Patents Examined by Katrina Harris
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Patent number: 7191741Abstract: A link mechanism usable for a variable compression ratio mechanism of an internal combustion engine includes first and second links pivotally connected by a pin inserted through cylindrical first and second pin boss portions of the first and second links. Each of the first and second pin boss portions includes a circumferentially extending first narrow section, and a circumferentially extending first wide section having an axial wall thickness greater than the axial wall thickness of the first narrow section. The wide sections of the first and second pin boss portions are overlapped in an region extending in the axial direction of the pin.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Kenshi Ushijima, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Shunichi Aoyama, Katsuya Moteki, Naoki Takahashi
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Patent number: 7178498Abstract: A lubrication system for an engine includes an oil tank, a crankshaft, a crankcase for housing the crankshaft. An oil sump formed at a bottom of the crankcase collecting lubricant for circulated moving parts to be lubricated, and an oil pump for returning the lubricant collected in the oil sump to the oil tank are also provided. The oil sump and an oil suction port are provided, respectively, on one side and the another side of a normal plane including an axis of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshihiko Takeuchi
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Patent number: 7171927Abstract: A control method for an electronically controlled thermostat includes that an actuator is used for cooling-water control of an internal combustion engine and the actuator is capable of optionally varying the valve-opening ratio. An engine control unit computes a target temperature by means of various engine parameters and distributes the power distribution amount required to operate the actuator so that the cooling water temperature reaches the target temperature. The power distribution amount distributed to the actuator is determined by monitoring only the actual water temperature of the cooling water.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuhiro Sano
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Patent number: 7168397Abstract: A control valve suitable for forming part of a cooling circuit comprising a first branch which contains a radiator and a second branch that constitutes a bypass of a radiator is described. The control valve has a third branch, which, in a motor vehicle combustion engine cooling circuit, has at least one unit heater for heating the vehicle cabin.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Valeo Thermique MoteurInventors: Matthieu Chanfreau, Daniel Virey
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Patent number: 7165516Abstract: An inventive cooling unit for an internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of cooling fins provided on outer surfaces of a cylinder block and a cylinder head, and vibration control rubbers interposed between cooling fins that face each other so as form a cooling air guide which guides air flow along lateral sides of the engine to rear parts of the engine. The cooling unit significantly increases the cooling efficiency of a cylinder and prevents vibration of cooling fins by interposing vibration control rubbers between cooling fins that face each other. The vibration control rubbers are formed in a streamlined shape and direct the flow of traveling air within the cooling fins about the exterior surface of the engine. The arrangement of the vibration control rubbers on side surfaces of the engine is such that angle ? of longitudinal axes of the vibration control rubbers with respect to the advancing direction of the vehicle becomes gradually larger moving from the front to the rear of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitsugu Gokan, Yasushi Takahashi
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Patent number: 7162989Abstract: An engine unit for an motorcycle is disclosed in which an accessory drive gear is disposed downstream of primary dampers in the engine power transmission path, and simultaneously upstream of a clutch mechanism in the engine power transmission path. In this engine unit, an accessory, for example, generator, is connected to an intermediate shaft that is parallel to a crank shaft and a counter shaft so as to rotate integrally with the intermediate shaft. An accessory driven gear is meshed with the accessory drive gear, and an accessory damper is disposed between the intermediate shaft and the accessory for absorbing rotational shocks. Furthermore, a starter motor is gear-engaged with the intermediate shaft via a one-way clutch, and the position of this gear engagement is provided between the accessory damper and the accessory driven gear.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hidetoshi Arakawa
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Patent number: 7152569Abstract: An engine crankshaft includes a split crankshaft journal that includes offset connecting rod journals for two connecting rods. Oil supply systems disposed on opposite axial sides of the crankshaft journal each lubricate a corresponding one of the connecting rod journals. The oil supply systems are either axial or peripheral oil supply systems that do not require oil to be supplied to the crankshaft through the main crankcase bearings. Consequently, the oil supply systems sufficiently lubricate each connecting rod journal without requiring weakening holes or grooves in the main crankcase bearings.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Leiber, Robert Kindl
