Particular Piston And Enclosing Cylinder Construction Patents (Class 123/193.1)
  • Patent number: 8739756
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a coolant flow passage configured to carry coolant through the engine block. The engine block also defines an oil flow passage configured to carry lubricating oil through the engine block. The oil flow passage at least partially surrounds the coolant flow passage and is sufficiently adjacent to the coolant flow passage so that the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block. The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability. The engine block may define two such coolant flow passages, a first and a second coolant flow passage, positioned so that the oil flow passage passes between the coolant flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Naser I. Hineiti, Dan L. Alden, Akram R. Zahdeh, Brian D. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 8733315
    Abstract: A soluble and substantially ring-shaped casting core may include a cooling channel in a piston having at least one inflow and at least one outflow. The casting core may form a closed ring and the inflow may be arranged directly adjacent to the outflow. The casting core may have a cross-sectional taper for forming a choke in the circumferential direction between the inflow and the outflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Kollotzek, Thomas Hettich, Frank Ehmann
  • Patent number: 8726877
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame and an engine, with the engine including components forming a crankshaft assembly, such as a flywheel, a pinion shaft supporting the flywheel for rotation, a piston assembly including a connecting rod with a base end portion having a bearing support structure, a bearing, and a crank pin. An uninterrupted oil passageway is formed by an axial hole in the pinion shaft, a radial hole in the pinion shaft, an aligned hole in the flywheel, an angled hole in the crank pin, at least one radial hole in the crank pin. The angled hole in the crank pin extends between the inner and outer surfaces, with the angled hole starting on the outer surface at a location along a distance L1 and extends to the inner surface exiting at a location inboard of the distance L1, the angled hole being linear along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: S & S Cycle, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Bramstedt
  • Patent number: 8726874
    Abstract: A cylinder bore with selective surface treatment includes a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical wall extending along the longitudinal axis, the cylindrical wall including first and second end portions and a middle portion positioned between the first and second end portions, the middle portion having a greater surface roughness than at least one of the first and second end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney G. Whitbeck, David Alan Stephenson, Keith Raymond Bartle, David Garrett Coffman
  • Patent number: 8714131
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block includes removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a first opening to create a first recessed area, positioning a first insert within the first recessed area, removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a second opening to create a second recessed area that at least partially overlaps the first recessed area, and positioning a second insert within the second recessed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam William Ostein, Curtis John Graham, Kegan Luick, Jarrod D. Moss
  • Publication number: 20140120456
    Abstract: A sealable volume has a wall forming at least a portion of a boundary limiting the volume. The wall includes a hydrogen permeation barrier including a layer system (LS) having at least one layer. The layer system includes at least one hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) of an at least ternary oxide. Preferably, the oxide is substantially composed of Al, Cr and O and the hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) is deposited using physical vapor deposition, in particular cathodic arc evaporation. Preferably, the layer system includes at least one of: an adhesion layer (AdhL), a hydrogen storage layer (HStL), a protective layer (ProtL), in particular a thermal barrier layer (ThBL), a diffusion barrier layer (DBL), an oxidation barrier layer (OxBL), a chemical barrier layer (ChBL), a wear resistance layer (WRL). Excellent hydrogen permeation barrier properties can be achieved, and the layer system can be tailored as required by an envisaged application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Oerlikon Trading AG, Truebbach
    Inventor: Jurgen Ramm
  • Patent number: 8695562
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a coolant flow passage configured to carry coolant through the engine block. The engine block also defines an oil flow passage configured to carry lubricating oil through the engine block. The oil flow passage at least partially surrounds the coolant flow passage and is sufficiently adjacent to the coolant flow passage so that the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block. The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability. The engine block may define two such coolant flow passages, a first and a second coolant flow passage, positioned so that the oil flow passage passes between the coolant flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Naser I. Hineiti, Dan L. Alden, Akram R. Zahdeh, Brian D. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 8677970
