Covers, Trays, Vibrators, Corrosion Inhibitors, Air Filters Patents (Class 123/198E)
  • Patent number: 6162269
    Abstract: An engine filter assembly for cleaning cooling air for an internal-combustion engine for use in high-debris environment such as in roofing-removing machines includes a filter housing attached to the machine at a remote position. The filter housing houses a two-stage air filter that consists of a cylindrical-shaped filter element with an outer pre-filter covering. Both the carburetor air inlet and a fan housing leading to the cooling fan on the engine are connected to the filter housing by tubing. A shield protects the engine from direct contact with loose or air-borne materials during the operation of the machine. A thermal sensing device reads the temperature of the engine and automatically shuts down the engine if the temperature rises beyond specification, reducing the chance of engine failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: United Air Filter, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Greenlees, Richard Snyder, Kenneth S. Schultz, R. Ryan Greenlees
  • Patent number: 6149700
    Abstract: A filter element (22) includes pleated filter media (26) having a plurality of pleats (28) in a closed annular loop having an outer perimeter (30) defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips (32), and an inner perimeter (34) defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips (36), the closed annular loop having a hollow interior (38) extending along an axis (40), wherein fluid to be filtered flows laterally through the filter media and flows axially (58) in the hollow interior (38). The filter element (22) has an axial flow passage (56) along the axis (40) and circumscribing the hollow interior (38) and has a flow perimeter (60) greater than the inner perimeter (34) of the filter element defined by the inner pleat tips (36). An end cap (66) of resilient compressible material at the axial end (62) of the filter element bears radially between and is radially compressed between an outer liner (102) and a flow tube (90) at the enlarged flow passage (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Morgan, Jon S. Wake, Kent J. Kallsen
  • Patent number: 6116206
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes engine cylinders in an engine block with intake ports to deliver charged air to the cylinders. An intake manifold conducts intake charge to the intake ports. A noise cover encapsulates the intake manifold. The noise cover comprises a noise abatement element substantially covering the intake manifold to abate noise transmitted by the intake manifold and a shell to encapsulate the noise abatement element. The shell is comprised of first and second portions, fastened to each other by integral-to-the-shell fasteners, to secure the noise cover about the intake manifold without mounting the noise cover to a potential noise source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Krentz
  • Patent number: 6098575
    Abstract: A replaceable coolant filter assembly includes a housing, a filter element having and an end plate to define a fluid path through said filter and comprising a coolant additive sensor having a sacrificial sensing element disposed within said housing in contact with said fluid path. An electrical circuit connecting a microprocessor to the sensing element is grounded through the filter housing to an engine, the microprocessor being responsive to the opening of said sensing element circuit by corrosion an alarm device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Brian W. Mulshine, Edward H. Howell
  • Patent number: 6092498
    Abstract: A modular integrated intake manifold (10) for a V-type internal combustion engine (20). A fuel module (16) nests between cylinder heads (28, 30) and has through-passages (42) leading to intake valves in the heads. An air cleaner module (12), which has an air box (60) within which intake air is filtered, also closes on one of the heads (28) to cover the exhaust and intake valves and the valve operating mechanisms of that head. A plenum/runner module (14) has a plenum that closes on the other of the heads (30) to cover the exhaust and intake valves and the valve operating mechanisms of that head. Runners (160, 162, 164, 172, 174, 176) have respective combustion air entrances disposed within a plenum chamber space (142) of the plenum and run to the through-passages of the fuel module. The runners are part of a runner pack (132) that has both complete (160, 162, 164) and incomplete (166, 168, 170) runners and that when assembled into the plenum, completes the incomplete runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Carl Lohr, Michael Robert Kaput, Theodore Thomas Geftos, William Clark Weber
  • Patent number: 6089209
