Abstract

An engine control, communication and starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller (32) and a one or more safety interlocks (40), e.g. for brakes, seat occupancy, etc. The controller monitors the status of the safety interlocks to determine whether the internal combustion engine can be started upon activation of a starting device (37). If the starting device (37) is activated and one or more of the safety interlocks is in a condition that prevents operation of the engine, the controller generates a feedback message to the operator through a feedback system (36). The feedback message can be either an audible or visual message that relays information to the operator. The feedback message details what safety interlock prevented starting the engine. During engine operation, the controller terminates operation of the engine if any of the safety interlocks move to an un-allowed status. The system further includes a speed selection circuit that allows the operator to select the desired engine speed. The controller operates the internal combustion engine at the selected engine speed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60W 50/08 - Interaction between the driver and the control system
• B60K 28/04 - Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• B60K 28/10 - Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a control assembly and method of manufacturing a walk-behind mower having a transmission and an engine electrically connected to an operator presence switch. The control assembly can include a left drive lever and a right drive lever. The control assembly can also include a left control member and a right control member each coupled to the transmission. The control assembly can further include a left operator presence lever and a right operator presence lever coupled to the operator presence switch. The operator presence switch can allow the engine to operate when either the left operator presence lever is moved toward the left drive lever or the right operator presence lever is moved toward the right drive lever.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 69/10 - Brakes

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a lawn mower including a frame, a seat or operator station, one or more handles, and a suspension unit coupled between the frame and the seat or operator station. The lawn mower can include one or more pivot members with a first portion coupled to the frame at a pivot location forward of the seat or operator station and a second portion coupled to the seat or operator station. The one or more pivot members can allow the seat or operator station and the one or more handles to move with respect to the frame while the suspension unit absorbs a portion of shock caused by riding over the uneven terrain. The seat can be positioned at least partially between a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel and at least partially along a drive axis. The seat can be declined with respect to a horizontal plane so that the operator's upper torso leans forward at an angle with respect to a vertical plane when the operator is sitting on the seat.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 34/00 - MowersMowing apparatus of harvesters

Abstract

The invention provides a hierarchically accessible monitoring system configured to be used with a standby generator, and a method of remotely accessing generator information from a standby generator. The hierarchically accessible monitoring system includes an interface unit configured to receive information from the standby generator and to communicate the generator information, and a remote data server in communication with the interface unit. The remote data server receives the generator information from the interface unit, stores the generator information, and controls access to the generator information based upon at least two hierarchical levels, each hierarchical level having different access privileges. The hierarchically accessible monitoring system also includes a user interface configured to display the generator information from the remote data server to at least one user. The user has access privileges to read the generator information based upon the user's assigned hierarchical level.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05B 23/02 - Electric testing or monitoring