Patents Represented by Attorney Ernest A. Beutler

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  • Power assisted vehicle
    Patent number: 6302226
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of power-assisted manually operated vehicles, specifically wheelchairs. An arrangement is providing for sensing the amount of manual force inputted and then providing a power assist related to that input force. Once the operator either decreases the input of the manual force or discontinues it, the power assist is maintained for a predetermined time period so as to provide further assist. The power assist is reduced either gradually or in steps and may be held constant for a time before or after the power reduction. This provides a more natural effect and still reduces the necessity for operator input. Separate controls are provided for each of the wheels and a helper assist is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kanno, Atsushi Uchiyama
  • Fuel injection system
    Patent number: 6293255
    Abstract: The present invention is an injection system including an injection device. The injection device includes a pumping chamber and an electrically operated device associated with the pumping chamber which, when energized, is capable of providing a rapid increase in localized fluid pressure in said pumping chamber without reciprocating a piston in a cylinder bore. A discharge port associated with the pumping chamber permits discharging of fluid displaced by the localized pressure increase. The injection system includes a circuit providing an energizing voltage to the electrically operated device, and a control for changing at least one characteristic of the energizing voltage selected from the group consisting of: the peak energizing voltage, the rate at which said energizing voltage increases, the rate at which said energizing voltage decreases, the duration of energization, and the frequency of energization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimitake Otome, Junichi Kaku, Hidetoshi Kageyama
  • Control for variable valve timing
    Patent number: 6289861
    Abstract: Three embodiments of twin overhead camshaft internal combustion engines employing variable valve timing mechanisms for each camshaft. In each embodiment, the variable valve timing mechanisms are supplied with hydraulic fluid from the engine lubricating system through a common supply passage that is formed in the cylinder head and disposed between the variable valve timing mechanism control valves. These control valves are, in turn, disposed between the camshafts at the front of the engine to provide a very compact assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Suzuki
  • Electric motor for a vehicle having regenerative braking and reverse excitation braking
    Patent number: 6288508
    Abstract: A braking system for an electric motor operated vehicle including a system for providing both regenerative and reverse excitation braking and shifting between the braking modes in response to operator demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Taketomi, Akira Inui
  • Engine lubricating system
    Patent number: 6286476
    Abstract: A lubricating system is disclosed for an engine arranged such that the crankshaft is vertically oriented. The crankshaft rotates within a crankcase chamber defined by the cylinder block and a crankcase cover connected thereto. First crankshaft support members which support half-bearings extend from the cylinder block. Mating half-bearings are supported by second crankshaft support members positioned opposite the first crankshaft support members. A baffle plate is positioned in the crankcase chamber between the crankcase cover and the crankshaft. At least one oil flow passage is defined through the crankcase chamber from a top end to a bottom end of the chamber. In one embodiment, oil is supplied through a main passage in the crankcase cover and a branch passage through each second crankshaft support members for lubricating the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Hiraoka, Masanori Takahashi, Hiroshi Oishi
  • Cowling for outboard motor
    Patent number: 6287161
    Abstract: A protective cowling arrangement for the power head of an outboard motor and an air inlet arrangement therefor. The cowling arrangement is comprised of a cowling portion that defines an internal area in which the engine of the outboard motor is contained and a pair of expansion chambers formed on opposite sides of the cowling assembly and each of which is provided with a respective air delivery port at a forward end thereof for increasing the air flow area available to the interior of the cowling assembly and for placing the point of air admission away from components of the associated engine that should be protected. An improved water gutter and drain arrangement is also employed to prevent water from entering into the engine area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiro Nozawa
  • Rear suspension for snowmobiles
    Patent number: 6283241
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of snowmobile suspensions for the drive belt of the snowmobile. The suspension includes a single cushioning unit that has its opposite ends loaded by a linkage system that is interposed between a guide rail and a frame of the snowmobile. At least one of these pivotal connections is adjustable, and the adjustment is provided in a manner so that it can be made without changing the effective length of the cushioning unit during adjustment. In addition, a number of the embodiments permit the adjustment to be made at one side of the snowmobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiko Kubota
  • Cam and tappet carrier for engine
    Patent number: 6279529
    Abstract: A cylinder head constructions wherein the cylinder head is comprised of a main cylinder head member that slidably supports the valves for the engine, and which has an upper peripheral edge that defines a cam chamber. At least one camshaft and the tappets associated thereby are supported by a separate cam and tappet carrier member that is affixed to the main cylinder head member. The bearing surfaces for the camshaft are formed at longitudinally spaced points and the valves for the corresponding cylinder are disposed between those points and are in parallel relation but have a large diameter and their actuating tappets have a large diameter but do not encroach on the bearing surfaces for the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Komatsu, Hideo Fujita, Hidetoshi Kageyama
  • Hydraulic shock absorbers
    Patent number: 6276499
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber having an improved shim arrangement for controlling the damping curve of the shock absorber. This shim element is configured so that it does not extend beyond the peripheral edges of the apertures which it controls and which diameter can be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Satou