    Abstract: A configuration for mounting a fuel line on an engine which reduces the number of parts needed to mount the fuel lines and the fuel cock, reduces the number of assembly and mounting processes, and improves both the handling qualities and the safety of the engine at a low cost. In this fuel line configuration for a single-cylinder multi-purpose engine having a fan cover and a front cover on the front of the engine, a fuel tank on top of the engine is connected to the carburetor by a fuel line with a fuel cock on it. Semicircular grooves are provided in the fan cover and front cover, and the fuel line is engaged in a channel formed by the two grooves and thereby immobilized. The fuel cock, which is attached to the front end of the fuel line, is mounted to the front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kouchi, Shogo Nakamura, Kazuyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6089199
    Abstract: A modular integrated intake manifold (10) for a V-type internal combustion engine (20). A fuel module (16) nests between cylinder heads (28, 30) and has through-passages (42) leading to intake valves in the heads. An air cleaner module (12), which has an air box (60) within which intake air is filtered, also closes on one of the heads (28) to cover the exhaust and intake valves and the valve operating mechanisms of that head. A plenum/runner module (14) has a plenum that closes on the other of the heads (30) to cover the exhaust and intake valves and the valve operating mechanisms of that head. Runners (160, 162, 164, 172, 174, 176) have respective combustion air entrances disposed within a plenum chamber space (142) of the plenum and run to the through-passages of the fuel module. The runners are part of a runner pack (132) that has both complete (160, 162, 164) and incomplete (166, 168, 170) runners and that when assembled into the plenum, completes the incomplete runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Carl Lohr, Michael Robert Kaput, Theodore Thomas Geftos, William Clark Weber
  • Patent number: 6085709
    Abstract: The rocker arm cover on a diesel engine can be formed of a rigid molded plastic material to minimize the transmission of noise into the atmosphere. Sonic vibration of the cover can be reduced by reducing the cover material stiffness. The reduced stiffness of the cover material allows the roof area of the cover to be momentarily displaced away from the cylinder head in the presence of an acoustic wave, so that the roof area is not able to develop the restoring force that is necessary for vibrational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Edwin Freese, V
  • Patent number: 6068675
    Abstract: A blocking plate 16 and sealing members 17 and 18 are disposed in bonnet 1 around the outer surface of a radiator 11 so as to form an intake space 1a and an exhaust space 1b both in the front and the rear of radiator 11. Recessed portion 4a extending across intake space 1a and exhaust space 1b is disposed at side panel 4 and is covered with second dustproof net 7. Opening 4b is opened at recessed portion 4a adjacent to intake space 1a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tsuda, Hiroyasu Nagata
  • Patent number: 6067945
    Abstract: An engine generator includes an engine having an intake device and an exhaust device which are connected to an engine body, a generator connected to the engine, and a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the engine. The engine, the generator and the fuel tank are mounted on a frame. In this engine generator, the intake device and the exhaust device are connected to an upper portion of the engine body having a cylinder axis extending vertically to protrude to opposite sides from the engine body, and the fuel tank is disposed sideways of the engine body and the generator below the intake device or the exhaust device. Thus, when a vertical engine is used, the fuel tank can be effectively disposed to avoid the production of a wasteful space, thereby providing reductions in size, weight and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignees: Sawafuji Electric Co., Ltd, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukuda, Toru Nishikura, Masaru Sakamoto, Akira Fukuda, Takao Tamechika, Tsutomu Hatsugai
  • Patent number: 6067953
    Abstract: An integrated intake manifold and air cleaner system is provided by a molded plastic induction module including molded lower and upper manifold pieces welded together. A series of upright walls on the upper manifold and a cover piece form a box-like enclosure in which an air cleaner element is disposed mounted to a throttle body on the upper manifold piece. A fuel rail and injector are also disposed within the enclosed space. Other components such as the ECU can optionally be mounted within the enclosed space. Resonator and expansion chambers are also defined within the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventor: Stephen F. Bloomer
  • Patent number: 6065439
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with an engine block, a cylinder head with a camshaft mounted on the engine block, a crankshaft mounted on the engine block opposite the cylinder head and a camshaft timing drive interconnecting the crankshaft and the camshaft, a camshaft timing drive enclosure is disposed at one end of the engine and fully encloses the camshaft timing drive, and the enclosure has extensions extending over the side walls of the engine block and covering openings formed in the side walls of the engine block providing for a light-weight arrangement with noise attenuating properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Daimler Chrysler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Jorg Achenbach, Ulrich Bertsch, Thomas Hardt, Hubert Schnupke, Gunther Zoll
