Abstract: A vehicle including an engine; a turbocharger, an intake air flow path of the vehicle defined from air entering the vehicle, passing through the compressor, and flowing into the engine air inlet; a coolant container assembly; a temperature sensor configured for determining a temperature in the intake air flow path; and a controller configured to selectively cause cooling liquid to flow from the coolant container into the intake air flow path. A method for managing engine air intake temperature or piston temperature of a turbocharged vehicle including: sensing a temperature of fluid within the air intake flow path, determining an estimated piston temperature; and in response to the estimated piston temperature and/or the temperature of the fluid being above threshold temperatures, causing an amount of cooling liquid to flow from a coolant container to the air intake flow path.

Abstract: A valve for use in an engine exhaust conduit. The valve includes a base portion and a body portion extending from the base portion. The base portion is configured for pivotably mounting the valve within the engine exhaust conduit. The base portion defines a valve pivot axis. The valve is pivotable about the valve pivot axis during use. The body portion has an upstream side and a downstream side opposite the upstream side. The upstream side is exposed, during use, to fluid flow in the engine exhaust conduit. The body portion has a generally pointed shape defining a rounded tip at a location of the body portion furthest from the base portion in a length direction of the valve. The length direction of the valve is generally perpendicular to the valve pivot axis.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an engine includes a housing, a shaft, a turbine wheel mounted to the shaft for rotation therewith, a compressor wheel mounted to the shaft for rotation therewith, and a bearing cartridge rotatably supporting the shaft relative to the housing. The housing is positioned axially between the turbine and compressor wheels. The bearing cartridge includes an inner ring mounted to the shaft, an outer ring disposed between the inner ring and the housing and movable relative to the housing, and a first and a second plurality of roller elements axially spaced apart from one another and disposed radially between the inner and outer rings to rotatably support the inner ring relative to the outer ring. A radial gap (RD) is defined between the outer ring (134) and the housing (126). Lubricant flows into the radial gap and radially separates the outer ring from the housing during operation of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A valve for use in an engine exhaust conduit. The valve includes a base portion and a body portion extending from the base portion. The base portion is configured for pivotably mounting the valve within the engine exhaust conduit. The base portion defines a valve pivot axis. The valve is pivotable about the valve pivot axis during use. The body portion has an upstream side and a downstream side opposite the upstream side. The upstream side is exposed, during use, to fluid flow in the engine exhaust conduit. The body portion has a generally pointed shape defining a rounded tip at a location of the body portion furthest from the base portion in a length direction of the valve. The length direction of the valve is generally perpendicular to the valve pivot axis.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an engine includes a housing, a shaft, a turbine wheel mounted to the shaft for rotation therewith, a compressor wheel mounted to the shaft for rotation therewith, and a bearing cartridge rotatably supporting the shaft relative to the housing. The housing is positioned axially between the turbine and compressor wheels. The bearing cartridge includes an inner ring mounted to the shaft, an outer ring disposed between the inner ring and the housing and movable relative to the housing, and a first and a second plurality of roller elements axially spaced apart from one another and disposed radially between the inner and outer rings to rotatably support the inner ring relative to the outer ring. A radial gap (RD) is defined between the outer ring (134) and the housing (126). Lubricant flows into the radial gap and radially separates the outer ring from the housing during operation of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A method of supplying air to an air spring biasing one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to a closed position is disclosed. The method includes: driving an air compressor with a motor prior to starting of the internal combustion engine, the air compressor fluidly communicating with the air spring to supply air to the air spring; determining that a predetermined condition has been reached; starting the engine once the predetermined condition has been reached; and driving the air compressor with a rotating shaft of the engine once the engine has started.

Abstract: A method of supplying air to an air spring biasing one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to a closed position is disclosed. The method includes: driving an air compressor with a motor prior to starting of the internal combustion engine, the air compressor fluidly communicating with the air spring to supply air to the air spring; determining that a predetermined condition has been reached; starting the engine once the predetermined condition has been reached; and driving the air compressor with a rotating shaft of the engine once the engine has started.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve. A first spring biases the at least one intake valve to a closed position. A second spring biases the at least one exhaust valve to a closed position. At least one of the first and second springs is an air spring. An air compressor fluidly communicates with the air spring to supply air to the air spring. The air compressor is operatively connected to a rotating shaft of the engine to be selectively driven thereby. A motor is operatively connected to the air compressor to selectively drive the air compressor. A method of supplying air to the air spring of the above engine is also disclosed. A method of supplying air to an air spring of an engine having both a mechanical and an electrical air compressor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A poppet valve has a valve head and a valve stem. A piston is capable of reciprocating motion relative to a housing along a reciprocation axis. The piston has a valve-receiving portion for receiving therein an end portion of the valve stem. A cotter secures the valve stem to the piston. A cap is disposed around the valve-receiving portion. A cap lateral portion extends away from the cap end portion in the direction of the valve head. The valve-receiving portion is held between the cap end portion and the cap lateral portion in a direction parallel to the reciprocation axis. At least part of the cap lateral portion is angled toward the reciprocation axis. The part of the cap lateral portion is closer to the reciprocation axis than at least part of the valve-receiving portion. A method of assembling a valve assembly is also described.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve. A first spring biases the at least one intake valve to a closed position. A second spring biases the at least one exhaust valve to a closed position. At least one of the first and second springs is an air spring. An air compressor is disposed inside the cylinder head and fluidly communicates with the air spring to supply air to the air spring. The air compressor being disposed between a crankshaft and a cylinder head cover in a direction parallel to a cylinder axis is also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a fuel supply system which has a fuel pump driving mechanism that limits the relative motion between a part of the mechanism contacting a plunger of the pump and the plunger.

Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission has a reverse gear locking device that includes a rotating shaft having a longitudinal axis, the rotating shaft adapted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, and a lock connected to the rotating shaft and positioned in alignment with a stopper extending from the shift drum of the transmission. The initial position of the lock prevents the shift drum from engaging the reverse gear. A rotational movement of the rotating shaft tilts the lock out of alignment with the stopper and allows the shift drum to engage the reverse gear.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve. A first spring biases the at least one intake valve to a closed position. A second spring biases the at least one exhaust valve to a closed position. At least one of the first and second springs is an air spring. An air compressor is disposed inside the cylinder head and fluidly communicates with the air spring to supply air to the air spring. The air compressor being disposed between a crankshaft and a cylinder head cover in a direction parallel to a cylinder axis is also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve. A first spring biases the at least one intake valve to a closed position. A second spring biases the at least one exhaust valve to a closed position. At least one of the first and second springs is an air spring. An air compressor fluidly communicates with the air spring to supply air to the air spring. The air compressor is operatively connected to a rotating shaft of the engine to be selectively driven thereby. A motor is operatively connected to the air compressor to selectively drive the air compressor. A method of supplying air to the air spring of the above engine is also disclosed. A method of supplying air to an air spring of an engine having both a mechanical and an electrical air compressor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A poppet valve has a valve head and a valve stem. A piston is capable of reciprocating motion relative to a housing along a reciprocation axis. The piston has a valve-receiving portion for receiving therein an end portion of the valve stem. A cotter secures the valve stem to the piston. A cap is disposed around the valve-receiving portion. A cap lateral portion extends away from the cap end portion in the direction of the valve head. The valve-receiving portion is held between the cap end portion and the cap lateral portion in a direction parallel to the reciprocation axis. At least part of the cap lateral portion is angled toward the reciprocation axis. The part of the cap lateral portion is closer to the reciprocation axis than at least part of the valve-receiving portion. A method of assembling a valve assembly is also described.

Abstract: A transmission assembly for a vehicle, the transmission assembly having an energy storing mechanism linking its gear selector to the gear shifting mechanism and adapted to limit the force applied to the gear shifting mechanism through the gear selector.

Abstract: A boat has a hull, a deck having a deck floor, and an engine disposed in the hull. A top of the engine is disposed vertically below the deck floor. The engine includes a crankcase, a crankshaft, a pair of cylinder banks connected to the crankcase at an angle relative to each other. A transom extends generally vertically upwardly from a rear portion of the hull. A stern drive unit is connected to the transom and is operatively connected to the engine through the transom. In another aspect, a marine engine has a crankcase, a cylinder block, and a crankshaft. An output shaft is disposed vertically above the crankshaft. The output shaft is disposed at least partially internal to the engine. A drive, internal to the engine, is operatively connected to the crankshaft and the output shaft. A driveshaft coupling is disposed on the output shaft.

Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission has a reverse gear locking device that includes a rotating shaft having a longitudinal axis, the rotating shaft adapted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, and a lock connected to the rotating shaft and positioned in alignment with a stopper extending from the shift drum of the transmission. The initial position of the lock prevents the shift drum from engaging the reverse gear. A rotational movement of the rotating shaft tilts the lock out of alignment with the stopper and allows the shift drum to engage the reverse gear.

Abstract: A marine engine has a crankcase and a cylinder bank. An upper end of the cylinder bank defines a plane. A cylinder head is connected to the upper end of the cylinder bank. A crankshaft is disposed in the crankcase. A pump is operatively connected to the crankshaft so as to be operatively driven thereby. A center of the pump is disposed above the plane defined by the upper end of the cylinder bank. In another aspect, a marine engine has a crankcase and a crankshaft. A starter ring gear is disposed on an end portion of the crankshaft. A diameter of the starter ring gear is less than a width of the crankcase. A starter motor selectively engages the starter ring gear and is disposed such that the starter ring gear is disposed between the crankcase and the starter motor.

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.