Patent Publication Number: US-2022231571-A1

Title: Horizontal shaft electric powerhead

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/492,077, filed Sep. 6, 2019, which is a National Stage Application of PCT Application No. PCT/US2018/021584, filed Mar. 8, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/469,472, filed Mar. 9, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to prime movers for outdoor power equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric power head and energy storage device for driving and/or powering various components of a piece of outdoor power equipment. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to an electric powerhead including an electric motor with a horizontal output shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the electric motor has a power rating of 2,500 or fewer watts, a battery including a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells, the battery coupled to the electric motor, a housing having a standard cross-sectional footprint so that the electric powerhead has substantially the same volume as a comparable small internal combustion engine, and a base plate configured to be fastened to a mounting surface. The base plate includes a plurality of openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a horizontal shaft electric powerhead including an electric motor with a horizontal output shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the electric motor has a power rating of 2,500 or fewer watts, a battery including a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells, the battery coupled to the electric motor, a housing having a standard cross-sectional footprint so that the electric powerhead has substantially the same volume as a comparable small internal combustion engine, and a base plate configured to be fastened to a mounting surface so that the height of the horizontal output shaft above the mounting surface is a standard horizontal shaft engine shaft height 
     Still another exemplary embodiments relates to a horizontal shaft electric powerhead including an electric motor with a horizontal output shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the electric motor has a power rating of 2,500 or fewer watts, a battery including a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells, the battery coupled to the electric motor, a housing having a standard cross-sectional footprint so that the electric powerhead has substantially the same volume as a comparable small internal combustion engine, and a base plate configured to be fastened to a mounting surface. The horizontal output shaft is dimensionally similar to a standard horizontal shaft engine output shaft. 
     Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electric powerhead, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a power take-off mounting plate for use with the electric powerhead of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a base of the electric powerhead of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a battery of the electric powerhead of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an output shaft of the electric powerhead of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the output shaft of  FIG. 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a snow thrower; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a control system of an electric powerhead, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electric powerhead  100  according an exemplary embodiment. The electric powerhead  100  includes an electric motor  105  and an energy storage device or battery  110  that powers the electric motor  105  and other electrical components. The electric powerhead  100  serves as a replacement for a small internal combustion engine of the type frequently used on a variety of equipment, including outdoor power equipment and portable jobsite equipment. Outdoor power equipment includes lawn mowers, riding tractors, snow throwers, pressure washers, tillers, log splitters, zero-turn radius mowers, walk-behind mowers, riding mowers, stand-on mowers, pavement surface preparation devices, industrial vehicles such as forklifts, utility vehicles, commercial turf equipment such as blowers, vacuums, debris loaders, overseeders, power rakes, aerators, sod cutters, brush mowers, portable generators, etc. Outdoor power equipment may, for example, use the electric powerhead  100  to drive an implement, such as a rotary blade of a lawn mower, a pump of a pressure washer, an auger of a snow thrower, and/or a drivetrain of the outdoor power equipment. Portable jobsite equipment includes portable light towers, mobile industrial heaters, and portable light stands. 
     The electric powerhead  100  also includes a housing  115  with a base  180  and a power take-off (PTO) mounting plate  120  ( FIG. 2 ) for securing the electric powerhead  100  to a mounting location on a piece of equipment (e.g., to secure the electric powerhead  100  to the platform of a snow thrower). The housing  115  is sized so that the electric powerhead  100  has substantially the same volume as a comparable small internal combustion engine that provides a similar mechanical output (e.g., power and torque) so that the electric powerhead  100  can be used as a direct replacement for comparable small internal combustion engines. The electric powerhead  100  provides a maximum output of approximately 5.5 horsepower (HP). In other embodiments, the electric powerhead  100  provides a maximum output of approximately 5.8 HP. In other embodiments, the electric powerhead  100  provides more or less maximum output. Standard small internal combustion engines having a similar output have standard dimensions including a standard height, a standard width, a standard depth, and a standard cross-sectional area or footprint (width times depth). For example, for comparable standard small internal combustion engines, the standard depth is approximately 12.2 inches (312 millimeters (mm)), the standard width is approximately 14.3 inches (362 mm), and the standard height is approximately 13.6 inches (346 mm), with a cross-sectional area of approximately 174.5 inches squared (1.13×10 5  mm 2 ) and a volume of approximately 2372.7 cubic inches (3.91×10 7  mm 3 ). A distance, area, or volume is “substantially the same” as one of the standard distances, areas, or volumes of a comparable standard small engine when such a distance, area, or volume allows another component having such a distance, area, or volume to be readily used in place of the standard small engine. In some embodiments of the present invention, plus or minus 15% of the distance, area, or volume is the outer limit for a distance, area, or volume to be considered “substantially the same” as one of the standard distances, areas, or volumes. 