  • Patent number: 6058903
    Abstract: An engine enclosure for a work machine comprises a firewall, left and right-hand side panel structures, and a pivotal hood. Each set of side panel structures is supported by a support tower connected between the frame of the machine and a side margin of the firewall. The support towers are specially shaped to generally conform to the general shape of the panel structures they support. The hood is provided with a hold-open support which maintains the hood in an open position if so desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Downham
  • Patent number: 6055966
    Abstract: An intake device for a supercharged internal combustion engine is installed in a motor vehicle. In particular, the engine is a supercharged otto engine which can be installed in the rear of a motor vehicle, and has an air filter box which receives an air filter element, and a supercharger air cooler. The supercharger air cooler is integrated in the air filter box. In this way, optimal cooling of the supercharger air is assured even in the event that the otto engine and its supercharger as well as the supercharger air cooler are installed in the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, in this way, the mounting, logistic, and test expenses, particularly at the manufacturing site, can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Matthias Zentgraf
  • Patent number: 6054402
    Abstract: An improvement in a thermally insulating component for an engine part, made by sintering from ceramic materials, comprises, the thermally insulating component having a composition, consisting of a mixture of zirconium oxide in the range of about 5% to about 25% by volume and mullite in the range of about 75% to about 95% by volume. Further, the mixture of zirconium oxide and mullite is obtained by chemically mixing the zirconium oxide and mullite in their molecular states, rather than mechanically mixing them. Another feature of this invention includes, forming said thermally insulating component by slip casting and pressureless sintering the mixture of zirconium oxide and mullite at a temperature no greater than 1700.degree. C. This improvement in a thermally insulating component for an engine part, made from a mullite-zirconia ceramic composite, embodying the present invention, is particularly useful in making flame decks for cylinder heads, and insulating coverings for pistons and exhaust ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Long, Michael H. Haselkorn, Virgil R. Hester
  • Patent number: 6041751
    Abstract: An oil pan to be installed to a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The oil pan comprises an oil pan main body section which includes a deep pan section for storing lubricating oil, and a shallow pan section integral with the deep pan section. A baffle plate is fixedly disposed inside the oil pan main body and extends to cover a lower part of an inside of the deep pan section. The baffle plate is located generally horizontal in a condition where the vehicle on which the engine is mounted is located on a generally horizontal road. The baffle plate is located spaced from a surface of the lubricating oil stored inside the deep pan section. The baffle plate includes a generally horizontally extending main body section, and an oil maintaining wall which projects upward from an upper surface of the main body section so as to retain the lubricating oil on the main body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satomitsu Kuriyama, Tsukasa Yamazaki, Kazuhiko Matsuzaka
  • Patent number: 6032620
    Abstract: An air intake structure in a construction machine, comprising a radiator chamber, a radiator ventilating hole formed in an upper position of the radiator chamber, an air cleaner chamber formed in close proximity to the radiator chamber, an air cleaner ventilating hole formed in the ceiling surface of the air cleaner chamber, an intake duct disposed below the air cleaner ventilating hole and communicating with the radiator chamber, and an air cleaner disposed in close proximity to the ceiling surface of the air cleaner chamber at a position close to the intake duct. According to this air intake structure, not only the engine cooling efficiency can be enhanced to a satisfactory extent, but also a lower space in the air cleaner chamber can be fully utilized effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Takashi Tsukiana, Kazuyuki Saki, Hiroaki Iwamitsu, Koichi Yamashita, Keiji Fujioka
  • Patent number: 6024066
