Low noise power systems and associated methods
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorNathan Joe Jochman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Power systems having reduced operating noise and associated methods are disclosed. An example power system includes an engine, a generator, a driveshaft, and a pulley system. The driveshaft may include at least one coupler configured to dampen vibration transferred by the driveshaft. The pulley system may include a first pulley and a second pulley that are drivingly coupled to one another via one or more belts. The generator may be configured to generate electric power using a rotational force received form the engine via the driveshaft and pulley system.
Claims19
A power system comprising:
- a driveshaft;
- at least one coupler coupled to the driveshaft, wherein:
- the at least one coupler is configured to dampen vibration transferred by the driveshaft,
- the at least one coupler comprises at least one metal insert and a dampening component shaped to receive the at least one metal insert, and
- the at least one metal insert is an attachment point between the coupler and the driveshaft;
- an engine configured to output, to the driveshaft, a rotational force;
- a pulley system having a first pulley and a second pulley that are drivingly coupled to one another via one or more belts,
- wherein the driveshaft is coupled to the first pulley via the at least one coupler and configured to drive the first pulley, and
- wherein the first pulley is configured to drive the second pulley via the one or more belts;
- and
- a generator configured to generate electric power, wherein the generator is coupled to the second pulley and configured to receive the rotational force.
A method for operating a power system, the method comprising:
- outputting, via an engine, a rotational force to a driveshaft, wherein the driveshaft is coupled to at least one coupler, wherein:
- the at least one coupler is configured to dampen vibration transferred by the driveshaft,
- the at least one coupler comprises at least one metal insert and a dampening component shaped to receive the at least one metal insert, and
- the at least one metal insert is an attachment point between the coupler and the driveshaft;
- receiving the rotational force at a first pulley of a pulley system via the driveshaft and the at least one coupler;
- transferring, via one or more belts, the rotational force from the first pulley to a second pulley of the pulley system, wherein the first pulley and a second pulley that are drivingly coupled to one another at a fixed pulley ratio;
- receiving, at a generator, the rotational force from the second pulley;
- and
- generating, via the generator, electric power.
A power system comprising:
- a driveshaft;
- at least one coupler coupled to the driveshaft, wherein:
- the at least one coupler is configured to dampen vibration transferred by the driveshaft,
- the at least one coupler comprises at least one metal insert and a dampening component shaped to receive the at least one metal insert, and
- the at least one metal insert is an attachment point between the coupler and the driveshaft;
- an engine configured to output, to the driveshaft, a rotational force;
- a pulley system having a first pulley and a second pulley that are drivingly coupled to one another via one or more belts,
- wherein the driveshaft is coupled to the first pulley via the at least one coupler and configured to drive the first pulley via the at least one coupler;
- a generator configured to generate electric power, wherein the generator is coupled to the second pulley and configured to receive the rotational force;
- and
- a welding-type power supply coupled to the generator and configured to output a welding current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.