Compression Relieving Type Patents (Class 123/182.1)
  • Patent number: 11549405
    Abstract: A type III rocker arm assembly operable in a first mode and a second mode based on rotation of a cam shaft includes a rocker shaft and a first rocker arm assembly. The first rocker arm assembly receives the rocker shaft and is configured to rotate around the rocker shaft in the first mode based on engagement with the first cam lobe. The first rocker arm assembly collectively comprises a valve side rocker arm, a cam side rocker arm and a latch pin. The valve side rocker arm defines a valve side rocker arm bore. The cam side rocker arm defines a cam side rocker arm bore. The latch pin assembly is received by the valve and cam side rocker arm bores and selectively couples the valve side rocker arm and the cam side rocker arm for concurrent movement in the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Andrei Radulescu, Leighton Roberts, Ramy Rezkalla, James R. Sheren, Mike J. Otto
  • Patent number: 11384725
    Abstract: A decompression shaft (56) of a decompression device (50) includes an engagement pin (53) that is guided by a guide groove (51a) formed in a decompression weight (51), a decompression cam (54) that is provided on one cam surface of an intake valve cam (25c) and an exhaust valve cam (25b) so as to advance and retreat, and a connection portion (55) that connects the engagement pin (53) and the decompression cam (54). The decompression weight (51) is formed with a rotation restricting groove (51e) that restricts rotation of the decompression shaft (56) when a force acts in a direction in which the decompression cam (54) moves on the decompression shaft (56) from an advanced position to a retracted position when an engine (E) is stopped and that is continuous with the guide groove (51a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naotoshi Nio, Kota Tokubi, Kentaro Sugimura
  • Patent number: 11052963
    Abstract: A throttle tube assembly including a throttle tube, a throttle body, a bearing, and a stop collar. The throttle tube extends along a central axis from a proximal most end to a distal most end, the throttle including a lumen extending through the throttle tube. The throttle body is connected to the throttle tube, at the proximal end of the throttle tube, the throttle body having a bearing seat aligned along the central axis with the throttle body. The bearing being disposed in the bearing seat and axially aligned with the throttle body and partially axially aligned with the throttle tube. The stop collar is fixed to the throttle body configured and arranged to actuate a throttle by wire system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Erdmann
  • Patent number: 11013171
    Abstract: A twist grip throttle assembly and weed trimmer utilizing the same are described herein. The weed trimmer has a power head on an upper end of a drive shaft assembly. The power head has a power provider, such as a gas powered motor. A base assembly with a cutter head for receiving wrapped cord is on a lower end of the drive shaft assembly. A throttle activator includes a tubular member rotationally mounted on the drive shaft assembly. The tubular member defines a gripping area. Twisting rotation of the throttle activator adjusts an amount of power produced by said power provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventors: David L. Thirion, Troy R. McClain
  • Patent number: 11002163
    Abstract: A valve timing controller for controlling a valve timing of an intake valve that opens and closes by a rotation of a camshaft to which a power is supplied from a crankshaft of an internal-combustion engine. The valve timing controller includes a phase changer changing a rotation phase for an adjustment of the valve timing; an electric actuator driving the phase changer; and a control section controlling an operation of the electric actuator, in which the control section performs a start time control process, controlling the valve timing to a rotation starter phase retarded from a preset reference phase at a start of crankshaft rotation, and controlling the valve timing to an engine started phase advanced therefrom after a passing of a top dead center in a first compression process by a piston in a cylinder after the start of crankshaft rotation and before completion of engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Genki Suzuki, Tomoaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 10830200
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine is configured to: execute a first decompression operating processing such that a decompression operating state is selected in a first engine speed region that passes in the course of engine stop; execute a decompression stop processing such that a switching from the decompression operating state to a decompression stop state is performed in the course of the engine stop after passage of the first engine speed region; when a temperature correlation value is greater than or equal to a threshold value upon an engine start-up request, execute a second decompression operating processing such that the decompression operating state is selected in a second engine speed region that passes in the course of engine start-up before the start of fuel injection. When the temperature correlation value is smaller than the threshold value, the second decompression operating processing is not executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 10794352
