# US 11,028,786 B2 · Portable generator including carbon monoxide detector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,786 B2 - Document ID: US11028786B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/498,816 - Filed: 2018-03-28 - Published: 2020-02-06 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-28 - Assignees: Briggs & Stratton Corporation - Applicants: Briggs & Stratton, LLC - Inventors: Ryan D. Janscha; Mark Willer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028786B2 ## CPC - F02D 35/0015: {using exhaust gas sensors (F02D41/14 takes precedence)} - G08B 21/16: Combustible gas alarms - F02B 63/047: {Movable engine-generator combinations on wheels} - G01N 33/004: {CO or CO2} - G08B 5/36: using visible light sources - G08B 17/10: Actuation by presence of smoke or gases {, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means} - G08B 21/14: Toxic gas alarms (G08B21/16 takes precedence) - G08B 21/18: Status alarms (G08B21/02 takes precedence) - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A portable generator includes a CO sensor module to sense CO levels in the environment surrounding the portable generator. The CO sensor module senses high levels of CO and sends a signal to shut down the engine on the portable generator. The CO sensor module alerts the user by emitting an LED light whether the CO sensor module is functioning properly, improperly or if high CO levels are detected. The CO sensor module is removable from a control panel of the portable generator to be replaced or maintained by the user per a replacement or maintenance schedule. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A generator comprising: an engine; a control panel comprising: a control plate having a control surface and a back side positioned opposite from the control surface; and a compartment coupled to the control plate, the compartment and the control plate defining an interior volume; and a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor module including a CO sensor, the CO sensor module positioned to extend through the control plate and into the interior volume of the compartment and removably coupled to the back side of the control plate; wherein the CO sensor module is configured to be removable from the control plate and replaceable with a replacement CO sensor module; wherein the CO sensor is configured to detect CO concentration near the generator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The generator of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor module includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to be inserted into the interior volume of the compartment and the second portion configured to be positioned outside of the interior volume. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The generator of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the housing includes a projection extending therefrom and the second portion of the housing includes a mounting ring configured to abut the control surface of the control plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The generator of claim 3, wherein the control plate includes an opening formed in the control surface configured to receive the first portion of the CO sensor module and a recess formed in the opening configured to align with and receive the projection of the first portion upon installation of the CO sensor module into the opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The generator of claim 4, wherein the CO sensor module is rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The generator of claim 5, wherein in the locked position, the mounting ring abuts the control surface and the projection of the housing is not aligned with the recess. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The generator of claim 5, wherein in the unlocked position, the projection of the housing is aligned with the recess. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The generator of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor module includes a module wire harness configured to couple to an engine wire harness on the engine. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The generator of claim 8, wherein when the module wire harness is coupled to the engine wire harness, the engine can start, and when the module wire harness is decoupled from the engine wire harness, an ignition of the engine is grounded and the engine cannot start. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The generator of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor module includes a module battery providing power to the CO sensor module. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The generator of claim 10, wherein the CO sensor module further comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) light configured as a visual indicator to alert a user of at least one of a life of the module battery is degrading, the CO sensor is degrading, and the CO sensor module is malfunctioning. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The generator of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor is positioned within the housing of the CO sensor module and within the interior volume of the control panel.