Abstract: A compact dual ignition push rod actuated overhead valve internal combustion engine having in a preferred embodiment a 4 cylinder V-type arrangement of 60.degree. bank angle provided with part-spherical combustion chambers having diagonally placed intake and exhaust ports controlled by valves actuated through push rods from a central camshaft and having dual spark plugs with diagonally placed gaps angularly alternating with the ports. The spark plugs extend from the combustion chambers through adjacent outer side and end walls of the cylinder head while the valve actuating push rods pass through openings between the combustion chamber and the cylinder head inner side wall in a compact arrangement for an engine having dual ignition fast burn combustion chambers.

Abstract: A hybrid straight and curved guide phase change coupling device in which end members rotatable on spaced parallel axes in opposed spaced relation are connected by an intermediate member having guide means constraining lateral motion of the intermediate member to a straight diametrical path with respect to one of the end members and to a curved path with respect to the other of the end members whereby a cyclic phase change or velocity ratio variation is provided during rotation of the two end members at identical overall cyclic speeds.

Abstract: A method of delayed reaction stratified combustion for internal combustion engines comprising burning a compressed fast burning rich air-fuel mixture during an initial portion of a combustion event, adding supplemental diluting air optimally with recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) during an intermediate portion of such combustion event and completing combustion during latter portions of the combustion event. Suggested timing and mixture ratios may be chosen to obtain improved efficiency, reduced NO.sub.x formations and/or reduced requirement for egr.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, especially of the two stroke cycle diesel type, has a turbocharger with a supplemental mechanical drive for maintaining a minimum speed ratio relative to engine speed, when exhaust energy is insufficient to provide a higher speed, so as to maintain adequate charging air for engine operation throughout the engine speed range. In order to provide more efficient operation during engine operation at idle and in a lower portion of the operating range where a reduced amount of charging air is adequate, a secondary lower speed ratio is provided by the mechanical drive system. A speed responsive clutch is included to disconnect the higher speed primary drive during engine operation in the lower speed range and permit operation at the more efficient secondary speed ratio.

Abstract: A compact ram tube plenum type intake manifold for a V-type internal combustion engine comprises a generally barrel shaped housing mountable between the engine cylinder banks and defining a compact space in which ram intake passages are interdigitally coiled around the periphery of the walls with remaining portions of the interior space being utilized as an intake plenum. Manufacture in separable sections and other features are also provided for.

Abstract: An improved diesel combustion chamber of the prechamber type wherein a dual opening passage connecting the main and precombustion chambers has a large area base section below the dual openings to the prechamber and a restricted venturi between the base section and the outlet to the main chamber. In a preferred embodiment, narrowed channels in the head and piston connect with the narrowed outlet of the prechamber passage to aid further penetration across the main chamber of gas forced out through the venturi by increased pressures and combustion in the prechamber and the wide passage base portion.

Abstract: A half speed balancer for unbalanced mechanisms such as internal combustion engines comprises an Oldham coupling device with a central coupler that orbits in a curved (usually circular) path at a frequency twice the speed of the coupling rotation. The balancer substitutes for an equivalent rotating eccentric weight when driven at only half the rotational speed thus causing reduced bearing friction and noise and may be used in multiples like eccentric weights to offset various unbalance conditions.

Abstract: In a turbulence chamber diesel engine, fuel consumption, smoke and noise are reduced by a transfer port arrangement having a plano-convex lens-like cross section with rounded off edges in which a convex side is disposed inwardly toward the cylinder axis and a flat side is disposed outwardly toward the cylinder periphery, the port cross-sectional area equals about 1% to 0.7% of that of the cylinder and the port angle of entry with the cylinder closed end is about 37.degree. to 44.degree..

Abstract: Adjustable swirl developing vane means are provided in the outlet end portions of the intake ports of an internal combustion engine adjacent the intake valve heads to provide variable swirl of cylinder intake charges through adjustment of the vane positions. Both rigid and flexible adjustable vane arrangements are disclosed as are various means for positioning the vanes.

Abstract: A prechamber type diesel engine is provided with a cutoff valve in the throat connecting the prechamber and main chamber of each cylinder and operable in cyclically timed fashion to close and open communication between these chambers. Methods of engine operation are disclosed which utilize the cutoff valve to (1) trap combustion products in the prechamber from the previous expansion stroke for use in mixing with the fresh charge in the following compression stroke to provide internal EGR preferably stratified in the prechamber and (2) permit low compression ratio starting by trapping compression pressure in the prechamber from a previous compression stroke for addition to combustion chamber pressure developed on the following compression stroke to provide a higher cylinder pressure for starting than that provided by the overall compression ratio. Advantages of improved engine efficiency and reduced emission levels are anticipated.

