Abstract: A four-cycle internal combustion engine wherein the piston connecting rod crankshaft and crankcase chamber are formed so that the crankcase chamber acts as compressor. An induction system supplies atmospheric air to the crankcase chamber and a pressure conduit supplies air from the crankcase chamber to the engine intake valve. A plenum chamber is disposed within this pressure conduit and pressure control is possible by bypassing air form the plenum chamber to the atmospheric air inlet. A throttle valve is positioned downstream of the plenum chamber so as to improve engine braking and charge forming systems are disclosed that permit a compact assembly and good response under all engine running conditions.

Abstract: According to the present invention a connecting rod constructed of a rigid, primary material is defined by a longitudinally extending beam having, at a first end, a piston pin bearing boss and, at a second end, a crankpin bearing boss. The longitudinally extending beam includes an opening extending from a location near the piston pin bearing boss to a location near the crankpin bearing boss to define opposing webs or legs. A secondary material having stiffness properties different from said primary material is disposed within the opening in the longitudinally extending beam. Under loads imposed on the connecting rod during the combustion event, the opposing legs exhibit a resiliency which allows inward movement, towards the beam axis thereby compressing the secondary material in the opening. The inward movement of the opposing legs, and resulting compression of the secondary material therebetween, absorbs a portion of the applied load to reduce or modify the amplitude of the force transferred to the crankpin.

Abstract: A carburettor metering system comprises a fuel evaporator 113 consisting of porous parallel plates 114 with their lower portions immersed in fuel 121, fuel metering means 122 for supplying fuel to the evaporator 113, and a laminar flow air restrictor 128 comprising a series of parallel plates 127 separated by spacers and defining narrow gaps between the plates 127. Such an arrangement enables a substantially constant air/fuel mixture strength to be obtained over a wide range of air flow rates in single cylinder engines. Furthermore the supply of mixture to the engine by way of an exit tube 126 may be controlled by a valve member 132 coupled to the engine governor so that the rate of flow of mixture varies in dependence on the load, and additionally so as to change the system between two modes of carburettor operation, namely lean operation, which is provided up to about three quarters load, and rich operation in which additional fuel is supplied to the evaporator 113.

Abstract: In a V-type engine, a pair of cylinder blocks are arranged in V-shape to form a V-bank therebetween, and a suction device and an exhaust device are arranged in the V-bank. An exhaust passage constituting the exhaust device is formed to the most inner side of the bottom portion of the V-bank and the inlet manifold constituting the suction device is arranged in the space formed by the V-bank and the engine cover, outside the exhaust passage.

Abstract: On the rotary drive shaft (10) of a four-stroke engine is non-rotationally mounted a hub (11) supporting four cylinders (14) wherein pistons (16) are arranged for reciprocal movement radially towards the hub. The hub (11) is provided with a combustion chamber (25) having common inlets and outlets (26, 27) formed in a valve ring (28) rotating together with the hub (11) and sealingly abutting against a stationary port ring (30) having intake and exhaust ports (36, 37) communicating with inlet and outlet channels (34, 35) arranged alternately to assume a position in registry with the inlets and outlets (26, 27) associated with the respective combustion chamber (25). One spark plug (46) for each combustion chamber (25) is arranged to rotate with the hub (11) with the spark plug electrode end projecting into the associated combustion chamber opposite the common valve ring inlets and outlets (26, 27).

Abstract: A cylinder head with single colander valve per cylinder for internal combustion engines (IC engine) and the like is provided. The single colander valve per cylinder has significantly enlarged valve open area and remains fully open at the end of the exhaust stroke and at the beginning of the intake stroke. The volumetric efficiency of IC engines, therefore, is significantly improved. The cylinder head with single colander valve per cylinder and support members of the present invention is practical because of the following features: single colander valve per cylinder has light weight and operates under low temperature. Some of advantages associated with these features are the following: (a) single colander valve has greater durability, (b) the compression ratio of IC engines may be raised, (c) dynamic effects on the valve train are reduced, (d) the speed of IC engines is increased, (e) the polluting emission is reduced, and (f) the fuel economy is improved.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of two-cycle engines employing Schnurle-type scavenging. In addition, a tumble port is also incorporated so as to introduce a tumble charge into the combustion chamber and reduce the likelihood of fresh charge from exiting from the exhaust port. This tumble charge may be utilized to achieve stratification, and the fuel charge may be delivered to the combustion chamber through the tumble port or in proximity to it. Also, arrangements are shown for controlling the amount of tumble flow.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which the piston (10) rocks about a pivot point (60) with the piston (10) being connected adjacent the end remote from the pivot point (60) to a connecting rod (12) to drive a crankshaft. The piston (10) has a first arcuate sealing surface (41) and a second arcuate sealing surface (42) which is offset radially from the first sealing surface (41) with the first and second sealing surfaces (41, 42) being connected by a floor (44). The first arcuate sealing surface (41) seals against a correspondingly arcuate wall (51) of the combustion chamber (20) and the second arcuate sealing surface (42), which forms one wall of the combustion chamber (20), seals against a wall (52) of a boost chamber (53). The engine can be compression ignition or spark ignition and can be of the two-stroke cycle or four-stroke cycle.

Abstract: An air cleaner, a throttle, a surge tank and air-intake pipes of an intake manifold are combined in a unit and a fuel delivery pipe and fuel injectors are installed in the unit before the unit of an air-intake device is assembled to an internal combustion engine. Cases of the above members are integrally formed thereby to reduce the size of the device and material used for the device. A dusty-side of the air cleaner is disposed under a filter element to prevent dust and water from getting into the clean-side of the filter element when the element is removed to have serviced or inspected.

Abstract: A self-locating piston ring for a piston of a two-stroke engine. The piston is slidable in the cylinder bore of a two-stroke engine and is provided with a circumferential groove. A recess extends radially inward from a portion of the groove. A split piston ring is located in the groove of the piston, and the piston ring is provided with a tab which extends radially inward and is received within the recess, thereby preventing rotation of the piston ring relative to the piston.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine 20 comprises a cylinder block 22, a cylinder head 24, and a plurality of fasteners 47 holding the head onto the block. The block comprises a single structure having walls 34 defining four cylinder bores 36 arranged in a line for receiving pistons, longitudinal support sections 60, 61 extending along the block one on either side of the line of bores and transverse support sections 74 joined to the longitudinal support sections and extending substantially tangentially to the bores. The fasteners 47 are arranged to engage with the block 22 such that a substantial part of the load exerted on the top of the walls 36 of the bores is transmitted to the fasteners via the support sections. This prevents forces from being transmitted radially into the cylinder walls 36 and thereby reduces bore distortion.

Abstract: An exhaust arrangement for an internal combustion engine wherein the timing of the cylinder events is such that the exhaust port of one cylinder opens before the exhaust port of another cylinder closes so as to improve scavenging and performance. In preferred embodiments, the engine is of a 2-cycle type and the exhaust port of the one cylinder also opens before the scavenge port of the other cylinder closes. The principle is also depicted in conjunction with a four cylinder engine.

Abstract: An exhaust port timing control apparatus for a two-cycle engine includes a control valve which is moved upward and downward in the linear direction across an exhaust port by moving the control valve slidably and rotatably around a supporting axis. The control valve is operated by rotating a pivot provided at an end portion of the control valve. Since the control valve moves linearly, the clearance between the control valve and the exhaust port can be kept very small, whereby the leakage of gas out of the cylinder can be minimized and consequently an accurate exhaust port timing control and a stable engine operation are achieved.

Abstract: An engine induction system having a check valve upstream of the intake port for precluding reverse flow. A plenum device is communicated with the induction system downstream of the check valve for reducing inertial effects and improving charging efficiency. The plenum device may be the crankcase chamber of the engine. In that case crankcase ventilation may also be controlled and improved. Crankcase supercharging may also be generated. These features may be combined with variable valve timing to further improve engine performance.

Abstract: Several embodiments of two-cycle internal combustion engines having exhaust control valves that include butterfly-type valves for minimizing the likelihood of sticking and reducing the area where deposits could form that would interfere with the valve operation. The butterfly-type valves are journaled in a separate valve housing that is mounted in a transversely extending bore that extends through the cylinder block of the engine for facilitating servicing.

Abstract: A ceramic cylinder head or cylinder head liner for an internal combustion engine. The cylinder head is made of a fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material and includes a heat sink on the top surface to keep touch temperatures at a reasonable level. The preferred embodiment employs water cooling so as to reduce engine compartment temperatures and provide a supply of hot water for passenger compartment heating.

Abstract: A V-type engine induction system therefor that is adapted to provide a compact induction system and one which will provide equal air flow to all of the cylinders and eliminate rumbling noises.

Abstract: A temperature control system, in a liquid cooled internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, controls the state of a flow control valve for controlling flow of a temperature control fluid through a passageway in the engine. Sensors detect the engine oil temperature and the temperature of the temperature control fluid. An engine computer receives signals from the sensors and compares the signals to one or more predetermined values. In one embodiment, the engine computer compares the engine oil temperature signal to a predetermined value to control actuation of the valve. In another embodiment, the engine computer compares the engine oil temperature signal to a predetermined engine oil temperature value. The engine computer adjusts a predetermined temperature control fluid temperature value based on the comparison of the engine oil temperature signal to the predetermined engine oil temperature value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising a crankcase assembly including a crankcase member including a crankcase cover mounting surface, and a cylinder assembly mounting surface including therein an opening, and a cylinder block fabricately separately from the crankcase assembly and including a crankcase member surface fixed to the cylinder assembly mounting surface, and a cylinder extending from the crankcase member mounting surface and communicating with the opening in the cylinder assembly mounting surface.

Abstract: A machine having a piston unit within a cylinder arrangement wherein each piston unit comprises a plurality of in-line pistons within their respective cylinders such that the pistons are in fluid communication with a common compression chamber and where the pistons of each unit move in unison.