Patents Examined by David A. Okonsky
  • Patent number: 6026769
    Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with a combustion chamber defined between the cylinder head and a reciprocating piston, and a carburetor which delivers a rich fuel and air mixture to a compressor with a reciprocating piston driven by the engine to compress the mixture until the mixture is under sufficient pressure to open a differential pressure injection valve and thereby inject the mixture directly into the engine combustion chamber. The mixture is ignited by a spark plug to drive the engine piston through its power stroke and rotate its associated crankshaft which is connected to a crankshaft of the compressor to reciprocate its piston and thereby compress the fuel and air mixture and inject it into the cylinder in timed relation with the engine piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Muniappan Anbarasu, William E. Galka, Martin L. Radue, Ronald H. Roche, Kevin L. Williams, Charles H. Tuckey, J. D. Tuckey, deceased
  • Patent number: 6021753
    Abstract: A bonded multi-piece plastic automotive air intake assembly having first and second housing members that include a 3-dimensional mating surface. The first member has a continuous first perimeter edge and the second member has a continuous second perimeter edge. The first perimeter edge has a central tongue portion that extends outwardly from the first edge. The tongue portion has first and second wall surfaces. The second peripheral edge has a groove extending inwardly from the second peripheral edge and mates with the tongue portion. The tongue portion and groove form a U-shaped channel that receives an adhesive therebetween. The adhesive forms a continuous bead that seals the channel between the first and second housing members. A plurality of alignment spacers are positioned between the tongue portion and the groove to align the tongue portion centrally within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly Ann Chaffin, James John Kempf, Mark Christian Timney
  • Patent number: 5894821
    Abstract: According to the invention, the valve comprises a cylindrical body (21) in a housing (21), for receiving one end of a return spring while the end is in contact with the case. The valve also includes two ribs (22, 23) for connection to a sealing plate (25) contacting the inner surface of an annular chamber (27) above an opening (26) thereof. The annular chamber is arranged to shorten the distance between the valve and the corresponding transfer port. The air valve of the invention is for spark ignition engines, in particular two-stroke engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Michel Chatelain
  • Patent number: 5890464
    Abstract: A variable-capacity intake system for a vehicle internal combustion engine, and of the type presenting at least one intake conduit for each cylinder of the engine; a capacity in which said intake conduit terminates and which is connected to air supply means; an additional capacity; and valve means for selectively connecting at least part of the additional capacity to the intake conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ferrari, S.P.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Martinelli
  • Patent number: 5890476
    Abstract: The fuel injection nozzle (10) includes a nozzle tip (16) that is formed in the shape of a substantially symmetrical double-sided wing having a leading edge (40) for facing the oncomning air stream passing through the air inlet manifold of an internal combustion engine. The arcuate walls (46 and 48) of the nozzle tip diverge on opposite sides of the cord line (44), and the internal conduit (22) guides the liquid nitrous oxide to move through the nose (50) of the nozzle tip and impinge with the flow of fuel moving through the adjacent internal conduit (24). A zone of low pressure is induced by the air movement (42) passing about the wing-shaped nozzle tip at a position behind the leading edge (40) of the nozzle tip, and the nitrous oxide tends to change states from liquid to gas as it emerges from the internal conduit (22) and moves through the exit port (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Barry Grant
  • Patent number: 5890462
    Abstract: A tangential driven rotary engine (10) comprising an engine block (12) having a plurality of cylinder combustion chambers (14) radially positioned therein. A plurality of pistons (16) are each movable and disposed within each cylinder combustion chamber (14) in the engine block (12). A plurality of spark plugs (18) are each radially positioned on the engine block (12) to extend into one cylinder combustion chamber (14). A plurality of intake valves (20) are each radially positioned on the engine block (12) to extend into one cylinder combustion chamber (14). A plurality of exhaust valves (22) are each radially positioned on the engine block (12) to extend into one cylinder combustion chamber (14). A main motor shaft (24) extends centrally through the engine block (12) with the cylinder combustion chambers (14) and the pistons (16) radially positioned thereabout. A facility (26) is for changing the reciprocating motion of the pistons (16) into a rotary motion for the main motor shaft (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Wladimir A Bassett
  • Patent number: 5890465
    Abstract: An improved engine output shaft includes a crankpin assembly for operatively connecting the shaft to each reciprocating piston for translating the reciprocating motion of each piston to rotary motion of the shaft through a leverage arm between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the point of operative connection between each piston and the shaft. The crankpin assembly is fixed to rotate with the shaft and defines a plurality of fixed crankpin offsets and transition offsets which sequentially vary the moment arm in a predetermined manner during the rotation of the shaft to produce a substantially constant total engine torque output during each increment of rotational movement. A transition guide system is provided to create a smooth, controlled movement of a connecting rod between the fixed crankpin offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Williams