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine by a compressed air starting system, in which in a first starting sequence the engagement of the starter is brought about by compressed air, a decompression valve for relieving the cylinder working space is acted on in the opening direction, and starting of the internal combustion engine is initiated by pulsed compressed air being applied to the starter. In a second starting sequence the decompression valve is acted on in the closing direction, and constant compressed air is applied to the starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Mehr
  • Patent number: 10731526
    Abstract: An engine brake device is disclosed. The engine brake device includes at least one intake camshaft which includes at least one intake cam group having at least one firing cam and at least one braking cam, at least one intake cam follower that is assigned to the firing cam and is provided for actuating at least one intake valve in a firing mode, at least one braking intake cam follower that is assigned to the braking cam and is provided for actuating the at least one intake valve in a braking mode, and a switchover device that is assigned to the intake camshaft and is provided for the purpose of translating a torque of the intake camshaft into a force for switching between the firing mode and the braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Matthias Lahr
  • Patent number: 10677116
    Abstract: A decompression pin is inserted into a swing range of an end portion of a rocker arm, on a side which is supported by a lash adjuster, when the rocker arm has been inclined toward a direction in which a valve is opened. The decompression pin comes into contact with the end portion of the rocker arm when the rocker arm is inclined toward a direction in which the valve is closed, and thereby restricts the rocker arm from returning to a position at which the valve is completely closed, and the valve becomes in a slightly opened state even in a compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Manabu Tateno
  • Patent number: 10563634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, said internal combustion engine having at least two cylinders, a valve drive with at least one inlet valve and at least one outlet valve for each of the cylinders, wherein at least the closing times of the inlet valves can be variably adjusted, and a direct injection system, in particular a gasoline direct injection system, the starting process being initiated by a direct injection and ignition in one of the cylinders. During a starting process, the closing time of at least one inlet valve differs from at least one of the other cylinders dependent on at least one current state value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Tophoven, Stephan Uhl
  • Patent number: 10400640
    Abstract: A camshaft has a decompression device for an internal combustion engine, wherein a valve lifter is rotatably supported in a base circle of a cam, which can be brought into operative connection with a gas exchange valve via rotation. The valve lifter is operatively connected to a centrifugal fly weight, which is arranged coaxially to the camshaft and which is rotatably supported, in such a way that the valve lifter forms a contour of the base circle in the region of action with the gas exchange valve from a certain rotational speed of the camshaft. The camshaft has a cavity in the region of the centrifugal fly weight, to which cavity lubricant pressure can be applied. A radial first bore from the cavity to the centrifugal fly weight is arranged in the camshaft. A slideable element that can be displaced by the lubricant pressure is arranged in the first bore. By way of the design of the camshaft, an unstable centrifugal fly weight is stabilized and thus acoustics are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Eckinger
  • Patent number: 10060336
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine system is provided, the method may include varying a compression ratio of a cylinder by selectively releasing combustion charge from the cylinder through a cylinder bleed valve of a cylinder head, the cylinder bleed valve coupled to a bleed manifold with a turbine-generator, and varying combustion charge flow through a turbine-generator bypass conduit bypassing the turbine-generator based on engine operating conditions. In this way, the compression ratio may be varied by selectively bleeding combustion charge from the cylinder based on engine operating conditions to promote better engine performance. Additionally, the combustion charge bleed from the cylinder can routed around a turbine-generator to increase combustion efficiency during certain operating conditions, such as during start-up, to further improve engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 9874123
