Power systems and enclosures having an improved compressor drive
Systems are disclosed for power systems and enclosures having an improved compressor drive. In examples, a power system includes a generator to be driven by an engine. The generator is coupled to the engine on a first side of the generator and has a clutch extending from a second side of the generator opposite the engine. The clutch is coupled to the engine. A compressor is positioned at the second side of the generator opposite from the engine. The compressor comprising a shaft extending toward the generator and configured to be driven by the clutch.
1 . A power system comprising:
a generator configured to be driven by an engine, the generator coupled to the engine on a first side of the generator and having a generator clutch extending from a second side of the generator opposite the engine, the generator clutch configured to be driven by the engine in a first direction;
a compressor positioned at the second side of the generator opposite from the engine, the compressor comprising a compressor shaft extending toward the generator and configured to be driven by the generator clutch in a second direction opposite the first direction; and
an idler pulley and a tensioner arranged on a given side of the compressor shaft opposite the generator clutch.
2 . The power system as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a belt configured to operatively link the generator clutch and a compressor pulley coupled to the compressor shaft.
3 . The power system as defined in claim 2 , wherein the belt links the generator clutch, the compressor pulley, the idler pulley and the tensioner.
4 . The power system as defined in claim 3 , wherein the generator clutch is configured to drive the belt, such that the generator clutch, the idler pulley and the tensioner are driven simultaneously in a first rotational direction and the compressor pulley is driven in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.
5 . The power system as defined in claim 3 , wherein the belt is driven in a tortuous path around the generator clutch, the compressor pulley, the idler pulley and the tensioner, the belt thereby rotating the idler pulley and the tensioner in a first rotational direction and rotating the compressor pulley in a second rotational direction.
6 . The power system as defined in claim 3 , wherein a first span of the belt linking the generator clutch to at least one of the idler pulley or the tensioner has a length that is greater than a possible second span that would directly link the generator clutch and the compressor pulley.
7 . The power system as defined in claim 3 , wherein a crankshaft of the engine is directly coupled to an armature shaft of the generator to turn the generator clutch.
8 . The power system as defined in claim 2 , wherein the belt is a two-sided drive belt.
9 . The power system as defined in claim 2 , further comprising an enclosure, wherein the enclosure is configured to provide service access to the generator, the engine, the belt and the compressor housed in the enclosure.
10 . The power system as defined in claim 9 , wherein the service access is located on a same side of the enclosure as the generator, the engine, the belt, and the compressor.
11 . The power system as defined in claim 9 , wherein the service access is located on at least one of a top side and a lateral side of the enclosure.
12 . The power system as defined in claim 9 , further comprising power conversion circuitry, the power conversion circuitry located in a compartment below the compressor within the enclosure.
13 . The power system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the engine is a horizontal shaft air-cooled gasoline engine.
14 . A power system to provide welding-type power comprising:
an enclosure comprising:
a generator shaft of a generator configured to be driven in a first direction by an engine and contained in the enclosure, the generator shaft extending away from the engine, the generator shaft being coupled to the engine on a first side; and
a compressor shaft positioned at a second side of the generator shaft opposite from the first side of the generator shaft, the compressor shaft extending toward the generator within the enclosure and configured to be driven in a second direction opposite the first direction simultaneously by the generator shaft; and
power conversion circuitry operatively connected to the generator, with the power conversion circuitry arranged below the generator and compressor shafts.
15 . The power system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the enclosure is configured to provide service access to the generator shaft, the engine, a belt linking the generator and compressor shafts, and the compressor shaft on a same side of the enclosure.
16 . The power system as defined in claim 14 , wherein a crankshaft of the engine is directly coupled to the generator shaft.
17 . The power system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the generator is configured to drive the compressor shaft by a belt linking the generator shaft and a compressor pulley coupled to the compressor shaft.
18 . The power system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the power conversion circuitry is configured to provide welding-type power for a welding-type tool.
19 . The power system as defined in claim 18 , wherein the welding-type tool is one of a welding-type torch, a plasma cutter, a wire feeder, and an induction heating device.
20 . The power system as defined in claim 14 , further comprising:
a belt;
an idler pulley; and
a tensioner, the idler pulley and the tensioner arranged on a given side of the generator shaft opposite the compressor shaft, with the belt spanning from the generator shaft to either the idler pulley or the tensioner to the compressor shaft, to the other of the idler pulley or the tensioner, and then to the generator shaft, in a continuous loop.