    Abstract: All the components constituting an air-intake module for an internal combustion engine, including an air cleaner for cleaning air and manifold pipes for distributing air into each cylinder of the engine, are integrated in a single unit. A mounting flange connected to engine side ends of the manifold pipes is fixed to the engine for mounting the air-intake module as a whole. The air cleaner and other components of the module are located under the mounting flange and the manifold pipes, so that the mounting of the module is not obstructed by components constituting the module. An air cleaner element for filtering the intake air is slidably inserted into the air cleaner at a position where the element can be easily serviced from the outside of the module without dismounting any components of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyoda Boshoku Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nakayama, Hideki Inaba
  • Patent number: 6024616
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine which is covered by an engine cover which is formed with a cylindrical air suction port having an opening opened to an upper surface of the engine cover in a state of the outboard motor mounted to a hull, and a portion of an opening area of the opening is covered by a lid member which is formed to a rear edge portion of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 6022391
    Abstract: An engine filter assembly for cleaning cooling air for an internal-combustion engine for use in high-debris environment such as in roofing-removing machines includes a protective element housing attached to the machine at a remote position. The protective element housing houses a two-stage air filter having a cylindrical-shaped filter element with an outer pre-filter covering. An air inlet housing on the engine is connected to the protective element housing by a flexible coupling link. A shield protects the engine from direct contact with loose or air-born materials during the operation of the machine. A thermal sensing device reads the temperature of the engine and automatically shuts down the engine if the temperature elevates beyond specification, reducing the chance of engine failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: United Air Filter, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Greenlees, Richard Snyder, Kenneth S. Schultz, R. Ryan Greenlees
  • Patent number: 6009846
    Abstract: The combination apparatus silences and filters air flow, separates air-contaminant mixtures, and maintains a regulated vacuum therein. An air filter joins an annular housing which has an outer wall and a channel defining a central axis, the channel having a primary gas inlet coupled to the air filter and a primary gas outlet and a channel wall. The apparatus has a secondary inlet port passing through the outer wall. A secondary outlet port defines an opening in the channel wall such that there is no straight line flow path between the secondary inlet and the secondary outlet. An air silencer is contained within the channel. A passageway between the secondary inlet and the secondary outlet is defined exteriorly by the outer wall and interiorly by the channel wall. A vacuum regulating means is disposed within the annular housing and is positioned next to an opening in the secondary outlet to regulate the amount of vacuum imposed within the passageway so that it does not exceed a determined maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Robert A. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6009898
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing and a float. The housing is constructed and arranged to inhibit movement of the float between a resting position to a position where it is situated in its valve seat, unless a selected liquid volume within the valve housing is attained. In one embodiment, a series of projection members or rings creates a tortuous path, such that there is no clear path for the float to reach the valve seat. In another embodiment, vacuum pressure is created between the float and its cup support. Still other embodiments utilize magnets, springs, linkages, and bent wires. Methods for preventing liquid ingestion into an engine through an air intake are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Risch, Gary R. Gillingham, Fred H. Wahlquist, Wayne M. Wagner, Joseph C. Tokar, Bernard A. Matthys, Pete A. Betts
  • Patent number: 5996563
    Abstract: An air intake device has a base seat, a hollow main body disposed on the base seat, and a hollow cover seat disposed on the hollow main body. An intake guide pipe is connected to the connection pipe. A plurality of L-shaped plates are disposed in the hollow cover seat. An upper magnet is disposed in the hollow cover seat. A lower magnet is disposed in the hollow main body. The lower magnet has a taper lower portion. The hollow main body has an upper interior, an inner thread, a lower interior, a lower groove, and an upper groove. A hollow adjustment screw is inserted in the hollow main body. The hollow adjustment screw has a center hole and an annular recess receiving a seal ring. The base seat receives an air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Jun-Yao Liao
  • Patent number: 5983852
