Claims
- 1. A marine electrical generator comprising:an internal combustion engine having a projecting crankshaft and an exhaust outlet for discharging engine exhaust; said internal combustion engine constructed to be securely mounted to a marine vessel such that said exhaust outlet is disposed below the vessel's waterline; and a permanent magnet alternator mechanically connected to said crankshaft for producing electrical current, said permanent magnet alternator including a stator mechanically connected to said internal combustion engine, and a permanent magnet rotor connected to said crankshaft for rotation with respect to said stator for generating electrical current.
- 2. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the alternator is configured to generate synchronized magnetic forces to counterbalance periodic vibrational forces generated by piston movement within the engine.
- 3. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the crankshaft is disposed generally vertically, and wherein the alternator is disposed at an upper end of the crankshaft.
- 4. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the rotor comprises a permanent magnet attached to a peripheral edge thereof.
- 5. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine is rated at between 5 and 25 horsepower.
- 6. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine is an air cooled engine.
- 7. The electrical generator of claim 1 further comprising means for mounting said internal combustion engine to a transom of the marine vessel.
- 8. The electrical generator of claim 7 wherein said means for mounting said engine to the transom of a marine vessel includes a pivotal connection whereby said engine may be pivotally moved from a first position wherein said housing exhaust outlet is disposed below the surface of the water to a second position wherein said exhaust outlet is disposed above the surface of the water.
- 9. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the alternator further comprises a cooling fan connected to the engine crankshaft.
- 10. The electrical generator of claim 1 further including an inverter electrically connected to at least one AC output receptacle.
- 11. The electrical generator of claim 1 further comprising at least one DC output receptacle.
- 12. The electrical generator of claim 1 further comprising feedback control circuitry for controlling engine throttle as a function of electrical load.
- 13. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine and alternator are housed within a single enclosure.
- 14. The electrical generator of claim 13 wherein the enclosure has an appearance similar to an outboard motor housing.
- 15. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein the engine is a water cooled engine.
- 16. The electrical generator of claim 1 further including means for regulating fuel flow to said internal combustion engine in response to electrical demand.
- 17. The electrical generator of claim 16 wherein said means for regulating fuel flow includes feedback carburetor control for adjusting engine speed in response to electrical load.
- 18. The electrical generator of claim 17 wherein said feedback carburetor control includes an electric throttle control motor connected to a carburetor and feedback control means for sensing the electrical load placed on the electrical generator, said feedback control means controlling said electric throttle control motor throttle fuel flow.
- 19. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein said internal combustion engine further includes means for generating a properly timed electrical pulse electrically connected to a spark plug connected to said internal combustion engine.
- 20. The electrical generator of claim 19 wherein said means for generating a properly timed electrical pulse comprises an ignition pulse generator.
- 21. The electrical generator of claim 20 wherein said ignition pulse generator is mounted in close proximity to the periphery of said permanent magnet alternator.
- 22. The electrical generator of claim 1 wherein said internal combustion engine further includes an ignition pulse generator electrically connected to a spark plug.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/570,216, filed May 12, 2000 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,268, and claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/165,478, filed Nov. 15, 1999.
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A |
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Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/165478 |
Nov 1999 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/570216 |
May 2000 |
US |
Child |
10/045914 |
|
US |