Cylinder Or Sleeve-moved Patents (Class 123/48C)
  • Patent number: 5934228
    Abstract: A two stroke engine having a variable compression ratio combustion chamber wherein the size of the combustion chamber is changed by threading a closure into or out of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is defined by the inside surface of a sleeve, the top surface of a piston, and the bottom surface of the closure. The piston and the sleeve reciprocate within the engine block in a not quite opposite manner. Inlet ports and outlet ports in the sleeve and engine block regulate the flow of gas into and out of the combustion chamber. The engine is equipped with a turbocharger system to provide air to the engine, and the engine is fuel injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Fred O. Wheat
  • Patent number: 5904044
    Abstract: The fluid expander includes a housing, a drive shaft mounted for rotation within the housing, a piston-cylinder assembly including a cylinder and a piston disposed within the cylinder for converting energy from a working fluid to rotational energy output via a drive shaft. Various adjustment assemblies are provided for adjusting speed, torque, stroke length, and thermodynamic cycles of the device. The fluid expander assembly can be used with external combustion systems, with solar or geothermal energy systems, or with internal combustion systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: William M. White
  • Patent number: 5611301
    Abstract: The invention relates to an engine with a constructional design and material composition for optimum thermal conductivity and vibration damping functions. The invention consists in the cylinder section (11) surrounding the combustion chamber being made of a light metal alloy and in the lower part of the cylinder section being connected to a crankcase section (13) with integral lateral walls (21,22) which enclose the cylinder section (11) with an air gap, and the crankcase section is made of a material with higher density than the cylinder section, preferably cast iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Saab Automobile Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Per Gillbrand, Lars Bergsten
  • Patent number: 5605120
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for setting the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine by changing the relative distance between the axis of rotation of the engine crankshaft and the engine cylinder head surface delimiting the end of each cylinder in the engine. Relative displacement between the rotational axis of the crankshaft and the cylinder head is effected along a predetermined path that has components both parallel and transverse to the longitudinal axis of each of the engine cylinders. The crankshaft is held with its rotational axis stationary in relation to the engine mountings and the vehicle in which the engine is mounted, and the cylinder head is displaced along the predetermined path together with the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Fanja Ltd.
    Inventor: Lars Hedelin
  • Patent number: 5572959
    Abstract: In-line engine with variable compression, comprising a cylinder receiving section which is tiltably mounted in the crankcase section (4) of the engine, in which the crankshaft is mounted by means of crankshaft bearings (90) arranged in the lower region of the crankcase section (4). The crankshaft bearings incorporate bearing caps (102) which constitute continuous stiffening transverse connecting elements between the lower lateral parts (104,106) of the crankcase section. These transversely connecting bearing caps rest at their outer end (108,110) against internal surface areas in the lower lateral parts (104,106) of the crankcase section on both sides of the engine. The bearing caps are securing in the crankcase section (4) not only by means of vertical crankshaft bearing screws (112,114) but also by means of screwed joints (166, 118, 120) which connect the lower lateral parts to the outer ends (108, 110) of the bearing caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Fanja Ltd.
    Inventor: Lars Hedelin
  • Patent number: 5562069
    Abstract: Method and adjusting device for varying the compression of an internal combustion engine with a cylinder receiving section (2) which is pivotably mounted in the crankcase section (4) of the engine supporting the crankshaft, about a tilting shaft bearing (8) on one side of the engine, to effect a variation in the engine compression. A tilting mechanism (70) acting between the crankcase section and the cylinder receiving section is arranged on the side of the engine opposite the tilting shaft bearing (8), enabling the distance between the two engine parts to be varied. A hydraulic adjusting device (76, 78) is connected to the tilting mechanism (70) for adjusting the lateral tilting of the cylinder receiving section (2) relative to the crankcase section (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Saab Automobile Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Per Gillbrand, Lars Bergsten
  • Patent number: 5443043
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with variable compression which includes a cylinder receiving section which is tiltably mounted to a crankcase section (4) of the engine, and a crankshaft (12) which is mounted in the crankcase section via crankshaft bearings (90) arranged in the lower region of the crankcase section (4). The crankshaft bearings incorporate bearing caps (102) which constitute continuous stiffening transverse connecting elements between the lower later parts (103,106) of the crankcase section. These transversely connecting bearing caps rest at their outer ends (108, 110) against internal surface areas in the lower lateral parts (104, 106) of the crankcase section on both sides of the engine. The bearing caps (12) are secured in the crankcase section (40) not only by means of vertical crankshaft bearing screws (112, 114) but also by means of screwed joints (166, 118, 120) which connect the lower lateral parts to the outer ends (108, 110) of the bearing caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Saab Automobile Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Per-Inge Nilsson, Lars Bergsten
