Patents by Inventor Brian J. Hitt

Brian J. Hitt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10718238
    Abstract: An engine for a two-wheeled vehicle includes at least one cylinder comprising a combustion chamber and a cylinder head positioned adjacent the combustion chamber. The engine further includes a crankcase coupled to the at least one cylinder which includes a crankshaft. Additionally, the engine includes a valve train operably coupled to the crankshaft which includes at least one intake valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one exhaust valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one pushrod operably coupled to at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve, at least one camshaft operably coupled to the at least one pushrod and the crankshaft, and a cam phaser assembly operably coupled to the at least one camshaft and positioned generally outside an envelope of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, David A. Galsworthy, Brian J. Hitt
  • Publication number: 20190264635
    Abstract: An engine is described having a crankcase, a liner and a head assembly. The crankcase is split along a plane defining a two part crankcase, where fluid passages are passing through only one of the crankcase portions, so as to not require crossing the split line. A connecting rod also includes a tapered end, and the piston has a complementary carrier receiving the connecting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Allen Oltmans, Brian J. Hitt, David Andrew Galsworthy, Chad Michael Slater, Daniel Joseph Nugteren, George Jay McKoskey, Gordon Raymond Nelson
  • Patent number: 10294889
    Abstract: An engine is described having a crankcase, a liner and a head assembly. The crankcase is split along a plane defining a two part crankcase, where fluid passages are passing through only one of the crankcase portions, so as to not require crossing the split line. A connecting rod also includes a tapered end, and the piston has a complementary carrier receiving the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Allen Oltmans, Brian J. Hitt, David Andrew Galsworthy, Chad Michael Slater, Daniel Joseph Nugteren, George Jay McKoskey, Gordon Raymond Nelson
  • Publication number: 20190136721
    Abstract: An engine for a two-wheeled vehicle includes at least one cylinder comprising a combustion chamber and a cylinder head positioned adjacent the combustion chamber. The engine further includes a crankcase coupled to the at least one cylinder which includes a crankshaft. Additionally, the engine includes a valve train operably coupled to the crankshaft which includes at least one intake valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one exhaust valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one pushrod operably coupled to at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve, at least one camshaft operably coupled to the at least one pushrod and the crankshaft, and a cam phaser assembly operably coupled to the at least one camshaft and positioned generally outside an envelope of the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, David A. Galsworthy, Brian J. Hitt
  • Patent number: 9381803
    Abstract: An engine includes a first cylinder communicating with a first intake port and a first exhaust port, and an exhaust assembly coupled to the engine and including a first exhaust manifold coupled to the first exhaust port. The first exhaust manifold is angled relative to the first exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Galsworthy, Craig M. Beach, II, Brian J. Hitt, Gregory C. Brew, John S. Lengyel, Nicholas J. Schafer, Jeffrey P. Wolf, Jeffrey D. Oltmans, Urs Wenger, G. Jay McKoskey, Blaine D. Kaeser
  • Publication number: 20140131129
    Abstract: An engine includes a first cylinder communicating with a first intake port and a first exhaust port, and an exhaust assembly coupled to the engine and including a first exhaust manifold coupled to the first exhaust port. The first exhaust manifold is angled relative to the first exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Galsworthy, Craig M. Beach, II, Brian J. Hitt, Gregory C. Brew, John S. Lengyel, Nicholas J. Schafer, Jeffrey P. Wolf, Jeffrey D. Oltmans, Urs Wenger, G. Jay McKoskey, Blaine D. Kaeser, Andrew J. Novak, Ryan P. Lenton
  • Publication number: 20120073537
    Abstract: An engine is described having a crankcase, a liner and a head assembly. The crankcase is split along a plane defining a two part crankcase, where fluid passages are passing through only one of the crankcase portions, so as to not require crossing the split line. A connecting rod also includes a tapered end, and the piston has a complementary carrier receiving the connecting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Allen Oltmans, Brian J. Hitt, David Andrew Galsworthy, Chad Michael Slater, Daniel Joseph Nugteren, George Jay McKoskey, Gordon Raymond Nelson
  • Patent number: 7399255
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having an accessory generally includes a transmission coupled to an engine and a power take-off unit having an output speed and an output torque. The power take-off unit is coupled to the transmission and adapted to releaseably couple to the accessory. A drivetrain is selectively coupled to the transmission and a control module controls at least one of the output speed and the output torque of the power take-off unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chad B Johnson, Brian J Hitt, Scot A. Taylor, Craig R Vander Ploeg
  • Patent number: 7288047
    Abstract: The present teachings generally include a control system for a vehicle. The control system includes an engine having a minimum engine speed and a maximum engine speed and a transmission having a minimum transmission output speed and a maximum transmission output speed. The control system also includes an accelerator assembly having a movable member movable within a range of motion. The range of motion is defined by a first position based on at least one of the minimum engine speed and the minimum transmission output speed and a second position based on at least one of the maximum engine speed and the maximum transmission output speed. A control module connects to the accelerator assembly. The control module adjusts the second position to be based on at least one of a reduced maximum engine speed, a reduced maximum transmission output speed and combinations thereof, wherein the range of motion of said movable member remains about constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Hitt, Scot A Taylor, Craig R Vander Ploeg, Chad B Johnson