    Abstract: A housing cover for sealing a crankshaft housing includes a metal body having an end face adapted to face the flange surface on the crankshaft housing, with the metal body being provided with a plurality of holes for receiving attachment screws for attaching the housing cover to the crankshaft housing. A sealing strip is attached to the end face of the metal body. The sealing strip possesses an end face that is adapted to face the flange surface on the crankshaft housing. The end face of the sealing strip is configured to define at least one recess in the sealing strip, and a sealant is provided in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignees: Ford-Werke Aktiengesellschaft, CR Elastomoere GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Weitz, Helmut Olbricht
  • Patent number: 5979393
    Abstract: Commonly, an engine control unit is mounted in an appropriate place of the passenger compartment. According to the present invention, an engine control unit mounting apparatus for accommodating the engine control unit is directly mounted on the engine utilizing a space of the bank offset on either side of the left or right bank. The engine control unit mounting apparatus includes a material having a good heat conductivity like aluminum alloy. Its connecting terminal is directed towards the passenger compartment and as a result the electrical connection with the wiring harness of the passenger compartment becomes easy. An advantage of the present invention is to be able to shorten the length of wiring harnesses between the engine control unit and sensors, switches and actuators of the engine, and to facilitate connections with the wiring harnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuo Iino
  • Patent number: 5979540
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling electrical components contained inside an enclosed housing, which is positioned proximate to a dashboard of a vehicle, includes an inlet pipe which receives a forced air flow and an outlet pipe which expels air from the enclosed housing. The inlet pipe receives the forced air flow either from a fan or from an air intake mechanism which supplies filtered air to an intake manifold of the vehicle engine. The air intake mechanism also maintains the temperature of the vehicle battery at a predetermined temperature by use of heated air from the engine exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignees: Ford Motor Co., United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Hugh Allison, Gerald Arthur Heath, David S. Wills, R. David Arndt, Mark Timothy Lecznar, Bruce Allen Williams
  • Patent number: 5975054
    Abstract: A security system, which prevents unauthorized access to an adjusting or function element of a fuel supply pump. To that end, the security device comprises a base part, having a bottom by way of which the base part is screwed to a housing wall of the fuel supply pump, and a cap part which is placed, surrounding the function element, on the base part in such a way that the cap part has a side wall that is surrounded with positive complementary engagement by a side wall of the base part. This prevents access to the function element and to the fastening of the base part. The cap part is secured to the base part by connections that are secured against access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Carlos Alvarez-Avila, Helmut Haberer
  • Patent number: 5977644
    Abstract: Backup power systems and methods of operation thereof. In one embodiment, a backup power system constructed according to the present invention includes: (1) an enclosure, (2) an engine, having an air inlet, located within the enclosure, (3) an alternator, coupled to and driven by the engine, that converts mechanical power derived from the engine into AC electrical power and (4) a baffle, located within the enclosure and about a portion of the engine to block direct fluid communication from within the alternator to within the engine, that guides cooling air received into the enclosure sequentially through the alternator to cool the alternator, around the baffle and the engine, through the air inlet and into the engine to cool the engine and through an outlet port of the baffle, the baffle thereby establishing a serial path within the enclosure for the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5962820
    Abstract: A modable acoustic tubular device is coupled internally in the clean air tube of a vehicle engine inlet assembly. The moldable acoustic tubular device is made of an acoustic absorbing material provided with controlled porosity or a set of acoustic materials having controlled porosity, superimposed and glued to each other. The tubular device has the shape thereof predetermined pursuant to the internal characteristics of the conventional clean air passage tube which is made of rubber or plastic and which interconnects the air filter and the carburetor of a vehicle engine. The tubular device absorbs sound waves caused by the inlet noises. The device is applied internally inside the inlet tube by gluing or other adhesion and may remain integral with the inside of the tube or be removable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Westaflex Tubes Flexiveis, Ltda.