     As another example, for comparable standard small internal combustion engines, the standard depth is approximately 11.7 inches (297 mm), the standard width is approximately 13.6 inches (346 mm), and the standard height is approximately 13.0 inches (329 mm), with a cross-sectional area of approximately 159.1 inches squared (1.12×10 5  mm 2 ) and a volume of approximately 2068.6 cubic inches (3.38×10 7  mm 3 ). 
     As yet another example, for comparable standard small internal combustion engines, the standard depth is approximately 12.6 inches (321 mm), the standard width is approximately 14.8 inches (376 mm), and the standard height is approximately 13.6 inches (346 mm), with a cross-sectional area of approximately 186.5 inches squared (1.21×10 5  mm 2 ) and a volume of approximately 2536.1 cubic inches (4.18×10 7  mm 3 ). 
     The PTO mounting plate  120  includes a set of openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern (e.g., an SAE or other industry standard for mounting small internal combustion engines). Engine mounting patterns are standardized so that engines produced by different engine manufactures can be mounted to equipment produced by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) without having to customize the mounting arrangement between the engine and the equipment. This allows an OEM to offer the same equipment with different engines from different manufacturers to meet the OEM&#39;s engine needs or the customer&#39;s engine needs. Bolts or other fasteners are inserted through the openings to attach the PTO mounting plate  120  at a desired mounting location. In other embodiments, the PTO mounting plate  120  includes two or more sets of openings with each set arranged in a standard engine mounting pattern. In the illustrated embodiment, the set of openings  170  has four openings  170 . The four openings  170  are arranged in a square centered at the origin  145  and spaced apart from each other by a distance  171 . In some embodiments, the openings  170  have a diameter of approximately 0.3125 inches and the distance  171  is approximately 2.56 inches. In other embodiments, the openings  170  have a diameter of approximately 0.315 inches (8 mm). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the base  180  includes a set of openings  187  arranged in a standard horizontal engine support pattern. Bolts or other fasteners are inserted through the openings  187  to attach the base  180  at a desired mounting location. Like the engine mounting patterns discussed above, horizontal engine support patterns are standardized. In the illustrated embodiment, the set of openings  187  includes four openings  187  arranged in a rectangle having a first distance or width  190  between the center points of two openings  187  and a second distance or depth  195  between the center points of two openings  187 . In some embodiments, the width  190  is 6.38 inches and the depth  195  is 3.12 inches. In some embodiments, some or all of the openings  187  have a diameter of 0.35 inch. In some embodiments, the front openings  187  (i.e., those closest to the outer surface  150  of the mounting plate  120 ) are elongated slots. In some embodiments, the elongated slots have a diameter of 0.35 inch and a length of 0.55 inch. In some embodiments, the height  200  is 4.17 inches (shown in  FIG. 1 ), the distance  207  is 2.60 inches, and the distance  210  is 3.78 inches. The center points of the front openings  187  in the base  180  (i.e., those closest to the outer surface  150  of the mounting plate  120 ) are spaced a distance  212  from the outer surface  150  of the mounting plate  120 . In some embodiments, the distance  212  is 1.40 inches. Like the engine mounting patterns and support patterns, discussed above, the height of the axis of rotation of the output shaft of a horizontal shaft engine above a mounting surface, the location of the axis of rotation relative to the supporting pattern, and the location of the supporting pattern relative to the mounting plate are standardized. 