    Abstract: A piston and an engine are provided that includes various precise configuration parameters, including dimensions, shape and/or relative positioning of combustion chamber features. More particularly, configuration parameters for a piston crown and a piston bowl located within the piston crown are provided. The piston bowl configuration results in a combustion process that yields decreased heat transfer to a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine as well as reduced NOx emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Rishikesh Venugopal, Donald W. Stanton, Bhargav Ranganath, Thomas Geyer
  • Patent number: 8667945
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston base material including a pair of skirt portions opposed to each other in a radial direction of the piston base material. The piston includes a multiple-layer coating formed on at least one of surfaces of the pair of skirt portions. The piston further includes marks provided to respective layers of the multiple-layer coating at locations different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8635982
    Abstract: A method for producing a piston for an internal combustion engine, composed of first and second piston components, has the following steps: (a) providing a blank of the first piston component composed of a tempered or precipitation-hardened steel, having at least one joining surface, (b) providing a blank of the second piston component composed of a tempered or precipitation-hardened steel, having at least one joining surface, (c) tempering or precipitation-hardening the blanks, (d) friction-welding the joining surfaces of the blanks to produce a piston blank, with the formation of at least one friction-welding seam and a heat influence zone in the region of the at least one friction-welding seam, (e) annealing or low-stress annealing of the piston blank, thereby obtaining the heat influence zone(s), (f) re-machining and/or finishing the piston blank to produce a piston. A piston so produced is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Scharp, Klaus Keller
  • Publication number: 20140000548
    Abstract: A reciprocating engine 1 is so arranged that, in an initial period of an expansion stroke, a high-pressure combustion gas 12 above a piston 2 is introduced via gas passage holes 23 provided in an upper portion 22 of a cylinder inner surface 8 on a thrust side 10 into a gas chamber 4 formed by being encompassed by the cylinder inner surface 8 and a top ring 5, a second ring 6, and a second land 7 of the piston 2, so as to support the piston 2 from the thrust side 10 by the introduced high-pressure combustion gas 12. A half ring 13 is inserted in the gas chamber 4 in a state of being placed on the second land 7 from the thrust side 10 and so as to be movable up and down with clearances 20 above and below, whereby as the piston 2 reciprocates, the half ring 13 moves up and down an amount corresponding to the size of the clearances 20, thereby continually cleaning the inside of the gas chamber 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Bando Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru BANDO
  • Patent number: 8601994
    Abstract: The present invention reduces weight while assuring required rigidity of a piston reduces cost of the piston. A piston includes first and second pin bosses supporting a piston pins, a first side wall coupling the first pin boss and a piston skirt, a second side wall coupling the second pin boss and the piston skirt, and a pair of bridges coupling the first and second side walls and forming upward spaces just above. First and second through holes are formed in the first and second side walls. The first and second through holes and the upper spaces are formed by a single punching process using a punch and, simultaneously, the bridges are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hodaka Mukouhara, Kohji Minami
  • Patent number: 8584626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston (10, 110, 210) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a piston crown (13), a circumferential ring part (16), a circumferential cooling channel (27) arranged in the vicinity of the ring part (16), boss supports (21) connected below the piston crown (13), piston bosses (18) connected thereto, and a piston skirt (17). According to the invention, a cavity (28) closed on all sides and having a closure element (29, 129, 229) arranged in the direction of the piston skirt (17) is provided below the piston crown (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Jacobi
  • Patent number: 8555830
    Abstract: A combustible fluid-operated orbital engine having sets of cooperating cylinder and piston members with respective parallel axes of rotation. Respective cylinder and piston carrier wheels with respective axes of rotation parallel to the piston/cylinder axes of rotation carrying the pistons/cylinders circularly and orbitally and at all times in opposed relation on a common longitudinal axis along intersecting counter paths. Respective gearing structures or belts/sprockets supported by the cylinder and piston carrier wheels rotate the pistons/cylinders counter to their circular motion direction to maintain their opposed relation for their periodic interfittment when their respective paths intersect. A combustible fluid supply is provided to the cylinder member for combustion coincident with the periodic interfittment in engine operating relation. The pistons/cylinders may include ceramic material. The compression sealing system is located in the entry of each cylinder rather than being connected to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: James Lockshaw, Joseph Gerondale
