Engine speed control for pressure washer

Abstract

A pressure washer includes a water pump and a pressure-sensitive member attached to the water pump. The pressure washer also includes a wire having a first end attached to the pressure-sensitive member. The pressure-sensitive member relays a change in water pressure within the pump through the wire. Additionally the pressure washer includes an engine having a governor spring attached to the wire. Movement of the wire changes a tension of the governor spring. The engine also has a throttle plate attached to the governor spring. The governor spring biases the throttle plate.

1 . A pressure washer, comprising:
 a water pump;   a pressure-sensitive member coupled to the water pump,   a wire having a first end coupled to the pressure-sensitive member, wherein the pressure-sensitive member communicates a change in water pressure within the pump through the wire; and   an engine comprising:
 a governor spring attached to the wire, wherein movement of the wire changes a tension of the governor spring; and 
 a throttle plate coupled to the governor spring, wherein the governor spring biases the throttle plate. 
   
   
   
       2 . The pressure washer of  claim 1 , wherein the wire is an inner wire of a Bowden cable that further comprises an outer casing. 
   
   
       3 . The pressure washer of  claim 2 , wherein the pressure-sensitive member comprises a chamber and a plunger slidable with the chamber, and wherein the plunger slides in response to the change in pressure within the chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The pressure washer of  claim 3 , wherein the wire is fastened to the plunger. 
   
   
       5 . The pressure washer of  claim 4 , wherein the engine further comprises a wall with an aperture formed therein, wherein the inner wire of the Bowden cable extends through the aperture, and wherein the outer casing of the Bowden cable terminates on a first side of the wall. 
   
   
       6 . The pressure washer of  claim 5 , wherein the inner wire extends through a housing on a second side of the wall, the housing containing a second spring, which surrounds the inner wire. 
   
   
       7 . The pressure washer of  claim 6 , wherein the inner wire is coupled to a loop on an end thereof, and wherein the loop is fastened to the governor spring. 
   
   
       8 . The pressure washer of  claim 7 , wherein the loop is integral with an annular cap having a flange, the flange positioned upon an end of the second spring. 
   
   
       9 . The pressure washer of  claim 8 , wherein the annular cap further comprises a skirt extending from the flange and surrounded by the second spring, wherein the skirt pilots the annular cap as the second spring expands or contracts. 
   
   
       10 . A pressure washer, comprising:
 an internal combustion engine having a governor system comprising:
 a speed-sensing device configured to detect the speed of the engine, 
 a throttle plate configured to move between a wide open throttle position and a closed position, the throttle plate controlling a flow of air and fuel for consumption by the engine, 
 a linkage between the speed-sensing device and the throttle plate, wherein the linkage adjusts the throttle plate in response to the speed of the engine, and 
 a governor spring biasing the throttle plate toward the wide open throttle position; and 
   a high-pressure water pump powered by the engine; and   a pressure-sensitive member coupled to the pump, wherein the pressure-sensitive member moves a wire in response to a change in water pressure within the pump, and wherein the wire is attached to and configured to load the governor spring.   
   
   
       11 . The pressure washer of  claim 10 , wherein the wire is covered by and slidable within a casing, the wire and the casing together forming a Bowden cable. 
   
   
       12 . The pressure washer of  claim 11 , wherein the wire comprises a catch on an end thereof, wherein the governor spring comprises a hook on an end thereof, and wherein the hook engages the catch. 
   
   
       13 . The pressure washer of  claim 12 , wherein the engine further includes a wall having an aperture formed therein, and wherein the wire extends through the aperture and the casing terminates on a first side of the wall. 
   
   
       14 . The pressure washer of  claim 13 , further comprising a locking nut and an adjuster screw surrounding the wire, the locking nut and the adjuster screw in series along the wire. 
   
   
       15 . The pressure washer of  claim 14 , wherein the locking nut is adjacent to the first side of the wall and the adjuster screw is adjacent to the locking nut. 
   
   
       16 . The pressure washer of  claim 15 , further comprising a guide extending through the aperture and surrounding the wire. 
   
   
       17 . A pressure washer control system, comprising:
 a water pump;   a pressure-sensitive member comprising:
 a chamber coupled to the water pump, and 
 a plunger slidable with the chamber, wherein the plunger slides in response to a change in water pressure within the pump; 
   a wire having a first end coupled to the pressure-sensitive member, wherein the pressure-sensitive member adjusts tension in the wire in response to the change in water pressure within the pump; and   an engine comprising:
 a governor spring attached to the wire, wherein adjustment of tension in the wire changes tension in the governor spring, and 
 a throttle plate coupled to the governor spring, wherein the governor spring biases the throttle plate. 
   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the water pump further comprises a trapped pressure unloader, and wherein the water pump is configured to operate in a through mode and a recirculation mode. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein when the pump is operating in the recirculation mode the trapped pressure unloader separates a flow of water passing therethrough into a recirculation circuit of water and a trapped body of water, wherein the chamber of the pressure-sensitive member is coupled to the recirculation circuit. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein when the pump is operating in the recirculation mode the wire moves the throttle plate to idle the engine.