Abstract: A flow directing annular nozzle inlet port for an internal combustion engine includes a tubular wall defining an open passage connecting with an associated engine combustion chamber and having a plurality of angularly disposed nozzles aligned in helical fashion to direct inlet fluid in a manner to define, supplement and reinforce a single lead pattern of helical flow in the open passage with a predetermined primary flow path leading to discharge into the cylinder in a primary flow direction determined by the primary flow path in the passage. To develop cylinder swirl, the discharge flow direction is preferably oriented circumferentially tangential to the cylinder wall.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with intake ports having transversely intersecting, longitudinally extending, wall defining cellular passages for intake flow. Selective control of both the location and volume of flow are provided by various means such as slidable entrance valves or an adjustable connecting manifold. In the latter case, movement of the manifold may variably control the flow of either air-fuel mixture or air through the various cellular passages in the respective intake ports.

Abstract: The noise level of a V-type diesel engine is reduced by providing an intake manifold assembly including a pair of separate intake manifolds solidly joined by an inlet connector and mounting the complete manifold assembly on the inside valley defining walls of the engine cylinder banks with isolation mounting means that limit the transmission of noise creating vibrations to the manifold assembly and between the cylinder banks through the manifold assembly.

Abstract: Adjustable swirl developing vane means are provided in the outlet end portions of the intake ports of an internal combustion engine adjacent the intake valve heads to provide variable swirl of cylinder intake charges through adjustment of the vane positions. Both rigid and flexible adjustable vane arrangements are disclosed as are various means for positioning the vanes.

Abstract: A sheathed electric heater especially of the type used as diesel engine glow plugs has a dual coil heating element including separate tip heater and PTC body control coils thermally isolated by a low resistance connector section made from interengaging small diameter coiled connector portions integral with the tip and body coils and preferably welded together. Preferred material and dimensional specifications and pertinent design considerations are also included.

Abstract: An altitude compensating control system for a vacuum pump supplying a vehicle accessory vacuum supply system comprising, in a preferred embodiment, a dual diaphragm pressure switch spring biased in a closing direction to actuate the pump and having an ambient pressure exposed diaphragm acting in a switch-opening direction opposed by a controlled vacuum pressure exposed diaphragm of larger area acting in a switch closing direction to provide a controlled vacuum pressure range that declines from a desired operational vacuum pressure range at sea level to a lower satisfactory vacuum level for efficient operation at higher altitudes. Other features and advantages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prechamber type diesel engine is provided with a cutoff valve in the throat connecting the prechamber and main chamber of each cylinder and operable in cyclically timed fashion to close and open communication between these chambers. Methods of engine operation are disclosed which utilize the cutoff valve to (1) trap combustion products in the prechamber from the previous expansion stroke for use in mixing with the fresh charge in the following compression stroke to provide internal EGR preferably stratified in the prechamber and (2) permit low compression ratio starting by trapping compression pressure in the prechamber from a previous compression stroke for addition to combustion chamber pressure developed on the following compression stroke to provide a higher cylinder pressure for starting than that provided by the overall compression ratio. Advantages of improved engine efficiency and reduced emission levels are anticipated.

Abstract: Control of cylinder air swirl in an internal combustion engine is provided by a swirl generating inlet port having a movable vane forming a ceiling for at least the port swirl portion to vary the cross-sectional area of the port swirl portion surrounding the valve axis. Various possible vane configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: An igniter, such as a glow plug for diesel engines, is arranged to be extended into a combustion chamber of an associated engine when needed to aid starting and ignition. It is retracted from the combustion chamber when starting aid is no longer required in order to reduce interference with gas flow in the combustion chamber and the formation of particulates in the combustion process. Various powered arrangements are disclosed for retracting and extending the glow plug during engine operation using energy sources such as combustion chamber pressure and engine temperature which are obtained separately from an engine accessory power system.

Abstract: An engine oil pan is mounted in noise reducing vibration isolation from the associated engine by a mounting arrangement including a unitary resilient seal having lips that extend under the oil pan flange to retain the seal in assembly with the pan both during and after assembly of the pan to the engine block. Separate support members interconnect spacer sleeves that extend through gripping openings in the seal and limit compression of the seal by oil pan attaching bolts so as to maintain the vibration isolating qualities of the seal in assembly.