Abstract: An aircraft control system includes a propeller governor in which a motor is used to apply a compression force on a speeder spring, and a turbocharger in which a motor is used to actuate a needle valve associated with a diaphragm cell. An electronic control unit may be used to control the motor in the propeller governor and the motor in the turbocharger. The integration of the propeller governor and the turbocharger into a single control system decreases the number of individual adjustments that must be performed manually by the pilot.

Abstract: A snowmobile with an arrangement of a four cycle engine is disclosed providing a relatively low center of gravity for improved handling and maneuverability. The engine comprises a cylinder unit slanted to the back of the snowmobile and an improved packaging of auxiliary components in order to optimize the location of the center of gravity on the snowmobile.

Abstract: A catalytic converter device for cleansing exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The catalytic converter device includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis. An inlet area is located at one end of the elongated body, wherein the exhaust gas enters the elongated body in the inlet area. A sleeve extends from the inlet area. The sleeve has a catalytic material formed thereon. The sleeve has an active surface for reacting with the exhaust gas, wherein the size of the active surface increases as a distance from the inlet area increases. The sleeve includes a plurality of openings formed therein and at least one depression.

Abstract: An apparatus is described to separate oil from a gas in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a rotatable member adapted to be rotatably driven by the internal combustion engine and a housing affixed to the rotatable member. At least one inlet hole is disposed through one of either the rotatable member or the housing, permitting oil-containing gas to pass therethrough. At least one outlet hole is disposed through one of either the housing or the rotatable member, permitting the gas to exit therefrom. At least one labrynthine passage extends between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet so that, as the rotatable member and housing rotate, the oil-containing gas within the labrynthine passage is subjected to centrifugal forces. The forces cause at least some of the oil to be removed from the gas as the gas flows from the at least one inlet hole to the at least one outlet hole. A decompressor is also described.

Abstract: A starter assembly for an internal combustion is described. The starter assembly has a starter motor with a rotatable output shaft. An intermediate shaft transmits rotational motion between the output shaft and the crankshaft. A first gear is connected operatively between the output shaft and the intermediate shaft to transmit rotational motion therebetween. A friction-plate clutch is associated with the first gear and is constructed and arranged to operatively decouple the first gear from the intermediate shaft in response to torque shocks from the engine that exceed a predetermined threshold. A second gear is connected operatively between the intermediate shaft and at least a third gear that is operatively connected to the crankshaft. The second gear transmits rotational motion between the intermediate shaft and the third gear. A clutch is associated with the second gear permitting selective decoupling of the second gear from the third gear.

Abstract: A torsional-vibration damper for decoupling the torsional vibration between a drive assembly and a secondary assembly is disclosed. The damper includes a first connector operatively connected to one of the assemblies, a pressure body connected to the first connector, a second connector operatively connected to the first connector permitting transmission of rotational motion therebetween, an axial displacement limiter, and a ramp unit. The ramp unit includes a resilient member and a ramp body that is connected to the second connector. The ramp body includes first and second ramps that are operatively interactive with the pressure body. The first and second ramps define a stable position when the first and second ramps and the pressure body are pressed into engagement with one another by the resilient member. The first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to one another through a predetermined angle of rotation measured from the stable position.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed with a hull, a seating assembly, and a four stroke internal combustion engine below the seating assembly. The engine has at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers, at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers, and a valve actuation assembly located in a cylinder head for operating the intake and exhaust valves. At least one air intake passageway is operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves. An air intake manifold is connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway. The engine also has a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold. The watercraft also includes a propulsion unit, operatively coupled to the crankshaft, which is located on one end of the two ends of the crankcase.