  • Patent number: 8528512
    Abstract: A connection arrangement for clamping a cylinder head to a crankcase by at least one tension rod. A sealing device is associated with the or each tension rod in order to seal an external thread of the tension rod against a medium. To create a new kind of device with tension rod clamping, which omits a slot causing notch stress in the tension rod yet securely protects the thread of the tension rod against corrosive attack the sealing device includes a profiled elastomer sealing ring which is positively fixed within a thread undercut on the circumference of the tension rod shank and which is compressed in a defined manner through the screwing-in of the tension rod in the bore of the assembly and through the surface geometry of the circumference of the tension rod shank and the bore of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: MAN Diesel SE
    Inventor: Helmut Christl
  • Publication number: 20130213339
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, having a cylinder housing in the form of a light metal alloy casting with working cylinder sections including cylinder liners which consist of rough-surface iron castings and which are integrally cast into the working cylinder sections with housing webs formed between adjacent liners, the cylinder housing has cooling channels formed in the housing webs between adjacent cylinder liners and the working cylinder sections of the cylinder housing for directly cooling the cylinder liners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventor: DAIMLER AG
  • Publication number: 20130109335
    Abstract: A drive power transmission element in the form of a wheel adapted to be mounted on a non-rotatable axel where the wheel has a peripheral surface of a geometric envelope or cam profile developed on a mathematical formula being bounded and rectifiable and therefore having Defined length and area receiving a flexible power transmission element such as a rope of solid braided nylon cord locked by compression rather than friction operating circumferentially, where for example as a boat cleat or in radial operation, ideal in general for transmission of mechanical power directly applied to various mechanical linkages or where the operable dynamic forces of compression may operate as force fields or mechanical structures in lighter than air envelopes, parachutes, hydraulic nozzles, pumps, internal combustion engines, envelopes for jet engines, fiber optics, designs of optical lenses, and related applications to move or contain mass and energy over distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Frederic Mason Mathews
  • Publication number: 20130081589
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block includes removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a first opening to create a first recessed area, positioning a first insert within the first recessed area, removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a second opening to create a second recessed area that at least partially overlaps the first recessed area, and positioning a second insert within the second recessed area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam William Ostein, Curtis John Graham, Kegan Luick, Jarrod D. Moss
  • Patent number: 8381695
    Abstract: A workpiece has a tribologically useable surface formed as a sliding surface, lubricated by an intermediate material, for a counterpart movable relative to the workpiece in a direction of movement. The sliding surface is provided with a structure formed of a plurality of pockets. The pockets form a closed micropressure chamber delimited by the uninterrupted peripheral rim, respectively. The uninterrupted peripheral rim is a deburred structure edge. In a plan view, the pockets are elongate and have a longitudinal extension. The sliding surface has a functional roughness in the supporting areas between the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Gehring GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ulrich Klink, Gerhard Flores, Tobias Abeln, Oliver Kull
  • Publication number: 20130000590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a piston (10) from an upper piston part (11, 111, 211) and a lower piston part (15). A strip- or plate-shaped semifinished product (22) made of a metal material is provided, from which an annular upper piston part (11, 111, 211) or an annular blank (25) is stamped out, which blank is finished to form an upper piston part (11, 111, 211), wherein the upper piston part (11, 111, 211) is connected to a lower piston part (15) to form a piston (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Keller
  • Publication number: 20120291743
