Abstract: An engine charge control system operates by initially reducing power from full load by retarding exhaust valve closing timing to increase exhaust gas charge dilution up to the limit for efficient operation. Further load reductions are made by reducing charge mass without increased dilution via alternative steps such as throttling (in conjunction with intake check valves or using individual cylinder valves) or retarding intake valve opening timing without throttling. Partial substitution of external charge dilution is also contemplated.

Abstract: A dual cam cover has a molded housing made, preferably, of a thermoset polyester composite material replacing an aluminum casting. An integral stiffening bar added between raised cam chamber walls includes retaining slots for holding associated spark plug wires. Peripheral mounting bosses include cylinder like angled ribs for sturdy support with a pleasant appearance. Isolated mounting screws combine with resilient gaskets in the peripheral flange and around central spark plug and fastener openings to provide sealing and mounting isolation. Improved oil separators include one piece metal baffles with formed drain openings. A bushing and a threaded insert are molded in for mounting a vent tube and an accessory.

Abstract: A roller valve lifter, especially of the hydraulic lash adjusting type for diesel engines, has an enlarged bronze roller shaft journal for extended wear with a diameter at least half that of the surrounding skirt of the lifter body within which it is mounted. The roller/shaft assembly is received in a recess through the open bottom end of the lifter body, the shaft having mounting tangs with flats which engage abutments in the recess to locate the roller in the recess. Retention is preferably by staking portions of the tangs into recesses in the skirt, preferably formed by openings adjacent the ends of the tangs.

Abstract: A crankshaft for a two stroke engine requiring a seal disc on each crank pin is formed by forging, machining and heat treating without a seal disc and then applying a two part seal disc to each crank pin. The two parts of the seal disc have a mating interface in line with the center of the crank pin and a semi-circular recess in each part surrounds half of the crank pin. The parts are dimensioned to effect an interference fit on the crank pin when assembled with sufficient force. The parts are secured together by laser welding, bolts or by adhesive bonding. In the case of welding, the parts are assembled with dowels normal to the interface to maintain the proper alignment during welding and to reinforce the strength of the final assembly.

Abstract: A lightweight composite camshaft has stamped sheet metal or other lightweight journal and/or cam elements having locating hubs and assembled onto a hollow tube. An economical and rapid method of assembly uses indexing balls pressed into accurately positioned blind holes in the tube and grooves in the bores or hubs of the cam elements to angularly locate the cams with precision prior to locking them tightly in place by expansion of the tube.

Abstract: A roller cam follower, especially an engine hydraulic roller lifter, is restrained from rotation away from a position in which the roller rotates squarely on its associated cam by a retainer clip fixed on the lifter body and having a tang with flat sides engaging an axial groove in an associated bore of the engine lifter gallery. The retainer clip is a closed ring with opposite flexible hat sections connected by arches having inner edges that snap into a groove on the lifter body. The inner edges are preferably angled upward to aid installation and the hat sections preferably have squared inner ends that engage flats on the lifter body to prevent relative rotation of the body and clip.

Abstract: The oil control ring for a piston has a single low tension rail and a contiguous blocker ring, under light tension, to prevent oil flow through the rail end gap. A separate spring applies tension to the rail. A serpentine spring in conic form presses outwardly on the rail and presses inwardly on a restraining ring. A separator ring behind the blocker ring allows oil flow to a drainage vent to help keep the region behind the blocker ring dry. A dike behind the blocker ring in the form of a closed ring or a recess formed in the groove collects oil thrown upwardly on the upper half of the piston cycle to prevent oil leakage through the upper axial clearance or the blocker ring end gap.

Abstract: A cab side wall mounted seat support has a slide assembly, typically a bar and sleeve assembly, attached to the wall and coupled by an upper arm support to a seat socket. A lower arm has a peg which engages one of a series of holes in the wall for locking the seat in place. The slide assembly includes a rotation function allowing the socket to be raised to release the peg from the hole for seat adjustment. Alternatively, the upper arm support is hinged to permit such release. One embodiment uses a roller on the lower arm instead of the peg and a spring loaded locking pin in the slide assembly releasably holds the seat in place.

Abstract: A belt grinder has a plurality of belts for simultaneously grinding the pins of a crankshaft during crankshaft rotation about its main bearing axis. A shoe for each belt urges the belt against the pin. A profile mechanism including a CNC controller and a servomotor controls each belt by moving the belt against the pin (via the shoe) in a motion for generating a cylindrical pin surface. Guide wheels which guide the belt to and from the shoe are mechanically coupled to the shoe for movement therewith to compensate for the effect of shoe movement on the belt path. A tension wheel maintains a desired tension on the belt and assists the guide wheels in maintaining a constant belt path length. Alternatively, a bias arrangement including an air cylinder applies tension to the belt via the guide wheel. The guide wheel may be retracted by an air cylinder to remove tension for belt removal and replacement.

