Abstract: A rotating type machine including a first moving member having a first surface and a second member having a second surface slidably interfacing with the first surface. The first and second surfaces have relative movement therebetween, and one of the first and second members is supported by the other member through the interface of their respective first and second surfaces. At least one of the first and second surfaces is provided with at least one recess therein. A liquid lubricant is provided between the first and second surfaces, and the lubricant is received in the recess. Relative to the surface in which the recess is provided, the recess has a maximum depth which ranges between about 0.00125 and 0.0060 inches, and a surface area which ranges between about 1.767×10−4 and 1.

Abstract: A bias element which urges the valves in an internal combustion engine into their closed positions and includes a pair of arms and a bight portion connecting the two arms. Each arm has an aperture therein with at least one arm having an aperture that is keyhole-shaped, or having a first portion and second portion that is larger than the first portion. The arm which has the keyhole-shaped aperture is in operative biasing engagement with the end portion of a valve stem and the keyhole-shaped aperture engages the valve stem in that the first portion of the aperture lockingly engages the neck portion of the valve stem. The other arm is engages the shank portion of the valve stem.

Abstract: A compressor assembly including a housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing, a sump located in the housing, the sump containing liquid lubricant, a conduit extending between the compression mechanism and the sump, the compression mechanism and the sump being in fluid communication through the conduit, lubricant in the sump being provided to the compression mechanism through the conduit, and a reservoir containing liquid lubricant located between the compression mechanism and the sump. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the conduit, and the compression mechanism and the reservoir are in fluid communication through the conduit. Lubricant in the reservoir is provided to the compression mechanism through the conduit.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a cylinder, a crankshaft, a reciprocating piston disposed in the cylinder and operably coupled to the crankshaft, and a carburetor.

Abstract: A liquid level controller for a device having a liquid reservoir includes a control board and a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly is disposed within the reservoir and includes a liquid level sensor, which is electrically connected to the control circuit. The control board includes a control circuit and a pump. The control circuit has a control circuit and a resistive power supply to power the control circuit. The control circuit controls the pump in response to signals from the level sensor and includes a CMOS logic gate and a MOSFET transistor to switch the pump. The control circuit further includes a second resistive power supply connected to a relay which controls an alarm. The second power supply is activated by a transistor responsive to an alarm signal from the level sensor, and powers the relay only when the alarm signal is present.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a cylinder, a crankshaft, a reciprocating piston disposed in the cylinder and operably coupled to said crankshaft, and a carburetor.

Abstract: A drive train for an overhead valve engine, including a cam gear driven by the crankshaft, the cam gear supported for rotation in the cylinder block externally of the cylinder head and having a cam lobe mounted thereon for actuating a pair of rocker arms mounted for rotation in the cylinder head, which in turn actuates intake and exhaust valves in the cylinder head. A first lubrication passageway is provided in the crankcase of the engine to communicate oil, pumped from the oil sump by a combination oil pump and governor assembly driven from the crankshaft, to the upper crankshaft bearing. A second lubrication passageway is provided in the crankshaft and communicates oil from the upper crankshaft bearing to the coupling between the crankshaft and the connecting rod.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly including a housing having mounted therein a motor and a compression mechanism which are operatively coupled by a drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably received in a bearing mounted in the housing. Engaging means are provided in the drive shaft and the bearing to prevent relative movement between the compression mechanism and the drive shaft in both directions along the drive shaft axis of rotation. The engaging means includes a circumferential groove provided in the drive shaft, a bore located in the bearing, and a retaining element may be in the form of a ball or an elongate pin. The circumferential groove and the bore are aligned and each receive a portion of a retaining element to prevent axial movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for protecting the motor of a hermetic refrigeration compressor. The device comprises a motor, input power lines, and a motor protector connected to the input power lines to control the power to the motor. The motor protector includes a microprocessor, an input power measurement device, and a switch means for controlling the connection of the power lines to the motor. The input power measurement device includes a motor power input signal to the microprocessor. The microprocessor includes memory having instructions for storing an operating input power limit range based on the torque limits of the motor and for comparing the power input signal to the operating input power limit range of the motor. The microprocessor controls the switch means to open when the input power signal is outside of the operating input power limit range of the motor.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly includes a compressor housing having a quantity of liquid lubricant therein. A compressor mechanism is provided within the compressor housing and a drive shaft is selectively rotatable and operably connected to the compressor mechanism. A liquid lubricant displacement element is engaged to the drive shaft and a support member is attached to the compressor housing. A pivotable magnetic member is provided between the liquid lubricant displacement element and the support member and includes a suction port provided therein. The liquid lubricant displacement element is in fluid communication with the quantity of liquid lubricant through the suction port in the magnetic member. At least a portion of any ferrous particles contained in the liquid lubricant are attracted to and retained by the magnetic member as the liquid lubricant is passed through the suction port of the magnetic member.