    Abstract: A concentric cylinder engine includes a toroidal outer cylinder having an inner cylinder contained therein, the inner cylinder wall comprising a sleeve assembly acting as a transfer valve. Each cylinder contains a piston, the two pistons being connected to a single crankshaft. The inner and outer piston crank throws are at least generally opposite one another, with the two pistons traveling in opposite directions during engine operation. The outer piston provides intake and compression functions, while the inner piston simultaneously provides power and exhaust functions. The concentric cylinder engine thus provides the four separate and distinct intake, compression, power, and exhaust phases of conventional Otto cycle engine operation during a single revolution of the crankshaft. The concentric cylinder engine may be constructed in multiple cylinder configurations having spark or compression ignition, in either liquid or air cooled embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: W. Daniel Hamby
  • Publication number: 20120240891
    Abstract: A pressure driven apparatus comprising a housing, at least one flexible membrane located within the housing dividing the interior of the housing into at least two chambers. At least one input or exhaust cam assembly operates in conjunction with the at least one flexible membrane to provide an expansion zone within the housing. Fluid enters the housing producing movement of the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is connected to a drive member such that the movement of the fluid within the expansion zone results in the membrane imparting a force to the drive member. The flexible membrane includes seals used to maintain a dynamic and movable seal with respect to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Roger Benham
  • Publication number: 20120227698
    Abstract: A multilayer metal gasket having first and second functional layers. Each layer includes an opening for sealing a fluid passage or combustion chamber. Each layer includes a folded lip or rim bent in opposite directions and overlapping one another in a nested configuration to form a labyrinth which serves also as the compression stopper feature for the gasket assembly. Sealing beads are formed in each layer and, preferably, are arranged to contact each other in crest-to-crest orientation to perfect a seal. In one embodiment, the first rim is extended in length, and extends into and partially fills a crevice volume defined in the space between a piston and the side wall of a combustion chamber above the top piston ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Bhawani Sankar Tripathy
  • Publication number: 20120167851
    Abstract: A cylinder block assembly is provided. In one example, the cylinder block assembly includes a crankshaft support with a single structural frame attachment feature. The single structural frame attachment feature may reduce stress within the cylinder block assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher K. Palazzolo, Darren Sipila, Leigh Baretto
  • Patent number: 8191528
    Abstract: Disclosed is an internal combustion engine (A), which has a valve overlap period (T) during which an intake valve (1) and an exhaust valve (2) are opened, and a geometric compression ratio of 13.0 or greater. The engine (A) is designed to satisfy, at a center timing (Tc) of the valve overlap period (T), a conditional expression: S1?S2, where S1 is a cross-sectional area of a combustion chamber (4) taken along any selected one of a plurality of mutually parallel hypothetical cutting-planes (IP) each of which extends parallel to a linear reciprocating direction (d1 or d2) of at least one of the intake and exhaust valves (1, 2) and passes through a valve head (1a or 2a) of the at least one of the valves (1, 2), and S2 is an effective opening area defined between the valve head (1a or 2a) and a corresponding valve seat (11a or 12a) in a region on an outward side of the combustion chamber (4) relative to the selected hypothetical cutting-plane (IP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Youso, Toshiaki Nishimoto, Masahisa Yamakawa, Tatsuya Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 8104175
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylinder block for a multi-cylinder engine is disclosed herein. The cylinder block includes a crankcase and cylinder bores disposed therein separated by cylinder walls. The crankcase is adapted to receive a crankshaft and includes crank chambers disposed therein separated by partition walls. Each of the crank chambers of the crankcase corresponds to one of the cylinder bores of the cylinder block. The cylinder bore side of each partition wall has a honing runoff portion thinner in section than the crankshaft side thereof such that a step face results in the partition walls. Further, a runoff groove is formed in the partition walls of the crank chambers, and also a communication hole is formed at least partially within the runoff groove in at least one of the partition walls to enable communication between crank chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Mochida
  • Patent number: 8100103
    Abstract: A cylinder head cover for a reciprocating compressor cylinder. The cover includes a first plate having a first and second channel in a surface of the first plate. The first and second channels merge within the plate at a first opening through the bottom surface of the first plate. A second plate has a pair of bores each aligned with one of the first and second channels in the first plate. A fourth plate is fastened over the second plate forming a cavity between the second and fourth plates. The fourth plate has a pair of spaced bores aligned with the bores through the second plate. A rotating third plate is disposed between the second and fourth plates. This third plate has a pair of spaced bores for sequentially aligning with one of the pair of bores through the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Renato Bastos Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 8065985