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Patent number: 7146941Abstract: A rotary valve which can securely shut off a fluid flow without improving a working accuracy of an outer peripheral surface of a valve and an inner diameter portion of a body, and which has a simple and compact structure, wherein a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the valve and the inner diameter portion of the body, a lip portion of seal means attached within a second lead air flow path is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the valve on the basis of an elastic force of a support portion, and the lip portion securely seals between the second lead air flow path and the gap.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Komatsu Zenoah Co.Inventor: Takamasa Ohtsuji
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Patent number: 7140342Abstract: This invention is a slotted cylindrical rotary valve assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising of two sets of gear driven slotted cylindrical tubes in a cradle apparatus. Each set has two tubes located co-axially and rotates co-axially, and each tube is slotted to allow for improved transport of a fuel/air mixture and exhaust. In one embodiment, an intake set of tubes transport fuel/air through apertures on the tubes. The exhaust set of tubes transport exhaust through apertures (slots) on the tubes. The rotation of the tubes brings the apertures in timely alignment to allow fuel/air injection and exhaust in synchronization with the cyclical operation of the pistons in the combustion chambers. Effective sealing in one embodiment is achieved by using a modified piston with an extension wall extending longitudinally from the top of the piston to seal intake and exhaust orifices at the top of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2006Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Inventor: Michael J. Murray
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Patent number: 7131417Abstract: A coolant-shunt-providing cylinder liner of the flanged type is provided with a shunt circuit within the liner for coolant flow through the liner. The shunt circuit includes an array of three annular cooling channels separated from each other by two annular ribs. The width (axial extent) of each channel is substantially less than half the axial extent of the liner's cylinder block engaging portion that is associated with the upper end of the liner. The width (axial extent) of the array of three channels is substantially greater than half the axial extent of the cylinder block engaging portion. Cutouts in the ribs are provided for distributing incoming coolant to the three cooling channels from a main coolant chamber of a cylinder block in which the liner is receivable.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Inventors: Jerry A. Jones, Thomas F. Gazik
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Patent number: 7131419Abstract: A crankshaft supporter having a support member which is attached to a cylinder block of an engine so as to support a crankshaft and which is formed of an aluminum alloy matrix with a preform cast inside. The support member includes a mounting surface, bolt holes and a dowel hole. A penetrated section of the preform has a through hole defining the bolt hole. The support member has a recess section formed of the matrix. The recess section is positioned between the mounting surface of the support member and an opposing surface of the penetrated section that faces the mounting surface so as to shape the dowel hole therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Makoto Nakamura
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Patent number: 7131403Abstract: A locomotive includes an engine (12), an intercooler (16), and an oil cooler (28), each having respective cooling passages formed therein. The locomotive also includes a cooling system (10) in selective communication with the respective cooling passages for selectively providing a first coolant (56) and a second coolant (52) at a higher temperature than the first coolant to the cooling passages. A method of operating the cooling system includes providing, in a first mode, a first coolant flow (26) to the intercooler and a second coolant flow (30) to the oil cooler at a first temperature different than the first coolant flow to achieve preferential cooling of the intercooler. The method also includes providing, in a second mode, the first coolant flow to the intercooler and the second coolant flow to the oil cooler at a second temperature different than the first coolant flow to achieve preferential cooling of the oil cooler.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sandeep Banga, Brian L. Walter, Susan Mary Napierkowski, William D. Glenn, Gerald Edward Lacy, Mahesh Aggarwal