    Abstract: An engine compression brake device is disclosed. The brake device has at least one camshaft which has at least one cam group with at least one firing cam and at least one brake cam, and has at least one cam follower which is functionally assigned to the firing cam and which is provided for actuating at least one gas exchange valve in a firing mode, and has a cam follower which is functionally assigned to the brake cam and which is provided for actuating at least one gas exchange valve in a braking mode. The brake device further has a switchover device which is provided for the switchover between the firing mode and the braking mode, where the switchover device is provided for converting a torque of the camshaft into a force for the switchover between the firing mode and the braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Matthias Lahr
  • Patent number: 9850790
    Abstract: An internal combustion includes: a camshaft having a metal core rod insert formed centrally in the camshaft and a driven gear, an exhaust cam, etc. formed of resin integrally with the camshaft; and a decompression mechanism. The decompression mechanism includes: a pair of supporting protrusions provided on the driven gear and each having an insertion hole; a decompression member having a pair of projections disposed between the supporting protrusions; and a biasing spring disposed between the projections for normally biasing the decompression member toward the exhaust cam. The camshaft also has a guide recess and a balancing recess formed in opposite sides of the camshaft, and the metal core rod is exposed through the guide recess and the balancing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 9732721
    Abstract: A crankshaft rotating angle controlling method and a crankshaft rotating angle controlling system are provided. A shut-off signal is obtained, and an engine speed is judged. If the engine speed is lower than a specific value, a generator is set in a driving mode at an ending point of a missing tooth signal in a gear pulse signal, such that the generator in the driving mode drives a crankshaft to exceed a top-dead-center of a cylinder. When the crankshaft arrives at a bottom-dead-center of the cylinder, the generator is set to be in a holding mode of an error phase of a three-phase current. Through the generator in the driving mode, the given error phase of the three-phase current stops the generator immediately and the crankshaft is fixed within an angle range of a default stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Pin-Yung Chen, Chin-Hone Lin, Wen-Yen Chen, Shin-Hsiang Chien, Ta-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 9719473
    Abstract: An air cooled V-twin engine comprises first and second cylinders, first and second cylinder heads, first and second fuel injectors, a fuel tank, and first and second fuel pumps. The cylinders and the cylinder heads comprise cooling fins and define first and second combustion chambers. Each of the fuel injectors is attached to a respective one of the cylinder heads in a manner such that they can discharge fuel directly into said combustion chamber. The first fuel pump is operatively connected to the fuel tank and to the second fuel pump in a manner such that the first fuel pump can pump fuel from the fuel tank to the second fuel pump. The second fuel pump is operatively connected to the fuel injectors in a manner such that the second fuel pump can pump fuel to the fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY DISTRIBUTORS CORP.
    Inventor: John M. Garrison
  • Patent number: 9341123
    Abstract: An exhaust system is disclosed for use with an engine. The exhaust system may have a compression relief valve associated with an engine cylinder. The exhaust system may also have an exhaust gas recirculation passage extending from the compression relief valve to an intake of the engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Goetzke, Reddy Pocha Siva Sankara
  • Patent number: 9212574
    Abstract: A valve operating system for an internal combustion engine, which includes a decompression cam member (47) that is supported on a camshaft (26) and that operates an exhaust valve operating member (29e) in an opening direction of an exhaust valve (17e) in a compression stroke when the engine is started, an exhaust gas recirculation cam member (48) that is supported on the camshaft (26) and that operates the exhaust valve operating member (29e) in the opening direction of the exhaust valve (17e) in an intake stroke when the engine is running at high speed, and a centrifugal mechanism (46) that is mounted on a driven timing rotating member (32) rotating integrally with the valve operating cam (25) and makes the decompression cam member (47) and the exhaust gas recirculation cam member (48) move, wherein the valve operating cam (25) is provided with a recess (39) surrounding the camshaft (26), the recess (39) opening on the face on the other side of the driven timing rotating member (32) and on a base face of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Soji Kashima
  • Publication number: 20150075475