  • Patent number: 5884598
    Abstract: An intake port of a diesel engine comprises a straight part, a winding part and a cylindrical part. A connecting port connecting the winding part with the cylindrical part is formed at a height H from the roof of the combustion chamber. H=Rt.multidot..alpha..multidot.tan .theta., where Rt=radius of cylindrical part, .alpha.=angle subtended by the flowrate gravity center position and optimum inflow position of the connecting port at the center of the cylindrical part, .theta.=aspirated air descending angle in winding part. Due to this height setting, both swirl intensification and volume efficiency improvement are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 5881703
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible fuel compensation system for controlling operating parameters of an internal combustion engine based on a learned value of the percent alcohol content of the fuel using an oxygen feedback system. The methodology determines a fuel composition multiplier based on the percent alcohol content and implements gasoline operating parameters for the internal combustion engine if the fuel composition multiplier is less than a first threshold value, mixed gasoline/alcohol operating parameters if the fuel composition multiplier is greater than the first threshold value, and high concentration alcohol operating parameters if the fuel composition multiplier is greater than a second threshold value for a number of comparison checks. After a predetermined period, the fuel composition multiplier is updated and re-compared to the first and second thresholds and the appropriate one of the aforementioned operating parameters is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Nankee, II, Yi Cheng, Shean Huff, Mary Joyce, Jerry Kennie, Dennis A. Krozek, Richard K. Moote, Roland T. Richardson, Gary L. Seitz
  • Patent number: 5881685
    Abstract: A shroud for an axial blade fan provides a circumferential, axially directed flow of air between the fan blade tips and the shroud to improve fan efficiency. The shroud preferably includes a smaller, centrally disposed fan which is driven by an auxiliary motor, a circumferentially extending generally toroidal plenum, a plurality of hollow spokes providing fluid communication between the fan and the plenum, a circular throat which directs air toward the annulus between the shroud and the fan blade tips and a throat adjacent, circumferential Coanda surface which controls and guides air exiting the throat. Air is provided to the shroud plenum at a pressure of between about 2 and 10 inches water gauge (4 to 20 Torr). The narrowest region of the circular throat has a width of between about 1 mm to 5 mm. Adjustment of the air pressure and throat dimension allows accurate control of the velocity profile of the air flow through the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: John F. Foss, Scott C. Morris
  • Patent number: 5878709
    Abstract: A positive off and automatic on ignition stop switch and electronic circuit for use in an internal combustion engine. The circuit that allows for normal operation of the engine in an unbiased state. When it is desired to turn the engine off, a stop switch is triggered which provides a single mechanism for shutting off the engine. After the switch is activated, the circuit holds the ignition circuit in an off state for a sufficient amount of time to allow the engine to completely stop operation. The circuit holds the engine in the off state for a period of time even after the switch is deactivated. As a result, the operator of a piece of equipment in which the present invention is utilized can activate a switch one time, which results in the engine coming to a complete stop, without the requirement of further activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Martin N. Andersson, Jason R. Koziatek
  • Patent number: 5878701
    Abstract: A cylinder head has a head portion for attachment to an engine cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and a combustion chamber dome is adjustably received in a central aperture of the head portion. External circumscribed threads on the combustion chamber dome engage corresponding threads in the central aperture of the head portion so that the combustion chamber dome may be adjustably moved into a preselected adjusted position within the central aperture by rotation of the combustion chamber dome with respect to the head portion.A method of adjustably establishing a combustion chamber in a cylinder of 1 an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: PSI Performance
    Inventor: Bruce R. Kahlhamer
  • Patent number: 5878703
    Abstract: An improved two stroke cycle engine is disclosed. The engine has an intake port for passing air into a cylinder of the engine and has a piston within the cylinder for reciprocal movement between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position. The engine includes a crankcase, an intake valve in a wall of the crankcase, a plenum chamber for supplying air to the intake port and an output valve positioned between the crankcase and the plenum chamber. The engine also includes an air compressor and an air compressor valve positioned between the air compressor and the plenum chamber. The engine has a first mode of operation during startup wherein the piston draws air into the crankcase through the intake valve and then forces air from the crankcase, through the output valve, into the plenum chamber and to the intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Kevin Sweeney
  • Patent number: 5873343
