Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed having first and second cylinders having respective exhaust ports. A valve assembly comprises at least one valve actuator. First and second valves are operatively connected to the at least one valve actuator. The first and second valves are each movable between a first position wherein the valve extends a first distance in the respective exhaust port and a second position wherein the valve extends a second distance in the respective exhaust port. A valve connecting member is rigidly connected to the first and second valves and movable therewith via a translational motion while maintaining a substantially constant angular orientation relative to the cylinder block. A position sensor has a first portion connected to the cylinder block and a second portion connected to the valve connecting member. An electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the position sensor.

Abstract: A rotor for an electrical generator is disclosed, including a rotor body having a circular portion and a cylindrical portion coaxial with the circular portion. A generally cylindrical recess is defined by the cylindrical portion and the first side of the circular portion for receiving a stator. At least one first wall is at least partially spaced apart from the first side of the circular portion, defining at least one chamber therebetween. The chamber has an inlet. An aperture in the at least one first wall defines an outlet of the at least one chamber. At least one second wall extends outwardly from the first side of the circular portion. The at least one second wall has an end portion adjacent to the inlet of the at least one chamber. An internal combustion engine with an electrical generator and a method of cooling an electrical generator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve assembly suitable for use with an exhaust port of a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed. The valve assembly has a valve actuator including a diaphragm and a pressure chamber, and a valve operatively connected to the actuator. The pressure chamber is fluidly connectable to at least one pressure source, via a pressure control device. The valve is movable to one of a first, a second, and a third position when a corresponding one of a first, a second, and a third pressure is supplied to the pressure chamber by the at least one pressure source. The valve is biased towards the third position. The third pressure is insufficient to overcome the bias. The third position is intermediate the first position and the second position. A method of operating the valve assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder block, at least one piston, a cylinder head assembly, and a cooling system for cooling at least a portion of the engine. The cooling system has a first cooling jacket for cooling a first side of the cylinder block, a second cooling jacket for cooling a second side of the cylinder block, and a cylinder head cooling jacket for cooling the cylinder head assembly. A coolant inlet and a coolant outlet fluidly communicate with the first and second cooling jackets respectively. Coolant flowing in the cooling system flows from the coolant inlet to the first cooling jacket, then to the cylinder head cooling jacket, then to the second cooling jacket, and finally to the coolant outlet. A cylinder block, an engine cooling system, and a method of cooling an engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head assembly having at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, a pair of camshafts, cams disposed on the camshafts, and a pair of cam follower. Cam followers have a first end journaled on one of the cam follower shafts and a second end abutting an end of one of the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve. Spring bias the valves toward a closed position. A spark plug is also disposed in the cylinder head. A cylinder head assembly and a lubrication system of the cylinder head assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has cylinder head assembly. First and second cams are disposed on a camshaft for rotation therewith. A first cam follower has a first end journaled on a cam follower shaft and a second end abutting an end of a first valve. A second cam follower has a first end journaled on the cam follower shaft and a second end abutting an end of a second valve. A spacer is disposed at least partially around the cam follower shaft. The spacer is disposed between the cam followers such that the first cam follower is disposed between the spacer and a camshaft support and the second cam follower is disposed between the spacer and another camshaft support. A cylinder head assembly, a method of accessing the valves, and embodiments providing for the supply of lubricant to the cam followers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Crankshaft bearing assembly for supporting a crankshaft for rotation about a crankshaft axis within an engine having an aluminum engine block, the crankshaft bearing assembly including at least one crankshaft bearing divided into a first half and a second half, the first half being integral with the engine block, and the second half being a bearing cap connectable to the engine block. The bearing cap is made of an aluminum alloy having a tensile strength higher than the tensile strength of the engine block.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine casing. A shaft, having a shaft axis, is disposed in the engine casing. At least one bearing supports the shaft in the engine casing. A separator wheel is disposed on the shaft for rotation therewith. The separator wheel has a first opening in fluid communication with the crankcase, a second opening, and a channel extending radially from the second opening to the first opening relative to the shaft axis. A suction tube is permanently affixed to a portion of the engine casing. An end of the suction tube has a unitary abutment surface. A gasket is disposed between the unitary abutment surface and the second opening of separator wheel. The gasket is also disposed at least in part on a separating plane of the engine casing.

