Internal-combustion engines – Combined devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-31
2001-12-25
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Combined devices
C123S527000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332433
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas engine operated machine including a machine unit which includes an engine burning a gas fuel, and a working device such as a generator driven by the engine, the machine unit being surrounded by and fixed to a rigid frame formed by framing an elongated frame material, and an upper portion of the machine unit being covered with a roof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An engine operated machine, e.g., an engine power-generating machine utilized as a general-purpose power source machine driven outdoors and using a gas engine adapted to bum a gas fuel such as natural gas, LPG gas and the like in respect of running cost and in respect of consideration for the environment, has begun to come into wide use in recent years (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 1-41654).
In such type of gas engine operated machine, it is common that gas piping parts such as a gas fuel pressure regulator, gas shut-off valves and the like are fixed directly on a frame member of the above rigid frame in order to support the gas piping parts stably.
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
In the gas engine operated machine, however, in order to stabilize the operation of the gas piping parts, it is necessary to design the gas piping parts so that another object cannot strike against the gas piping parts from the outside. In addition, when the gas engine operated machine is used outdoors, it is necessary to take durability against rainwater, dust and the like into consideration.
In a structure in which the gas piping parts are merely fixed directly to the frame member as in the prior art, there is a problem that shock and a engine vibration acting on the frame member are transmitted to the gas piping parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been proposed with the above circumstances in view, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas engine operated machine, wherein the above problem can be solved.
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a gas engine operated machine, including a machine unit which can include an engine burning a gas fuel, and a working device driven by the engine, the machine unit being surrounded by and fixed to a rigid frame formed by framing an elongated frame material, and an upper portion of the machine unit being covered with a roof, wherein the roof is comprised of an upper cover bulged upwards, and a lower cover mounted on a lower surface of the upper cover, and the roof can be supported on the rigid frame through vibration-damping members, and the machine further can include a gas fuel pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of a gas fuel supplied to the engine, a gas shut-off valve for stopping the supplying of the gas fuel to the engine, and a connecting pipe which connects the gas fuel pressure regulator and the gas shut-off valve in series to each other, the gas fuel pressure regulator, the gas shut-off valve and the connecting pipe being mounted on an upper surface of the lower cover in such a manner that they are covered with the upper cover.
With the above feature, the gas fuel pressure regulator and the gas shut-off valve, including the connecting pipe connecting the regulator and the valve, can be handled as a single piping unit and hence, a gas fuel system can be concentrated on the lower cover and its layout can be made easily using a minimum length of pipes. Moreover, the piping unit can be accommodated and protected between the upper and lower covers of the roof. Therefore, the product is attractive in appearance and also it is possible to effectively avoid another object colliding against the piping parts, and rainwater, dust and the like striking against the piping parts. Even if shock and engine vibration are applied to the rigid frame around the machine unit, the transmission of the shock and vibration to the piping parts can be inhibited effectively by buffering effects provided by the vibration-damping member.
In embodiments of the present invention, in addition to the above-discussed feature, the gas fuel pressure regulator and the gas shut-off valve can be integrally connected and fixed to each other through the connecting pipe on the lower cover. With this feature, the gas fuel pressure regulator and the gas shut-off valves are supported stably on the lower cover in a state in which they have been collectively integrally coupled to each other by the durable connecting pipe made of a metal. Moreover, the operation of mounting the piping unit to the lower cover is further simplified.
Also, in embodiments of the present invention, in addition to above-discussed features, the lower cover can be disposed above a cylinder of the engine, and the gas shut-off valve, the gas fuel pressure regulator and the connecting pipe can be arranged such that a gas inlet of the shut-off valve and a gas outlet of the regulator are located on the same side of the machine unit. With this feature, in the maintenance or the like, the operation of connecting the gas pipes can be easily carried out in a concentrated manner on the same side of the machine unit, and the distance of connection between the gas fuel pressure regulator and the engine (a mixer) can be shortened.
REFERENCES:
patent: 64-41654 (1989-03-01), None
Kobayashi Tetsuya
Sato Takanori
Sugiyama Takayoshi
Tsusaka Haruo
Arent Fox Kintner & Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Kamen Noah P.
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