     In some embodiments, the PTO mounting plate  120  and/or base  180  are molded over a metallic insert. The PTO mounting plate  120  and base  180  are made from molded plastic and the insert is made from an aluminum material. In other embodiments, the PTO mounting plate  120 , base  180 , and insert are made from other materials. The insert includes a ring-shaped portion and a set of bosses or protrusions extending outward from the outer surface of the ring-shaped portion. In other embodiments, the insert includes a rectangular-shaped portion with a set of bosses or protrusions extending therefrom. The insert includes a set of openings including four openings that align concentrically with the set of openings  170 ,  187  on the PTO mounting plate  120  and base  180 , respectively. Each opening on the insert extends through the center of a protrusion. The openings of the insert are smaller in diameter than the openings  170 ,  187  of the PTO mounting plate  120  and base  180  such that the protrusions extend through and are approximately flush with the outer surfaces of the PTO mounting plate  120  and base  180 . Accordingly, bolts or other fasteners that are used to mount the engine powerhead  100  to a piece of outdoor power equipment extend through the openings in the insert and PTO mounting plate  120  and/or base  180  and engage with (e.g., clamp against) the surfaces of the insert protrusions instead of engaging with the PTO mounting plate  120  and/or base  180 . As such, when mounting the engine powerhead  100  to a piece of equipment, fasteners are engaged with the metallic material of the insert and not against the plastic material of the PTO mounting plate  120  and/or base  180 . By fastening a metallic fastener against the metallic material of the insert, loosening of fasteners over time due to thermal changes and deformation of the plastic material is avoided. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the housing  115  includes a battery receptacle  215  configured to receive a removable battery  110 . The removable battery  110  is able to be attached to and removed from the battery receptacle  215  without the use of tools. In other embodiments, the battery  110  may be attached to the housing  115  in a fixed manner that would require the use of tools to remove the battery  110  from the housing. The battery receptacle  215  and the battery  110  include contacts that are configured to engage or connect with each other to complete an electrical circuit when the battery  110  is attached to the battery receptacle  215 . This allows the battery  110  to provide electricity to the electric motor  105  and other electrical components as will be explained in more detail below. The battery  110  includes multiple electrochemical battery cells. According to an exemplary embodiment, each cell is a cylindrical lithium ion (Li-ion) cell that extends along a longitudinal cell axis. In other embodiments, the cells may be differently shaped (e.g., prismatic cells) or may have different battery chemistries (e.g., nickel-cadmium, lead-acid, nickel metal hydride, nickel-zinc, etc.). The battery  110  may be provided in different configurations providing different energy capacities and voltage ratings. For example, in some embodiments the battery  110  provides between 150 and 500 watt hours of energy at a voltage rating of 82 volts. In other embodiments, different energy capacities and voltage ratings are provided. In some embodiments, multiple batteries  110  and battery receptacles  215  are provided to increase the amount of electrical energy available for use by the electric powerhead  100 . 
     The battery receptacle  215  is positioned in the housing  115  so that a straight axis of insertion  230  along which the battery  110  is inserted into the battery receptacle  215  is positioned at an angle θ relative to the axis of rotation  137  of the output shaft  130  in a vertical plane that includes the axis of rotation  137 . The battery receptacle  215  includes a stop surface that is configured to contact a face or other surface of the battery  110  when the battery  110  is inserted into the battery receptacle  215  to limit the insertion of the battery  110  into the battery receptacle  215 . In some embodiments, the axis of insertion  230  is orthogonal to the stop surface of the battery receptacle  215 . In some embodiments, when the battery  110  is attached to the battery receptacle  215 , the longitudinal axes of the battery cells of the battery  110  are parallel to the axis of insertion  230 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the battery  110  and battery receptacle  215  are positioned proximate the top portion  107  of the housing  115 . As such, the battery  110  is positioned in substantially the same location as a fuel fill on a comparable small internal combustion engine. In other embodiments, the battery  110  and battery receptacle  215  are positioned proximate the rear portion  109  of the housing  115 . In this way, the battery  110  is positioned in substantially the same location as a recoil cover on a comparable small internal combustion engine. In each of the embodiments described, the battery  110  is readily accessible to a user on the top or rear portions  107 ,  109  of the housing  115  so that the user can insert and remove the battery  110  without removing the electric powerhead  100  from a mounted position on a piece of outdoor power equipment (e.g., the snow thrower shown in  FIG. 7 ). By positioning the battery  110  in locations common for positioning either a fuel fill (fuel tank) or a recoil starter, no customizing is needed on equipment from various OEMs because the OEM shrouding on various equipment includes existing access to those location points. This allows the electric powerhead  100  to be used as a direct replacement for a small internal combustion engine used on various equipment produced by different OEMs without the need for retooling. 