    Abstract: A controller of a variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine has an engine start indication detecting circuit that detects an indication of an engine start. When the indication of the engine start is detected by the engine start indication detecting circuit in a state in which temperature of the engine is lower than a predetermined temperature, an electric motor provided in the variable valve apparatus is supplied with a current, and this current supply to the electric motor is maintained for a predetermined time from a time point of the detection of the indication of the engine start to an engine cranking start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Shinichi KAWADA, Naoki KOKUBO
  • Patent number: 8863726
    Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or engine braking is disclosed. The system may include a first member, such as an outer piston, disposed above an engine valve, which receives an inner piston extending into a bore provided in the first member. One or more springs may bias the inner piston into a predefined position in the first member. The inner piston may include a lower surface that directly, or through an intervening sliding pin, actuates an engine valve in response to the application of fluid pressure on the inner piston. The inner piston may be used to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or to provide engine braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ruggiero, Steven N. Ernest, Neil E. Fuchs, Jin Xu, Eric Day, Joseph Paturzo, Johnathan W. Prusak, Jeffrey E. Mossberg
  • Publication number: 20140182539
    Abstract: Engine valve actuation systems and methods used to decompress an engine cylinder during engine start-up, shut-down, and for bleeder braking are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft, and a structure mounted adjacent to the rocker arm in a fixed position relative to the rocker arm. A latch piston may be slidably disposed between the rocker arm and the structure. The latch piston may be selectively extended to engage both the rocker arm and structure to limit the pivotal motion of the rocker arm and maintain the engine valves in an open condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Michael Gron, JR., Justin Damien Baltrucki, Neil Fuchs, John J. Lester
  • Patent number: 8474429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A motor is mechanically coupled to the engine, the engine having at least one moveable element mounted in a chamber, the moveable element being operable to cause a changing compression condition within the chamber and being mechanically coupled to a shaft for generating mechanical power. The method involves causing the motor to supply a positioning torque to the engine to move the at least one moveable element into a starting position, The method also involves causing the motor to supply a starting torque to the engine when the at least one moveable element is in the starting position to cause the moveable element to accelerate from the starting position under low compression conditions to generate sufficient momentum to overcome a peak compression condition in the chamber, thereby reducing the starting torque required to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Bouchon, Martin Strange
  • Patent number: 8437940
    Abstract: In a method for determining, whether a crankshaft of a combustion engine rotating forward after a reverse rotation is oscillating or continues the forward movement, when noticing a reverse rotation of the crankshaft, the covered rotational angle during a reverse rotation is detected, an actual threshold is computed by adding the covered rotational angle and a predetermined safety distance. The rotational angle of the crankshaft rotating immediately forward after a reverse rotation is compared to the actual threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH, Continental Automotive France
    Inventors: Christian Borgmann, Franz Dietl, Valérie Gouzenne, Andreas Läufer
  • Patent number: 8392097
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine. In an engine starting routine, flow control devices located proximate each combustion chamber in the engine initially restrict airflow into the cylinders to allow for a starter motor to rotate the engine at lower expansion and compression torque whereafter rotation of the engine is transitioned to the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto, Michael Simon, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Patent number: 8176888
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be operated with fuels having varying alcohol concentrations is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a compression ratio of an engine in response to a number of combustion events after an engine stop and a concentration of alcohol in a fuel supplied to the engine. The method may make engine starting more repeatable at lower engine temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Bruce Reiche, Jianwen James Yi, Steven Wooldridge, Foo Chern Ting, Thomas A. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7984703
