US 6,608,393 B2Granted

Portable DC power generator with constant voltage

OwnerClifton Gerard Andersoninventor

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Abstract

An apparatus for generating a constant source of electrical power in remote locations in the field for use while camping or hunting, in vehicles, on water craft, or for providing power during emergencies due to power failures, accidents, storms, or natural catastrophies. A safely and efficiently operating power generator that makes a minimal intrusion upon the environment is provided comprising a low horsepower gasoline-powered engine which drives a permanent magnet 12-volt AC/DC generator having a built-in electronic governor circuit for sustaining a constant DC output. Constructed with a flexible coupling between the gasoline-powered engine and the generator, and a suitably sized resonator and inherent governor circuit, the invention affords a constant output and quiet operation for use in vehicles, on water craft, and in the field to provide electricity for illumination or for operating common 12-volt appliances.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A portable apparatus for delivering constant DC power in vehicles, on boats, and in the field, comprising:

a base plate having a first plurality of cushioning means having elastomeric mounting means for placement upon a substantially flat horizontal surface;
a permanent magnet DC generator, having armature means and commutation means, disposed upon said base plate at one end thereof;
a fluid-powered internal combustion engine disposed at the other opposite end of said base plate and interconnected with said permanent magnet DC generator via a crankshaft disposed parallel to said base plate, so that DC power is generated by said permanent magnet generator when said fluid-powered internal combustion engine is running;
flexible coupling means for coupling said permanent magnet generator with said crankshaft means;
said fluid-powered internal combustion engine having:
a fuel tank means with a first tank for providing fuel for running said internal combustion engine,
a carburetor for mixing said fuel with ambient air,
a starter for starting operation of said internal combustion engine,
a combustion chamber for combusting said mixed fuel,
an exhaust means for venting gases into the ambient,
a muffler for minimizing noise generated during operation thereof, and
a second plurality of cushioning means having elastomeric mounting means for placement upon said substantially flat surface;
semiconductor circuit governor means having a plurality of Zener diodes and capacitor means electrically interconnected with said DC generator for limiting the RPM output of said internal combustion engine to control, in turn, the voltage output from said permanent magnet generator;
a heat exchanger fixedly attached to said permanent magnet generator and having a fin assembly with a plurality of fins for dissipating heat created incident to said internal combustion engine running and generating power from said permanent magnet generator;
and
port means for electrically connecting external appliance means for using said generated DC power.

13 more elements

A portable apparatus for delivering constant DC power in vehicles, on boats, and in the field, comprising:

a base plate having a first plurality of cushioning means having elastomeric mounting means for placement upon a substantially flat horizontal surface;
a permanent magnet DC generator, having armature means and commutation means, disposed upon said base plate at one end thereof;
a fluid-powered internal combustion engine disposed at the other opposite end of said base plate and interconnected with said permanent magnet DC generator via a crankshaft disposed parallel to said base plate, so that DC power is generated by said permanent magnet generator when said fluid-powered internal combustion engine is running;
flexible coupling means for coupling said permanent magnet generator with said crankshaft means;
said fluid-powered internal combustion engine having:
a fuel tank means with a first tank for providing fuel for running said internal combustion engine,
a carburetor for mixing said fuel with ambient air,
a starter for starting operation of said internal combustion engine,
a combustion chamber for combusting said mixed fuel,
an exhaust means for venting gases into the ambient,
a muffler for minimizing noise generated during operation thereof, and
a second plurality of cushioning means having elastomeric mounting means for placement upon said substantially flat surface;
semiconductor circuit governor means having a plurality of Zener diodes and capacitor means electrically interconnected with said DC generator for limiting the RPM output of said internal combustion engine to control, in turn, the voltage output from said permanent magnet generator;
a heat exchanger fixedly attached to said permanent magnet generator and having a fin assembly with a plurality of fins and heat sink means for dissipating heat created incident to said internal combustion engine running and generating power from said permanent magnet generator;
and
port means for electrically connecting external appliance means for using said generated DC power.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/003,548Filed 24 Oct 2001 · continuation in part
Priority: 28 Feb 1997
Published: US 2002/0070554 A113 Jun 2002
Granted: 19 Aug 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F02B 75/16
Other engines: engines characterised by number of cylinders, e.g. single-cylinder engines
F02B 63/04
Adaptations of engines for driving pumps, hand-held tools or electric generators; Portable combinations of engines with engine-driven devices: for…
F02B 63/042
For electric generators: rotating electric generators
F02B 63/048
The engine-generator unit being placed on a frame or in an housing: portable engine-generator combinations