| KOHLER CO. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120126623 | PORTAL FOR HARVESTING ENERGY FROM DISTRIBUTED ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCES - A modular portal system and method for harvesting energy from distributed power sources. The distributed power sources include renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, which are coupled to a backplane. The backplane receives modular preconditioner modules and inverter modules, which are inserted into module slots. The preconditioner modules receive power from the distributed power sources via backplane connections and output conditioned DC power to a DC bus on the backplane. The inverters are coupled to the DC bus, receive the DC power, and convert the DC power to AC power. The backplane also includes a controller for selectively coupling the energy harvesting system to a power grid. The AC power generated by the inverter is selectively applied to the power grid and to local loads. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120042630 | ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEMS WITH SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEMS - A variety of embodiments of exhaust systems for engines including small off-road engines, and related methods of operation, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the exhaust system includes a first conduit that receives exhaust emissions from a first engine cylinder, and a second conduit that communicates air to a first port on the first conduit. The air mixes with the exhaust emissions within the first conduit so as to produce a chemical reaction, and a level of at least one undesirable component of the exhaust emissions is reduced. Further, the exhaust system does not include any catalytic converter. In some embodiments, the exhaust system further comprises a crankcase ventilation system. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20110214645 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARBURETOR VENTING - A system for venting vapors from a fuel tank of an engine, an engine with such a system, and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, such a system includes a coupling device having first, second, and third ports that are connected at a junction, where the first and second ports are respectively configured to be at least indirectly coupled to the tank and a carburetor, respectively, and where the third port is in communication with an outside environment via a filter. The system further includes an obstruction that is formed at a location downstream of the junction en route toward the carburetor, the location being either within the coupling device or at a position downstream of that device, such that at least some of the vapors can proceed from the tank to the carburetor and at least some air from the environment is able to proceed toward the tank. | 09-08-2011 |
