Enclosed vertically mounted engine

Abstract

A fuel powered machine having an engine with an output shaft that extends substantially downward from the engine. The output shaft is rotationally connected with a working member that is located substantially below the engine. A frame rigidly supports the engine and the working member and all are enclosed within an internal volume formed by a housing that includes at least one panel that is mounted to the frame. The panel includes at least one aperture that is suitable for air flow through the apertures and past the engine and the working member. Operational controls are positioned on one of the plurality of panels for controlling the operation of the fuel powered machine, and an output connector provided through one of the plurality of panels.

1 . A pressure washer comprising: 
 (a) a fuel powered engine including an output shaft that rotates with engine operation and extending substantially downward from the engine;    (b) a working member rotatably coupled to the output shaft and located substantially below the engine;    (c) a frame rigidly supporting the engine and the working member;    (d) a plurality of panels mounted to the frame to substantially enclose the engine and the working member;    (e) a plurality of apertures formed in the plurality of panels suitable for air flow through the apertures and past the engine and the working member;    (f) operational controls positioned on the plurality of panels for controlling the operation of the fuel powered machine; and    (g) an output connector provided through one of the plurality of panels.    
   
   
       2 . The pressure washer of  claim 1  wherein the operational controls and the output connector are provided on a front panel of the plurality of panels.  
   
   
       3 . The pressure washer of  claim 1  wherein the working member is a positive displacement pump.  
   
   
       4 . The pressure washer of  claim 3  further comprising an inlet connector located on the same one of the plurality of panels as the outlet connector and in the vicinity of the outlet connector.  
   
   
       5 . The pressure washer of  claim 4  wherein the inlet and outlet connectors are positioned on a front panel of the plurality of panels.  
   
   
       6 . The pressure washer of  claim 5  wherein the operational controls are positioned on the front panel and the inlet and outlet connectors are located below the operational controls on the front panel.  
   
   
       7 . The pressure washer of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of baffles connected with one of the engine or the frame for directing air flow through the substantially enclosed engine.  
   
   
       8 . The pressure washer of  claim 1  further comprising a base plate connected to the frame and rigidly supporting both the fuel powered engine and the working member on opposite sides of the base plate.  
   
   
       9 . The pressure washer of  claim 1  wherein the operational controls are positioned on one of the plurality of panels.  
   
   
       10 . A pressure washer comprising: 
 a) an engine with an output shaft extending substantially vertically below the engine;    b) a pump operationally connected to the output shaft;    c) a frame supporting both the engine and the pump;    d) a plurality of panels mounted to the frame to substantially enclose the engine and the pump;    e) a plurality of apertures formed in the plurality of panels suitable for air to flow the apertures for engine and pump cooling and for use with the combustion cycle of the engine;    f) an output connector provided on one of the plurality of panels; and    g) an input connector provided on one of the plurality of panels.    
   
   
       11 . The pressure washer of  claim 10  further comprising operational controls positioned on one of the plurality of panels for controlling the operation of the fuel powered machine.  
   
   
       12 . The pressure washer of  claim 11  wherein the inlet connector, the output connector, and the operational controls are each positioned on a front panel of the plurality of panels.  
   
   
       13 . The pressure washer of  claim 12  wherein the inlet connector and the output connector are each positioned below the operational controls and substantially in-line with the pump.  
   
   
       14 . The pressure washer of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of panels substantially enclose the front side, the back side, the right side, the left side, and the top of the engine and the pump.  
   
   
       15 . The pressure washer of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of panels do not contact the engine or the pump.  
   
   
       16 . The pressure washer of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of panels further comprise left and right panels that are mounted to the frame.  
   
   
       17 . The pressure washer of  claim 16  wherein the left and right panels each include a slot extending from a rear edge of each of the left and right panels, and the plurality of panels further comprises a rear panel with fins that extend from a left side and a right side of the rear panel, wherein the fins are slidably mounted within the slots on each of the left and right panels to connect the rear panel to the left and right panels.