    Abstract: An improvement for diesel engine emergency shutoff devices and method for intake air-flow shutoff valves. The device includes tubing connecting the engine's exhaust manifold with the intake manifold at a location down stream from the shutoff valve with a check valve which prevents exhaust gas from entering the intake manifold until vacuum within the intake manifold reaches a desired level. When the emergency shutoff device operates, intake manifold vacuum opens the check valve and allows oxygen deficient exhaust gas to enter the intake manifold preventing a sudden damaging vacuum while also allowing the shutoff device to completely shutdown the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Daniel Webster Denton
  • Patent number: 5873339
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bidirectionally reciprocating piston engine comprising (a) a cylinder block having a cylinder and a crankcase formed at the base of the cylinder, (b) a bidirectional type piston body having a piston accommodated in each of the cylinders of the cylinder blocks disposed opposite to each other with the axial line of the piston body coincident with that of the cylinders, an arm at the base of the piston, and a long hole-like crank drive part which is formed at the central part of the arm, (c) a rotating slider slidably disposed in the crank drive part; and (d) a crankshaft having a crank pin to which the rotating slider is rotatably attached, wherein since two pistons are coaxially disposed at one crank pin, the vibration is suppressed, the running noise is remarkably low and the load onto the crankshaft may be remarkably lowered, and in which the productivity thereof is excellent with a limited number of parts and the mass production thereof can be carried out at a low producti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Daikichiro Isogai
  • Patent number: 5870988
    Abstract: An intake manifold is manufactured by assembling resin-molded parts without using any cores, so that compactness, light-weight, low-cost and improvement of engine performance can be achieved. A inner pipe is fit-inserted into a cylindrical tubular part of an outer pipe, thereby a outer pipe support is fixed on. By fitted parts, a positioning of a direction of circumference of the outer pipe and the inner pipe is performed. The air from a inlet flows into a sarge tank through a throttle valve. Afterward, the air flows from a manifold passage inlet to a manifold passage so as to lead to intake ports of engine cylinders by passing from a straight passage through an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Aisan Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Makoto Fujimori, Isamu Suzuki, Yasuyuki Akasaka
  • Patent number: 5870980
    Abstract: A stepped-piston, internal-combustion engine includes at least one cylinder, each cylinder having a working part of lesser diameter defined by a cylindrical wall and a pumping part of greater diameter, a piston slidable in each cylinder, a receiver which is partly delimited by the cylindrical wall of the working part of each cylinder and which extends at least partly around each working part, working inlet ports in the cylindrical wall and extending between the working part of the cylinder and the receiver and valve means to control the entry of charge into the pumping part of each cylinder and the transfer of charge from said pumping part to the receiver, and wherein the admission of charge into the working part of each cylinder from the receiver is controlled by the uncovering of the working inlet ports by the working part of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventors: Bernard Hooper, Peter R Hooper
  • Patent number: 5862790
    Abstract: A method of operating a four stroke, spark ignition, high compression ratio, internal combustion engine including at least one intake valve (30), exhaust valve (32) and charging valve (36) per cylinder (16). Each of the valves is actuable by a variable timing mechanism (50), which is controlled by an on-board computer (82) that varies the timing of valve opening and closing depending upon engine operating conditions. Each charging valve port (34) leads to an auxiliary chamber (40) having geometry to cause a swirling motion of the charge entering the chamber and surrounded by a cooling jacket (42) to cool the charge as it swirls before being released back into the cylinder during the next engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wengang Dai, George Carver Davis, Michael Moses Schechter
  • Patent number: 5857449
    Abstract: A two-cycle internal combustion engine provided with at least one fuel injection nozzle, wherein the fuel injection nozzle is provided with a heating element for heating the fuel so as to cause the fuel to undergo a phase change before the fuel is injected from the fuel injection nozzle. A fuel control circuit for controlling the heating element is attached to the engine so that an AC electromotive force generated at a generator portion of an ignition device is input therein and, based on such electromotive force, the heating element is controlled. All of the ignition device, the fuel controlling circuit and the generator portion are formed into a single integrated body which functions as an ignition/fuel controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishikawa, Naoki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 5857435
    Abstract: A two stroke cycle internal combustion engine (10) is provided which has a one-piece cylinder housing (14) removably secured to a valve drive housing (12) at a top section thereof and a crank housing (16) at a bottom section. The overall combination of the valve drive housing (12), the cylinder housing (14) and the crank housing (16) are formed in a substantially symmetrical manner about a vertical axis line (18). An intake valve member (30) is positioned in a top section of cylinder housing (14) with an exhaust port (62) located at the bottom of a piston (44) travel within a combustion chamber (54). The valve member (30) opens on a downward stroke of the piston (44) which feeds compressed air into chamber (54) and forces spent gases through the exhaust port (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: David S. W. Yang