Patents Examined by David A. Okonsky
  • Patent number: 5743220
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a central combustion chamber engine consisting of an assembly formed by pistons that move from ends opposed to a combustion chamber, in which said chamber has intake and exhaust control means for the combustion gases (valves), ignition means or spark plug to induce the combustion of said gases and movement transmission means from the pistons activated by the expansion of the combustion gases in compression ratios similar to the ones of conventional internal combustion engines, towards the main engine shaft, which is located longitudinally along the same motor assembly, and rotates using sliding means, and achieving thus better operation performance, because it uses optimal pathways of the finite-time thermodynamic cycle, balance of the running engine and total symmetry with respect to the ignition point which will favor a more complete fuel combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Enrique Eduardo Guarner-Lans
  • Patent number: 5743230
    Abstract: An engine having a lower block made of an aluminum-based material and having a bearing cap mounted therein in a cast-in manner abutting against front and rear sidewalls of a cylinder block of the engine and coupled to the cylinder block by a bolt, and a pump body is coupled to a lower surface of the lower block by bolts. The pump body also serves as a balancer shaft supporting member, and a journal portion of a balancer shaft is supported on the balancer shaft supporting member. Thus, the rigidity of supporting of the balancer shaft on the balancer shaft supporting member can be enhanced without an increase in size of the balancer shaft supporting member of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Yamazaki, Kensuke Nakamura, Fuminori Kawashima, Nobuyoshi Takamatsu, Toru Kano, Tomoki Okita, Hideo Ueshima
  • Patent number: 5743219
    Abstract: A four-stroke-cycle engine of a motorcycle arranged between front and rear wheels thereof has a crank case in which a crank shaft is arranged and a plurality of cylinder assemblies operatively connected to the crank shaft and includes a front-side cylinder assembly and a rear-side cylinder assembly along a longitudinal direction of a motorcycle body. Each of the cylinder assemblies is composed of a cylinder block, a cylinder head mounted to a head portion of the cylinder block and a head cover covering the cylinder head. The cylinder assemblies are arranged so as to provide V-shapes along the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle body. A mating surface formed between the head cover and the cylinder head of at least the front-side cylinder assembly of the plural cylinder assemblies has an inclination obliquely downward towards the front wheel with respect to a mating surface formed between the cylinder head and the cylinder block of the front-side cylinder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iio, Hiroyuki Nakai
  • Patent number: 5740765
    Abstract: A rotary piston internal combustion engine includes a housing defining a cylinder chamber in the form of a circular ring. An even number of pistons circulate in the piston chamber and are of a circular cross-section adapted to the cylinder chamber. Two piston carriers mounted rotatably about the axis of the cylinder chamber each carry half the number of pistons, the peripheral surfaces of the piston carriers being such that they supplement the internal surface of the cylinder chamber to constitute a circular cross-section which corresponds to the pistons and against which piston rings on the pistons seal. At least one sealing ring is accommodated between the piston carriers and between each piston carrier and an oppositely disposed wall of the housing in an annular groove of the housing or a piston carrier respectively. The sealing ring bears against a co-operating surface of the respective piston carrier under a force which acts out of the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Peter Pelz
    Inventors: Wilfried Ball, Peter Ronnberg
  • Patent number: 5740773
    Abstract: In a V-type engine having a crankcase dividable into two halves in side ways, a crankshaft disposed inside the crankcase, a plurality of cylinder assemblies disposed onto the crankcase, arranged in V-shape and parallel to the divided faces of the crankcase, and pairs of metal bearing halves which support the crankshaft, wherein the metal bearing halves are press fit into predetermined positions inside the crankcase halves, and the metal bearing halves are arranged so that matching faces of the bearing halves make a right angle with a line which divide an angle between the V-shaped cylinder assemblies in half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Ohshige
  • Patent number: 5740767
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of two-cycle engines employing Schnurle-type scavenging. In addition and in some embodiments, a ramble 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. Various arrangements are shown for controlling the amount of scavenge flow to improve stratification and fuel vaporization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Kaku, Kimitake Otome
  • Patent number: 5740770
    Abstract: A variable intake apparatus includes an intake manifold. The manifold has a surge tank and a plurality of branch pipes extending therefrom. The air in the surge tank is drawn into the combustion chambers of an engine via the branch pipes. The lengths of the branch pipes are different. A movable pipe is slidably located in each branch pipe. The movable pipes slides within the branch pipes for changing the effective passage length of the intake passages. The passage lengths of the movable pipes are determined such that the effective intake passage lengths are equalized. A motor actuates the movable pipes to slide within the branch pipes based on the engine speed. The movable pipes integrally move with respect to the branch pipes while keeping the passage lengths of the intake passages equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenjiro Morota
  • Patent number: 5738064
    Abstract: A portable power tool is provided which includes a chassis defining an integral rear handle, a first chamber for lubricating oil generally at a front end of the chassis, a second chamber for fuel generally at a rear end of the chassis, and a recess between the first and second chambers. An internal combustion engine is secured to the chassis within the recess and a front handle is secured to the front end of the chassis. A chain saw unit is also secured to the front end of the chassis and is operably connected to the engine. The chassis includes right and left nylon plastic chassis sections which are vibrationally welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: WCI Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon E. Lowe, Kevin F. Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 5738050
    Abstract: The invention concerns a two-stroke internal combustion engine and a method of operating a two-stroke internal combustion engine which includes at least one cylinder (10) with a piston (20) reciprocating therein and with at least one inlet (40) and exhaust duct (70), wherein the inlet duct (40) is arranged in relation to the exhaust duct (70) in accordance with the uniflow scavenging process in such a way that the inlet duct (40) opens into the cylinder in the region of the combustion chamber (30) and wherein a regulating element (50) is provided in the mouth opening region of the inlet duct (40). In that arrangement the regulating element (50) of the inlet duct (40) can be adapted to be controllable and a controllable regulating element (80) can also be arranged in particular in the mouth opening region of the exhaust duct (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Kurt Konig
  • Patent number: 5738059
    Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling is disclosed for releasably interconnecting first and second fluid flow members each having a fluid opening. The coupling includes a base member having a bottom surface, an annular attachment collar defining an inner fluid port axially through the base member and including an outer cylindrical side wall, and an annular shoulder surrounding the attachment collar. A mechanism is provided for mounting the base member bottom surface to the first fluid flow member in order to align the fluid port with the fluid opening of the first fluid flow member. A connecting plate is further provided having a top and bottom surface and a central aperture defining an inner cylindrical sleeve sized for journaling about the collar side wall for limited rotation thereabout. The connecting plate also includes an inner annular shoulder defined along the bottom surface radially outwardly of the sleeve, the connecting plate upper surface being adapted for connection to the second fluid flow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: G. L. Van Dyne, II
  • Patent number: 5738051
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a four-stroke internal combustion engine comprising a common crankcase, a crankshaft extending in the crankcase, first and second cylinders respectively extending from the common crankcase in acute angular relation to each other and respectively including first and second cylinder walls respectively including first and second exhaust gas discharge ports, a passage connecting the first and second exhaust gas discharge ports, first and second pistons respectively located in the first and second cylinders and respectively connected to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement toward and away from the crankshaft and between top dead center and bottom dead center positions, first and second cylinder heads respectively connected to the first and second cylinders, respectively partially defining first and second combustion chambers, and respectively including first and second mixture inlet passages respectively communicating with the first and second combustion chambers, first and second exhaust
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Binversie, George L. Broughton, Paul W. Breckenfeld, William D. Dunham, Stephen J. Towner, James A. Nettles
  • Patent number: 5738054
    Abstract: A valve system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve member having a head and a stem extending from the head, the head being capable of forming a seal with a valve seat of the internal combustion engine and the stem having at least one cylinder in an end portion thereof, and a component for contacting a portion of a rocker arm of the engine, the component being movable in the cylinder between a first position and a second position closer to the rocker arm than the first position. Structure is provided for moving the component between the first position and the second position to change lift of the valve member. The system adjusts valve lift according to speed of the engine to improve combustion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Gyu-Wan Kim
  • Patent number: 5732668
    Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine using one or more siamese pairs of pistons, cylinders and connecting rods to drive two or more independently moving drive shafts. The pairs of pistons first connect to a stabilizing system that forces the piston to move in a generally linear direction perpendicular to the cylinder walls. The stabilizing mechanism is controlled by a set of gears or other guiding mechanism. A pair of hinged connecting arms are connected to the two independently moving drive shafts. The separate connecting arms track the angular motion of the drive shafts while allowing the pistons to move in a generally linear direction perpendicular to the cylinder walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Alfonso Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 5732677
    Abstract: An inventive internal combustion engine adapted for an eight piston stroke operating cycle. The rate of comsumption of fuel and air mixture, and the pressure at which it is ignited and combusted, is enhanced by the addition of a holding chamber for fuel and air mixture which retains an initial intake charge of mixture to be later mixed with a subsequent intake charge before compression and combustion within the cylinder. The engine is therefore capable of greater power with given size cylinders. Conversely, the engine is capable of producing a target rate of fuel consumption and power output with smaller cylinders. The engine may also be designed to operate in a Diesel manner utilizing an appropriate hydrocarbon fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Arthur C. Baca
  • Patent number: 5732682
    Abstract: A method and a device of controlling the amount of fuel delivered to a combustion engine (1), e.g. of two-stroke or four-stroke type, wherein the fuel is supplied through an intake passage (2) intended to deliver air (3) and fuel (4) to the cylinder (5), said intake passage being opened and closed by a piston (6) or by a special valve (7). The fuel supply to the intake passage (2) is effected upstream from the piston (6) or the valve (7) and in response to the opening and closing of the intake passage (2) varying flow speeds and pressures are produced in the passage and the fuel supply system (8) is of a kind the supply amount of which is substantially affected by this variation, such as a carburetor (9) or a low-pressure injection system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Ulf Petersson
  • Patent number: 5730096
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine of either two-cycle or four-cycle construction including a block having at least one cylinder bore therein having sidewalls carrying a liner of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material disposed in sealed fiber reinforced sliding relationship within the cylinder bore, and a cylinder head sealing atop end of the cylinder bore to form a closed combustion chamber in combination with the piston. The cylinder head also has the structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material disposed on an inner surface thereof facing the combustion chamber. The preferred engine is a two-cycle engine having an externally scavenged intake system and an oil sump lubricating system thereby eliminating the need to separately mix or inject lubricating oil. Higher operating temperatures and closer tolerances allow higher fuel efficiency and less pollutant production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Donald Atmur, Thomas Edward Strasser, Philip Shacter, Michael James Hagen
  • Patent number: 5730438
    Abstract: A copier or printer connecting with a standard commercial electrical power line source and having a limited peak power consumption can still provide an electrically powered sheet stapling system by driving the stapler from an electrical storage battery power supply, the batteries of which are electrically connecting with an integral low voltage electrical power supply of the reproduction apparatus only for low power slow recharging. The stapler is operable for stapling sheets, powered solely by the storage batteries, even when the copier or printer, including its integral low voltage electrical power supply, is completely turned off, i.e., fully disconnected from the power line source. This stapler can also be operated when the reproduction machine is fully operating at its peak power consumption, including the operation of other, internal, stapling, because this stapler's operation does not increase that peak power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Webb, Frederick B. Clark, James L. Pratt, Douglas W. Buch, Kevin M. Carolan
  • Patent number: 5727506
    Abstract: To avoid stalling of a two-stroke internal combustion engine as its orientation is changed upon a change of direction in which a working machine such as a chain saw is held, non-atomized fuel is prevented from flowing precipitously into the combustion chamber of the engine. The engine comprises a crank case forming a crank chamber which has an intake port opening into the crank chamber, and a flow control feature at the circumferential inner surface of the crank chamber in the vicinity of the intake port for retarding flow of non-atomized fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Tajima, Hiroaki Koga, Hiroji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5727512
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an iron block 2 and an aluminium head 3 held together by bolts 6. The bolts 6 extend through oil drainage passages 8 in the head and through bores 9 in the block and engage with the block at a point substantially spaced from the head/block interface. The increased length of the bolts 6 allows them to stretch to accommodate the relatively large expansion of the head as the engine warms up. Good thermal contact is provided between the bolts and the water jacket of the engine so that the bolts warm up quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Rover Group Limited
    Inventor: William Richard Hutchins
  • Patent number: 5727514
    Abstract: An anti-corrosion fogging device for internal combustion engines, such as marine engines, includes a system which injects oil having anti-corrosive properties into the engine of a boat. The device may be applied to two cycle outboard motors as well as four cycle engines. The system dispenses the anti-corrosive oil by means of an aerosol spray can permanently connected to a remotely controlled solenoid valve which through a hose supplies oil to a spray nozzle permanently installed on the engine. A user can at will dispense a controllable quantity of anti-corrosive oil into an internal combustion engine at the end of an operating cycle to protect the engine against corrosion during prolonged idleness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: Carl Sunden