    Inventor: Edmond Pol Jean LePoutre
  • Patent number: 5958097
    Abstract: A filter insert. The filter insert includes an accordion fold pack that is made of a filter material and is joined to a filter frame. The material of the filter frame is injected in a flowable state into the folds of the accordion fold pack which are open in the on-coming flow direction of the medium to be filtered. The material is subsequently hardened during automatic claw fixation with the fold walls. The entire peripheral edge of the accordion fold pack sealingly overlaps the outer boundary surfaces of the filter frame, and is designed as a sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Ulrich Schlor, Udo Michaelis, Jorgen Knudsen
  • Patent number: 5954847
    Abstract: A radial air filter is pleated in the horizontal direction rather than the vertical direction so as to have increased capacity and efficiency with reduced air flow restriction. Preferably, the pleats have a parabolic cross section wherein the panels of the pleats form legs of parabolas with the legs being joined by arcuate peaks and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence Allen Shively, Willie Luther Stamey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5952622
    Abstract: A moldable acoustic device is internally coupled to a vehicle engine's air filter. The moldable acoustic device has the shape of a circular box or of any other shape, and includes a plate of acoustic absorbing material provided with porosities or a set of plates of acoustic materials provided with porosities, superimposed and glued to each other, having its shape predetermined pursuant to the internal and acoustic characteristics of the conventional air filter to which it will be internally coupled. The moldable acoustic device is essentially an acoustic internal lining for the purpose of absorbing acoustic waves generated by engine inlet noises, that is coupled by gluing or otherwise inside the air filter's upper compartment and/or lower compartment. The moldable acoustic device is also removable or not from the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Edmond Pol Jean LePoutre
  • Patent number: 5950604
    Abstract: A heat blocking member is fixed to a part of an engine in order to protect a signal wire or the like situated nearby from heat generated by the exhaust recirculation device. The exhaust recirculation device comprises an exhaust recirculation passage connecting an intake passage and an exhaust passage of the engine, a valve for opening and closing the exhaust recirculation passage and a drive mechanism for opening the valve. The valve is normally closed. By forming a specific part of the drive mechanism in a one-piece construction In with the heat blocking member, exhaust recirculation is prevented from taking place when the heat blocking member is not attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Shunichi Inamijima
  • Patent number: 5942026
    Abstract: An ionization field is produced across the intake air flow to an internal combustion engine to increase the content of oxygen in the stream, and the stream reactivity. This ionization field may be produced between a sharp electrode and a grid or sheet, positioned in a shielded structure like the filter housing on the engine intake. Alternatively, an ultraviolet light source may be used to ionize the oxygen in the air stream. In either form the ionization field may be also used across the ventilation air stream fed to the passenger compartment as an air conditioning function, and the ionization power may be modulated along with the demand. Thus the throttle position may be sensed to modulate the voltage multiplier levels across the filter housing air stream, and the ionization power to the heater plenum chamber may be modified in accordance with the fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventors: Alexander Erlichman, Vadim Skulkin
  • Patent number: 5937818
    Abstract: A ventilating system for an outboard motor having a water propulsion device and an internal combustion engine positioned in a cowling, the engine having an output shaft arranged to drive the water propulsion device, is disclosed. The ventilating system includes an air inlet in the cowling which permits air to flow into an engine compartment in which the engine is positioned, and an exhaust port positioned in the cowling. The system also includes a mechanism for drawing air through the inlet into the compartment and expelling air out of the compartment through the exhaust port after the engine has stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaji Kawai, Yoshifumi Iwata
  • Patent number: 5937819
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an operating panel for an engine which would require a smaller number of parts for throttle mechanism, operation panel and the related components. It also requires fewer assembly processes, and improves the outer appearance of the engine. In this operating panel, a cut-off switch to stop the engine is installed in a custom-designed cover, which has a cut-off terminal electrically isolated from a ground, and can electrically ground the cut-off terminal by making a contact with the throttle lever electrically grounded. The operational panel is easily fixed to the fan cover by engaging a protrusion and a hole. The operational panel has a groove to run a fuel pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kouchi, Kazayuki Kobayashi, Shogo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5937817