     In some embodiments, the battery  110  and the battery receptacle  215  include mechanical aligning features to ensure proper alignment between the battery  110  and the battery receptacle  215  and/or to guide the battery  110  into the battery receptacle  215 . For example, the battery  110  includes a protrusion and the battery receptacle  215  includes a corresponding slot to receive the protrusion. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the housing  115  includes a battery cover to secure the battery  110  to the battery receptacle  215 . The battery  110  may be removed and attached to a charging station to charge the battery  110 . The charging station connects to a source of electricity (e.g., the power grid, a generator, etc.) and may include a transformer. Alternatively or additionally, the battery  110  or the housing  115  includes an outlet or port to connect to a charging device. The charging device includes a plug and a cord to connect the outlet to a source of electricity (e.g., the power grid, a generator, etc.) and may include a transformer. 
     The electric motor  105  is positioned within the housing  115 . The electric motor  105  may be directly supported by the housing  115  or supported by a cradle or other support structure located within the housing  115 . In different embodiments, the electric motor  105  is provided with different power ratings (e.g. 1,500 watts, 2,500 watts, or 3,500 watts). In addition to the output shaft  130 , the electric motor  105  includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor and the output shaft  130  rotate about the axis of rotation  137  when the electric motor  105  is activated. In some embodiments, a fan is coupled to the rotor and rotates to cause cooling air to pass over the electric motor  105  when activated. 
     In some embodiments, an intake air filter is provided upstream of a motor intake air vent  175  to limit the intake of debris into the housing  115  with the intake of air through the vent  175 . In some embodiments, the intake air filter includes a housing and a filter cartridge removably inserted into or attached to the housing  115 . The filter cartridge includes filter media for filtering the air flow through the intake air filter. In some embodiments, the housing and/or the filter cartridge are arranged to provide cyclonic filters before filtering by the filter media by inducing a cyclonic airflow to remove debris from the airflow. The filter media is made of a washable material, such as a nylon or plastic mesh material. The filter media may have an Ingress Protection Rating of IP-67 (indicating waterproof and dust resistance). In other embodiments, the filter media is made of paper. In some embodiments, the electric motor  105  drives the fan used to draw air into a motor intake air vent  175  in an opposite direction to clear debris from the motor intake air vent  175  and/or the intake air filter. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the output shaft  130  includes a first diameter  132  extending along a first portion  131  for a first length  121 , a second diameter  136  extending along a second portion  137  for a second length  125 , and an overall length  138 . The first diameter  132  is smaller than the second diameter  136 , with a step  133  positioned between the first and second diameters  132 ,  136 . In other embodiments, the first diameter  132  is larger than the second diameter  136 . In other embodiments, the first diameter  132  and second diameter  136  are the same. A keyway  134  extends from the end  135  along the first portion  131  for a length  139 . The output shaft  130  is dimensionally similar to existing engine output shafts such that the output shaft  130  can be used across a wide variety of applications already using the existing engines. For example, in one embodiment, the output shaft  130  has a first diameter  132  of approximately 0.75 inches (19.05 mm). In another embodiment, the first diameter  132  is approximately 0.79 inches (20 mm). In another embodiment, the first diameter  132  is approximately 0.71 inches (18 mm). In one embodiment, the first length  121  is approximately 2.303 inches (58.5 mm). In another embodiment, the first length  121  is approximately 1.969 inches (50 mm). In other embodiments, the first length  121  can be shorter or longer in length and the first diameter  132  can be larger or smaller. With such dimensions, OEMs can use the output shaft  130  of the electric powerhead  100  without need for custom fitting or accessories to couple the output shaft  130  to existing equipment. 