    Abstract: A decompression mechanism provided in a valve operating system configured to drive a valve for opening and closing a port, includes an accommodating member provided in the valve operating system; a decompression member which is accommodated in the accommodating member such that the decompression member is extendable and retractable, the decompression member being configured to extend from the valve operating system to press the valve to open the port in a compression stroke of the engine; and an insertion member which is inserted into the valve operating system, the insertion member being configured to be inserted through the accommodating member in a direction crossing a direction in which the decompression member is extendable and retractable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Hiraga
  • Patent number: 7886707
    Abstract: A decompressor for an internal combustion engine that is capable of preventing the dropping-off of the decompression shaft during maintenance work includes a falling-off prevention pin inserted into a pin insertion hole having an opening to the outer circumferential surface of a camshaft and intersecting, at least partially, an insertion hole. A decompression shaft is inserted and fitted into the insertion hole. The falling-off prevention pin engages with the decompression shaft while the decompression shaft is allowed to rotate. The decompression shaft is prevented from moving in the axial direction of the decompression shaft. The opening of the pin insertion hole of the camshaft into which the falling-off prevention pin is inserted is blocked by a bearing. A swing portion includes a bearing-restriction portion formed so as to protrude towards the bearing. The bearing-restrict portion restricts the movement of the bearing in the axial direction of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takemoto, Kazuhiro Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 7762226
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine during a stop phase and during a subsequent new startup phase of the internal combustion engine. Such methods are used, in particular, in so-called start-stop designs for combustion engines. The camshaft controls intake valves and/or exhaust valves of the internal combustion engine and is adjustable by a camshaft adjuster. By a desired startup position of the camshaft adjuster, control time points of the intake valves and/or the exhaust valves are defined in which mechanical work necessary for starting the internal combustion engine is reduced and/or pollutant emissions of the internal combustion engine are reduced. In the method according to the invention it is provided that the camshaft adjuster is set in a desired stop position during the stop phase. During a first section of the startup phase, the camshaft adjuster is set from the desired stop position into the desired startup position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Heiko Dell
  • Patent number: 7726271
    Abstract: To suppress the overall length of a camshaft including the length of a decompression device provided in an engine and also to suppress an increase in number of parts of the decompression device, an engine includes a decompression device having a decompression weight pivotably supported through a pivot shaft to a camshaft and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined angle by a centrifugal force generated during the rotation of the camshaft. A weight accommodating portion for pivotably accommodating the decompression weight is formed between the opposite end portions of the camshaft. The outer diameter of the decompression device mounted to the camshaft is smaller than that of a ball bearing. The decompression weight is directly engaged with one end of a decompression camshaft to thereby rotate the decompression camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhide Yamanishi, Shuji Hirayama, Yoshitaka Nukada, Chiharu Okawa
  • Patent number: 7699035
    Abstract: A compression release assembly is disclosed, the assembly including a camshaft rotatable about a camshaft axis, a trigger rotatable about a trigger axis substantially perpendicular to the camshaft axis, and a spring position between the trigger and the camshaft. Preferably, the trigger is rotated from an engagement position toward a disengagement position when a rotational velocity of the camshaft achieves a known value, and is rotated from the disengagement position toward the engagement position when the rotational velocity of the camshaft is below the known value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: S & S Cycle, Inc.
    Inventors: James Havlik, Kyle Mahan, Randy Williams, Jeffrey Bailey, Roy Meyer
  • Publication number: 20100077980
    Abstract: A compression release assembly is disclosed, the assembly including a camshaft rotatable about a camshaft axis, a trigger rotatable about a trigger axis substantially perpendicular to the camshaft axis, and a spring position between the trigger and the camshaft. Preferably, the trigger is rotated from an engagement position toward a disengagement position when a rotational velocity of the camshaft achieves a known value, and is rotated from the disengagement position toward the engagement position when the rotational velocity of the camshaft is below the known value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: S & S Cycle, Inc.
