US 5,787,693 A · Universal, retrofittable powerhead for small gasoline engine power implements

Abstract

A universal powerhead apparatus which is securable to a frame portion of a land vehicle, pump or other tool to replace an existing internal combustion engine of the device without requiring significant modification to the frame portion of the device. The powerhead apparatus includes an electric motor and a universal mounting plate which is secured to a portion of the motor. The universal mounting plate has a footprint substantially similar to that of a specific make and displacement of internal combustion engine which the apparatus is intended to replace. The overall footprint of the apparatus is also similar to the specific make and displacement of a gasoline powered engine which it is designed to replace. The apparatus can be secured directly to a frame portion of a land vehicle, tool or pump in either a horizontal or vertical orientation to thus enable it to be used as a power source for vehicles requiring a horizontally disposed output shaft as well as vehicles requiring a vertically disposed output shaft. The apparatus may be assembled to the land vehicle, tool or pump in a factory or retrofitted to replace a specific make and displacement of gasoline powered engine. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus is powered by at least one battery disposed within a housing thereof. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the apparatus is powered directly from an AC power source. The use of the apparatus completely eliminates the undesirable emissions produced by internal combustion engines and the periodic maintenance typically associated with such engines.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A universal powerhead apparatus adapted to be readily secured to a single tool selected from a plurality of differing tools, said apparatus comprising:

an electric motor for providing power to said tool or an implement thereof, said electric motor having an output member adapted to be releasably operatively connected to said tool or said implement thereof for driving said tool or said implement thereof;
a battery for powering said electric motor;
a housing for at least substantially enclosing said electric motor and said battery;
and
a mounting member connected to said housing and operable to secure said housing to any one of said plurality of differing tools.

2 more elements

A universal powerhead apparatus adapted to be secured to a tool or an implement thereof, having a specific make and displacement of an internal combustion engine to replace said internal combustion engine, wherein said internal combustion engine is manufactured by a predetermined source and has a predetermined output or displacement, and is releasably operatively connected to said tool or said implement thereof, said powerhead apparatus comprising:

a housing;
an electric motor disposed within said housing, said electric motor having an output member adapted to be releasably operatively connected to said tool or said implement thereof for driving said tool or said implement thereof;
a universal mounting plate adapted to be fixedly secured to a portion of said motor, said universal mounting plate further being adapted to be fixedly secured to a frame portion of said tool or said implement thereof so as to align with a mounting portion on said frame portion of said tool or said implement thereof without modification to said frame portion;
and
wherein said housing has outer dimensions similar to those of said internal combustion engine so as to be readily securable to said frame portion without modification to said frame portion.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Universal, retrofittable powerhead for small gasoline engine power implements

Life of this patent

Universal, retrofittable powerhead for small gasoline engine power implements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11