Patents by Inventor William M. Crozier

William M. Crozier 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).

  • Method and apparatus for automatically setting rocker arm clearances in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7114230
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position. The initial adjustment of the rocker arm position serves to neutralize backlash in the valve drive train prior to setting the valve clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier
  • Method and apparatus for automatically setting rocker arm clearances in an internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20040099230
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier
  • Method and apparatus for automatically setting rocker arm clearances in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6675115
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Co Ltd
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier
  • Method and apparatus for automatically setting rocker arm clearances in an internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20030115014
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier
  • Method and apparatus for automatically setting rocker arm clearances in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6546347
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier
  • Method and apparatus for automatically setting rocker arm clearances in an internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20020077762
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier