Patents Examined by David A. Okonsky
  • Patent number: 5564399
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: John R. C. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5562076
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine, in particular a single-cylinder Diesel engine (2), has an air filter (1) in the suction pipe (3). To service the same, a pressure gauge (13) is arranged downstream of the filter cartridge (7), in the direction of flow. A check valve is provided at the measurement site or in the measurement pipe (12) between the measurement site and the pressure gauge (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Motorenfabrik Hatz-GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Albert Madl
  • Patent number: 5562069
    Abstract: Method and adjusting device for varying the compression of an internal combustion engine with a cylinder receiving section (2) which is pivotably mounted in the crankcase section (4) of the engine supporting the crankshaft, about a tilting shaft bearing (8) on one side of the engine, to effect a variation in the engine compression. A tilting mechanism (70) acting between the crankcase section and the cylinder receiving section is arranged on the side of the engine opposite the tilting shaft bearing (8), enabling the distance between the two engine parts to be varied. A hydraulic adjusting device (76, 78) is connected to the tilting mechanism (70) for adjusting the lateral tilting of the cylinder receiving section (2) relative to the crankcase section (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Saab Automobile Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Per Gillbrand, Lars Bergsten
  • Patent number: 5560326
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises one or more pairs of first and second cylinders, the first cylinder having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder and respective first and second pistons reciprocable in the cylinders. The second piston has a drive stem and divides the second cylinder into a first volume containing the drive stem of the second piston and a second volume between the two pistons. An air inlet and an exhaust outlet are provided for the first cylinder. A common combustion space is formed between the pistons when the pistons are substantially at their inner dead center positions, the combustion space comprising the second volume. A transfer means enables gas flow between the first volume and the combustion space towards the end of the compression stroke while an inhibiting means inhibits the movement of fuel/air mixture from the first volume into the second volume until towards the end of the compression stroke of the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Coventry University
    Inventor: Dan Merritt
  • Patent number: 5560327
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine has a conjugate drive motion translator. The engine is horizontally opposed with each shuttle having a pair of pistons attached at the ends of a pair of oppositely extending arms. A centrally located aperture in the shuttle accommodates the crankpin and incorporates a pair of conjugate bearings bolted to the shuttle. The conjugate bearings mesh with mating conjugate drivers rotatably mounted upon a crankpin and forming the interface between crankshaft and shuttle. The cycle dynamics of the engine may be matched to the thermodynamics of a selected power cycle and fuel by adjusting the shape of the conjugate drivers and conjugate bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Douglas C. Brackett
  • Patent number: 5558055
    Abstract: In a sensible heat storage for automotive vehicles, in particular for heating the engine at cold start, the heat carrier for sensible heat between a heat source and/or heat sink and the heat storage is at the same time the storage medium and is adapted to be circulated independently of engine operation. Circulation of the heat carrier across the heat storage is initiated at the latest when the engine is started. It is continued until the whole contents of the heat storage have been replaced. Circulation of the heat carrier across the heat storage is resumed at the latest when the ignition of the engine is switched off, and it is continued until the contents of the heat storage have been completely replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Schatz Thermo System GmbH
    Inventor: Oskar Schatz
  • Patent number: 5558049
    Abstract: A valve system for fluid processing machines which provides fully dynamic control over aspiration events. In the case of an internal combustion engine application, the variable orbital aperture valve system includes a rotary valve in the form of an "orbiter" disc having primary intake and exhaust apertures provided therein for sealing with the head of the combustion chamber and periodically aligning with intake and exhaust ports therein to thereby periodically aspirate the combustion chamber. The orbiter is connected by a linkage to the crank shaft of the internal combustion engine, and turns at typically one-half the crank shaft speed. The variable orbital aperture valve system further includes at least one "floater" disc having a secondary aperture therein which, depending upon the selected placement of the secondary aperture with respect to the respective intake or exhaust port, the aforesaid alignment with the primary intake or exhaust aperture of the orbiter is thereby modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: G. Douglas Dubose
  • Patent number: 5558059
    Abstract: A generator is provided inside the casings of a power unit which is fitted to the rear end of a crank shaft. The generator has a stator provided to a generator cover detachably fitted to cover a rear opening of the casing. A harness extends from the stator and is led outside through a grommet provided between the joining faces of the casing and the generator cover. A space is formed behind the generator cover to insert a tool such as an impact wrench with the power unit left mounted on the vehicle body. It is possible to detach and maintain the generator only by detaching the generator cover while leaving the power unit mounted on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kei Yoshinaga, Katsuhiko Ito, Katsumi Ebara, Hitoshi Furuhashi, Takashi Shichinohe, Masaharu Omagari
  • Patent number: 5555865
    Abstract: An air flow control device for an internal combustion engine includes a surge tank having a plurality of air passages and a plurality of on/off valves, a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, and a plurality of high and low intake manifolds communicating with the surge tank and the cylinder head, whereby the plurality of on/off valves are selectively closed and opened depending upon an actuation for accelerating car speed in any condition of the car speed, and obtaining a high output force and torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoon-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 5555869
    Abstract: A cylinder head and induction passage arrangement for a three intake valve internal combustion engine wherein the center intake passage and its porting arrangement is directed so as to augment the tumble action caused by the side valve seats and their intake passages. The construction also provides that the center intake valve will be disposed so that there will be no shrouded area in the path of flame from the spark plug so as to ensure complete combustion. The cylinder head is made in such a way that the same cylinder head may be used for either bank of an engine having angularly inclined cylinder banks through the machining of only one face thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 5555852
    Abstract: A method for improving economy and performance in the operation of internal combustion engines of motor vehicles includes the steps of (a) providing on the motor vehicle a confined supply of alcohol, (b) pressurizing the confined supply of alcohol with engine exhaust gases, (c) passing a controlled stream of alcohol from the confined supply to an enclosure defining an upper zone and a lower zone to maintain a volume of liquid alcohol in the lower zone, (d) charging a stream of air into the volume of the alcohol to vaporize a portion thereof and form vaporized alcohol in the upper zone, (e) causing pressure contained within the enclosure to discharge a stream of the vaporized alcohol from the upper zone of the enclosure into the air intake manifold of the engine, (f) baffling the stream in its passage from the enclosure to the air intake manifold and (g) causing the stream of the vaporized alcohol to mix with the air passing in the manifold for subsequent mixture with the primary gasoline fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Louis D. Reymanandt, IV
  • Patent number: 5553575
    Abstract: The performance of a gas-fueled unthrottled internal combustion engine is improved by optimizing excess air ratio (lambda) in the engine. Lambda is optimized by selecting automatically and continuously the optimum fraction of cylinders firing (OFF) as a function of engine operating parameters, eliminating the fuel charge from one or more cylinders to obtain firing in the OFF, and distributing the unused fuel to the OFF, thereby decreasing lambda in the firing cylinders to an optimum level. OFF may be calculated according to mathematically derived and empirically weighted equations, or obtained with reference to suitable look-up tables. In addition, optimum lambda and OFF may be adjusted to take into account the effects of exhaust gas recirculation (egr), engine speed, and/or engine timing. Further lambda adjustment can be performed by suitable control of egr, ignition timing, and/or turbo air bypass (TAB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Servojet Products International
    Inventors: Niels J. Beck, Kresimir Gebert, Hoi C. Wong
  • Patent number: 5553585
    Abstract: An anti-polishing ring (4) to be used in a cylinder (1) of a large diesel engine, which is supported to a cylinder liner (2) for the purpose of removing possible carbon deposit and carbon residue from the upper portion of a piston (3). The anti-polishing ring (4) is provided with an arrangement, by means of which the lower edge (4b) of the anti-polishing ring can be pressed in the radial direction of the cylinder inwards towards the mantle surface of the upper portion of the piston so that the proportion between the diameters of the lower edge (4b) and the upper portion (4a) of the anti-polishing ring is at its minimum while the engine is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Wartsila Diesel International Ltd OY
    Inventor: Daniel Paro
  • Patent number: 5553580
    Abstract: A preferred combustion chamber configuration for a piston engine includes two intake valves and one exhaust valve. The two identical intake valves and their associated induction system are arranged to promote separation of the two barrel swirl layers as established in the engine cylinder through the two valves. Further included, in a location containing the intake valves, is a large squish area for providing a fast burn rate in spite of spark ignition in just the richer one of the two barrel swirl layers. Such ignition therefore remains reliable and consistent even when no fuel is injected into the intake passage feeding the leaner swirl layer. Also included in the invention is an engine operating strategy which refrains from injecting fuel into the leaner intake passage until a central engine throttle valve is first at least effectively wide open. Drive-by-wire control coordinates the resulting throttled and unthrottled ranges of engine brake torque output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: David P. Ganoung
  • Patent number: 5553574
    Abstract: A radial internal combustion engine with a rotatable cam unit. A cam follower is attached to the end of each rod connecting rod for engagement with the cam unit. Rod guide means is provided to maintain alignment of the connecting rods. A further embodiment also provides that three rollers, which rotate about a common axis, provide engagement with the cam unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Automotive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: D. James Duncalf
  • Patent number: 5553582
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reciprocating piston, multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. The piston rods impinge on a nutating disc. The nutating disc is constrained in its movements in part by a constant-velocity (C.V.) joint. Movement of the C.V. joint along the longitudinal axis of the main engine shaft allows continuous variation of the engine compression ratio. Variation of the amount of wobble of the nutating disc allows the continuous variation of the engines displacement. In addition the engine can be provided with means for varying the valve lift and timing. The engine parameters may be varied in response to a variety of sensor inputs to ensure optimum engine performance under a wide variety of load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Danny E. Speas
  • Patent number: 5551387
    Abstract: A tuned intake manifold is provided for OTTO cycle engines and includes a plenum having an aperture through which a gaseous fuel mixture can be received. First and second branch openings are disposed at opposite points across the plenum, with respective first and second branch conduits connected thereto. Each branch conduit divides into a plurality of runner conduits all terminating at a head flange. The various gaseous paths, each defined by one of the branch conduits and one of the runner conduits, have substantially the same length, substantially the same volume, and substantially the same radius and arc-length of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Ortech Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Carter, Karl-Heinz Kozole, Richard T. Hannaby
  • Patent number: 5551408
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage extending between the intake system of the engine and the exhaust system thereof, and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve for controlling the flow rate of exhaust gases to be recirculated through the exhaust gas recirculation passage. The system further includes an ECU which calculates a desired air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine, based on engine operating conditions detected by engine operating parameter sensors, and also a desired valve opening of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve, based on engine operating conditions detected by the operating parameter sensors and the calculated desired air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo K.K. (Honda Motor Co., Ltd, in English)
    Inventors: Daisuke Shimizu, Kotaro Miyashita, Yoshihisa Hara, Hiroshi Ikeba
  • Patent number: 5551394
    Abstract: A cylinder head and induction passage arrangement for a three intake valve per cylinder internal combustion engine that provides a compact configuration while at the same time maintaining an induction system that is tuned to provide optimum performance throughout the entire engine speed and load ranges. In addition, the intake passages and associated control valves for them are arranged so as to generate a tumble action in the combustion chamber under low and mid-range performance while permitting maximum charging under high speed, high load conditions. A single fuel injector injects fuel in such a way as to serve at least a pair of the intake passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5551393
    Abstract: An induction system for an internal combustion engine having at least one intake passage that is configured to generate a tumble and swirl to the intake charge. This is accomplished by providing a masked section adjacent the valve seat so that the flow entering the combustion chamber is directed across the combustion chamber to generate the tumble action. There is also provided a secondary intake passage that delivers a charge to the combustion chamber in a substantially unrestricted fashion so as to permit high power outputs. The secondary intake passage has the flow through it controlled by a throttle valve that is closed under low and mid-range running conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junkichi Amano, Tetsuji Yamazaki, Takashi Hara