    Inventors: James Havlik, Kyle Mahan, Randy Williams, Jeffrey Bailey, Roy Meyer
  • Patent number: 7681547
    Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain system is provided for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine having an engine output to drive the vehicle and a motor having a motor output to drive the vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to the engine and operable to crank the engine. The method includes the steps of reducing compression in at least one engine cylinder and operating the motor to crank the engine. A hybrid powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas A. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7621247
    Abstract: A decompression apparatus includes a plunger and a decompression shaft. The plunger is provided in a plunger hole formed in a cam shaft which is configured to move an engine valve of an internal combustion engine. The plunger is movable in the plunger hole between a decompression position in which the plunger opens the engine valve and a decompression cancel position in which the plunger does not open the engine valve. The plunger hole has a first opening which partially locates on a cam surface of a valve cam which is provided on the cam shaft. A first end portion of the plunger protrudes from the first opening to open the engine valve in the decompression position. The decompression shaft is provided in the cam shaft and configured to move the plunger between the decompression position and the decompression cancel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Iwama, Kazuyuki Asakura, Hideyuki Tawara, Akira Tokito
  • Patent number: 7597071
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing two operating compression ratios in an internal combustion engine resulting in improved mileage and including the provision of a fuel additive vapor for reducing a required temperature for compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Gene Hirs
  • Publication number: 20090199807
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine during a stop phase and during a subsequent new startup phase of the internal combustion engine. Such methods are used, in particular, in so-called start-stop designs for combustion engines. The camshaft controls intake valves and/or exhaust valves of the internal combustion engine and is adjustable by a camshaft adjuster. By a desired startup position of the camshaft adjuster, control time points of the intake valves and/or the exhaust valves are defined in which mechanical work necessary for starting the internal combustion engine is reduced and/or pollutant emissions of the internal combustion engine are reduced. In the method according to the invention it is provided that the camshaft adjuster is set in a desired stop position during the stop phase. During a first section of the startup phase, the camshaft adjuster is set from the desired stop position into the desired startup position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Heiko Dell
  • Patent number: 7552706
    Abstract: An automatic decompression mechanism for selectively actuating a cylinder valve of an engine so as to reduce the starting force required to start the engine. The mechanism includes a cam gear, a centrifugal member, and a cover member comprising an integrally formed biasing means for biasing and retaining the centrifugal member in the cam gear. The biasing means urges the centrifugal member into a decompression position when the cam gear is rotating at a lower speed, wherein a projecting portion of the centrifugal member actuates the valve mechanism to reduce the starting force required to start the engine. During normal engine operation, the centrifugal member pivots into a non-decompression position wherein the projecting portion of the centrifugal member recedes below the cam profile surface so as to prevent the projecting portion from actuating the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Erik P. Krueger
  • Publication number: 20090064958
    Abstract: An automatic decompression mechanism for selectively actuating a cylinder valve of an engine so as to reduce the starting force required to start the engine. The mechanism includes a cam gear, a centrifugal member, and a cover member comprising an integrally formed biasing means for biasing and retaining the centrifugal member in the cam gear. The biasing means urges the centrifugal member into a decompression position when the cam gear is rotating at a lower speed, wherein a projecting portion of the centrifugal member actuates the valve mechanism to reduce the starting force required to start the engine. During normal engine operation, the centrifugal member pivots into a non-decompression position wherein the projecting portion of the centrifugal member recedes below the cam profile surface so as to prevent the projecting portion from actuating the valve mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Erik P. Krueger
  • Publication number: 20080236553
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a valve system and a breather system. The valve system includes a camshaft having intake cams and exhaust cams. The intake cams open and close intake valves, and the exhaust cams open and close exhaust valves. The breather system includes an upstream-side breather chamber and a downstream-side breather chamber. Blow-by gas flows into the upstream-side breather chamber through a chain chamber. The down-stream side breather chamber is provided in the camshaft, and also formed of a through hole constituted of a plurality of hole portions. The hole portions have different sizes and are aligned in the axial direction. The through bole opens to the chain chamber at a first shaft end portion of the camshaft, and also opens to the down-stream side breather chamber at a second shaft end portion of the camshaft. The down-stream side breather chamber is formed of a cam holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsubakino, Hidemichi Mori