Abstract: A neutral brake system for use in a hydrostatic transmission to automatically apply a brake when the hydrostatic transmission is shifted to neutral. The neutral brake system includes a hydraulically-released, spring-activated brake mechanism in direct fluid communication with the main hydraulic passages which form a hydraulic circuit between the pump and the motor. When the hydrostatic transmission is shifted to neutral, a brake spring biases a brake lever into contact with a pair of friction pads to engage a brake disk splined to the output shaft of the motor to stop the vehicle. When the hydrostatic transmission is shifted out of neutral, a charge of hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic circuit causes a piston within a brake release chamber to override the biasing force of the brake spring, and to urge the brake lever out of contact with the friction pads such that the friction pads are disengaged from the brake disk, and the output shaft of the output shaft of the motor may freely rotate.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission including a rotatable input member, a fluid pump operatively engaged with the input member, a fluid in the pump being pumped in response to rotation of the input member, and a fluid motor in fluid communication with the fluid pump, fluid pumped by the pump being received by the fluid motor, the fluid motor being driven by fluid received by the fluid motor and having a variable output speed. Means are provided for selectively varying the displacement of the fluid pump or the fluid motor, whereby the output speed of the fluid motor is varied. A rotatable output member is operatively engaged with the fluid motor, and a reversible electric motor having an output shaft is provided, the output shaft having varying angular positions. The output shaft is in mechanical engagement with the displacement varying means, and the displacement of the one of the fluid pump and the fluid motor being varied in response to changes in the output shaft angular position.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission assembly includes a hydraulic pump and motor mechanism having a pump, a motor and at least one fluid passageway therebetween, a source of transmission fluid, at least one projection attached to the hydrostatic pump and motor mechanism which has a suction port therein, and a filter assembly comprising a filter element attached to an impermeable wall. The pump and motor are fluidly connected through the passageway and the passageway is in fluid communication with the source of transmission fluid through the suction port. The impermeable wall includes at least one hole therethrough and the projection extends through the hole and is sealingly engaged with the impermeable wall. Substantially all transmission fluid received by the pump and motor mechanism is passed through the filter element.

Abstract: A lifter assembly for an internal combustion engine, including an elongate sleeve having an upper radial wall portion provided with oil feed and oil bleed holes through which oil respectively enters and exits the lifter assembly. An elongate, hollow lifter body closed at one end is reciprocatingly disposed within the sleeve, and has a plunger reciprocatingly disposed therein. The plunger has an internal cavity at least partially defining a low pressure oil reservoir which is in at least periodic fluid communication with the oil feed hole. A high pressure oil reservoir is at least partially defined by the plunger and the lifter body closed end, and is in one-way fluid communication with the low pressure oil reservoir. A cap is reciprocatingly disposed within the sleeve and engaged with the plunger. Seals are provided which preclude oil from exiting the lifter assembly through the ends of the sleeve.

Abstract: A compressor assembly including a housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing and having a discharge port, and a discharge check valve assembly. Gas substantially at suction pressure is received into the compression mechanism, compressed and discharged substantially at discharge pressure from the compression mechanism through the discharge port. The discharge check valve assembly has at least one elongate guide pin extending from the compression mechanism and a valve plate disposed about the guide pin. The valve plate has a closed position at a first position along the guide pin in which the valve plate covers the discharge port and an open position at a second position different than the first position along the guide pin in which the valve plate does not cover the discharge port. Gas substantially at discharge pressure and having been discharged from the compression mechanism is substantially prevented by the valve, in its closed position, from reentering the discharge port.

Abstract: A self adjusting wet brake positioned interior of a transaxle or transmission casing. The self adjusting brake assembly utilizes a brake pad having a cooperating ramp surface which is contacted by a brake cam for brake actuation. The cooperating ramp surface allows the brake mechanism of the current invention to automatically account for brake pad wear and the attendant decrease in brake pad thickness. As the brake pad wears and decreases in thickness, the brake cam progressively contacts ramp surface of the brake pad to effect brake actuation. In one exemplary embodiment, the ramp surface is integral with the brake pad.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor including a housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing, a motor disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the compression mechanism, the motor including a stator, the stator having, re lative to the compression mechanism, a proximal end and a distal end, at least one fastener extending through the stator, the stator being fixed, relative to the compression mechanism, by the fastener, a motor cover disposed over the distal end of the fixed stator, a portion of the fastener extending through the cover, and a clip engaging the portion of each the fastener, the cover being retained to the fixed stator by the clip.