Abstract: A sealed bearing assembly for supporting a rotating shaft and, in particular, a crankshaft of a two-stroke engine includes an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements disposed between the inner and outer races. A grease seal is disposed between the inner and outer races and spaced axially outward from the roller elements along an axis of the bearing assembly. The grease seal includes a rigid support structure and a flexible sealing member attached to the rigid support structure. The flexible sealing member includes at least one sealing lip, which contacts a surface of the inner race to provide a sealing engagement between the grease seal and the inner race, thereby retaining lubrication in an interior of the bearing from escaping at least to an interior of a crankcase of the engine and sealing at least the interior of the bearing against crankcase pressure variations in the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion, two stroke engine is disclosed. The engine includes a crankcase with a cylinder adapted to house a piston. At least one transfer duct communicates the crankcase to the cylinder. At least one fuel injector is disposed through a wall of the transfer duct. The fuel injector is positioned to inject fuel tangentially to the cylinder.

Abstract: An aircraft control system includes a propeller governor in which a stepper motor is used to apply a compression force on a speeder spring, and a turbocharger in which a stepper motor is used to actuate a needle valve associated with a diaphragm cell. An electronic control unit may be used to control the stepper motor in the propeller governor and the stepper motor in the turbocharger. The integration of the propeller governor and the turbocharger into a single control system decreases the number of individual adjustments that must be performed manually by the pilot.

Abstract: An aircraft control system includes a propeller governor in which a stepper motor is used to apply a compression force on a speeder spring, and a turbocharger in which a stepper motor is used to actuate a needle valve associated with a diaphragm cell. An electronic control unit may be used to control the stepper motor in the propeller governor and the stepper motor in the turbocharger. The integration of the propeller governor and the turbocharger into a single control system decreases the number of individual adjustments that must be performed manually by the pilot.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed having a power take off housing located at one end of the engine. A crankshaft is operatively connected to a drive shaft and the cam shaft within the power take off housing. Furthermore, the crankshaft is operatively coupled within the power take off housing to at least one of a generator, an engine starting mechanism, a balance shaft, and a supercharger.

Abstract: The four stroke internal engine having an air intake system connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the intake passageway. The air intake system includes an air intake manifold having symmetrical construction with a central air passageway extending between a first end and a second end. At least one passageway extends from the central air passageway to a free end, which is operatively coupled to the intake passageway. The air intake system is usable for both a supercharged and normally aspirated engines.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed having a lubrication system for circulating lubricant within the engine. The engine further include a system for separating lubricant from blow-by gas within the crank case.

Abstract: A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine. The engine includes a power take off housing located on one end of the crankcase. A supercharger for boosting air intake to an air intake manifold is mounted to the power take off and operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing. A personal watercraft having a supercharged engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine having cooling system for cooling the engine is disclosed. The cooling system includes a closed loop cooling system for cooling at least a portion of the engine. The cooling system also includes an open loop cooling system for cooling at least a portion of the engine. The open loop cooling system uses coolant from an external source (e.g., a body of water) to cool the engine.

Abstract: An arrangement for exhaust timing control by controlling the effective height of an exhaust port of a cylinder of a two-cycle internal combustion engine and comprising a control valve assembly arranged in a guide channel so as to be displaceable relative to the exhaust port and having an associated operating assembly for shifting thereof, the control valve assembly, in its advanced position, decreases the height of the exhaust port and, in its retracted position, exposes the entire cross-section of the exhaust port; a seal effective between the guide and the control valve assembly is provided in the end region of the control valve assembly facing the exhaust port.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine having a flexible arrangement is disclosed such that the engine can be easily configured for supercharged or normally aspirated operation. The engine includes a cooling system that includes both closed loop and open loop cooling systems for improved cooling efficiency. A power take off housing located on one end of the crankcase. Various engine components are operatively coupled to the crankshaft within the power take off housing including a cam shaft for a valve actuation assembly, a generator, an engine starting mechanism, a balance shaft, and a supercharger. The engine contemplated in accordance with the present invention also includes a dry sump lubrication system having lubricant separator for separating lubricant from blow-by gas within the engine.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head having a valve train having reduced profile that permits access to a spark plug assembly located therein.

Abstract: A modular family of internal combustion engines is described. The family includes at least three engine configurations selected from a single cylinder, V-type, inline, opposed, W-type, and radial configurations. Each of the engines in the family includes at least one cylinder with identical top end packages. A method for designing such a family of engines is also disclosed. A family of recreational vehicles and method for designing a family of recreational vehicles is also disclosed.