  • Patent number: 5197432
    Abstract: Engines are needed to perform a variety of functions in a variety of horsepowers. The subject method of obtaining a longer stroke on an existing engine makes it possible to increase the horsepower capabilities without replacing or modifying the cylinder block or cylinder head. The method includes replacing the existing crankshaft with a crankshaft having a larger throw "T" to increase the stroke length of the engine. In order to compensate for the increased stroke length, a spacer is provided. In addition, the existing connecting rod with the outer swing path "S" is replaced with a connecting rod having an outer swing path "S". In order to avoid interference with the block the existing connecting rod bolts are replaced with connecting rod bolts having reduced diameter shanks and angularly disposing the bolts in relation to a connecting rod axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Benny Ballheimer
  • Patent number: 5003936
    Abstract: Conventional cylinders of internal combustion engines comprise a cylinder chamber of constant size so that there is an unchangeable compression chamber between the top dead center position of the piston and the cylinder head. To be able to vary the size of the cylinder chamber and thus the volume of the compression chamber and to thereby adjust a respectively optimum compression, the cylinder head of the cylinder of the invention has arranged therein an insert whose position is hydraulically adjustable, the compression chamber being enlarged by lifting the insert, while it is reduced by lowering the insert. The position of the insert is controlled through a microprocessor in conjunction with a lambda probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Peter Scherer
  • Patent number: 4586465
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder with a porting ring adjacent the cylinder head to reduce the diameter of the cylinder. The piston in the cylinder has a reduced diameter crown portion complementary to the porting ring and an upper face on the crown provided with a small clearance from the cylinder head to provide a large squish area. A primary combustion chamber of "dogbone" shape is provided in the crown, while a secondary combustion chamber is provided under the crown. On the power stroke, the sparking plug ignites the air/fuel mixture in the primary combustion chamber and the pressure pulse generated pushes the piston down the cylinder. When the piston crown clears the porting ring, the air/fuel mixture in the secondary combustion chamber is ignited and a second pressure pulse is applied to the piston. The slower, staged, burning of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder applies a more powerful driving force to the piston, generating increased torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Inventor: Michael R. Krogdahl
  • Patent number: 4515113
    Abstract: The swash plate engine is provided with an Aspin type rotary valve system with a variable compression capability. The engine may be of four-piston type or six-piston type. The size of the combustion chambers can be changed from time to time to vary the compression ratio.The engine may also be coupled with an accumulator to store the energy of braking for subsequent acceleration of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Inventor: John Z. DeLorean
  • Patent number: 4174683
    Abstract: A variable expansion ratio internal combustion engine equipped with throttleless induction control and intake valve mechanism operable to induct an ambient pressure charge varying with load demand. Maximum compression pressure is preferably somewhat below that which produces combustion detonation. Constant compression ratio from idling through full load conditions is maintained by varying the clearance volume inversely with load demand. Charge induction at ambient pressure is provided with a throttleless carburetor and is manually controlled by a servo-power operator functioning to synchronize a linkage interconnecting the intake valve mechanism with mechanism for varying the cylinder clearance volume. This linkage operates to variably control closure of the intake valve during the intake stroke or, alternatively, to close the intake valve during the initial phase of the compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Inventor: Howard C. Vivian
  • Patent number: 4164916
    Abstract: Concentric outer and inner pistons are provided in each cylinder of a four cycle, reciprocating, internal combustion engine. A magnet restrains each outer piston against displacement by pressure of the fuel mixture in the cylinder, so that the outer piston does not move while the engine is under low load. However, while the engine is under substantial load the magnetic restraint is overcome and the outer piston is displaced by pressure of the fuel mixture in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Inventor: Robert P. Wuerfel
  • Patent number: 4148284
    Abstract: A two-part variable compression ratio cylinder is provided having inner and outer sleeves wherein relative movement between the sleeves varies the volume of the combustion chamber and hence varies the compression ratio of the engine. Hydraulic means responsive to the pressure in the combustion chamber automatically varies the position of the inner and outer sleeves to regulate the combustion chamber volume. The hydraulic controls are located entirely in the cylinder head facilitating the conversion of any internal combustion engine without altering the piston size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Promac Corporation
    Inventor: Gildo G. Prosen