Abstract: A lubrication applicator presses a block of solid lubricant against the flange of a locomotive wheel. An applicator nozzle loosely fits over the body of the applicator and lightly engages the block of lubricant to bridge the gap between the body and the wheel. The applicator is supported by a main bracket fixed to an unsprung portion of the locomotive truck, such as a journal box or a traction motor, and an adjustable bracket which establishes a good attitude of the applicator and is movable radially of the wheel to accommodate wheels of different diameters. A bracket attached to a journal box fits in a restricted space between the truck frame and the wheel and comprises a plate with upper and lower channels attached to opposite sides to provide strong and light structures subject to minimal inertial loading in a severe vibrational environment. To lessen the inertial forces the brackets angle upward (rather than horizontally) to position the applicator within about 45.degree.

Abstract: An improved direct acting hydraulic valve lifter (DAHVL) has features including reduced dead oil storage with lower mass and faster filling, improved air venting, internal oil recirculation and targeted oil supply that combine to reduce the presence of air in the lifter. Foam filling and baffle reconfiguration are included among means for reducing stored oil volume which can also improve the follower cylinder support. Means for venting along the piston and cylinder of the lifter are shown. The various features combine to limit air intake and to more quickly expel air which does enter the lifter.

Abstract: A two-stroke cycle spark ignition engine having cylinder fuel injection is provided with a combustion chamber featuring a delta shaped bowl or cavity that is configured and positioned in the cylinder head to improve scavenging of the combustion chamber near the injector while maintaining adequate squish flow for improved charge mixing and combustion.

Abstract: A direct acting hydraulic valve lifter features in a preferred embodiment a follower assembled with a thin wall metal shell and a light plastic baffle to support a lash adjusting hydraulic element assembly. An inlet riser chamber has sufficient cross section to minimize oil flow restriction in cold oil conditions. Dead space between the shell and baffle is filled with a strong lightweight foam to support and retain the baffle and displace oil for low mass.

Abstract: In a drive with twin helical drive gears on an axle driven by a motor with pinions at either end wherein the moto housing and axle housing are axially located by a key in mating keyways, an offset key is used to obtain axial housing adjustment by the amount of the key offset. The pinions are mounted to the motor with their teeth substantially aligned and the gears are mounted to the axle with their teeth substantially aligned, and the housings are axially positioned by an offset key to compensate for errors in tooth alignment to assure that gear backlash is centralized on both ends of the motor when the rotor is substantially centered in its range of end play.

Abstract: A tubular shaft has a portion of reduced inner diameter at a location where joining to an apertured member is desired. The aperture in the member is lobed with splines in the lobes and has an undercut groove, or groove and is hardened. The shaft is inserted in the aperture and the reduced inner diameter portion is expanded to force the shaft material into the lobes and groove and around the splines to form a connection which resists torque and axial separation. The tube expansion is effected by forcing a series of balls through the reduced diameter portion, each ball being slightly larger than the reduced diameter and larger than the previous ball but smaller than the remainder of the shaft I.D. A crankshaft is assembled with this method wherein counterweights have lobed apertures to receive end portions of crank pins and main journals having reduced I.D.'s.

Abstract: A gear case comprises three parts: upper and lower sections of heavy duty castings or fabricated steel, the lower section having an open bottom, and a light gauge sheet metal pan enclosing the bottom of the lower section. Alternatively, the upper and lower sections comprise a one piece rigid housing open at the bottom. The pan is wider than the upper and lower sections to afford extra lubricant capacity. A molded baffle resides in the pan to separate active from reserve volumes of lubricant. The heavy duty sections have machined openings to receive seals and afford dimensional stability. The sheet metal pan is collapsible to take the consequences of impact in case of minor derailment and is easily repaired or replaced.

Abstract: A lightweight composite camshaft has stamped sheet metal or other lightweight journal and/or cam elements having locating hubs and assembled onto a hollow tube. An economical and rapid method of assembly uses indexing balls pressed into accurately positioned blind holes in the tube and grooves in the bores or hubs of the cam elements to angularly locate the cams with precision prior to locking them tightly in place by expansion of the tube.

Abstract: A camshaft adjuster mounted between a taut strand and a slack strand of a chain connecting an intake camshaft to an exhaust camshaft has two tensioning shoes which are urged by a spring away from each other and against the inner sides of the chain strands. One tensioning shoe is mounted on a reciprocable piston within which a plunger carrying the other tensioning shoe is slidable against the force of the spring. The piston is moved against the taut strand by pressurization of a pressure chamber through a nonreturn valve and the plunger is moved with the piston so that the taut and slack strands are moved together and compression of the tensioning spring is thereby maintained relatively constant. A damping chamber may be provided with throttling bores in the piston and/or plunger to control the damping effect.

Abstract: An engine air intake system comprises a primary inlet tube or snorkel with an opening that provides air to the air cleaner, and a secondary inlet opening located downstream from the primary inlet opening. The primary inlet tube also has a low point, with a drain to eliminate any of the water. If the primary inlet tube becomes partially or completely blocked with water, the secondary inlet tube will provide the necessary air to the engine until the water is eliminated through the drain.

Abstract: An auxiliary air compressor for automotive application, as in a two-stroke engine, has a two phase oiling system combining mist lubrication of the crankcase with a splash pocket below the crankshaft. The pocket collects oil during shutdowns that is splashed by the rotating crank components to lubricate the compressor at startup until the mist system is fully effective.