The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 03, 2009
Filed:
Jan. 10, 2000
Jackie R. Gust, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Eric A. Metheny, Woodbury, MN (US);
Dana R. Lonn, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Heinrich F. Tetzlaff, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Dennis J. Pavlik, Eagan, MN (US);
Mark S. Anderson, Prior Lake, MN (US);
Jackie R. Gust, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Eric A. Metheny, Woodbury, MN (US);
Dana R. Lonn, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Heinrich F. Tetzlaff, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Dennis J. Pavlik, Eagan, MN (US);
Mark S. Anderson, Prior Lake, MN (US);
The Toro Company, Bloomington, MN (US);
Abstract
An electric drive mower includes an electric traction drive as well as electric drive to the cutting units carried on the mower. A hybrid electric drive system supplies electric power to these motors. The electric drive system includes a genset (an internal combustion engine driving an electrical power generating device such as an alternator) and a battery pack which supply the electric power to the electric motors either individually or jointly. A switch may be provided to permit all battery operation of the mower. A steering system having a non-powered pump is used to effect steering of the steerable wheel(s) of the mower to avoid having a heated oil damage the turf in the event of a leak. A crankshaft driven by a single electric drive motor is linked to all the cutting units through various crankarm and connecting rod linkages to lift and lower the cutting units in a timed manner.