    Abstract: A dry sump oil cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes an oil pan reservoir, an oil return port, an oil pickup port, and a baffle. The oil pan reservoir has a first end, a second end, a length therebetween, a top and a bottom. Both the oil return port and the oil pickup port are defined at the first end of the reservoir. The oil return port is located adjacent the top of the reservoir while the oil pickup port is located adjacent the bottom of the reservoir. The baffle is coupled to the reservoir between the top and the bottom or free-standing within the reservoir to divide the reservoir into a top chamber and a bottom chamber. The baffle at least partially defines an oil passageway between the top chamber and the bottom chamber at the second end such that most of the oil flows substantially across the length of the oil pan reservoir twice before being returned to the engine by the oil pickup port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: John W. Schanz, Bruce M. Roberts, Gary L. Lockwitz, Paul J. Troxler
  • Patent number: 5934240
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine which comprises an engine body, and an air-intake side protective cover disposed at an air-intake side of the engine body, wherein the air-intake side protective cover is provided on the outer surface thereof with recessed grooves. The internal combustion engine may further comprise an exhaust side protective cover which is disposed in opposite to the air-intake side protective cover with the engine body being interposed therebetween and the recessed grooves are made to have substantially the same width and interval as those of a suitable number of heat radiating slit-like through-holes formed parallel with each other in the exhaust side protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Yoetsu Yokocho, Fujio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5924399
    Abstract: An intake system-draining structure for an engine to remove water or other liquids that may collect on the surface of an intake manifold. The intake system-draining structure has several plate-like members that are disposed between branch pipes of an intake manifold positioned in the dust chamber of an air cleaner. A pair of communication members connects the branch pipes with the dust chamber. A water drain hole portion is formed through one of the plate-like members. The plate-like member with the water drain hole portion is positioned lower than the other plate-like members to efficiently drain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koike, Hiroshi Saitoh, Yuji Yoshikawa, Junichi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 5921214
    Abstract: An air inlet pipe 4 connected to an air cleaner 2 of an engine room is extended in such a manner as it surrounds a drain hole 8 arranged at the bottom of air cleaner 2. The body of the air inlet pipe 4 is connected to the air cleaner 2. Since the air inlet pipe 4 surrounds the outside space of the drain hole 8 like a barrier, water or snow entering the engine room cannot reach the drain hole 8. Even if the number of engine rotations and negative pressure are increased, the water and snow are not sucked into drain hole 8 and the suction passage is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujita, Masahiko Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5918576
    Abstract: An air cleaner for an engine of the type utilized to power a motorcycle comprises a housing having an air inlet and air outlet, and an interior divided into first and second chambers. The outlet is connected to an air passage leading to the engine. The first chamber communicates with air outside of the housing though air inlet apertures. Air drawn into the first chamber is routed through a duct to the second chamber. The second chamber communicates with the outlet through a passage extending from the second chamber through the first chamber. An air filter element is positioned within the second chamber about the entrance to the passage extending to the air outlet. The air cleaner is mounted to the engine of the motorcycle with the air inlet facing the engine. The outlet of the air cleaner is connected to an air passage leading to the combustion chambers of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisahiro Ohoka, Masato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5913295
    Abstract: For use with a vehicle, a combination unit includes a fluid storage chamber for storing fluids such as windshield washer fluid and an acoustic resonance chamber for attenuating vehicle air intake noises. The fluid storage container and the acoustic resonance chamber are hingedly attached and define there between an airflow cavity for housing the vehicle air filter with suitable ducting to direct ambient air through the filter and into the engine intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.