  • Patent number: 7412954
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (101, 601, 901) alters an effective compression ratio from an effective compression ratio for a start-up operation to a larger effective compression ratio for a normal operation when an engine rotation speed (NE) increases beyond a resonance rotation speed region during cranking. A controller (104, 610, 910) determines whether or not the engine (101, 601, 901) has reached a combustion possible state on the basis of the engine rotation speed (NE) during cranking and an operating parameter (PA, TA, TW, P_Rail, V_Ang) other than the engine rotation speed (NE) (S1102, S1202, S1204). When the determination is negative, the controller (104, 610, 910) inhibits fuel supply to the engine (101, 601, 901) by a fuel supply device (207), even when the engine rotation speed has increased beyond the resonance rotation speed region (S406). In so doing, a combustion defect such as a misfire is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Shiino, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Tomohiko Tatara
  • Publication number: 20080035089
    Abstract: To suppress the overall length of a camshaft including the length of a decompression device provided in an engine and also to suppress an increase in number of parts of the decompression device, an engine includes a decompression device having a decompression weight pivotably supported through a pivot shaft to a camshaft and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined angle by a centrifugal force generated during the rotation of the camshaft. A weight accommodating portion for pivotably accommodating the decompression weight is formed between the opposite end portions of the camshaft. The outer diameter of the decompression device mounted to the camshaft is smaller than that of a ball bearing. The decompression weight is directly engaged with one end of a decompression camshaft to thereby rotate the decompression camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruhide Yamanishi, Shuji Hirayama, Yoshitaka Nukada, Chiharu Okawa
  • Patent number: 7328678
    Abstract: Mechanical compression and vacuum release mechanisms for internal combustion engines. The compression and vacuum release mechanism may include a pair of centrifugally responsive flyweights pivotally mounted to the cam gear. One of the flyweights actuates a vacuum release member having a vacuum release cam and the other of the flyweights actuates a compression release member having a compression release cam. In another embodiment, the compression and vacuum release mechanism includes a single flyweight having structure associated therewith to actuate a vacuum release member and a compression release member having respective vacuum and compression release cams. The compression and vacuum release cams are in lifting engagement with the valve actuation structure of one of the intake or exhaust valves of the engine during engine starting to relieve compression and vacuum within the combustion chamber and thereby facilitate easier engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony F. Grybush
  • Patent number: 7287500
    Abstract: At an intake timing of an initial combustion cylinder, an actual intake valve timing is adjusted to a target intake valve timing corresponding to a target intake air flow rate of the initial combustion cylinder. At intake timing of the other cylinders which contributes to increment of the engine speed after the initial combustion, the actual intake valve timing is adjusted to a target valve timing corresponding to a target intake air flow rate of the other cylinders. Thereby, the intake air flow rate of each cylinder is accurately controlled, so that the increment of the engine speed is restricted within a range in which a startability is not deteriorated and a vehicle vibration and an over shoot of the engine speed is appropriately restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Izumi, Haruyuki Urushihata
  • Publication number: 20070234990
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (101, 601, 901) alters an effective compression ratio from an effective compression ratio for a start-up operation to a larger effective compression ratio for a normal operation when an engine rotation speed (NE) increases beyond a resonance rotation speed region during cranking. A controller (104, 610, 910) determines whether or not the engine (101, 601, 901) has reached a combustion possible state on the basis of the engine rotation speed (NE) during cranking and an operating parameter (PA, TA, TW, P_Rail, V_Ang) other than the engine rotation speed (NE) (S1102, S1202, S1204). When the determination is negative, the controller (104, 610, 910) inhibits fuel supply to the engine (101, 601, 901) by a fuel supply device (207), even when the engine rotation speed has increased beyond the resonance rotation speed region (S406). In so doing, a combustion defect such as a misfire is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Toshikazu Shiino, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Tomohiko Tatara
  • Patent number: 7275508
