Patents Examined by Henry C. Yuen
  • Patent number: 7077080
    Abstract: A free piston engine has a pair of opposed cylinders on opposite sides of a fluid pumping assembly. An inner piston assembly includes a pair of inner pistons, one each in a respective one of the cylinders, with a push rod connected therebetween. The push rod forms a fluid plunger. An outer piston assembly includes a pair of outer pistons, one each in a respective one of the cylinders, with a pull rod connected therebetween. The pull rod forms a fluid plunger. The movement of the inner and outer piston assemblies during engine operation will cause the fluid plungers to pump fluid from a low pressure container into a high pressure chamber as a means of storing the energy output. A hydraulic coupler synchronizes the inner and outer piston assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Schmuecker, Ing Gunter Guerich, Herman-Josef Laumen, Adrain Tusinean, Kevin Fuqua
  • Patent number: 7077096
    Abstract: In a multi-cylinder engine, a decrease of the load capacity of a main metal bearing between a bearing portion of a crankcase and a crank journal is prevented to achieve a reduction in the scale and a reduction in the weight of the engine while lubricating oil is supplied between a major end portion of a connecting rod and a crankpin. A pair of outermost crank journals are disposed most outwardly along an axial line of a crankshaft from among a plurality of crank journals have a length in the axial direction set greater than the length of the remaining crank journals in the axial direction. Crankpin oil paths extending from at least one of the two outermost crank journals to the crankpins are provided in the crankshaft while an oil supply source is connected to the crankpin oil paths at least at one of the outermost crank journals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7077077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coolable annular support (1) for internally cooled piston rings, comprising an annular body (2) embodied as a circular ring and a cooling channel plate (3), the cooling channel plate (3) being a component of the cooling channel, and a method for the production thereof. The components forming the annular body (2) and the cooling channel plate (3) are connected together by means of laser beams from at least one laser in a continuous wave operation. The cooling channel plate (3) is U-shaped and has openings (6) which act as an inlet or an outlet for the cooling material in conjunction with tubular-shaped bodies. It is possible to simultaneously compensate variations in volume by different air temperatures during welding. At least one edge of the annular body (2) and the cooling channel plate form a cavity (5) for the cooling material by connecting the end areas of the limbs of the cooling channel plate to said edge of the annular body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: A.I.M.L. GmbH
    Inventor: Susanne Mayr-Kohn
  • Patent number: 7073494
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Cullen, Gopichandra Sumilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7073492
    Abstract: A light metal cylinder crankcase for combustion engines has cylinder bushings with a running layer that forms the running surface and a rough, external bonding layer for bonding the cylinder bushings to the cylinder crankcase while pouring the cylinder crankcase. At least 60% of the bonding layer relative to the jacket surface of the bonding layer is connected with the casting material of the cylinder crankcase in a material tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignees: Atz-Evus Applikations-Und Technikzentrum, Hyrdro Aluminium Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Hoffmann, Josef Steibl, Frank Dornenburg, Markus Nolte, Achim Sach, Berthold Aumuller, Klaus Dotzler
  • Patent number: 7069895
    Abstract: An outboard motor has a V-type engine in which in which a plurality of cylinders are arranged in a V-shape, a crankshaft is arranged substantially vertically, and an overhead valve (OHV)-type valve train is mounted. This outboard motor also includes an air intake system in which a carburetor is arranged above the engine and in a space of a V bank between the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Itoh, Hiroyuki Maejima, Hiroo Yamauchi, Masashi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 7069881
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooled ring carrier that is cast into a piston for internal combustion engines. According to the invention, the zone of the ring carrier facing the cooling channel is coated, thereby preventing air from escaping from the cooling channel through the ring carrier material to the melt during alfination of the cooled ring carrier, and forming oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: MAHLE GmbH
    Inventor: Karlheinz Bing
  • Patent number: 7069894
    Abstract: An intake manifold arrangement for an internal combustion engine in which transverse channels (12) are arranged between the intake channels upstream from the cylinder intakes of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine equipped with exhaust gas recirculation. The connections (2, 3) for the introduction of clean air into the intake channels, the transverse channels (12) and a connecting flange (4) for the exhaust gas recirculation line are integrated into a one-piece component (1), preferably made of cast aluminum, which can be mounted on the respective cylinder intakes of the internal combustion engine, particularly a V engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Gessner, Ludger Stuerwald
  • Patent number: 7069900
    Abstract: A module for an internal combustion engine formed as a unit comprising an oil filter for lubricating oil of the engine and an oil separator for crankcase ventilation gas and which, as a whole, is attached to the engine by a flange connection with flow connections. An oil duct for oil to be filtered and an oil duct for filtered oil extend through the flange. A ventilation duct for ventilation gas and an oil return duct for separated oil also extent through the flange. A drain duct connected to the crankcase via the flange connection is provided for draining the oil filter upon a replacement of the filter element. The drain duct, the ventilation duct and the oil return duct are united in the flange connection and along at least a part of their length in the module in a single combined gas-and-oil duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Ardes
  • Patent number: 7069918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine cylinder head having an exhaust gas recirculation passage formed therein. The exhaust gas recirculation passage extending along the length of the cylinder head casting and disposed in a heat transfer relationship with a water jacket located within the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Mackey, Ryo Fucinone
  • Patent number: 7066116
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring energy from an internal combustion engine to drive a load. The system includes a rapid response component, a valve system and an actuator. The rapid response component is configured to be operatively coupled to a combustion portion of the internal combustion engine. The rapid response component is also configured to draw a portion of energy from the combustion in the internal combustion engine and transfer the portion of energy as a fluid including pulsitile fluid flow. The valve system is operatively coupled to the rapid response component and is operable to receive and controllably direct the pulsitile fluid flow from the rapid response component. The actuator is operatively coupled to the valve system and is configured to be operatively coupled to the load. The actuator operates to receive the fluid from the valve system to drive the load operatively coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Sarcos Investments LC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Marc Olivier, Shane Olsen, Mike Morrison
