYSTEM POWERED BY LITHIUM-ION BATTERY - 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. | 10-09-2014 |
20150053164 | STARTER SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE - An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder, an exhaust, a fuel tank, an engine cover, a power take off configured to drive an implement, an electric starting system including a starter motor, a battery receiving port, and a rechargeable battery removably attached to the battery receiving port, and an electric start control module including a switch configured to be actuated by a release mechanism configured to put the implement in the ready-to-run condition and a controller coupled to the switch, wherein the switch is configured to provide a signal when the release mechanism is in the engaged position, wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal, wherein the controller it configured to turn on the starter motor to start the internal combustion engine upon receipt of the signal from the switch and an input from a run sensor confirming that the implement is in the ready-to-run condition, and wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to power the starter motor to start the engine. | 02-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110118961 | PUSH BUTTON STARTING SYSTEM FOR OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT - A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine. | 05-19-2011 |
20120199089 | PUSH BUTTON STARTING SYSTEM FOR OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT - A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine. | 08-09-2012 |
20130104845 | IGNITION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | 05-02-2013 |
20130106118 | METHOD FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING ENGINE SPEED | 05-02-2013 |
20130312693 | PUSH BUTTON STARTING SYSTEM FOR OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT - A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine. | 11-28-2013 |
20140299088 | PUSH BUTTON STARTING SYSTEM FOR OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT - A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine. | 10-09-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080319569 | Lithographic Projection Apparatus and Method for Controlling a Support Structure - A control system controls a support structure of a lithographic apparatus. A first measurement system measures the position of a substrate supported by the support structure, in a first coordinate system. A second measurement system measures the position of the support structure in a second coordinate system, the first measurement system having a presumed position in the second coordinate system. A controller controls the position of the support structure based on measurements by the second measurement system, to convert the measured position of the substrate into a converted position of the support structure in the second coordinate system, to position the support structure based on the converted position, to receive a position error signal indicative of a difference between the presumed position and an actual position of the first measurement system in the second coordinate system, and to position the support structure dependent upon the position error signal. | 12-25-2008 |
20090128791 | Stage system, lithographic apparatus including such stage system, and correction method - A position measurement system to measure a position of a movable stage includes a reference plate; a plurality of sensors arranged such that, depending on a position of the movable stage relative to the reference plate, at least a subset of the plurality of sensors is configured to cooperate with the reference plate to provide for each of the sensors in the subset respective sensor signals representative of a position of the respective sensor relative to the reference plate; and a processor arranged to determine from the sensor signals a stage position, the processing device configured so as to, when the stage is in a position where an over-determined number of sensor signals is provided by at least the subset of the sensors that are in operational cooperation with the reference plate, (a) determine the stage position from a subset of the over-determined number of sensor signals, and (b) correct a sensor signal of one or more of the sensors from a discrepancy between the determined stage position and a remainder of the sensors signals. | 05-21-2009 |
20110208459 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING A POSITION OF A STAGE OF A LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - A lithographic apparatus includes a stage to hold an object, the stage being moveable relative to a reference structure in a motion range; a magnet structure to provide a spatially varying magnetic field in at least a part of the motion range, the magnet structure being moveable relative to the reference structure and the stage; a first position measurement system to provide a first measurement signal corresponding to a position of the stage and/or the object in a measurement direction relative to the reference structure; a second position measurement system to provide a second measurement signal corresponding to a position of the stage relative to the magnet structure; and a data processor to correct the first measurement signal with a value dependent on the second measurement signal to provide a corrected first measurement signal representative of the position of the stage and/or the object relative to the reference structure in the measurement direction. | 08-25-2011 |
20110317142 | MEASUREMENT SYSTEM, METHOD AND LITOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - A measurement system is configured to derive a position quantity of an object, the measurement system includes at least one position quantity sensor configured to provide respective position quantity measurement signals; a position quantity calculator configured to determine a position quantity of the object from the position quantity measurement signal, wherein the position quantity calculator includes a torsion estimator configured to estimate a torsion of the object, the position quantity calculator being configured to correct the determined position quantity of the object for the estimated torsion. | 12-29-2011 |
20130050670 | POSITION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM, LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A position measurement system includes a first part and a second part for determining a position of a first member relative to a second member by providing a position signal representing a position of the first part relative to the second part, and a computational unit comprising an input terminal for receiving the position signal. The computational unit is configured to, in use, apply a conversion to the position signal to obtain a signal representing a position of the first member relative to the second member; and apply an adjustment to the conversion to at least partly compensate for a drift of the first part or the second part or both. The adjustment is based on a predetermined drift characteristic of the first part or the second part or both respectively. The predetermined drift characteristic includes one or more base shapes of the first part and/or the second part. | 02-28-2013 |