    Abstract: A piston has an upper crown portion with an upper combustion wall against which combustion forces act and a lower crown portion with a pair of pin bosses spaced for receipt of a small end of a connecting rod therebetween. The upper crown portion and the lower crown portion form an outer oil gallery and a central oil gallery in fluid communication with one another. The central oil gallery is formed in part by an annular flange extending radially inwardly from the outer oil gallery and upwardly toward the upper combustion wall to a free edge spaced from the upper combustion wall. The free edge forms an opening about a central axis of the piston and has a non-planar uppermost surface with depressions aligned diametrically opposite one another across the opening to improve the oil flow throughout the central oil gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Norbert Schneider
  • Patent number: 8065984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a piston head (11) with at least one piston crown (12) which is exposed to at least one jet of combustion gases, and a piston shaft (17), the piston head (11) and the piston shaft (12) being configured as interconnected individual components including a peripheral outer cooling channel (27). The invention is characterized in that an annular partition wall (35, 135, 235, 335, 435) is provided in the cooling channel (27) in parallel to the piston crown (12) and has one or more nozzle-type openings (37, 45, 137, 237, 337, 437) that are arranged in such a manner that their respective outlet jet is directed against the underside (12a) of the piston crown (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Issler, Timo Estrum
  • Patent number: 8037860
    Abstract: A cylinder liner has an upper portion and a lower portion with respect to an axial direction of the cylinder liner. A high thermal conductive film is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the upper portion. A low thermal conductive film is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the lower portion. The cylinder liner reduces temperature difference of a cylinder along its axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Teikoku Piston Ring Co., Ltd., Teipi Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takami, Kouhei Hori, Takeshi Tsukahara, Noritaka Miyamoto, Masaki Hirano, Yukinori Ohta, Satoshi Yamada, Kouhei Shibata, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Toshihiro Mihara, Giichiro Saito, Masami Horigome, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 7997249
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine including: a piston head located at an uppermost section of the piston; a land located on a circumference of the piston head; a skirt located below the land; and a pair of pin bosses located on the lower section of the piston head. The piston head has a first cavity on the bottom of the piston head. Each of the pair of pin bosses has a second cavity in an outer upper section of the pin boss. The pin boss has a through hole that communicably connects the first cavity with the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Matsui, Kenji Hayama
  • Publication number: 20110192369
    Abstract: A multilayer metal gasket includes at least two metal gasket layers formed with an aligned opening and aligned opposing sealing beads surrounding the opening. A partial stopper layer is interposed between the gasket layers and is of lesser area than either of the gasket layers. The partial stopper layer extends from the opening outwardly beyond the sealing beads and is fixed to one of the layers on only one side of the sealing beads and is free on the opposite side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Jeorg Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20110139111
    Abstract: In the case of a method for conversion of an aircraft spark-ignition engine for driving a propeller, comprising a crankcase, a crankshaft, at least one cylinder having a cylinder head, a connecting rod and a piston, at least the cylinder with the cylinder head, possibly in conjunction with the piston, are replaced by corresponding components of a diesel engine, while retaining the crankcase, the crankshaft and/or the connecting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Bernd STEPHAN
  • Patent number: 7895985
    Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Scott E. Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jonathan Heim, Roy D. Kornbluh
  • Patent number: 7895978
    Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder having a bore diameter, a piston slip-fit in the cylinder, the piston having an upper portion and a lower portion and a central portion of significantly less than the bore diameter, providing an annular space between the central portion and the cylinder wall, and an air pump providing air to one or more intake ports, wherein for a significant portion of every stroke both one or more exhaust ports and the one or more intake ports are open to the annular space between the central piston portion and the cylinder wall, allowing the air pump to force air from the one or more intake ports around the central piston portion to the one or more exhaust ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: SoundStarts, Inc.
