One-piece generator housing

A welding machine comprising:

• an engine;
• a generator mechanically coupled to the engine, wherein the generator comprises a rotor assembly that is arranged to rotate relative to a stator assembly;
• and
• a generator housing enclosing the generator, the generator housing comprising:
• (a) an annular wall having a first side and a second side, wherein the second side comprises an aperture configured to receive the generator,
• (b) a support ring disposed at the first side of the annular wall, the support ring configured to support a rotor shaft bearing of the generator, and
• (c) a plurality of mounting bosses extending outwardly from the aperture at the second side of the annular wall and configured to attach the generator housing to an engine adapter,
• wherein, the generator housing is cast as a single one-piece construction defining a unitary structure that encloses the stator assembly entirely along its axial length.

A welding machine comprising:

• an engine;
• a generator mechanically coupled to the engine;
• and
• a unitary generator housing enclosing the generator, the unitary generator housing comprising:
• (a) an annular wall having a first side and a second side, wherein the second side comprises an aperture configured to receive the generator and one or more cutouts to enable air circulation in the unitary generator housing,
• (b) a support ring disposed at the first side of the annular wall, the support ring configured to support a rotor shaft bearing of the generator,
• (c) a plurality of first mounting bosses extending outwardly from the aperture at the second side of the annular wall and configured to attach the housing to an engine adapter,
• (d) channels extending axially along an interior surface of the annular wall, and
• (e) a plurality of interior bosses located at the first side, each interior boss including a hole through which can extend a threaded bolt,
• wherein,
• the unitary generator housing is cast as a single, one-piece construction,
• the engine adapter has a plurality of second mounting bosses, the first and second mounting bosses being positioned in aligned relationship along a circumference of the second side,
• the generator has portions received within the channels,
• the generator has one or more threaded bolts extending through the hole of a respective interior boss,
• the generator has a shaft supported by the support ring, and
• the generator housing is made of aluminum.