  • Patent number: 7066119
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine includes a scavenging passage opening in a combustion chamber in a scavenging stroke to fill the combustion chamber with a working gas containing a fuel; and a scavenge filling chamber communicating through a communicating port with the scavenging passage and arranged to be filled with a non-working gas in a fuel weight concentration smaller than that of the working gas prior to the scavenging stroke. In the scavenging stroke, the scavenging passage and the scavenging filling chamber are made open in the combustion chamber and the non-working gas in the scavenge filling chamber is forced into the combustion chamber by the working gas inside the scavenging passage through the communicating port to scavenge the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Maruyama Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Terutaka Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7066155
    Abstract: A system and method of adjusting the rate of supplementary fuel flow to an engine while monitoring the operating characteristics of an engine. The amount of pressure to apply to a regulator valve is determined based at least in part upon the operating conditions of the engine and information included in a stored fuel grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Autotronic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon K. Uhde, Ezell R. Clarke, Stephen C. Masters, Douglas B. Waits
  • Patent number: 7066130
    Abstract: A recoil starter has a guide surface with limited polar symmetry about the axis of the pull-rope limiting rotational orientation of the pull-handle in the at-rest position to less than three angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignees: Tohatsu Corporation, Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Purdy, Mark T. Lokken, Koichiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7066134
    Abstract: In a vertical engine, a bulged portion protrudes upwards, in conformity to a partially cylindrical outer wall of uppermost one of cylinders, on an upper surface of a cylinder block forming a bottom wall of a chain chamber accommodating a chain for driving a camshaft and a balancer shaft through a crankshaft. A pair of oil return bores for returning an oil in the chain chamber to an oil pan are provided in lower portions of the bottom wall on opposite sides of an axis of the bulged portion. The oil which has lubricated the chain in the chain chamber flows so that it is distributed to the opposite sides of the axis, and the oil is returned smoothly from the oil return bores formed in the bottom wall to the oil pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fukuda, Hiroki Tawa, Kazuhiro Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 7063081
    Abstract: A deterioration determining apparatus and a deterioration determining method are applied to an engine in which a feedback control of an air-fuel ratio is performed by calculating an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient based on an output of an oxygen sensor, and response of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient with respect to the output of the oxygen sensor is set so as to be variable. In the deterioration determining apparatus and the deterioration determining method, a deterioration determining value concerning a determination as to whether the oxygen sensor has deteriorated is set so as to be variable according to the set response of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient with respect to the output of the oxygen sensor, and the determination as to whether the oxygen sensor has deteriorated is made based on an inversion cycle of the output of the oxygen sensor and the deterioration determining value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7063074
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a fuel system component disposed on an engine body in a vehicle, the apparatus including a protector including a first wall and a second wall connected with the first wall. The first and second walls extend toward the engine body and cooperate with each other to surround the fuel system component. The second wall has one end opposed to the engine body with a clearance. A first fastening member fixes the first wall to the engine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., LTD, Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd., Renault s.a.s. societe par actions Simplifiee
    Inventors: Takehiro Horibe, Koji Asano, Syoji Kobiyama, Akio Iwamoto, Takahiro Yata
  • Patent number: 7059292
    Abstract: A cylinder block includes an inner block member having a cylinder liner portion and an outer block member having a cylinder outer wall portion. With the inner and outer block members assembled together, a water jacket is defined between the outer and inner circumferential surface. A first sealing surface of the cylinder liner portion is opposed to a second sealing surface of the cylinder outer wall portion below the water jacket, and a liquid gasket is provided between the first and second sealing surfaces. A continuous projection is provided on the first sealing surface. When the cylinder liner portion is inserted into the space defined by the cylinder outer wall portion, the projection prevents the gasket from being displaced to a trailing side on the cylinder liner portion with respect to the inserting direction. As a result, the clearance between the block members is sealed reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Sugano, Kazunari Takenaka
  • Patent number: 7059291
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, includes: a cylinder head including; a bearing holder; and an integrated cam bracket held to the cylinder head, in a manner that a first cam shaft and a second cam shaft in parallel with each other in a direction of a line of a cylinder are sandwiched between the cylinder head and the integrated cam bracket. The integrated cam bracket includes; a first side frame and a second side frame, bearing beams bridging across the first side frame and the second side frame, the first cam shaft and the second cam shaft being rotatably born by the bearing beams with the bearing holder, a center beam disposed between the first side frame and the second side frame and extending in parallel with the first side frame and the second side frame, and a void portion collinear with the center beam and free from the center beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., RENAULT s.a.s. societe par actions simplifiee
    Inventors: Tarou Ueno, Hajime Oota
  • Patent number: 7059300
    Abstract: An ignition control apparatus for an internal combustion engine for preventing ignition control upon occurrence of rotation reversal of the engine includes a rotation sensor (3) disposed in opposition to projections (11, 12) of a rotor (1), and an ignition timing control circuit (4) for fetching a rotation sensor signal (R) as a reference angular position signal to output a driving signal (P) to the ignition circuit (6). A retarded ignition control module (46) of the control circuit (4) measures a period of a specific interval of the sensor signal (R) while generating a driving signal (P) in dependence on the specific interval period. An arithmetic module (46) of the retarded ignition control module (46) sets an expectation period for accepting a succeeding sensor signal on the basis of the specific interval period to validate only the signal inputted during the expectation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ikeda