    Inventor: Marlon Moss
  • Publication number: 20110005489
    Abstract: An advanced angled cylinder piston engine, pump, or compressor design. A method to determine optimum cylinder(s) orientation to achieve maximum torque. A method to determine proper cylinder(s) orientation achievable based on crankshaft and connecting rod dimensions. A cylinder, a cylinder insert sleeve, and a piston provide clearance for free operation of a connecting rod. A compensating piston provides proper cylinder volume to maintain desired compression ratio. An oil passage provides additional lubrication to cylinder wall. A crankshaft counterweight orientation provides proper crankshaft, connecting rod, and piston assembly balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald Lewis
  • Patent number: 7849683
    Abstract: A cylinder head 2 for a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine is provided with a centralized exhaust passageway E. The centralized exhaust passageway E includes individual exhaust passageways 51 to 54 connected to combustion chambers defined by recesses 11 to 14, and a central passageway 60 collecting the exhaust gas flowing through the individual exhaust passageways 51 to 54. Each of the exhaust passageways 51 to 54 has two branch passageways 21, 31; 22,32; 23,33; 24,34 extending from the exhaust ports Ea opened and closed by exhaust valves 6, and a merging passageway 41; 42; 43; 44 having one end connected to the two branch passageways. The respective passage diameters D1 to D4 of the merging passageways 41 to 44 are substantially equal to the passage diameters d1 to d4 of the branch passageways. The merging passageways 41 to 44 and the central collecting passageway 60 are surrounded with water jackets W1 and W2 from above and below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Koichiro Asame, Yuusuke Wada
  • Patent number: 7765975
    Abstract: An engine cylinder block formed with an integral pump housing that reinforces the cylinder block and which has a communicating passage with the interior of the cylinder block that has an outer surface that is inclined upwardly of the cylinder block to permit gasses to escape during a casting process to avoid metallic voids from forming. In addition the block is further reinforced by longitudinal and vertical external ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Owreik Petroliam National Berhad
    Inventor: Masao Koriyama
  • Patent number: 7685987
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for insert casting used in a cylinder block is disclosed. The cylinder liner has an outer circumferential surface, and upper, middle, and lower portions with respect to an axial direction of the cylinder liner. A high thermal conductive film is formed in a section of the outer circumferential surface that corresponds to the upper portion, and a low thermal conductive film is formed in a section of the outer circumferential surface that corresponds to the lower portion. The high thermal conductive film and the low thermal conductive film are laminated in a section of the outer circumferential surface that corresponds to the middle portion, thereby forming a laminated film portion. As a result, temperature difference along the axial direction of the cylinder is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noritaka Miyamoto, Toshihiro Takami, Masaki Hirano, Kouhei Shibata, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Toshihiro Mihara, Giichiro Saito, Masami Horigome, Takashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20090272259
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns machines that convert rotating motion to reciprocation, and vice-versa, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to reciprocating piston machines. Some embodiments include a crankshaft defining a crankshaft-drive and at least one radially extending piston-journal spaced from the crankshaft-drive, and a piston configured to pivotally engage the piston-journal. The piston defines a cylindrical head and an elongate body. Some embodiments further include a drive-member defining a central-axis-of-rotation and being rotatably engageable with the crankshaft-drive. Some embodiments also include a block defining one or more cylinders for receiving one or more pistons. The drive-member rotates when the piston reciprocates, and vice-versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher L. Cook, Scott Cook
  • Patent number: 7607414
    Abstract: A member for an internal combustion engine, such as a piston, a valve and a fuel injection valve. The member includes a substrate. A carbon-based coating film is formed on the substrate to cover at least a part of a region of the substrate to which region fuel for the internal combustion engine is contactable. The carbon-based coating film contains fluorine and has a thickness of 10 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Kamada, Hiroshi Kumagai, Midori Kondou, Kenji Kikuchi, Takumaru Sagawa, Yutaka Mabuchi, Takahiro Nakahigashi
  • Patent number: 7543557
    Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly for an engine is disclosed. The assembly includes a piston including an aluminum alloy piston body having a crown and a skirt extending from the crown. The skirt has an exterior surface having a surface finish in a wave form with peaks and valleys, and having a roughness total between approximately 6 and 12 micrometers, the roughness total (Rt) being defined as the difference between the highest peak and lowest valley within an assessment length. The surface finish has an approximate peak-to-peak distance between 0.17 and 0.25 millimeters within the assessment length. The exterior surface is coated with a nickel ceramic composite coating. An aluminum alloy cylinder bore is disposed in an engine block and is configured to receive the piston body. The cylinder bore has a bore surface having a roughness average (Ra) between approximately 0.09 and 0.25 micrometers. The cylinder bore may be made of a eutectic Al—Si alloy including other alloying elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Yucong Wang