Abstract: A power transmission wheel having a hub and a rim is disclosed. The hub has a central annular portion for operatively engaging a power transmitting shaft. The rim has an inner annular portion and an outer annular portion for operatively engaging a flexible power transmitting element. The central annular portion is disposed inside the inner annular portion with a rolling-element bearing therebetween. At least one hub blade is disposed radially between the inner and outer annular portions. At least one rim blade extends radially from one of the inner and outer annular portions towards the other of the inner and outer annular portions. The power transmission wheel has at least two elastomeric dampers. Each damper is interposed between one of the at least one hub blade and one of the at least one rim blade. An engine and vehicles using the power transmission wheels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine including a molded ignition housing connected to the crankcase of the engine which protects the electric generator of two-stroke internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine includes a crankcase and a mounting plate or base plate connected to the bottom portion of the crankcase. The base plate includes a plurality of engine mountings integrally formed with the base plate for securing the engine to a chassis. The base plate and the crankcase cooperate together to define at least one cooling chamber within the crankcase and cooling fluid passageways within the at least one cooling chamber.

Abstract: An two-stroke internal combustion engine includes a cooling circuit having at least one passageway on the exhaust side of the engine for cooling the exhaust side of the engine and at least one passageway on the intake side of the engine for cooling at least a portion of the intake side of the cylinder. The engine also includes at least one cooling channel traversing the engine located in the vicinity of one of the bearings supporting the crankshaft for cooling the bearings.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine including a molded ignition housing connected to the crankcase of the engine which protects the electric generator of two-stroke internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine includes a crankcase and a mounting plate or base plate connected to the bottom portion of the crankcase. The base plate includes a plurality of engine mountings integrally formed with the base plate for securing the engine to a chassis. The base plate and the crankcase cooperate together to define at least one cooling chamber within the crankcase and cooling fluid passageways within the at least one cooling chamber.

Abstract: A catalytic converter device for cleansing exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The catalytic converter device includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis. An inlet area is located at one end of the elongated body, wherein the exhaust gas enters the elongated body in the inlet area. A sleeve extends from the inlet area. The sleeve has a catalytic material formed thereon. The sleeve has an active surface for reacting with the exhaust gas, wherein the size of the active surface increases as a distance from the inlet area increases. The sleeve includes a plurality of openings formed therein and at least one depression.

Abstract: A modular family of internal combustion engines is described. The family includes at least two engine configurations selected from a single cylinder, V-type, inline, opposed, W-type, and radial configurations. Each of the engines in the family includes at least one cylinder with identical top end packages. A method for designing such a family of engines is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly for a two stroke internal combustion engine having a cylinder with at least one main exhaust port and one auxiliary exhaust port is disclosed. The assembly comprises a main exhaust valve for at least partially closing the main exhaust port, an auxiliary exhaust valve for at least partially closing the auxiliary exhaust port, an actuator for actuating the main exhaust valve and the auxiliary exhaust valve, the actuator including a rotary shaft having a first gear and a second gear, the rotary shaft being operatively connected to the main exhaust valve via the first gear, the rotary shaft being operatively connected to the auxiliary exhaust valve via the second gear, an electric motor operatively connected to the rotary shaft for rotating the rotary shaft.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has a subtransmission detachably fastened to an engine casing. The engine crankshaft includes a drive pulley connected via a belt to a driven pulley in the subtransmission, thus providing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) between the engine crankshaft and the subtransmission. The subtransmission includes a 2WD-4WD selector mechanism to select two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and also includes a transmission selector mechanism to put the vehicle in park, neutral, reverse, high-speed drive or low-speed drive. By disposing these selector mechanisms in the subtransmission, mass centralization is improved relative to prior-art drivetrains wherein the 2WD-4WD selector mechanism connects to the front differential. When operating in 2WD mode, the drivetrain does not waste energy rotating the front drive shaft, as in the prior art.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a power unit case having a crankcase, a first housing flange and a second housing flange. The crankshaft axis and the output shaft axis define a reference plane. An oil pump has an oil pump shaft, having an oil pump shaft axis, disposed at least partially in an oil pump chamber. A normal projection of the oil pump shaft axis onto the reference plane is located between the crankshaft axis and the output shaft axis. A first housing cover is mounted to the first housing flange on a first side of the power unit case. A separate oil pump cover is mounted to the second housing flange on the first side of the power unit case to close the oil pump chamber.

Abstract: A propulsion assembly for propelling an aircraft is disclosed. The assembly includes a four stroke internal combustion engine, a propeller shaft that is operatively connected to the engine, and an electronic control unit that is connected to the engine and is configured to monitor and control at least one operating parameter of the engine. The engine includes two to twelve cylinders having a total displacement of less than 19.6 liters, and a crankshaft that is operatively connected to the cylinders. The crankshaft rotates at a speed of at least 3,000 rpm when the engine is operating under normal conditions. The engine also includes a closed loop liquid cooling system and a fuel injection system. The engine has a total power output of 140 to 600 hp, and a total wet installed weight of less than 1.1 kg/hp. The engine meets current RTCA DO-160d, RTCA DO-178b, and US FAA FAR33 guidelines.