Automatic fuel shutoff

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9739214-B2
Application number	US-201614997825-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 18, 2016
Priority date	May 20, 2013
Publication date	Aug 22, 2017
Grant date	Aug 22, 2017

Abstract

A combination lever for a carburetor is an integrated shutoff lever and fuel valve. The combination lever includes a longitudinal portion for a handle and a cylindrical portion including a fuel path for the fuel valve. A carburetor casing is shaped to form a valve chamber and a carburetor chamber. The valve chamber supports the cylindrical portion. A directional cavity formed in the cylindrical portion of the combination lever regulates a flow of fuel to the carburetor chamber according to a rotation of the combination lever. At one position the directional cavity opens the fuel path so that fuel flows into the carburetor chamber. At another position the directional cavity closes the fuel path so that the flow of fuel is blocked. The combination lever may also include an abutment portion to engage a switch for completing an electrical shutoff path to an engine coupled to the carburetor.

First claim

We claim:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a combination lever including a longitudinal handle and a cylindrical portion, wherein the cylindrical portion is supported by a fuel valve chamber of a carburetor; and
a cavity formed in the cylindrical portion of the combination lever and configured to regulate a flow of fuel according to a rotation of the combination lever;
wherein the cavity of the cylindrical portion of the combination lever is configured to receive the flow of fuel from a fuel intake and deliver the flow of fuel, through the cavity, to the carburetor through an output path, wherein the fuel intake and the output path are in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the combination lever.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an abutment portion of the combination lever configured to engage a switch for completing an electrical shutoff path to an engine coupled to the carburetor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the abutment portion of the combination lever is configured to linearly engage the switch in response to the rotation of the combination lever.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the abutment portion is configured to vertically depress a rounded portion of the switch to complete an electrical connection to kill the engine coupled with the carburetor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the combination lever, the longitudinal handle and the cylindrical portion are a single construction.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mounting bracket configured to couple the combination lever to an engine.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a grip configured to receive a force from a user to rotate the combination lever.

8. A method for manufacturing a combination lever, the method comprising:
forming a mold for the combination lever, wherein the mold includes a shape of a longitudinal handle and a cylindrical portion with a directional cavity formed in the cylindrical portion and configured to regulate a supply of fuel according to a rotation of the combination lever, wherein the cylindrical portion is configured to be supported by a fuel valve chamber of a carburetor, and the directional cavity is configured to receive the supply of fuel from a fuel intake and deliver the flow of fuel to the carburetor through an output path, wherein the fuel intake and the output path are in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the combination lever;
adding a deformable material into the mold, wherein the deformable material hardens over time to become a hardened material; and
removing the combination lever including the hardened material from the mold.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
curing the deformable material to the hardened material.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the deformable material is plastic, thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, silicone, or resin.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the mold includes a shape for an abutment portion.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
mounting the combination lever to an engine.

13. A method comprising:
receiving a force at a longitudinal handle of a combination lever;
rotating a cylindrical portion of the combination lever in response to the force received at the longitudinal handle, wherein the longitudinal handle is integral with the cylindrical portion;
receiving a flow of fuel at a three-dimensionally shaped cavity formed in the cylindrical portion from a first path; and
dispensing the flow of fuel from the three-dimensionally shaped cavity formed in the cylindrical portion to a second path according to a position of the combination lever, wherein the first path is substantially parallel to the second path.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the position is a first position, the method further comprising:
initiating an actuation of an automatic shutoff switch in response to a second position of the combination lever.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the automatic shutoff switch is configured to complete an electrical connection to cease operation of an engine.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the three-dimensionally shaped cavity of the cylindrical portion of the combination lever is configured to receive the flow of fuel from a fuel intake and deliver the flow of fuel, through the three-dimensionally shaped cavity, through an output path, wherein the fuel intake and the output path are in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the combination lever.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein an input of the three-dimensionally shaped cavity and an output of the three-dimensionally shaped cavity are parallel.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
engaging a switch for completing an electrical shutoff path to an engine.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the three-dimensionally shaped cavity is semi-circular or has a variable depth.

Assignees

• Kohler Co
• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Mitchell Chris
• Stenz Gary
• Krueger Daniel F

Classifications

• F02D9/02

  concerning induction conduits (throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08) · CPC title

• F02D2700/0233

  depending on several parameters · CPC title

• F02D9/00

  Controlling engines by throttling air or fuel-and-air induction conduits or exhaust conduits · CPC title

• F02M5/00

  Float-controlled apparatus for maintaining a constant fuel level · CPC title

• B23P19/00

  Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation {(connecting metal parts or objects by metal-working procedures B21J, B23K)}; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes (hand tools in general B25) · CPC title