    Inventors: Changize Sadr, Robert Graham, Kimberly Winters
  • Patent number: 5908011
    Abstract: The apparatus is an enclosed engine generator assembly with air intake and air discharge openings into the enclosure in which the engine is installed and the radiator for engine cooling moved from the conventional position in front of the engine to a location at the bottom of the enclosure and between the supports for the assembly. The arrangement permits an assembly with a shorter overall length, but no significant increase in the height, which facilitates installation aboard vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Stauffer Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Tony Stauffer, Travis J. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 5901681
    Abstract: An air filter for internal combustion engines having a filter housing, an air filter element fitted in the filter housing, a connector to secure the air filter to the internal combustion engine and an elastic connecting element between the air filter and an intake duct, in which the connecting element (18) is an elastic connecting element having an essentially hollow-cylindrical shape, and there are recesses (23, 24, 25) around the outer periphery and a flange (17) of the air filter extends into one of the circumferential recesses (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Mueller
  • Patent number: 5899184
    Abstract: An air-inlet assistor has a hollow base seat, a hollow main body disposed on the hollow base seat, a hollow upper cover disposed on the hollow main body, an adjustment device disposed on the hollow upper cover, an operation device disposed in the hollow upper cover, a connection connected to the hollow upper cover, an inlet pipe connected to the connection, and an air cleaner disposed in the hollow base seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Chun-Yao Liao
  • Patent number: 5899182
    Abstract: A device for releasably attaching a cover (11) to an engine housing (10) of a power-driven tool, such as a motor saw. The device includes at least one spring clip (12) which is adapted to be releasably connected to one of the engine housing and the cover. A guide pin (15) is attached to the engine housing or the cover adjacent to the spring clip and adapted to engage in a complementary recess (16) in the cover or the engine housing. A supporting plate (17); made of a hard material, is attached to the engine housing or the cover around the guide pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Par Martinsson, Jan Leijon, Hasse Lilja
  • Patent number: 5871001
    Abstract: Apparatus for decreasing the temperature of the air entering the carburetor or throttle body of an internal combustion engine to increase the volume and efficiency of the air. A device which combines an air-to-liquid cooling surface and an air filtering system is installed as a replacement for the standard air filter. Cooling is provided by circulation through the cooler of a coolant. In automotive applications, this is accomplished by means of a closed system including a pump, reservoir, cooling tank which utilizes a standard air-conditioning dryer and/or a radiator. In marine applications, a constant supply of fresh water is supplied as the coolant using an open system. A limiting device is employed in all applications to disable the coolant circulation system when it is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: PFM Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Pelkey
  • Patent number: 5868808
    Abstract: A carburetor air intake velocity stack engagable with a carburetor inlet, has a cylindrical throat section having first and second ends. The first end is adapted to be coupled to the carburetor, while the second end is open to the air. A shaped, mesh filter having an effective open area which exceeds the open area of the velocity stack by at least about 50%, is located within said air intake velocity stack. The filter has a cylindrically formed flange member which is trapped between said air intake velocity stack and the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Michael J. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5865863
    Abstract: A combined air cleaner and noise attenuating resonator device including a hollow cylindrical air cleaner element pressed to a fitting on a hose, the fitting latched to the housing in a position holding the air cleaner filter element within a cavity in a housing. An expansion chamber and a Helmholtz resonator chamber are both defined in part in the housing and by an insert piece within the housing which also forms an air flow passage in fluid communication with each chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Electric Limited
    Inventors: Joseph DeSousa, Michael G. Lehti
  • Patent number: 5852991
    Abstract: An oil pan for an internal combustion engine is an assembly of a tank member defining a deep interior space section for storing a lubricating oil, and a main frame member having a shallow bottom defining a shallow interior space section for collecting the oil. The main frame member further includes first and second side walls defining a bottomless open interior space section for leading the oil from the shallow interior space section into the deep space section. The main member is further formed with at least one transverse bridge extending over the bottomless open space section between the side walls to improve the rigidity. The transverse bridge is reinforced by a longitudinally extending projection such as a thin wall rib projecting laterally from one of the side walls or a flow regulating barrier projecting upward from the shallow bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Yamamura, Noriomi Okamoto