    Abstract: A pull-starter for a combustion engine of an engine-powered apparatus having a startup element automatically actuated upon initial pulling of a pull-cord. The pull-cord is attached to and wound around a recoil pulley, routed at least partially around a portion of a movable dampener member, and attached to a handle. The dampener member is biased toward a rest position and a portion thereof is linked to the startup element. The pull-cord is pulled to displace the dampener member away from its rest position, automatically actuate the at least one startup element, and unwind the pull-cord from around the recoil pulley and thereby rotate the recoil pulley in an unwind direction to rotate a crankshaft of the engine via a coupling. At least upon release of the pull-cord, the dampener member and the startup element automatically return to their normal state during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventor: George M. Pattullo
  • Patent number: 7263960
    Abstract: An engine decompression system that can secure a projecting height of a decompression cam from a base face of a valve operating cam to be relatively large in an engine starting rotational region, and maintain a state in which the projection height is decreased in a complete combustion rotational region of the engine. The decompression system includes a decompression cam shaft provided on a valve operating cam shaft or a rotating member integrally coupled thereto, the decompression cam shaft being capable of rotating between an operating position in which a decompression cam projects above a base face of a valve operating cam to slightly open engine valves during a compression stroke and a release position in which the decompression cam is withdrawn to allow the engine valves to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Saito, Takashi Suzuki, Hiroshi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 7261077
    Abstract: An engine decompressor includes a decompressor pin provided through a pin hole on the surface of a valve cam, a decompressor pin operating shaft in an oil passage provided in a valve cam shaft of the valve cam for vertically moving the decompressor pin by its rotation, a fly weight rotatable by rotation of the valve cam shaft so as to rotate the decompressor pin operating shaft, and a thrust receiving plate separate from the fly weight for restricting the axial movement of the decompressor pin operating shaft in the oil passage. The engine decompressor is capable of operating a decompressor mechanism normally even if the lubricating oil increases in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuichi Asano, Itsushi Hirukawa, Yasuhiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7258099
    Abstract: Satisfactory restartability has not been obtained so far because the timing of opening an exhaust valve of a cylinder under expansion stroke is adjusted for improvement of startability and a valve adjusting mechanism is always controlled in the same manner regardless of the engine status at start. In the invention, control is performed to adjust the timing of closing an intake valve so that an effective compression ratio of a cylinder under compression stroke reduces. Also, the effective compression ratio of the compression stroke cylinder is decided based on a piston position at engine restart. By varying the intake valve closing timing in the expansion stroke cylinder to reduce the effective compression ratio depending on the engine status at restart, it is possible to lessen a load imposed on a starter when the engine is restarted, and to improve startability without complicating the engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshida, Toshiharu Nogi, Noboru Tokuyasu
  • Patent number: 7216619
    Abstract: An engine features a decompression mechanism that extends through a bore formed in a camshaft. The mechanism has an actuator that is formed of multiple shafts. The shafts are joined in the region of a decompression pin. The actuator rotates relative to the camshaft and the rotation drives translation of decompression pins in a radial direction of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Sugiura, Yuki Sagawa
  • Patent number: 7191747
    Abstract: The description relates to a method for starting a direct-injection internal combustion engine equipped with an engine management system and having n cylinders, in which n pistons oscillate between a top dead center (TDC) and a bottom dead center (BDC), and a crankshaft. It is proposed to set forth a method of the aforesaid type which overcomes the known disadvantages inherent in the state of the art known, the particular intention being to achieve a shortening of the starting times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ulrich Kramer
  • Patent number: 7174871
    Abstract: Mechanical compression and vacuum release mechanisms which are of simple construction and which significantly reduce the effort required to start an internal combustion engine. In several embodiments, the compression and vacuum release mechanisms include a centrifugally responsive flyweight pivotally mounted to the camshaft, the flyweight coupled to a pair of compression and vacuum release pins which include respective compression and vacuum release cams that are in lifting engagement with the valve actuation structure of one of the intake or exhaust valves of the engine during engine starting to relieve compression and vacuum within the combustion chamber and thereby facilitate easier engine starting. After the engine is started and reaches running speed, the flyweight pivots responsive to centrifugal force and in turn pivots the compression and vacuum release cams out of engagement with the valve actuation structure of the intake or exhaust valve to allow the engine to operate normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Anthony F. Grybush