  • Drive arrangement for electric power assisted bicycle
    Patent number: 6276479
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for an electrically power assisted bicycle, wherein the electrical power assist components are comprised of an electric motor and transmission as one unit and a battery as another unit, with the electric motor and transmission being disposed on one side of and relatively low relative to a manual crank axis and the battery case is disposed on the rear side of the crank axis to improve fore and aft balance while maintaining a low center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Suzuki, Hisatoshi Akita, Nozomu Takata
  • Wheel hub electric motor and transmission drive unit
    Patent number: 6276475
    Abstract: Two embodiments of electric motor and reduction gear transmissions for driving the hub of a vehicle wheel. The construction provides a very compact, low cost and low noise drive through the use of two planetary transmission incorporated within the hub and disposed between a pair of stub axle shafts that are fixed to the vehicle frame. One planetary transmission, the first, is of the frictional type and the second, which transmits higher torque than the first, is of the spur gear type. An improved wiring arrangement is also disclosed for powering the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruhiko Nakanosono
  • Four-stroke engine
    Patent number: 6273047
    Abstract: A compact small displacement automotive internal combustion engine that has its cylinder bores inclined to the vertical and that has a reentrant configured induction system that provides long intake runners while maintaining an engine that has its longitudinal width in the engine compartment substantially equal to its vertical height. In addition the engine has an improved accessory mounting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Yoshikawa, Hironao Takahashi
  • Coolant purification system
    Patent number: 6274037
    Abstract: A coolant purification system for purifying and removing particles from the coolant used in machining operations. The system uses a rare earth magnetic separator in combination with bag-type filters and deep level filters that are arranged in sequences so that the filters that tend to clog more frequently due to the removal of small particles will not be clogged by particles that are easily removed by coarser filters of this system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuaki Mori
  • Cylinder head and manifold arrangement for injected engine
    Patent number: 6269797
    Abstract: A cylinder head, air intake manifold, fuel injector and fuel rail arrangement for an overhead valve engine that provides a compact assembly. The fuel rail is attached to the cylinder head by fasteners that extend parallel to the fasteners that fix the intake manifold to an adjacent portion of the cylinder head. The layout is such, however, that there is no interference between the various components and thus accessibility is improved while cost is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Uchida
  • Induction control for direct injected engine
    Patent number: 6253729
    Abstract: A direct injected, internal combustion engine combustion chamber configuration that employs a shrouded arrangement for the intake valve seat so as to generate a tumble motion under at least some running conditions. This is accomplished by a shrouding of the intake valve in such a way that the flow direction effects a tumbling motion and also so that the air flow does not adversely affect the flow from the injector nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Suzuki, Katsumi Ochiai, Uichitake Uchiyama
  • Watercraft propulsion system
    Patent number: 6254442
    Abstract: Several embodiments of personal watercraft having very compact construction, in particularly embodying a compact propulsion system wherein the engine and a number of its accessories all define a very compact area. A balance shaft is driven by the engine crankshaft for reducing the transmission of vibrations to the watercraft riders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akitaka Suzuki
  • Variable valve timing mechanism for engine
    Patent number: 6250266
    Abstract: Several embodiments of variable valve timing mechanisms for an internal combustion engine wherein the timing of two valves associated with the same combustion chamber of the engine may be driven at the same time interval and at the same speed from the engine output shaft and both valves may have their timing adjusted simultaneously by a first variable valve timing mechanism and only one of the valves may have its timing adjusted relative to the other valve by a second variable valve timing mechanism to provide a simpler operational control and lower cost assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Okui, Masahiro Uchida
  • Vehicle suspension system
    Patent number: 6250658
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of suspension systems for vehicles having at least two wheels, each of which is independently suspended by a system including a respective shock absorber. The shock absorbers may be generally conventional in nature but are interconnected by a system that includes an accumulator and a flow control so as to provide a damping for vehicle characteristics that is independent of the individual damping of each wheel's shock absorber. The systems also provide constructions so that both the vehicle and individual wheel damping can be independently controlled to permit the use of smaller shock absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Sakai
  • Engine cooling arrangement
    Patent number: 6237547
    Abstract: Two embodiments of water cooled internal combustion engines employing an EGR system. The embodiments also utilize direct cylinder injection. The EGR system is formed integrally within a housing assembly that also forms a portion of the cooling system for the engine and particularly a return coolant manifold. In this way, the exhaust gas recirculation valve can be cooled and its life and performance improved. In addition, this reduces the amount of heat added to the intake system and thus improves the volumetric efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ishiyama
  • Direct air fuel injected watercraft engine
    Patent number: 6238258
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of personal watercraft having engines that employ fuel air injection systems. The fuel air injection system is protected from water ingestion by placing its inlet in an area that will be above the water level regardless of whether the watercraft is operating upright or is inverted and during the transition between those positions. In addition, an arrangement is provided for cooling the air compressor so as to improve efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Ozawa