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Patent number: 7128030Abstract: A combustion-engined setting tool for driving fasting elements such as nails, bolts, pins in an object, includes a combustion chamber (13), a fuel source (11), a fuel conduit (12) connecting the fuel source (11) with combustion chamber (13) for feeding fuel thereinto, and at least one metering device (30) for metering a predetermined amount of fuel for effecting a setting process and having at least one variable volume metering chamber (31), and a displaceable piston body (34) for a pulsed ejection of fuel from the metering chamber (31).Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans Gschwend, Kaveh Towfighi, Lothar Voelker, Ulrich Schiestl, Iwan Wolf, Ulrich Rosenbaum
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Patent number: 7128027Abstract: A cooling system of an outboard motor provides back and forth flow of water from one side of an exhaust passage to the opposite side in order to avoid the creation of stagnant pools of water within which minerals and debris can collect. This result is accomplished by causing the cooling water to flow back and forth from one side of the exhaust passage to the other so that all portions of the water passages are forced to conduct water through them at a relatively high velocity. A water reservoir is formed between an exhaust conduit and an oil reservoir in order to reduce the operating temperature of the oil within the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Anthony M. Straub, Kenneth R. Seymour, II, David J. Belter
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Patent number: 7124923Abstract: A combustion-powered tool has an engine and a heating system, where the tool receives and preheats a fuel cell. The fuel cell has a receiving portion for a heat transfer element which is associated with the engine. The heat transfer element is configured for engaging the fuel cell to conduct heat from the engine to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Cheryl L. Panasik
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Patent number: 7124730Abstract: An oil catching system for an internal-combustion engine, particularly for an opposed cylinder engine, has an oil catching housing arranged below a crankcase. An oil suction space is provided in the oil catching housing from which the lubricating oil is transported by way of a main oil pump equipped with an oil suction pipe to consuming devices. At least one oil collecting space adjoins the oil suction space, in which oil collecting space the lubricating oil coming from the consuming devices is returned by way of an oil pipe. The oil suction space is separated from the oil collecting space by at least one oil separating wall, in which at least one passage opening is arranged which can be controlled by way of a flap, by way of which passage opening the lubricating oil can flow from the oil collecting space into the oil suction space.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Schwarzl, Tobias Baeumler
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Patent number: 7121247Abstract: A spherical rotary engine valve assembly for use in an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Inventor: Jung W. Lee
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Patent number: 7121233Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that is capable of switching between compression ignition combustion and spark ignition combustion is provided. The control apparatus is configured to perform fuel cut. The spark ignition combustion is performed over a time period after the fuel cut. The compression ignition combustion is permitted when the time period elapses. Fuel cut decreases the temperature within the combustion chamber. According to the invention, if fuel cut is performed, the temperature within the combustion chamber is raised by the spark ignition combustion. Since the compression ignition combustion is permitted after the temperature within the combustion chamber rises, engine misfire and an increase of NOx emission are prevented. The time period is preferably determined based on the temperature within the combustion chamber immediately before the fuel cut is performed.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tohru Kitamura, Toshihiro Yamaki, Tomio Kimura, Shohei Okazaki, Katsura Okubo, Akira Kato
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Patent number: 7114469Abstract: A cooling system for a marine engine divides a flow of cooling water into first and second streams downstream of a pump. The first stream flows through a first cooling system which is controlled by a pressure sensitive valve. The second stream flows through a second cooling system which is controlled by a temperature sensitive valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventor: Christopher J. Taylor
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Patent number: 7114480Abstract: There is provided a V-type engine in which banks of an engine block are offset in the same direction as the rotational direction of a crankshaft so that the banks may be displaced toward an end of a vehicle body. On the offset side, engine accessory is mounted on a side of the engine block and below the banks. The width between the end of the engine accessory to which an impact is input first among component parts of the engine block and the end of the rear bank where the engine block moved due to the impact is abutted first on a vehicle body member is set to be shorter than in a conventional engine. Therefore, the crushable zone may be increased even in a limited engine compartment.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Murata, Masayuki Kamo, Kunitoshi Kajiwara, Daisuke Kitada