IP Library Granted Patent US 10,962,310
Granted Patent B2
US 10,962,310 · App. 15/865,327 · Granted Mar 30, 2021

Remote radiator for a generator system

Inventors: Adam Clouse (Howards Grove, WI); Bradley L. Meissner (Fredonia, WI); Zachary J. Schreiner (Manitowoc, WI)
Assignee: Kohler Co.
F28F9/0268F01P3/20F02B63/00F02B63/044F28F9/007H02K5/20H02K9/06F01P1/06F01P11/029F01P2001/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,962,310
App. No.
15/865,327
Granted
Mar 30, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A generator structure includes a lower compartment, an upper compartment, and an intake duct. The lower compartment is configured to support and house at least an alternator and an engine. The upper compartment configured to support and house and at least one cooling device configured to cool the lower compartment. The upper compartment and the lower compartment are vertically arranged. The intake duct is integrated with the lower compartment and includes an upper pathway duct and a lower pathway duct. The upper pathway duct provides a path of air to at least an intake of the engine and the lower pathway ducts provides a path of air to at least cool the alternator.

Claims (33)

1. A generator structure comprising:

a lower compartment configured to support and house at least an alternator and an engine;

an upper compartment configured to support and house at least one cooling device configured to cool the lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment and the lower compartment are vertically arranged; and

an intake duct integrated with the lower compartment and including an upper pathway duct and a lower pathway duct, wherein the upper pathway duct provides a path of air to at least an intake of the engine and the lower pathway duct provides a path of air to at least cool the alternator,

wherein the upper pathway duct and the lower pathway duct, at least in part, are in fluid communication with the upper compartment.

2. The generator structure of claim 1 , wherein the fluid communication provides air flow through the upper pathway duct and the lower pathway duct.

3. The generator structure of claim 1 , further comprising:

a channeling panel configured to divide the upper compartment and the lower compartment, the channeling panel defining a top of the lower compartment and defining a bottom of the upper compartment.

4. The generator structure of claim 3 , wherein the channeling panel provides a water barrier between the lower compartment and the upper compartment.

5. The generator structure of claim 3 , wherein the channeling panel has a slope in a predetermined direction.

6. The generator structure of claim 5 , wherein the slope of the channeling panel corresponds to one or more drainage holes.

7. The generator structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper compartment is a plenum separate from the engine.

8. The generator structure of claim 1 , further comprising:

a radiator system housed with the upper compartment, the radiator system configured to exchange heat from the engine.

9. The generator structure of claim 8 , further comprising:

a tank of the radiator system, the tank configured to exchange a cooling fluid with the engine.

10. The generator structure of claim 8 , further comprising:

a catch basin of the radiator system, the catch basin configured to direct one or more materials away from the lower compartment.

11. The generator structure of claim 8 , further comprising:

a fan of the radiator system, the fan configured to pull air from an intake passage of the radiator system and out an exhaust passage of the radiator system, wherein the intake passage and the exhaust passage are independent of the upper pathway duct and the lower pathway duct.

12. The generator structure of claim 1 , further comprising:

a muffler in the upper compartment; and

a pipe extending from the muffler and the upper compartment to the engine and the lower compartment.

13. The generator structure of claim 1 , further comprising:

a fuel tank configured to supply fuel to the engine, wherein the lower compartment is above the fuel tank.

14. The generator structure of claim 13 , wherein the upper compartment, the lower compartment, and the fuel tank are sized to substantially a same footprint dimension.

15. A generator structure comprising:

a lower compartment configured to support and house at least an alternator and an engine for driving the alternator;

an upper compartment configured to support and house at least one cooling device configured to cool the lower compartment and at least one sound reduction device for reducing sounds produced in the lower compartment; and

a fuel tank configured to contain fuel for the engine for driving the alternator, wherein the upper compartment, the lower compartment, and the fuel tank are vertically arranged and have substantially a same footprint.

16. The generator structure of claim 15 , further comprising:

an intake duct integrated with the lower compartment and including an upper pathway duct and a lower pathway duct, wherein the upper pathway duct provides a first path of air to at least an intake of the engine and the lower pathway duct provides a second path of air to at least cool the alternator,

wherein the upper pathway duct and the lower pathway duct, at least in part, are in fluid communication with the upper compartment.

Assignments (4)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded May 3, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067306/0903 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded May 2, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067290/0853 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2024
From: KOHLER CO.
To: DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 067289/0516 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2018
From: CLOUSE, ADAM; MEISSNER, BRADLEY L.; SCHREINER, ZACHARY J.
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 046167/0120 →