     The electric powerhead  100  also includes a controller or processing circuit  250  for controlling operation of electrical components of the powerhead  100 . In some embodiments, the controller  250  also controls operation of and/or communicates with electrical components coupled to the electric powerhead  100  (e.g., electrically coupled by wires or wirelessly coupled). The controller  250  can include a processor and memory device. The processor can be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. The memory device (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) is one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present application. The memory device may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The memory device may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present application. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory device is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by processing circuit and/or processor) one or more processes described herein. The controller  250  may be positioned in and/or attached to the housing  115 . 
     In some embodiments, an accessory interface is electrically coupled to the controller  250  to provide data communications (e.g., transmission and receipt of input and output signals or other data streams) with external electrical components via a communication port. In some embodiments, the accessory interface includes one or more power ports or contacts and communication ports or contacts. In some embodiments, the accessory interface includes a wireless transceiver to provide for wireless communication with an external electrical component. In some embodiments, a communication port can be used to allow an OEM or service provider to send controller programming updates (e.g., firmware updates, software updates) to the controller  250 . In some embodiments, the controller  250  is programmed to detect the type of equipment the electric powerhead  100  is being used with. For example, the controller  250  can be programmed to detect equipment-specific external electrical components (e.g., plug-and-play components) and adjust operating characteristics of the electric powerhead  100  according to instructions specific to that equipment. For example, the controller  250  could detect walk behind lawn mower user controls connected to the accessory interface and limit the rotational speed of the electric motor  105  to 3200 revolutions per minute (RPM) and could detect pressure washer user controls connected to the accessory interface and limit the rotational speed of the electric motor  105  to 3600 RPM. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more power ports or contacts provide electricity to remote user controls (e.g., hand controls  370  described further herein). When a remote user control is plugged into the power port, the controller  250  is configured to detect the presence of the remote user control. Upon detection of the remote user control plugged into the power port, the controller  250  allows the remote user control to override any on-board control. Thus, when a remote user control is not plugged into the power port, a user can control the powerhead  100  using on-board controls. As noted above, the controller  250  can perform other functions upon detection of the remote user controls, such as limiting the rotational speed of the electric motor  105 . 
     In various contemplated embodiments, different hierarchies of controls can be used. First, the remote user controls can be given preference over the on-board controls such that the remote user controls override inputs to the on-board controls. Second, the on-board controls can be given preference over the remote user controls such that the on-board controls override the remote user controls. Third, if the remote user controls are present (e.g., detected) the on-board controls are disabled. Fourth, in some embodiments, the powerhead  100  off control always turns the powerhead  100  off without regard to where off control is located (e.g., remotely, on-board). 
     In some embodiments, the electric powerhead  100  includes a speaker and a wireless transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth) to communicate with a user device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, laptop, or other smart device) to play audio over the speaker. This enables the user to use the electric powerhead as a wireless radio or speaker. 