  • Patent number: 7536988
    Abstract: A cylinder head includes a lifter guide boss part, a concave relief groove portion and a guide portion. The lifter guide boss part defines a lifter bore arranged to slidably support a valve lifter. The concave relief groove portion has a predetermined width and a predetermined depth formed on the lifter guide boss part in a position corresponding to a rotation direction of a cam to avoid an interference between the cam and the lifter guide boss part. The relief groove portion includes a pair of groove side surfaces and a groove bottom surface with a pair of corner sections being formed between the groove bottom surface and the side groove surfaces. The guide portion protrudes from the groove bottom surface in a sliding direction of the valve lifter to slidably guide the valve lifter. The guide portion is spaced apart from the corner sections of the relief groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7464684
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembled piston (1) for an internal combustion engine, said piston consisting of an upper part (4) and a lower part (5) that are interconnected by means of an internal hexagon screw (6) consisting of an upper half(37) and a lower half (38). The upper half (37) of the internal hexagon screw (6) comprises an external thread (39) which is parallel to the external thread (40) of the lower screw half (38) and has a larger lead angle than the same (40). The lead angle resulting from the difference between the lead angles of the two external threads (39, 40) is very small and contributes to a high strength of the screw connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Mahle GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Scharp, Peter Kemnitz
  • Publication number: 20080271699
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine of piston type operating with a mixture of combustible fuel and air comprising at least one combustion chamber (11) and a piston (2) movably arranged in said combustion chamber (11) to compress the fuel and air mixture so as to provide a maximum compression ratio in the range of 15:1 to 25:1; an inlet (4) arranged in said combustion chamber for receiving an amount of said mixture of fuel and air into said combustion chamber (11); and an igniting device (3) arranged in said combustion chamber (11) for igniting said mixture of fuel and air received in said combustion chamber (11) at a crank shaft (9) angle position in the range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees after a top dead center (ATDC) of said piston in said combustion chamber (11); wherein the combustion chamber and piston is arranged to reduce the risk of hot spots and the engine is configured to have a burn rate where 90% of the fuel is burnt in a crank angle position range of between 15° to 40°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Jens Wellev, Anders Elonsson
  • Patent number: 7434549
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including at least one engine cylinder includes a cylinder cavity with first and second stopping members interconnected by a cylinder wall, the cylinder further includes two piston members slidably moveable within said cylinder cavity and between extreme positions intermediate between two stopping members, two piston members combust between their faces and cylinder wall pushing them with their power transmittal members alternatively to revolve the cogwheel and axle. By the ratchet function of power transmittal member or cogwheel, each piston has its free returning movement without clinging with the cogwheel and axle, allowing each piston continuously and alternatively revolves the axle without waste of energy for returning movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Kwong Wang Tse
  • Publication number: 20080127915
    Abstract: A modular family of internal combustion engines is described. The family includes at least two engine configurations selected from a single cylinder, V-type, inline, opposed, W-type, and radial configurations. Each of the engines in the family includes at least one cylinder with identical top end packages. A method for designing such a family of engines is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Andreas Bilek, Gerd Ohrnberger, Norbert Korenjak
  • Patent number: 7299772
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine defining an axis of motion and including an annular cooling gallery defined within the piston. The cooling gallery extends annularly about the axis of motion of the piston. A plurality of annularly spaced fan blades is positioned within the cooling gallery. Each fan blade is oriented diagonally within the cooling gallery to direct a cooling fluid in an annular direction about the axis of motion of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Hardin
  • Patent number: 7240655
    Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Scott E. Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jon Heim
  • Patent number: 7237524
    Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Scott E. Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jon Heim