Low noise power systems and associated method
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorNathan Joe Jochman
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Abstract
Power systems having reduced operating noise and associated methods are disclosed. An example non-synchronous power system includes an engine, a generator, a driveshaft, and a pulley system. The engine may be configured to output, to the driveshaft, a rotational force at a first rotational speed. The pulley system may be configured to receive the rotational force at the first rotational speed at a first pulley and to output the rotational force at a second rotational speed via a second pulley. The first and second pulleys may be drivingly coupled to one another at a fixed pulley ratio. The generator may be configured to receive the rotational force at the second rotational speed to generate electric power.
Claims20
A non-synchronous power system comprising:
- a driveshaft;
- an engine configured to output, to the driveshaft, a rotational force at a first rotational speed;
- a pulley system having a first pulley and a second pulley that are drivingly coupled to one another at a fixed pulley ratio, wherein:
- the driveshaft is rotationally coupled between the engine and the first pulley via a coupler;
- the driveshaft is configured to drive the first pulley at the first rotational speed via one or more belts;
- the coupler comprises one or more first vibration dampening components configured to transfer a rotational force between the engine and the first pulley, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first metal insert received within at least one of the one or more first vibration dampening components, and a second metal insert received within at least one of the one or more first vibration dampening components;
- a first fastener attaches the engine to the first side of the coupler by extending into the first metal insert;
- a second fastener attaches a first end of the drive shaft to the second side of the coupler by extending into the second metal insert;
- and
- the first pulley is configured to drive the second pulley at a second rotational speed that is greater than the first rotational speed;
- and
- a generator configured to generate electric power, wherein the generator is coupled to the second pulley and configured to receive the rotational force at the second rotational speed.
A method for operating a non-synchronous power system, the method comprising:
- outputting, via an engine, a rotational force to a driveshaft at a first rotational speed via a coupler having a vibration dampening component;
- converting the rotational force from the first rotational speed to a second rotational speed that is greater than the first rotational speed via a pulley system by receiving the rotational force on an engine-facing side of the pulley system, wherein the pulley system comprises a first pulley and a second pulley that are drivingly coupled to one another such that the first pulley drives the second pulley at a fixed pulley ratio, and wherein the vibration dampening component is configured to transfer a rotational force between the engine and the first pulley;
- and
- receiving outputting, on the engine-facing side of the pulley system, the rotational force at the second rotational speed to at a generator configured to generate electric power, the rotational force at the second rotational speed, wherein the generator is coupled to the second pulley and extends in a direction away from the engine-facing side of the pulley system and towards the engine.
A non-synchronous power system comprising:
- a driveshaft;
- an engine configured to output, to the driveshaft, a rotational force at a first rotational speed that is between 2,800 revolutions per minute (RPM) and 3,200 RPM;
- a pulley system having a first pulley and a second pulley that are drivingly coupled to one another at a fixed pulley ratio,
- wherein the driveshaft is coupled between the engine and the first pulley via a coupler having a vibration dampening component, and is configured to drive the first pulley at the first rotational speed via one or more belts,
- wherein the vibration dampening component is configured to transfer a rotational force between the engine and the first pulley, and
- wherein the first pulley is configured to drive the second pulley at a second rotational speed that is greater than the first rotational speed, wherein the pulley system receives the rotational force from the driveshaft on an engine-facing side of the pulley system and outputs the rotational force at the second rotational speed on the engine-facing side of the pulley system;
- a generator configured to generate electric power, wherein:
- the generator is coupled to the second pulley on the engine-facing side of the pulley system,
- the generator extends in a direction away from the engine-facing side of the pulley system and towards the engine, and
- the generator is configured to receive the rotational force at the second rotational speed;
- and
- a welding-type power supply coupled to the generator and configured to output a welding current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.