     In some cold weather embodiments, it may be useful to warm up the cells of the battery  110  before using the battery  110  to power the electric motor  105  or external electrical components. A warm-up system or circuit is provided so that cells of the battery  110  discharge for a period of time to warm up the cells before the electric motor  105  or other external electrical components are activated. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a snow thrower  300  according to an exemplary embodiment. The snow thrower  300  includes an electric powerhead  100  attached to a mounting location or platform  305  in a horizontal shaft orientation. The electric powerhead  100  includes two battery receptacles  215  and two removable batteries  110 , thereby providing additional electrical energy for use by the electric powerhead  100  and any external electrical components connected to the electric powerhead  100 . The snow thrower  300  includes an auger  310  positioned within an auger housing  315 . The auger  310  is driven by the electric motor  105  of the electric powerhead  100  and is mechanically connected to the output shaft  130  (e.g., by a transmission). The auger housing  315  is located at the front of the body  320  of the snow thrower  300 . A handle  325  extends from the rear of the body  320  and includes a user interface  330  for the user to grasp to direct the travel of the snow thrower  300 . The snow thrower  300  also includes a pair of drive wheels  335 . A chute  347  for directing snow output from the snow thrower  300  is rotatably connected to the body  320 . A chute direction electric motor  350  rotates the chute  347  to a desired direction. A deflector  355  is connected to the chute  347  to control the angle at which snow is output from the chute  347 . A deflector electric motor  360  may be provided to control the position of the deflector  355  relative to the chute  347 . User hand controls  370  are provided at the user interface  330  to allow the user to provide operating commands (e.g., to activate or stop rotation of the auger  310 , to activate or stop operation of the drive wheels  335 , to set the maximum speed of the snow thrower, to control the direction of travel of the snow thrower, to control the position of the chute  347 , to control the position of the deflector  355 , and to control operation of other components of the snow thrower). Types of user hand controls include one or more switches, buttons, sliders, levers, dials, touch screens, positions sensors, torque sensors, force sensors, and other user input devices. 
     The user hand controls  370  are electrically coupled to the accessory interface via the power and communication ports so that the batteries  110  of the electric powerhead  100  provide power to these external electrical components and the controller  250  of the electric powerhead  100  is in communication with these external electrical components and can send and receive inputs and outputs to and from the external electrical components to control the electric motor  105 , the battery  110 , and the external electrical components (e.g., to control the speed and direction of rotation of the drive wheels  335  in response to a user input provided via the user hand controls  370 ). Communication may also be established wirelessly via a wireless transceiver to the external electrical components. Different embodiments of a snow thrower may include more, fewer, or different combinations of external electrical components. Other external electrical components include electric motor driven tillers, blowers, etc. 
     In some embodiments, at least a portion of the user hand controls, referred to as on-board controls, are positioned on the housing  115  of the powerhead  100 . When the user hand controls  370  positioned remote from the housing  115  (as described above) are plugged into the accessory interface, the controller  250  overrides inputs received from the on-board controls and allows the remote user hand controls  370  to provide the control inputs to the controller  250  for operating the powerhead  100 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a run sensor  103  is included with the electric powerhead  100 . The run sensor  103  is configured to detect when an implement on outdoor power equipment is in a ready-to-run condition. As such, the run sensor  103  is communicably and operatively coupled to the controller  250  and to remote user controls (e.g., user controls  370 ). Depending on the type of outdoor power equipment with which the powerhead  100  is used, the run sensor  103  can take different forms. For example, the run sensor  103  may be a switch configured to detect the state (e.g., engaged or disengaged) of a brake or clutch (e.g., for a lawn mower), a switch configured to detect operator presence in the operating position (e.g., a hand-actuated switch on a handle), an enable fob or key configured to allow the electric motor  105  to start when actuated or present and prevent the electric motor  105  from starting when not actuated or present, a switch configured to sense water or another fluid (e.g., a capacitive water detection sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor) to ensure that a pump has sufficient fluid to operate safely (e.g., for a pressure washer or waste pump). 
     The controller  250  is configured to receive inputs associated with the run sensor  103 . The controller  250  receives a ready-to-run signal from the run sensor  103 . The electric motor  105  starts when upon receiving a ready-to-run signal from the run sensor  103  and upon receiving an additional start signal from the user interface (e.g., user controls  370 ). Additional information or control logic may also be configured to start the engine in combination with the status of the run sensor  103  and/or other factors. 
     The Appendix included with the U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/469,472, filed on Mar. 9, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes and illustrates various aspects of electric powerheads and related outdoor power equipment. 
     The construction and arrangement of the apparatus, systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed from multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
     Although the figures may show or the description may provide a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on various factors, including software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art of outdoor power equipment. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure.