# US 7,743,739 B2 · Engine-driven generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,739 B2 - Document ID: US7743739B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/561,614 - Filed: 2004-07-08 - Published: 2008-08-28 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2003-07-10 - Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Toshifumi Kochi; Tadafumi Hirose; Ryuji Tsuru; Shouhei Kasagi; Yuji Shimada; Takeshi Maeda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743739B2 ## CPC - F02B 63/04: for electric generators - F02B 63/047: {Movable engine-generator combinations on wheels} - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) ## Abstract An engine-driven generator is provided that is formed by supporting an engine (3) and a generator (4) on a frame (2), wherein the frame (2) is formed as an open periphery framework type, within this frame (2) a duct member (31) is disposed around the outer periphery of the engine (3) and the generator (4), the duct member (31) defining a series of cooling air passages (32) between itself and the engine (3) and generator (4), a cooling fan (26) is provided in the cooling air passage (32), the cooling fan (26) being driven by the engine (3), an intake box (34) having an intake opening (38) at an outer end thereof and housing an electrical component (53, 55) is connected to the upstream end of the duct member (31), and an exhaust box (68) having an exhaust opening (73) at an outer end thereof and housing an exhaust muffler (74) of the engine (3) is connected to the other end of the duct member (31). A compact engine-driven generator that enables running noise to be reduced can thereby be provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An engine-driven generator formed by supporting on a frame an engine and a generator driven by the engine, wherein the frame is formed as an open periphery framework type frame, within the frame a duct member is disposed around an outer periphery of the engine and the generator, the duct member defining a series of cooling air passages between itself, the engine, and the generator, a cooling fan is provided in the cooling air passage, the cooling fan being driven by the engine to generate cooling air flowing from an upstream end side to a downstream end side of the duct member in the cooling air passage, an intake box having an intake opening at an outer end thereof and housing an electrical component is connected to the upstream end of the duct member, and an exhaust box having an exhaust opening at an outer end thereof and housing an exhaust muffler of the engine, said exhaust box being connected to the other end of the duct member, wherein the duct member and the intake box are connected by a seal that allows relative displacement therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The engine-driven generator according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust box has a cross-sectional area configured to define a muffler expansion chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The engine-driven generator according to claim 2, wherein a fuel tank is disposed above the duct member, the fuel tank covering an upper face of the duct member throughout a length of the duct member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2) The engine-driven generator according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein an assembly of the engine and the generator is resiliently supported on the frame, the duct member is fixedly supported on the assembly, and the intake box is fixedly supported on the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2, 3) The engine-driven generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the generator is formed from a magnet generator that includes an outer rotor cantilever-supported by a crankshaft of the engine, and the cooling fan is mounted on an outer end face of the outer rotor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The engine-driven generator according to claim 1, wherein an intake control system of the engine and an air cleaner for cleaning intake air therefor are disposed outside the duct member, and an air inlet of the air cleaner is connected to the intake box. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The engine-driven generator according to claim 1, wherein the upstream end of the duct member is connected to the intake box having the intake opening, an air cleaner of the engine is disposed outside the duct member, and an air inlet pipe of the air cleaner is connected to the intake box. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The engine-driven generator according to claim 7, wherein an assembly of the engine and the generator is resiliently supported on the frame, the duct member and the air cleaner are fixedly supported on the assembly, the intake box is fixedly supported on the frame, and the intake box and the air inlet pipe of the air cleaner are connected by another seal that allows relative displacement therebetween. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The engine-driven generator according to claim 7, wherein an assembly of the engine and the generator is resiliently supported on the frame, the duct member is fixedly supported on the assembly, the air cleaner and the intake box are fixedly supported on the frame, and the engine and the air cleaner are connected via a flexible communicating tube that allows relative displacement therebetween. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7, 8, 9) The engine-driven generator according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a cylinder part of the engine is inclined toward one side of a crankcase, and at least part of the air cleaner extending along an axial direction of a crankshaft of the engine is disposed beneath a cylinder part. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7, 8, 9) The engine-driven generator according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the electrical component is disposed within the intake box between the intake opening and a section where the intake box and the duct member are connected. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7, 8, 9) The engine-driven generator according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the downstream end of the duct member is connected to the exhaust box having the exhaust opening, and an exhaust muffler of the engine is disposed in the exhaust box. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The engine-driven generator according to claim 1, wherein the engine is resiliently supported on the frame, the duct member is fixedly provided on the engine and the generator within the frame, the intake box being fixedly mounted on the frame, and wherein the seal connects the intake box and an upstream part of the duct member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The engine-driven generator according to claim 13, wherein an upstream end part of the duct member is projectingly disposed within the intake box and in proximity to at least part of the electrical component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13, 14) The engine-driven generator according to either claim 13 or 14, wherein a recoil starter of the engine is disposed so that a rope pulley of the recoil starter projects within the intake box, a starter rope extending from the rope pulley is taken outward from one side wall of the intake box, and an operating knob is connected to the outer end of the starter rope. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13, 14) The engine-driven generator according to either claim 13 or 14, wherein an air cleaner of the engine is disposed outside the duct member, and an air inlet of the air cleaner and the intake box are connected to each other by another seal that allows relative displacement therebetween. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The engine-driven generator according to claim 1, wherein the intake box is arranged to have the intake opening positioned at one of opposite side portions of the frame and the exhaust box and is arranged to have the exhaust opening positioned at the other of the opposite side portions of the frame, a crankshaft of the engine is set to have an axis directed toward the opposite side portions of the frame, a cover is provided between the intake box and the duct member and a member is provided for separating the exhaust box and an inside of the duct member, and the intake box, the duct member and the exhaust box are arranged in alignment along the axis of the crankshaft. ### Claim 18 An engine-driven generator formed by supporting on a frame an engine and a generator driven by the engine, wherein the frame is formed as an open periphery framework type frame, within the frame a duct member is disposed around an outer periphery of the engine and the generator, the duct member defining a series of cooling air passages between itself, the engine, and the generator, a cooling fan is provided in the cooling air passage, the cooling fan being driven by the engine to generate cooling air flowing from an upstream end side to a downstream end side of the duct member in the cooling air passage, an intake box having an intake opening at an outer end thereof and housing an electrical component is connected to the upstream end of the duct member, and an exhaust box having an exhaust opening at an outer end thereof and housing an exhaust muffler of the engine which is connected to the other end of the duct member, wherein the upstream end of the duct member is connected to the intake box having the intake opening, an air cleaner of the engine is disposed outside the duct member, and an air inlet pipe of the air cleaner is connected to the intake box. ### Claim 19 An engine-driven generator formed by supporting on a frame an engine and a generator driven by the engine, wherein the frame is formed as an open periphery framework type frame, within the frame a duct member is disposed around an outer periphery of the engine and the generator, the duct member defining a series of cooling air passages between itself, the engine, and the generator, a cooling fan is provided in the cooling air passage, the cooling fan being driven by the engine to generate cooling air flowing from an upstream end side to a downstream end side of the duct member in the cooling air passage, an intake box having an intake opening at an outer end thereof and housing an electrical component is connected to the upstream end of the duct member, and an exhaust box having an exhaust opening at an outer end thereof and housing an exhaust muffler of the engine which is connected to the other end of the duct member, wherein the engine is resiliently supported on the frame, the duct member is fixedly provided on the engine and the generator within the frame, the intake box being fixedly mounted on the frame, and wherein a seal connects the intake box and an upstream part of the duct member.